A recent serial numbering change ...

[Craig]

I found out yesterday that the metal plate serial numbering has been dropped and they are again using
waterslide decals for applying the serial serial number. See: Serial number significance.

[Challenger]

Yes! I never cared for the metal plate.

[sam]

Thanks for the update Craig.

Now mine with the plate are rare collectors items!

[Fumble fingers]

Thanks for the update Craig.

Now mine with the plate are rare collectors items!

uh hum , that's " ultra rare " number plate .....lol

[Craig]

I found out yesterday that the metal plate serial numbering has been dropped and they are again using
waterslide decals for applying the serial serial number. See: Serial number significance.

I now can tell you that this change was just temporary until they moved to the new laser-etched serial numbering.
They are starting to roll this out, first with the ASAT and Legacy/S-500/Comanche models. In the next week or two,
the bass models and the other guitar models will start rolling out, too.

The new serial number format will be "CLFYYMMnnn", where YY=last two digits of the build year and MM=build month.
And laser-etched underneath the serial number, will be "Fullerton, California". After the laser-etching is done, it is then stained with a walnut finish.
Also the build sheets have been renamed to "Specifications".

Here is an example with the Specifications sheet (partial):

[FZTNT]

I don't mind the laser etching but there's something odd looking on that example. Maybe it's the font but it might also be the placement. It's just sort of slapped on there in the middle of this big empty space. I liked better up towards the top. They could put it further down and in line with the contour of the headstock. Just some thoughts, anything is better than the plates.

Tom