How to date a Squier by its serial number
- Find the serial. On most Squiers it’s on the back of the headstock; on some older ones it’s on the front of the headstock or the neck plate.
- Read the letters. The first two to four letters name the country and factory:
CYis China (Yako),ICSis Indonesia (Cor-Tek),KCis Korea (Cor-Tek), and so on. - Read the year. On almost every Asian-made Squier the one or two digits right after the letters are the year: CGS10… is 2010. Since about 2020 there’s an extra month letter first: ICSB21… is February 2021 [3][9].
Pick the decal’s country above so look-alike numbers from different factories don’t get mixed up. The lookup shows every year the published guides allow and which source says so.
A serial narrows the date; it doesn’t pin it down. Factories number necks and bodies ahead of time, so a guitar can be finished in the year after its code. Some guides therefore give each code a two-year window, and the lookup shows both years [9][7]. Dates shown in Fender’s own online database for Squiers can also be the date the factory’s list was entered rather than the build date [9].
China-made Squier serial numbers
Fender doesn’t publish a dating guide for its Chinese factories, so these rules come from independent guides that agree with each other [3][9][4]:
| Serial starts with | Factory | Years used |
|---|---|---|
NC + 1 digit | Yako | 1994–1997 |
CD + 2 digits | Dalian Dong Fang | 1998–1999 |
CY + 2 digits | Yako | 1998–2020 |
CY + 1 digit | Yako | 2002–2008 |
CGR + 2 digits | Grand Reward | 2008–2009 |
CGS + 2 digits | Grand Reward | 2009–2020 |
COS + 2 digits | Cor-Tek | 2008–2012 |
COB + 2 digits | Cor-Tek | 2008–2012 |
CGR + month letter + 2 digits | Grand Reward | 2008 on |
CSS / CYK + month letter + 2 digits | Axl / Yako | 2020 on |
CY is the most common Chinese prefix. Most CY numbers carry a two-digit year (CY04… = 2004), but the guides agree some from the 2000s carry only one digit (CY4… = 2004). When a number fits both readings, both are shown. CXS (Axl, about 2007–2012),CAE (Axl, about 2002–2006) and YN (Yako, 1990s) are identified, but the guides don’t agree on where the year is, so the lookup doesn’t guess.
Indonesia
| Serial starts with | Factory | Years used |
|---|---|---|
IC + 2 digits | Cor-Tek | 1999–2010 |
IS + 2 digits | Samick | 1999–2010 |
SI + 2 digits | Samick | 2000–2004 |
ICS + 2 digits | Cor-Tek | 2009–2020 |
ISS + 2 digits | Samick | 2019–2020 |
ICS / ISS + month letter + 2 digits | Cor-Tek / Samick | 2021 on |
The digits after the letters are the year: ICS17… is 2017 (or early 2018) [3][9]. Some 2009–2010 ICS numbers are a digit shorter than usual [4]. The Fender-brandedIC and ICF numbers from the same factory read the same way [10].
Month letters (2020 on)
Newer Squiers add a fourth letter for the month, then the two-digit year [3][9]:
ICS B 21 123456 → Indonesia (Cor-Tek), B = February, 2021
| Letter | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Korea
CN(Cor-Tek) orVN(Saehan/Sunghan) + a year digit: the 1990s, so CN2… is 1992–93[7][3][4].KC+ a two-digit year: Cor-Tek, 1997–2012 (KC97… = 1997–98) [7][3][8].- 6 or 7 digits with no letters: about 1988–1998, first digit = year (6123456 = 1996). Fender’s records only go back to mid-1993, so it calls earlier dates “highly uncertain” [7][3]. 8-digit numbers use the first two digits; only Fender documents those, so they’re labelled “per Fender”.
KV,M, and late-1980sEorSnumbers are identified as Korean, but only one guide reads a year from them, so the lookup doesn’t [3][4].
Japan: the JV and SQ era
The first Squiers (1982–1984) were built in Japan and carry JV (“Japanese Vintage”) orSQ + 5 digits. Later Japanese Squiers use a letter + 6 digits, and the same letters were reused on “Made in Japan” and “Crafted in Japan” decals, so the decal matters[6][3]:
| Serial | Made in Japan, 1982–97 | Crafted in Japan, 1997–2008 |
|---|---|---|
JV + 5 digits | 1982–1984 | — |
SQ + 5 digits | 1983 or 1984 | — |
E + 6 digits | 1984–1987 | — |
A + 6 digits | 1985 or 1986 | 1997 or 1998 |
B + 6 digits | 1985 or 1986 | — |
C + 6 digits | 1985 or 1986 | — |
F + 6 digits | 1986 or 1987 | — |
G + 6 digits | 1987 or 1988 | — |
H + 6 digits | 1988 or 1989 | — |
I + 6 digits | 1989 or 1990 | — |
J + 6 digits | 1989–1991 | — |
K + 6 digits | 1990 or 1991 | — |
L + 6 digits | 1991 or 1992 | — |
M + 6 digits | 1992 or 1993 | — |
N + 6 digits | 1993 or 1994 | — |
O + 6 digits | 1993 or 1994 | 1997–2000 |
P + 6 digits | 1993 or 1994 | 1999–2002 |
Q + 6 digits | 1993 or 1994 | 2002–2004 |
S + 6 digits | 1994 or 1995 | 2006–2008 |
T + 6 digits | 1994 or 1995 | 2007 or 2008 |
U + 6 digits | 1995 or 1996 | — |
N + 5 digits | 1995 or 1996 | — |
V + 6 digits | 1996 or 1997 | — |
R + 6 digits | — | 2004–2006 |
Mexico, USA and India
- Mexico:
MN+ a year digit in the 1990s andMZ+ a year digit in the 2000s, the same scheme as Mexican Fenders (MN8 = 1998–99) [5][3]. - USA: Squiers built in Corona, California use Fender’s American serials:
E+ a year digit in the 1980s,N+ a year digit in the 1990s [1][2][3]. Some have only a 6-digit number on the neck plate, which can’t be dated [3][4]. - India (“Crafted in India”, 2007–2012): the year is in the prefix itself [3][4]:
CS07= 2007 or 2008;SH07= 2007 or 2008;ZSSH07= 2007 or 2008;SH08= 2008 or 2009;ZSSH08= 2008 or 2009;NSHJ08= 2008 or 2009;NSHA–K09= 2009 or 2010;NHS10= 2010 or 2011;NHS11= 2011 or 2012.
Worked examples
| Serial | Style | How it reads | Made | Example from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
E912345 | "E" + year digit + 5–6 digits (USA, 1980s) | E9 = series prefix (1989 or 1990 in the published tables)Fender: E9 = 1989–1990. | 1989 or 1990 | Fender Musical Instruments |
MN8123456 | "MN" + year digit + 5–6 digits (1990s) | 8 = last digit of the year (1998 or 1999)Squier Wiki: MN8 = 1998–1999. | 1998 or 1999 | Squier Wiki |
JV12345 | "Made in Japan", 1982–1997 (JV, SQ, or letter + 6 digits) | JV = series prefix (1982–1984 in the published tables) | 1982–1984 | Fender Musical Instruments |
CN212345 | "CN" or "VN" + year digit + 5–6 digits (1990s) | 2 = last digit of the year (1992 or 1993)Guitar Insite: CN2 = 1992; Fender: CN2 = 1992–1993. | 1992 or 1993 | Guitar Insite |
KC97123456 | "KC" + two-digit year + 6 digits (1997–2012, Cort factory) | 97 = year ’97 | 1997 or 1998 | Fender Musical Instruments |
6123456 | 6 or 7 digits, no letters (Korea, about 1988–1998) | 6 = last digit of the year (1996)Fender: "A seven-digit serial number beginning with six … indicates 1996". | 1996 | Fender Musical Instruments |
ICS17123456 | "ICS" + two-digit year + 5–7 digits (Indonesia, Cor-Tek, 2009–2020) | 17 = year ’17fuzzfaced.net: ICS17 + 6 digits = 2017–2018. | 2017 or 2018 | fuzzfaced.net |
SI02123456 | "SI" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (Indonesia, Samick, 2000–2004) | 02 = year ’02fuzzfaced.net: SI02 + 6 digits = 2002–2003. | 2002 or 2003 | fuzzfaced.net |
ICSB21123456 | "ICS" or "ISS" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (Indonesia, 2021 on) | B = month letter (February); 21 = year ’21fuzzfaced.net: ICSB21 + 6 digits = 2021; B = February. | February 2021 | fuzzfaced.net |
CY98123456 | "CY" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (China, Yako, 1998–2020) | 98 = year ’98fuzzfaced.net: CY98 + 6 digits = 1998–1999. | 1998 or 1999 | fuzzfaced.net |
CY41234567 | "CY" + one-digit year + 7 digits (China, Yako, about 2002–2008) | 4 = last digit of the year (2004 or 2005)fuzzfaced.net: CY4 + 7 digits = 2004–2005. | 2004 or 2005 | fuzzfaced.net |
CGS091234567 | "CGS" + two-digit year + 5–7 digits (China, Grand Reward, 2009–2020) | 09 = year ’09fuzzfaced.net: CGS09 + 7 digits = 2009–2010. | 2009 or 2010 | fuzzfaced.net |
CGRA21123456 | "CGR" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, Grand Reward) | A = month letter (January); 21 = year ’21Squier Wiki: CGRA21 = 2021; A = January. | January 2021 | Squier Wiki |
CSSL20123456 | "CSS" or "CYK" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, 2020 on) | L = month letter (December); 20 = year ’20Squier Wiki: CSSL20 = 2020; L = December. | December 2020 | Squier Wiki |
SH08123456 | "Crafted in India" prefixes (2007–2012) | SH08 = series prefix (2008 or 2009 in the published tables) | 2008 or 2009 | Guitar Insite |
What this lookup doesn’t cover
- China prefixes CA, CT, CJ, CGF and the newer CMC/CMY month-letter prefixes: No year rule, or only one source gives one.
- KV (Korea), M (Korea), E/S (Korea, late 1980s), CXS, CAE and YN (China): Sources agree on the factory but not on how to read the year; identified only.
- "B" + 6 digits (Crafted in Japan, 1998–1999) and Squiers with "Made in Japan" decals after 2007: One source only.
- Squier II made in India (1989–1990): Serial was a sticker on the neck; no reliable scheme documented.
- Fender database dates: fuzzfaced.net warns that the dates Fender shows online for Squiers are when the factory list was entered, not the build date.
Common questions
How do I tell what year my Squier was made?
Read the digits right after the letters at the start of the serial: on most Squiers they are the year. Enter the whole serial above with the country from the decal to see every possible year and the source for each.
What does CY mean on a Squier serial number?
China, Yako factory. CY was used from about 1998 to 2020; the digits after it are the year (CY04… = 2004).
What does CGS mean on a Squier?
China, Grand Reward factory, about 2009–2020. CGS10… is 2010 (or early 2011).
What does ICS mean on a Squier?
Indonesia, Cor-Tek (Cort) factory, about 2009 to today. ICS17… is 2017; ICSB21… is February 2021.
What does JV mean on a Squier?
A Japanese-made Squier from 1982–1984, the first years of the brand. SQ serials are from 1983–1984. The serial only dates the guitar; it says nothing about its value.
Why does Fender’s website show a different date for my Squier?
Fender’s online records for Squiers can show when the factory’s serial list was entered, which may be months after the guitar was built [9]. The serial’s own year code is usually closer.
Can the serial tell me if my Squier is genuine?
No. A serial can be copied. It only narrows the production year.
Fender-branded instrument? Use the Fender serial number lookup. Dating an Epiphone? Try the Epiphone serial number lookup.
Sources
- Fender Musical Instruments (support site): How can I find out when my American-made instrument was manufactured?Used for: "E" + year digit + 5–6 digits (USA, 1980s); "N" + year digit + 5–6 digits (USA, 1990s); "N9" decals used early (1990).
- Reverb: How to Date a Fender with Serial Numbers (Dan Orkin, 2023-06-18)Used for: "E" + year digit + 5–6 digits (USA, 1980s); "N" + year digit + 5–6 digits (USA, 1990s); "N9" decals used early (1990); "MN" + year digit + 5–6 digits (1990s); "MZ" + year digit + 5–6 digits (2000s).
- Squier Wiki (squierwiki.com): Serial Number TrackingUsed for: "E" + year digit + 5–6 digits (USA, 1980s); "N" + year digit + 5–6 digits (USA, 1990s); 6 digits on the neck plate, no headstock serial (USA); "MN" + year digit + 5–6 digits (1990s); "MZ" + year digit + 5–6 digits (2000s); "Made in Japan", 1982–1997 (JV, SQ, or letter + 6 digits); "Crafted in Japan", 1997–2008 (letter + 6 digits); "CN" or "VN" + year digit + 5–6 digits (1990s); "KC" + two-digit year + 6 digits (1997–2012, Cort factory); "KV" + 8 digits (Korea, Saehan/Sunghan factory); "E" or "S" + 6–7 digits (Korea, late 1980s–early 1990s); "M" + 7 digits (Korea, early 1990s); 6 or 7 digits, no letters (Korea, about 1988–1998); "IC" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (Indonesia, Cor-Tek, 1999–2010); "ICS" + two-digit year + 5–7 digits (Indonesia, Cor-Tek, 2009–2020); "IS" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (Indonesia, Samick, about 1999–2010); "SI" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (Indonesia, Samick, 2000–2004); "ISS" + two-digit year + 4–5 digits (Indonesia, Samick, 2019–2020); "ICS" or "ISS" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (Indonesia, 2021 on); "CY" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (China, Yako, 1998–2020); "CY" + one-digit year + 7 digits (China, Yako, about 2002–2008); "CGS" + two-digit year + 5–7 digits (China, Grand Reward, 2009–2020); "CGR" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (China, Grand Reward, 2008–2009); "CGR" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, Grand Reward); "CSS" or "CYK" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, 2020 on); "COS" + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, Cor-Tek, 2008–2012); "COB" + two-digit year + 7 digits (China, Cor-Tek, 2008–2012); "CD" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (China, Dalian Dong Fang, 1998–1999); "NC" + year digit + 5 digits (China, Yako, 1994–1997); "CXS" + 9–10 digits (China, Axl); "CAE" + 10 digits (China, Axl); "YN" + 6 digits (China, Yako); "Crafted in India" prefixes (2007–2012).
- Guitar Insite: Squier Serial Number LookupUsed for: 6 digits on the neck plate, no headstock serial (USA); "CN" or "VN" + year digit + 5–6 digits (1990s); "KV" + 8 digits (Korea, Saehan/Sunghan factory); "E" or "S" + 6–7 digits (Korea, late 1980s–early 1990s); "M" + 7 digits (Korea, early 1990s); "ICS" + two-digit year + 5–7 digits (Indonesia, Cor-Tek, 2009–2020); "CY" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (China, Yako, 1998–2020); "CGR" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, Grand Reward); "CAE" + 10 digits (China, Axl); "Crafted in India" prefixes (2007–2012).
- Fender Musical Instruments (support site): How can I find out when my Mexican-made instrument was manufactured?Used for: "MN" + year digit + 5–6 digits (1990s); "MZ" + year digit + 5–6 digits (2000s).
- Fender Musical Instruments (support site): How can I find out when my Japanese-made instrument was manufactured?Used for: "Made in Japan", 1982–1997 (JV, SQ, or letter + 6 digits); "Crafted in Japan", 1997–2008 (letter + 6 digits).
- Fender Musical Instruments (support site): How can I find out when my Korean-made instrument was manufactured?Used for: "CN" or "VN" + year digit + 5–6 digits (1990s); "KC" + two-digit year + 6 digits (1997–2012, Cort factory); 6 or 7 digits, no letters (Korea, about 1988–1998); 8 digits, no letters (Korea, mid-to-late 1990s).
- fuzzfaced.net (Antonio Calvosa): Serial number Stratocaster KoreaUsed for: "KC" + two-digit year + 6 digits (1997–2012, Cort factory).
- fuzzfaced.net (Antonio Calvosa): Serial number Stratocaster China / IndonesiaUsed for: "IC" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (Indonesia, Cor-Tek, 1999–2010); "ICS" + two-digit year + 5–7 digits (Indonesia, Cor-Tek, 2009–2020); "IS" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (Indonesia, Samick, about 1999–2010); "SI" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (Indonesia, Samick, 2000–2004); "ISS" + two-digit year + 4–5 digits (Indonesia, Samick, 2019–2020); "ICS" or "ISS" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (Indonesia, 2021 on); "CY" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (China, Yako, 1998–2020); "CY" + one-digit year + 7 digits (China, Yako, about 2002–2008); "CGS" + two-digit year + 5–7 digits (China, Grand Reward, 2009–2020); "CGR" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (China, Grand Reward, 2008–2009); "CGR" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, Grand Reward); "CSS" or "CYK" + month letter + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, 2020 on); "COS" + two-digit year + 6 digits (China, Cor-Tek, 2008–2012); "COB" + two-digit year + 7 digits (China, Cor-Tek, 2008–2012); "CD" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (China, Dalian Dong Fang, 1998–1999); "NC" + year digit + 5 digits (China, Yako, 1994–1997); "CXS" + 9–10 digits (China, Axl); "CAE" + 10 digits (China, Axl); "YN" + 6 digits (China, Yako).
- Fender Musical Instruments (support site): How can I find out when my Indonesian-made instrument was manufactured?Used for: "IC" + two-digit year + 6–7 digits (Indonesia, Cor-Tek, 1999–2010).
- Fender Musical Instruments (support site): How can I find out how old my instrument is if it uses an odd or non-standard serial numbering scheme?Used for: "NC" + year digit + 5 digits (China, Yako, 1994–1997).