Serial number neck date mismatch

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
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Johnny Alien
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Serial number neck date mismatch

Post by Johnny Alien » Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:35 pm

So I just picked up a vintage Mustang that was sold as a 66. The serial number and pots do match to 66 but the neck is dated as mid 67. I know that it's fairly common to see the reverse (a serial number from 67 with neck and electronics dating to 66) but is it really possible that they put this together in 67 but used a neckplate from 66? Just trying to figure out if this really came from the factory like this. The person I bought it from claims they bought it from the original owner. the finish looks original and there are marks of the same finish on the neck which makes it seem like they originally came together but at the same time red is the most common Mustang color.

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zip73
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Re: Serial number neck date mismatch

Post by zip73 » Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:40 pm

Johnny Alien wrote:
Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:35 pm
I know that it's fairly common to see the reverse (a serial number from 67 with neck and electronics dating to 66) but is it really possible that they put this together in 67 but used a neckplate from 66?
Yes.

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Johnny Alien
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Re: Serial number neck date mismatch

Post by Johnny Alien » Thu Jan 26, 2023 4:13 pm

I figured with Fender anything was possible. Haha. I just never saw it that reverse way before.

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JSett
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Re: Serial number neck date mismatch

Post by JSett » Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:39 pm

Parts for guitars were literally taken out of giant parts-bins in no particular order so the numbers are often all over the place. Plus, the date on a neck is stamped at the beginning of the neck build so it can often overlap a lot, then sit on a shelf ready to be attached (in the late CBS years this could be a couple of years apart sometimes!)

Always date from the most recent part that's numbered is the overall rule.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Johnny Alien
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Re: Serial number neck date mismatch

Post by Johnny Alien » Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:52 am

Thanks! I knew that parts would not match and to go by the latest one, I just wanted to confirm that the neckplate with a serial number earlier than the neck is something that could happen. Just to confirm that it was original as stated.

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JSett
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Re: Serial number neck date mismatch

Post by JSett » Fri Jan 27, 2023 6:11 am

Johnny Alien wrote:
Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:52 am
Thanks! I knew that parts would not match and to go by the latest one, I just wanted to confirm that the neckplate with a serial number earlier than the neck is something that could happen. Just to confirm that it was original as stated.
Yeah the neck plates were kept in once big ol' tub and taken out at random, totally normal unless there's a huge disparity in dates.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Pacafeliz
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Re: Serial number neck date mismatch

Post by Pacafeliz » Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:00 am

johnnysomersett wrote:
Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:39 pm
Parts for guitars were literally taken out of giant parts-bins in no particular order so the numbers are often all over the place. Plus, the date on a neck is stamped at the beginning of the neck build so it can often overlap a lot, then sit on a shelf ready to be attached (in the late CBS years this could be a couple of years apart sometimes!)

Always date from the most recent part that's numbered is the overall rule.
I always read about those huge parts bins, but do they ever show up on the old Fender factory pics?
Would love to see a pile of serial number plates
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

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welshywelsh
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Re: Serial number neck date mismatch

Post by welshywelsh » Tue Jan 31, 2023 12:20 pm

My Jazzmaster has a '58 serial number but Jan '59 neck, so yep as others have said all good and nothing to worry about! Hope you enjoy the Mustang!

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