Crayon Sky Music

When and where was my guitar made?

I recently got a Fender Stratocaster (serial # Z1033138) as a gift. I have been trying to figure out when and where it was made but haven’t been able to find the serial number listed anywhere after checking several sites including fender.com. It has a volume knob and 2 tone knobs and it also has the thing up by the tuner pegs that when you push it back it leans into the top string changing its sound. Any information that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Hi! According to the Fender site (http://www.fender.com/support/usa_instruments.php ) the “Z”-prefix serial numbers denoting the new millennium appeared on U.S.-made instruments in 2000. Z0 denotes 2000; Z1 denotes 2001, etc. As always, there is typically some number prefix overlap and carryover from year to year. From the Guitar Dater Project (http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx ) your guitar was made at the Corona Plant (Fender), USA in the Year(s): 2001 – 2002. As far as the thing up by the tuning pegs, I suspect it is an add-on from a previous owner, and looks similar to (or perhaps exactly like) the Hipshot Guitar Extender (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Hipshot_Guitar_Extender_Keys.html ). I do not believe Fender ever installed these Drop-D Tuners on their American-made Stratocasters, but weirder things have come out of Corona! Best regards, Dana