Why does my not fake '91 77FP have no headstock serial #?

van01010100 · #1 05-16-2010, 12:15 PM

So this morning I'm thinking to myself.. "I wonder if my FP has a cool serial number .." *Flips headstock*

Obtained in 2008 on the bay, with mint condition OHSC and case candy.. I'm 100% sure it's a real FP, the thing is perfect in every way other than the beauty mark I gave it. I have JEM10 #129 (which is F607500 by the way

) to compare it to, so if it's fake it's the best fake ever made by an inconceivable margin.

But how can it not have a headstock #? Is this normal? Plate number is 917326.

I have a photo set on Flickr but I'm under 10 posts. If you do a search on flickr for 'jem77fp' with no spaces, mine should show up on the first page (same username: van01010100), click on one of them and then on the right side is a link to the whole set.

If this is a common occurence I apologize, I couldn't find a lot of info about missing headstock serials on seemingly legit JEMs/FPs.

tom1325 · #2 05-16-2010, 12:29 PM

the number on the plate is the serial number.

van01010100 · #3 05-16-2010, 12:40 PM

Ok sorry I was under the impression that a large majority of post '75ish Ibanez's had headstock numbers and that the plate numbers were more of a 'rough estimate' which didn't always match the headstock number. Is it a 'one or the other' situation?

Ok nevermind I see now it has to do with the AANJ. I'll go back to lurking now.

vy100 · #4 05-16-2010, 01:00 PM

Serial number stamped on neck started around AANJ era (´03). Old Jems had the serial number on the plate. You have not a fake, that is the real deal.

van01010100 · #5 05-16-2010, 01:11 PM

^ Hey now I clearly edited my post before you said that

JPM7stringfan · #6 05-18-2010, 12:49 PM

My UV7BK had a serial # sticker on back of the headstock, but it's long gone.

What is that plastic clip for?

BeboRock91 · #7 05-18-2010, 12:56 PM

wrenches? a pick box? laser pointer?

nafigator · #8 05-18-2010, 02:16 PM

Rich probably knows it all, but this is sometimes confusing - and the sticker on back of UV7BK headstock sometimes says "made in japan" not serial number. I have seen few of those over the years, of course they might be applied by users themselves... or not????

Rich · #9 05-18-2010, 02:29 PM

The later 250k plates do not have "Made in Japan" on them. Because law says it has to have it's origin of manufacture on the guitar [blender, nut cracker, anything] they had to put stickers on the headstocks that said "Made in Japan". Most fell off or were taken off. It wasn't a great solution and nobody knows why they just didn't put headstock serial numbers on them like they did the FP's still being made.

**jim777** · #10 05-18-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPM7stringfan

My UV7BK had a serial # sticker on back of the headstock, but it's long gone.

What is that plastic clip for?

Well, for one that's clearly fake.

j/k

That's on of those two armed allen wrench holders. I have one of those on one of my guitars, but I forget which offhand. I'll look when I get home.

rob777vdy · #11 05-18-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

The later 250k plates do not have "Made in Japan" on them. Because law says it has to have it's origin of manufacture on the guitar [blender, nut cracker, anything] they had to put stickers on the headstocks that said "Made in Japan". Most fell off or were taken off. It wasn't a great solution and nobody knows why they just didn't put headstock serial numbers on them like they did the FP's still being made.

the great man has spoken.what rich doesnt know about jems/uvs isnt worth knowing anyways

JPM7stringfan · #12 05-19-2010, 12:27 AM

What I really need is to remove the repro UV logo decal on the other side, and get a template mask made, so I can airbrush paint the original (correct font) logo on the frontside.

Does Rich, or anyone else know what the name is of the shade of green Ibanez used to paint the headstock logo?

JPM7stringfan · #13 05-19-2010, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

Well, for one that's clearly fake.

j/k

That's on of those two armed allen wrench holders. I have one of those on one of my guitars, but I forget which offhand. I'll look when I get home.

Did the factory put that there, or is it user-installed?

Rich · #14 05-19-2010, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPM7stringfan

What I really need is to remove the repro UV logo decal on the other side, and get a template mask made, so I can airbrush paint the original (correct font) logo on the frontside.

Does Rich, or anyone else know what the name is of the shade of green Ibanez used to paint the headstock logo?

Call HUSA and see if they have the correct one. You have to send them the neck but they used to charge $25 [no idea what it is now]
215-638-8670

JPM7stringfan · #15 05-19-2010, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

Call HUSA and see if they have the correct one. You have to send them the neck but they used to charge $25 [no idea what it is now]
215-638-8670

Awww, I was kinda hopin' I wouldn't have to take the neck off! I just put a brand-new set of D'Addarios on it!

Seriously, I took the entire body apart, cleaned the dirt & marlboro mung off, installed a Clip-Lock strap, and did a complete teardown, cleaning, inspection, and reinstallation of the trem!

I remember seeing best-decals.com selling templates for the JEM headstock logo, dunno why they don't have one for the UV.