Posted this on the Fender forum - HM strat info?

[fuel0707]

Not really. My guitar had the serial number rubbed off (it was on the neck near the heel) but I was able to ID the country of origin from the original owner's manual in the case. Is there a chance that your guitar has the original owner's manual with it? That might clear up the issue for you.

My point with the swoosh is that if someone tries to tell you that your guitar could be ID'd just from the color of the swoosh, they're mistaken.

The "F" on the knobs is one way to tell if at least the knobs are original. I've seen a few HM's on ebay with obviously replaced knobs that were being offered as original. Buyer beware, as you know.

[Jackson-Charvel]

Fuel yeah early on when I bought my first HM I was trying to figure out if it was Japanese or American made. I heard the stories of the light blue or pink swoosh as well as the "F" caps on the knobs. I never got a definitive answer though why some are blue and some are pink? Surprising there is still such mystery over a guitar that is older than some of the players playing it.

[Jackson-Charvel]

Japanese Serial Numbers on Peghead Decal
Note the lack of S, E, N series. These are reserved for U.S. made Fenders in their corresponding decade. BUT note that the "E" and "N" series does sometimes appear on "made in Japan" models. I believe this was a mistake on Fender's part using the same prefix for both U.S. and Jap-made guitars. In any case, if it says "made in Japan", then it is...
JV + 5 Digits = 1982 to 1984
SQ + 5 Digits = 1983 to 1984
E + 6 Digits = 1984 to 1987
A + 6 Digits = 1985 to 1986
B + 6 Digits = 1985 to 1986
C + 6 Digits = 1985 to 1986
F + 6 Digits = 1986 to 1987
G + 6 Digits = 1987 to 1988
H + 6 Digits = 1988 to 1989
I + 6 Digits = 1989 to 1990
J + 6 Digits = 1989 to 1990
K + 6 Digits = 1990 to 1991
L + 6 Digits = 1991 to 1992
M + 6 Digits = 1992 to 1993
N + 6 Digits = 1993 to 1994
O + 6 Digits = 1994 to 1995
P + 6 Digits = 1995 to 1996


Here is how I found out one of mine that started with an H that I sold was Japanese. I guess E can go either way as this site mentioned, but on an HM before 1989 I'd suspect Japanese.

[Accept2]

Here is another US made one........

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-STRAT-1995-U-S-A-Custom-shop_W0QQitemZ200008190162QQihZ010QQcategoryZ47069QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Notice the "Made in USA" on the headstock............

[Carbuff]

Mine says E9 so I figured it meant 1989. That one on ebay is not a standard production model though. Is it? It claims to be custom shop.

[pro-fusion]

I believe the "swoosh" was keyed to the body color, but I could be mistaken...

[charvelguy]

That is the same fretboard they put on the Talon 4 and 5. The inlays are similar except they do not have a small red triangle end on the bass side part.

[Jackson-Charvel]

Did they even make a HM in 1995? I thought they stopped making them in 92-93?

[Jackson-Charvel]

I believe the "swoosh" was keyed to the body color, but I could be mistaken...

Mistaken, I have had 2 different black HM's with a blue and a pink swoosh.

[DonP]

Not really. My guitar had the serial number rubbed off (it was on the neck near the heel) but I was able to ID the country of origin from the original owner's manual in the case. Is there a chance that your guitar has the original owner's manual with it? That might clear up the issue for you.

My point with the swoosh is that if someone tries to tell you that your guitar could be ID'd just from the color of the swoosh, they're mistaken.

The "F" on the knobs is one way to tell if at least the knobs are original. I've seen a few HM's on ebay with obviously replaced knobs that were being offered as original. Buyer beware, as you know.

No original owner's manual, case, or electronics. Everything else is original (neck, hardware, body).

With the 'F' knobs that mine has, is that an indication of USA or MIJ?

Is it a pain finding these F knobs? On of mine is missing the "F" cap on top of it.

Oh, and my s/n is at the base of the neck as well.

[Accept2]

Im not sure why all the conspiracy theories here, if its made in USA, it will say Made in USA. It aint rocket science.................

[DonP]

Im not sure why all the conspiracy theories here, if its made in USA, it will say Made in USA. It aint rocket science.................

Mine says nothing, so I guess it was made nowhere?

[Accept2]

It was made in the same country as Charvels that have a Fort Worth Texas plate..........

[DonP]

And maybe the same country that Jackson Professionals are from?

[Carbuff]

Im not sure why all the conspiracy theories here, if its made in USA, it will say Made in USA. It aint rocket science.................

I dont know about that. Ive seen this topic debated before over at the fender forum and even the "experts" had different views about this subject. Actually, your post with the made in usa headstock photo is the first time that Ive seen that, and Ive had this guitar for over 15 years. I think the real problem stems from the fact that fender used a USA made serial number sequence for this model, even on the MIJ guitars. And the fact that the neckplate says Fender USA on it. And the fact that everyone wants to believe that their MIJ HM was made in the USA. Like this guy

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Stratocaster-US-HM-Strat_W0QQitemZ320008421665QQihZ011QQcategoryZ47069QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem