Fender Style (Flat Top Series) Serial Number System (1982-1986)

[Sigmania]

1982 catalog:



● Earthquake Early Warning ● About serial numbers

THE SCOOP

We are finally here. The shocking Tokai Flat Top series. Even the serial number has been completely reprinted !!

1948 ~ 1954 MODEL
3 or 4digits-on bridge plate
* TE80 is originally this, but in Tokai, although the basic model is 1948 model, only the serial number is treated as 1955 or later from the viewpoint of the perfection of the guitar.
1954 ~ Pre-1956 MODEL
4digits-on neck plates.
0000-
Maple 1 Piece Neck Specifications
ST80, 100, 120. TE80, 120.
1956 ~ 1960 MODEL
5 digits-on neck plates
00000-
Maple 1 Piece Neck Specifications
ST50, 60. TE50, 70. PB80.
1960 ~ 1964 MODEL.
L + 5 digits-on neck plates.
L00000 ~
All Rosewood (Flat / Earl) Fingerboard neck specifications.
ST50R, 60R, 70R, 80R, 100R, 120R. TE50R, 70R, 80R, 120R. PB70R, 80R. JB45R, 60R, 80R, 85FLR, 120R.
1964/1965 ~ 1976 MODEL
6 digits-on neck plates.
000000-
Random neck specifications.
ST70. PB70. TE200R. SS60, 60R. PB40, 40R, 48, 48R, 60, 60R
1976 ~ MODEL
7 digits-on head stock
SS series (excluding SS60 and 60R) are stamped on the head.


How history has revived here now. The weight of the era from the birth of the electric guitar to its golden age.
The serial number of this traditional model is also beautifully reproduced in the Tokai Flat Top Series.
The serial number of the same number of digits is engraved on the Tokai electric guitar as a symbol of each era that has been engraved since the birth of the electric guitar.
TE, ST, PB, JB and SS, these serial numbers are reproduced as shown on the left.
Only the Tokai Flat Top Series can deliver the perfect replica model that you have dreamed of.
In addition, it was fully implemented from February 1, 1982.

 

[Sigmania]

Ended by Spring of 1986?

So February 1, 1982 - Spring 1986.

Fender Style Serial Numbers Ended When?

 

[Sigmania]

1984 TST55L MRR

SN L24903

July body & neck codes ( 7 = 5 )

June 1984 pot dates ( 4 6 )

1984 Tokai ST-55 Goldstar RARE Lefty Left Hand ORIGINAL 2 Pc./Ctr. Alder Steel Block | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

I posted the above TST55L to show something odd about the serial numbers.

It looks like the L serial numbers end in early 1986 in the L30000 range.

But this guitar is clearly from 1984 based on the pots and the = sign on both neck & body, and that the pot dates support the July mfr date in the production code.

So why is this number so high?

For reference, the table from the Faber site which though not perfect is a pretty good reference tool for Tokai serial numbers. Showing this so you can see how far off the serial number on this TST55L is.

https://www.faberguitar.com/index.php?k=107&lang=eng

 

[Sigmania]

This is where I tried to button up the end point, but now I need to go through my assumptions.

I need more verifiable pot dates to link with the serial numbers to make sure this timeline is correct.

Fender Style Serial Numbers Ended When? Spring 1986

Because there are these other loose ends that I have not been able to fit with the current assumptions of L30000 serials in 1986.

Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting with 10xxxx

And

Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting With 11xxxx

And

Six Digit Serial Numbers With 2xxxxx 1986 1987