The problem in one sentence
A Fender Japan serial beginning with A is equally consistent with 1985 and 1997, and nothing in the number resolves it.
Fender ran the alphabet once through the “Made in Japan” period and then started again for “Crafted in Japan”. Reading the wording on the headstock is not an optional extra check — it is the missing digit.
Read the decal before you read the serial
Made in Japan, 1982–1997
| Prefix | Years |
|---|---|
| JV | 1982–1984 |
| SQ | 1983–1984 |
| E | 1984–1987 |
| A | 1985–1986 |
| B | 1985–1986 |
| C | 1985–1986 |
| F | 1986–1987 |
| G | 1987–1988 |
| H | 1988–1989 |
| I | 1989–1990 |
| J | 1989–1990 |
| K | 1990–1991 |
| L | 1991–1992 |
| M | 1992–1993 |
| N | 1993–1994 |
| O | 1993–1994 |
| P | 1993–1994 |
| Q | 1993–1994 |
| S | 1994–1995 |
| T | 1994–1995 |
| U | 1995–1996 |
| V | 1996–1997 |
JV and SQ instruments from 1982–1984 are the earliest of the series and the most collectable.
Crafted in Japan, 1997–2008
| Prefix | Years |
|---|---|
| A | 1997–1998 |
| B | 1998–1999 |
| C | 1999–2000 |
| D | 2000–2001 |
| E | 2001–2002 |
| F | 2002–2003 |
| G | 2003–2004 |
| H | 2004–2005 |
| I | 2005–2006 |
| J | 2006–2007 |
| K | 2006–2007 |
| T | 2007–2008 |
Why the Japanese instruments exist at all
Fender Japan was established in 1982, in response to Japanese manufacturers building copies that were, in several cases, better made than the American originals of the period. Rather than continue losing that market, Fender licensed production in Japan and competed directly.
The JV series that resulted is genuinely well regarded, and the mid-1980s Japanese instruments filled the gap while American production was suspended during the move from Fullerton to Corona. They are not a lesser line — for a stretch of the 1980s they were most of what Fender was selling.
Examples
- JV12345 — 1982–1984, the original series
- A123456 — 1985–1986 or 1997–1998 — read the decal
- V123456 — 1996–1997
Common questions
- Why does my Japanese Fender serial return two different years?
- Fender used the same letters twice — once during the Made in Japan period and again during Crafted in Japan. Both readings are genuinely consistent with the number, and the wording on the headstock decal is what separates them.
- Are Japanese Fenders good?
- The Japanese instruments of the 1980s were built to a high standard and, during the period when American production was suspended, made up most of what Fender sold. The JV series in particular is well regarded.
Last reviewed 29 July 2026. Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.