The ShadowMusic Web Community

I know, I know, I know!
I can't claim to be the biggest fan of the Shads and HMB if I can't remember THAT serial number!
But ....... I can't!
But then I'll be 70 in April!!!
So pleeeaaase remind me someone - I tried all sorts of search criteria but had to give up.
So.............?!
Thanks to .... whoever.

34346 I'm 74 so I know what the memory problems are!

FWIW, an old reference book I have puts that serial number as being used between January and April 1959. These numbers were usually stamped on the metal neck plate.

There would also probably be a more specific date pencilled on the body end of the neck, where the trussrod nut is located.

Re the month/year pencilled on the end of the neck:-

at what stage in the manufacturing process is this done?

does this apply to all Fender models?

Just curious, because over the years, I have swapped necks between guitars (not with 100% success I confess).


Kindest regards,
Christopher

The neck date was written on the neck end when the neck was completed. The guitar serial number (for Strats, this was the number stamped on the neck plate) roughly equates with the date on the neck, giving a clue to the approximate date range that the guitar was put together. Other components like the body, pickups, bridge plates, wiring harness and pots etc often also had date marks.

In the list in my book (Guitar Identification etc..by Andre Duchossoir, printed etc around March/April 1983)..which contains examples from various date ranges etc,the nearest to 34346 are:

33999- Jan 59- Strat
34562-March 59- Precision bass

Hope this is of interest.

John.

Thanks for your reply.

I was really just speculating whether, considering the the thousands of guitars and all the variations/models etc., Fender have manufactured over the last 70+ years, they are continuing to mark the date on the thick end of the neck?

I am thinking that Fenders are made on a production line, and one of the guys or gals has that job maybe??

Kindest regards,
Christopher

Yes, dates are still marked on the end of the neck, but for some years now they've been stamped rather than handwritten.

Collectors, by the way, usually regard this as the 'birth-date' of the guitar.