Charvel

Charvel (Jackson's sister brand) has three main serial eras. The pre-1986 San Dimas USA era used plain sequential 4-digit numbers, dated via a cumulative range table. Modern Japan Charvel production uses a JC prefix followed by YY and a sequential number. The current USA Pro-Mod line (2004+) uses a 6-digit neckplate serial that does not encode the year.

Sources 2 References view all

Decode a Charvel serial

Quick pick

Find your shape, jump to the format

JC + 8 digits Japan modern — JC + YY + seq primary e.g. JC18000123 2013+
4 digits USA San Dimas (1981–1986) primary e.g. 1234 1981–1986
6 digits USA Pro-Mod (2004+) e.g. 123456 2004+

Supported formats

Japan modern — JC + YY + seq

2013+

Example JC18000123 Try it →

JC + 2-digit year + 5-6 digit sequence. Example JC18000123 = Japan, 2018.

USA San Dimas (1981–1986)

1981–1986

Example 1234 Try it →

Plain 4-digit sequential starting at 1001 (1981). Year disambiguation uses the cumulative-range boundaries: 1981 = 1001-1095, 1982 = 1096-1724, 1983 = 1725-2938, 1984 = 2939-4261, 1985 = 4262-5303, 1986 = 5304+. We match the format and leave year null without range lookup.

Gotchas & format-specific sources

Decoder requires listing-year context to pin the exact year; the serial alone only narrows the range.

1 less common variant

USA Pro-Mod (2004+)

2004+

Example 123456 Try it →

Six plain digits stamped on the neckplate. Year is not encoded in the serial itself; contact Charvel/Fender with the serial for the build date, or cross-reference the neck-heel date stamp.

Where to find your serial

Charvel serials are typically on the back of the headstock (modern) or the neckplate (vintage San Dimas).

Back of headstock

Modern Japan JC-prefix production.
Neckplate

Vintage 1981–1986 San Dimas USA Charvels carry the serial on the metal neckplate.

Sources

USA Charvels — Serial Numbers Reference

Authoritative community reference for San Dimas Charvel serials with cumulative year boundaries (1981=1001+, 1982=1096+, 1983=1725+, 1984=2939+, 1985=4262+, 1986=5304+).
Charvel Serial Number Decoder Guide Reference

Dealer reference documenting the JC modern Japan format.

Every format rule on this page traces back to at least one of the sources above. If you spot an error or have an additional authoritative source, see the methodology.