Fender Stratocaster 1990 Arctic White Made in the Usa for Export - Rare I series (USA Fender CS pickups)
So, this is one of those oddball Fender's that most people have never
heard of. Fender has a reputation for doing some weird serial number
stuff as they progressed, and this is indeed one of them.
After ripping it open and after some extensive research found out that
this is actually a Made in the Usa for export markets series Fender
Stratocaster. They we're made in 89-90 for export to overseas markets,
and they're pretty well comparable to MIJ strats.
What marks them is the Made in USA stamp at the butt of the heal, the
date stamp under the neck joint, and the MIJ style tuners. Usually they
are an I series serial number, but there are multiple reports of the
serial numbers starting in different letters, usually from japan years.
The I series usually starts with I, but this one starts with F. There
are even reports of them starting with H or E. The guitar has a stamp
under the neck joint that reads May 23rd 1989..
From Fender's website.
"A limited number of these “I” series guitars were made in 1989 and
1990. They were made for the export market and have “Made in USA”
stamped on the neck heel."
The export series is all over the board, some having a butt truss rod,
some having a nut truss rod. Some having a pin stripe, some not. But all
of them have the same Made in USA stamp on the butt, as well as the
same set of pickups and MIJ style tuners.
This guitar is orignal, except for a Fender Custom Shop pickups upgrade.
