Jun 06, 2015 The Squier brand was developed in 1982 and early on all production was based in Japan. The first Squier guitars to emerge from Korea started as early as 1986. You can determine if your Squier was made by Samick was through its serial number that began with an “S” or “S9” followed by six digits. Samick began production of Squiers in 1989. This serial number system doesn't exactly tell the year - and doesn't tell the month at all. Beginning with F300000 in late 2009 used on LP Std'59/Std'60/Tribute models. Continued around F310650F311050 in spring 2012 on Tribute-Plus models. Continued around F305000 in 2011. Samick first started using serial numbers on Hondos and other contract brands in 1984 (their home brand models did not use serials until 1987), using the following format: YMMPPPP Y = Year M = Month P = Production Number Example: 8030768 = 768th guitar made in March of 1988In 1988, occasionally the format was YYMMPPPPP because of high production volume. I’m considering a purchase of a Samick Artist Series 6-string bass NT. This will be my first 6-string bass, but I have played lots of 4 and 5 during my 12-13 years of playing. Mostly P (4) and J (5)-style basses. What do you guys think about this bass? Serial #: S5064832.
| The Korean company Samick Musical Instruments Co. founded in September 1958, is one of the world's largest producer of musical instruments. Samick started producing acoustic guitars in 1965 and electric guitars in 1972. Good quality copies, including the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul, were made in 1976 and released under the Hondo II brand. Samick builds guitars under his own brand name but mainly under OEM license for several major brands such as Fender/Squier, Gibson, Epihone, Gretsch, Ibanez, Jackson and many other brands. Originally, founder of Samick, Lee Hyo-Ik, was the Korean importer of Baldwin Pianos. Around 1960 he also started building his own pianos, first from imported parts and later from homemade ones. The pianos were sold in his shop right next to the factory. Lee Hyo-Ik In the early 1970s, Samick had grown into a company with more than 3,000 employees. On January 20, 1978, a Samick branch was opened in Los Angeles and on December 11, 1980, a branch office in Dusseldorf, Germany, to introduce the brand to the European market. On 9 June 1989 there were opened a branch in Harbin, China and on 2 March 1990 a branch office in Tokyo, Japan . In March 1992 a factory was opened in Cileungsi near Bogor, Indonesia (PT Samick Indonesia). The vast majority of instruments are built in this factory. Sales of Samick instruments in the USA were so successful that on July 1, 1987, an American subsidiary, the Samick Music Corporation (SMC), was opened. The range for the international market was expanded considerably by developing a line-up based on American examples such as Gibson and Fender. In 2006 Samick moved the complete production to Bogor, Indonesia and production in Incheon was discontinued. The main reason for this was the increasing labor costs in South Korea. | Hondo In 1969 Samick entered into a joint venture with the American company International Music Corporation (IMC) in Fort Worth, Texas and the Hondo Guitar Company became a reality. Under the brand name Hondo they started to produce cheap guitars with modern manufacturing techniques, but with the American quality standards. The productions initially consisted of acoustic models. In 1972 they also started producing electric electric models and from 1976 also mandolins and banjos. At the end of 1976, under the name Hondo II, models were released that were based on the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul. From 1978 these were equipped with DiMarzio pickups. In 1979, more than 790.000 Hondo guitars were sold worldwide. Until 1989 Hondo guitars were mainly produced at the Samick factory in Korea. In 1995 Hondo Guitar Company was sold to MBT International, Musicorp. With a now renewed production line, after 46 years the brand name Hondo was replaced by the name J.B. Player, of which Musicoprp also owns the proprietary rights. SPG As early as 2003, it was feared that Korean production would disappear. By a group of Samick employees the company became SPG (Sound Professional Guitar Co, Ltd company) established. After production ceased in Korea, Samick's factory was bought by SPG. As a result, the quality of the products was maintained and many brands continued to outsource their assignments to SPG. Greg Bennett Greg Bennett was a former guitar builder at Gibson, and was approached by Samick to design a new guitar line. This new line of instruments includes acoustic, archtop guitars, basses, mandolins, ukuleles and banjos in addition to the electric models, and was released around 2011 under the 'Greg Bennet Guitars' label. The electric models feature Seymour Duncan-designed pickups, Grover tuners and Wilkinson bridges. Greg Bennett Some electric models designed by Greg Bennett: Avion, Ultramatic, Torino, Formula, Lasalle, G series |
Japan Squiers
The Japanese MIJ (Made in Japan) Squiers were made by FujiGen up to 1997 and the Japanese CIJ (Crafted in Japan) Squiers were made by Tokai and Dyna from 1997.
“Made In Japan” (1982-1987)
| JV+ 5 digits 1982-1984 | L + 6 digits 1991-1992 |
| SQ + 5 digits 1983-1984 | M + 6 digits 1992-1993 |
| A + 6 digits 1985-1986 | N + 6 digits 1993-1994 |
| B + 6 digits 1985-1986 | O + 6 digits 1993-1994 |
| C + 6 digits 1985-1986 | P + 6 digits 1993-1994 |
| E + 6 digits 1984-1987 | Q + 6 digits 1993-1994 |
| F + 6 digits 1986-1987 | S + 6 digits 1994-1995 |
| G + 6 digits 1987-1988 | T + 6 digits 1994-1995 |
| H + 6 digits 1988-1989 | U + 6 digits 1995-1996 |
| I + 6 digits 1989-1990 | N + 5 digits 1995-1996 |
| J + 6 digits 1989-1990 | V + 6 digits 1996-1997 |
| K + 6 digits 1990-1991 | |
Crafted In Japan” (1995-2008)
| A + 6 digits 1997-1998 | Q + 6 digits 2002-2004 |
| B + 6 digits 1998-1999 | R + 6 digits 2004-2006 |
| N + 5 digits 1995-1996 | S + 6 digits 2006-2008 |
| O + 6 digits 1997-2000 | T + 6 digits 2007-2008 |
| P + 6 digits 1999-2002 |
“Made In Japan” (2007-)
| T + 6 digits 2006-2008 | U + 6 digits 2007-2008 |
Mexican Squiers
MN - M = Mexico, N = Nineties (1990s), the first number following the serial number prefix is the year.
MZ - M = Mexico, Z = 2000's, the first number following the serial number prefix is the year.
For example:
- 'MN8' indicates that it was made at Ensenada, Mexico in 1998-1999.
- 'MZ1' indicates that is was made at Ensenada, Mexico in 2001-2002
USA Squiers
E(“Made in USA”) – E = Eighties (1980s), The first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7 digit number.
Example: E9xxxxxx = 1988
N(“Made in USA”)– N = Nineties (1990s), The first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7 digit number.
Example: N0xxxxx = 1990
No Prefix(“Made in USA”) - Some USA made Squiers also had a 000XXX serial stamp on the neckplate with no letter prefix and no serial number on the headstock. 6-digit number
Korean Squiers
CN(“Made in Korea”, “Crafted in Korea”) - C = Cor-Tek , N – Nineties (1990s), The first digit following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.
Example: CN5xxxxx = 1995 made by Cor-Tek/Cort
VN(“Made in Korea”) - V = Saehan(Sunghan), S was already taken by Samick so Saehan(Sunghan) used V instead (Saehan(Sunghan) made the Vester guitars), N = Nineties (1990s), the first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7-digit number
Examples: VN7xxxxxx = 1997 made by Saehan/Sunghan.
KC, KV(“Made in Korea”, “Crafted in Korea”) - KC (Korean Cor-Tek (Cort)) and KV (Korean Saehan(Sunghan)), the prefix is followed by a 2 number year. 8-digit number.
Examples:
KC97 = made by Cor-Tek (Cort) in 1997
KV97 = made by Saehan(Sunghan) in 1997
S, E(“Made in Korea”) S = Samick, E = Young Chang, E letter serial numbers were used on Young Chang's Fenix brand guitars. The S and E serial number prefix Korean Squiers are from the late 1980s/early 1990s. The first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7 digit number. The first guitars made in Korea are those with serial number written in silver E1 + 6 digits
Examples:
E1 + 6 digits with silver serial = made by Samick in 1987-88
S9 = made by Samick in 1989
E0 = made by Sung-Eum in 1990
E1 with black serial = made by Sung-Eum in 1991.
M(“Made in Korea”) – The first number following the prefix is the year. 7-digit number. Used in early 90's, featured the a high gloss maple neck with a slimmer 40mm body made from plywood.
Example: M1xxxxxx = 1991
No prefix(“Crafted in Korea”) – The first number following the prefix is the year. 6 or 7-digit number.
Example: 7xxxxx = 1997
Chinese & Taiwanese Squiers
CA (“Made in China”, “Crafted in China”) - The first number following the serial number prefix is the year.
CAE ('Made in China' - may not be on all models) - The first 2 numbers following the prefix Is the year. 10-digit number.
Example: CAE-08xxxxxxxx = made in 2008
YN(“Made in China”) - Y = Yako (Taiwan), N = Nineties (1990s), the first numbers following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.
Example: YN5xxxxx = made by Yako in 1995.
CY(“Crafted in China”) - C = China, Y = Yako (Taiwan), the first number following the prefix is the year. 8-digit number.
Example: CY2xxxxxxx = made by Yako in 2002-03
COS(“Crafted in China”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8-digit number.
Example: COS10xxxxxx = 2010
COB(“Crafted in China”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 9-digit number. The plant from which the COB serial number prefix models originate remains a mystery. No documentation, or comment from the manufacturer has resolved the question of which plant produced them.
Example: COB09xxxxxxx
CD, CT, CJ(“Made in China”, “Crafted in China”) - C = China, the first number following the prefix is the year. Probably made by Yako (Taiwan).
NC(“Made in China”) – The first number following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.
Example: NC8xxxxx = 2008
CXS(Crafted in China) – X = Axl, The first number following the prefix is the year. 9-digit number.
Example CXS07xxxxxxx = 2007
CGRL(“Crafted in China”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8-digit number.
Example: CGRL09xxxxxx = 2009
CGS(“Crafted in China”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 7 or 8- digit number.
Example: CGS10xxxxxx = 2010
Indonesian Squiers
IC(“Crafted in Indonesia”) - I = Indonesia, C = Cor-Tek (Cort), The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.
Example: IC09xxxxxx = 2009
ICS(“Crafted in Indonesia”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number. In 2009-10 some Indonesian Squier's had the prefix ICS09XXXXX and ICS10XXXXX. Usually the S in ICS designates a Factory Special Run or FSR guitar manufactured by Cor-Tek in Indonesia.
Example: ICS10xxxxxx = 2010
IS(“Crafted in Indonesia”) – I = Indonesia, S = Samick, The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.
Example: IC02xxxxxxx = 2002
ISS(“Crafted in Indonesia”) - I = Indonesia, SS = ??, The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 6-digit number.
Example: ISS19xxxx = 2019
SI(“Crafted in Indonesia”) – The first 2 numbers following the prefix is the year. 8 or 9-digit number.
Example: SI08xxxxxxx = 2008
India Squiers
Some Squier IIs were made in India around 1989-1990. The head stock is marked 'MADE IN INDIA'. Made in India Squier IIs seem to follow the made in USA serial numbering scheme. For example, a 1990 made in India Squier II serial number would start with N0 plus 5 digits. The serial number is printed on a sticker located on the back of the neck, close to where the neck attaches to the body. Because the number was placed on a sticker it is fairly common for the serial number to be missing.
Samick Bass Guitar Serial Numbers Dating
Some more recent Squiers, including the Vintage Modified series (serial numbers starting with SH), were introduced in 2007. The VM series is marked 'Crafted in India' on the rear of the head stock, and the serial numbers are not stickers, but printed and sealed on the rear of the head stock.
Samick Guitar
| CS07 + 6 digits = 2007-08 | NSHI09 + 6 digits = 2009-10 |
| NHS10 + 6 digits = 2010-11 | NSHJ08 + 6 digits = 2008-09 |
| NHS11 + 5 digits = 2011-12 | NSHJ09 + 6 digits = 2009-10 |
| NSHA09 + 6 digits = 2009-10 | NSHK09 + 6 digits =2009-10 |
| NSHD09 + 6 digits = 2009-10 | SH07 + 6 digits = 2007-08 |
| NSHE09 + 6 digits = 2009-10 | SH08 + 6 digits = 2008-09 |
| NSHF09 + 6 digits = 2009-10 | ZSSH07 + 6 digits = 2007-08 |
| NHSG09 + 6 digits = 2009=10 | ZSSH08 + 6 digits = 2008-09 |
| NSHH09 + 6 digits = 2009-10 | |