Where to find Fender Stringmaster Serial Numbers?

Thomas Cross · Post by **Thomas Cross** » 28 Jun 2012 3:48 am

Where to find Fender Stringmaster Serial Numbers? 1953-1957?
Thank You, tfc

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 28 Jun 2012 6:41 am

They are normally located on the base of the instrument in question. If you're looking to date your Fender Stringmaster through the use of the serial number, you're out of luck. Fender didn't keep detailed records on their steel guitars in that manner.
Fortunately most Fender Stringmasters have the month and year of manufacture written in pencil under one of the tuning pan assemblies.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 28 Jun 2012 7:36 am

some are here like so :

& others are beneath the chrome covers:

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 2 Jul 2012 5:55 am

Actually James Mr. Crowbear Sir..
That Mk1 Stringmaster guitar you used as an example :-

is now in full flight...

Here
AND
Here

Serial #0189 26" longscale (October 27th 1953 vintage)

♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪
But It's nice to be reminded about what it was salvaged from..

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 2 Jul 2012 6:03 am

Brad Bechtel wrote: Fortunately most Fender Stringmasters have the month and year of manufacture written in pencil under one of the tuning pan assemblies.

Like this:-

Jon A. Ross · Post by **Jon A. Ross** » 3 Jul 2012 7:34 am

" If you're looking to date your Fender Stringmaster through the use of the serial number, you're out of luck."

Yes, it's only the pawnshop owners and other non-players selling steels on ebay who are convinced you can date a Fender steel by the serial number.