Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass Serial Numbers
In the early years, Fender serial numbers schemes were specific to the model. Esquires, Broadcasters and Telecasters shared a serial number sequence, while the landmark Precision Bass had its own system. In this early period, the serial number can be found on the bridge of the instrument (see image). Online shopping from a great selection at Musical Instruments Store.
Hi everyone, I need some help with a Fender Jazz Bass Marcus Miller made in japan from 2002 I've come across. The owner is selling it for 600 euros.
Are you sure its Japanese? Perhaps Mexican (sorry but I'm not familiar with MIM). One more thing, Bacchus Japan released a few exact copies of Marcus Miller Signature. There could be a slim chance the logo was replaced. Click to expand.I never thought s/n is also used since majority of Fender Japan instruments used the complete SERIAL NUMBER. I haven't come across to those models yet personally. The OP bass has no Made in Japan or Crafted in Japan stamp which is really really really strange as well as the serial number which starts with 'B'.
Fender Japan never use the 's/n' for serial number. They use the whole words 'SERIAL NUMBER'. Are you sure its Japanese? Perhaps Mexican (sorry but I'm not familiar with MIM). One more thing, Bacchus Japan released a few exact copies of Marcus Miller Signature. There could be a slim chance the logo was replaced. Click to expand.I never thought s/n is also used since majority of Fender Japan instruments used the complete SERIAL NUMBER.
This past summer I was looking at one of the 3-tone sunburst Geddy Lee basses, and right on the heel of the neck where the serial number is, the serial had an MX prefix with a note that it was made in Mexico. Then I checked a Marcus Miller bass and it said the same thing. I don’t really have anything against the Mexican-built basses as they are also good instruments, but it was still quite a shock. But I should not be too surprised, as the margins on these guitars must be getting very low for Fender. When these models came out the exchange rate was around 130 Yen to the dollar, and now it is around 80 Yen to the dollar.
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They use the whole words 'SERIAL NUMBER'. Are you sure its Japanese? Perhaps Mexican (sorry but I'm not familiar with MIM).
This also means that various parts used on a particular guitar may have come from different points in time, so no single number can absolutely define when the instrument was built. Instead, the best approach to dating a Fender is to combine indicators from the design of the instrument, the dates found on the neck and body, along with the serial number. Design Changes and Features Perhaps the best place to start when dating your Fender is to get an approximate idea of the era based on the instrument's design and components. This can be a tall order for someone less versed in guitar history, but we do have some resources here on Reverb to help you out. For starters, there's the Reverb Price Guide which has thousands of entries with pictures and details on various guitars and other gear. Some browsing around the can definitely help you find which model you have. We also have some other blog posts related to Fender that can hopefully be of some help.
Are you sure its Japanese? Perhaps Mexican (sorry but I'm not familiar with MIM). One more thing, Bacchus Japan released a few exact copies of Marcus Miller Signature. There could be a slim chance the logo was replaced. I can see the serial numbers clearly but its really strange it doesn't have any Made in Japan stamp. Fender Japan ALWAYS put Made in Japan or Crafted in Japan. The serial number is also very strange.
DATING JAPANESE-MADE FENDER INSTRUMENTS Records on early Japanese-made Fender instruments are not complete and are therefore not completely definitive for dating purposes. As always, serial numbers should only be used as a guide for dating and should be used in combination with known age-related specifications to help identify the production year of an instrument.
Serial Numbers Like the body and neck dates, using serial numbers to date a Fender is not a sure bet. At many points in Fender's history, serial number usage overlapped again owing to the modular manner of production. Below we'll go into detail about the various serial number schemes employed by Fender as far back as 1950. There are certainly plenty of exceptions, so again, using serial numbers in conjunction with other dating methods is always the best bet. Click on the links here to jump directly to the serial number style that matches your instrument: • • • • • • • The Early Years: 1950 - 1954 In the early years, Fender serial numbers schemes were specific to the model.
Offers soon came in from a number of labels, and suddenly Sparxxx's breakthrough seemed just on the horizon. Dark days bright nights rar. After moving a surprising number of units after getting radio play in the surrounding Georgia area, Nocents became 11th Hour Entertainment, and the album fell into the lap of Interscope Records head honcho Jimmy Iovine. Iovine liked what he heard and flew Sparxxx out to California to discuss a label deal.
These dates will tell when the original part was manufactured, but are not exact indicators of when the guitar was actually put together and finished. Here is what the neck date and body date look like from a 1952 Telecaster: If you're not comfortable removing the neck of a guitar to peek at the date marker, I encourage you to take it to a local tech or luthier. I will also mention briefly pot-codes as a resource (numbers on the internal potentiometers of the guitar). These can definitely be useful in cases where no other numbers exist, but just tell when the pot itself was made. Who knows how long it was waiting in the Fender factory before finding its way into a Tele?
Thanks a lot, S.
Some exceptions include a handful of special editions and signature models as well as the split US/Mexican-made California series which all have a 'AMXN' at the beginning of their serials. MZ3 + 5 or 6 digits 2003 MZ4 + 5 or 6 digits 2004 MZ5 + 5 or 6 digits 2005 MZ6 + 5 or 6 digits 2006 MZ7 + 5 or 6 digits 2007 MZ8 + 5 or 6 digits 2008 MZ9 + 5 or 6 digits 2009 MX10 + 6 digits 2010 MX11 + 6 digits 2011 MX12 + 6 digits 2012 MX13 + 6 digits 2013 MX14 + 6 digits 2014 Exceptions There are a number of exceptions to all these serial number schemes. As mentioned above, many reissue models use serial numbers that don't really correlate to their age.