Serial number on MIM Fender Strat

A friend of mine recently bought a MIM Strat circa 1992. However there is a gap in the serial number. The number is MN2 XXXXXX. The space is between the MN2 and the 6 digit number. We've never come across this before and he didn't notice it before purchase. Is there a chance this is a FAKE or are there spaces sometimes in Serial Numbers?

Post edited by: CrazyTrain, at: 2007/06/13 00:06

Post edited by: CrazyTrain, at: 2007/06/13 00:10

CrazyTrain, welcome to the forum

Maybe this serial number decoder can help you any further? I've heard this before and seen contradicting answers to it, so it's hard to say....

Hey, thanks for that Slash, do you know how reliable that site is? It seems that no matter what number I put in, as long as I put in MN2 it says made in Mexico, if I put in N2 and make up a number it says made in Corona and so on. Every number I made up seemed to be a real guitar serial.

Well, now you say so Would this Fender explanatory page help in any way finding out about it?

I found some information on an ebay forum relating to a similar topic, it looks like the guitar may be a Chinese fake.
Watch out for serial numbers like this in future and stay well away from them. Link to eBay forum:

Post edited by: admin, at: 2007/06/22 06:39

Post edited by: admin, at: 2007/06/22 06:42

Thanks alot everyone..a little more history gained...but still no answers to my 'EE' serial number...I guess it STANDS FOR EIGHTY EIGHT but have never seen EE b4 only E8 for the same year....please someone put me out of my misery!!!! Great forum by the way......

Steviesam after reading up some about it, it seems many people do relate the EE number to early american standards (years 1985-1988). Are you sure of the date? You might find this (please click) Fender website helpful

Post edited by: Slash, at: 2007/08/15 06:46

The "EE" designation is an "export" designation on the serial number. I've got one; I'm in Canada, eh. Bought around Jan 1987, American Standard Gunmetal blue with white pickguard. Aging nicely except for the buckle scratch on the back when I lent it to that #@!%* hack guitar player I played with once. Doesn't anyone know to pull their shirt over the !@#* buckle?

And no, it's not a Chinese fake! Jeez.

dbdb welcome here. I hope you will like the forum

So, thanks to you, this mystery is solved now. I hope steviesam will read this.

Isn't there a way to mend the buckle scratch?

I personally don't mind buckle rash on my guitars. I think it gives them character and a well played look. I don't think SRV or Rory G were too bothered by it either judging by their guitars.

Post edited by: CrazyTrain, at: 2007/12/04 14:29

You got a point there, Crazy_Train. what I wonder though is that if the rash gets too 'severe' it might not have an impact on the sound?

Yeah Slash, it could do I guess but I'm no expert in that department tbh so I'll have leave that debate to you professionals out there!
What I do know though is that Rory G's strat sounded as sweet as they come, but thats only my opinion of course.

Yeah, I think your right. I also thought that of Rory's strat. Perhaps it depends on various things (like impact, location etc.) but indeed that would be known only from experience with such a guitar