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DescriptionThis is a Fender Jerry Donahue Telecaster made in Japan at the Fujigen. An A+6-digit serial number (stamped in the bridge) that tells you very little. The Japanese-made Fenders do have some slight serial number differences (typically a 'J' serial number prefix). N9 + 5 digits = 1990 N0 + 5 digits = 1990-1991.
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In the late 1970s many American products were being sent overseas to be manufactured. Guitars were no different. Fender decided to start building guitars in Japan in March 1982 after CBS, then owner of Fender guitars, worked out a deal with Yamaha Music and Kanda Shokai. Originally, the Japanese Fenders were only offered to the European market but later became available in the US.
Fender used Fuji Gen Gakki or the Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation exclusively to build all of their Japanese guitars until 1997. These Fenders are commonly referred to as Made in Japan Fenders or MIJ because of the made in Japan stamp on the neck heel. Fender switched to using Crafted in Japan or CIJ decals in 1997 and returned to the original Made in Japan decals in 2007.Are you confused yet?
Well, I have divided these serial numbers into three main categories and wrote a little history about each one. Take a look at the tables to see how old your Japanese Fender is. Good luck!. Japanese Vintage and Japanese Reissue Models.
Made in Japan Decals. Crafted in Japan Decals. In 1984, Fender stopped producing the Japanese Vintage guitars and decided to change the entire serial number system to something closer to what they used on their American guitars. They use a single letter followed by either five or six digits. All of these guitars have a Made in Japan decal on either the heel or headstock. Fender consistently made these serial numbers until 1997 when they switched from Made in Japan decals to Crafted in Japan decals.The Crafted in Japan Fenders were made until 2007 when Fender decided to change its mind again and go back to the “Made in Japan” decal.
This wasn’t fully adopted on all models the first year, so MIJ and CIJ decals show up on both 2007 and 2008 guitars.
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