Ibanez ATK serial number problem.

[roro92]

This might have been asked before, but I will take the risk.

I am about to buy an Ibanez ATK 300 from Japan. The serial number starts with FC6. The complete number is shown in the picture.

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As far as I've seen, no one can tell me when it was made. I think it was partially made in a Cort factory, which means Korea and partially in the Fuji-jen plant in Japan.

That would explain the FC tag. That doesn't explain the date. When did the production of ATK's moved from Korea to Japan? I think it was quite early, '94 maybe?

As far as I've seen (I've done quite some research) this tag only comes with ATK's. Except for one guitar, a RX SN stick, also with a sticker on the headstock with Made in Japan on it. Some serials I've found. I've got some more, but dont have the exact numbers. They are from a couple of friends of mine.

FC5090586 ATK Bass Japan
FC5090768 ATK 300 Japan
FC6010365 Guitare RX SN stick japan
FC5100121 ATK Japan
FC5090673 Japan ATK 305
FC6020253 - Either Japan or Korea
FC5080754 - amber japanese 305 1996

Thank you.

 

[danomite64]

Looks like March of 1996 to me....the serial number thingie doesn't recognize my ATK, either.

 

[roro92]

I have thought about that too, there's a small hitch in that theory.

I know, much earlier Ibanez used this method of numbering. I know a Rickenbacker copy with a prefix like that. A "C" for March for example.

I know they have quit to do this, since the numbers after that indicate the production for that month (Last five digits). They moved on to a similar system which is the standard of today.

That does not explain the serial in the post above. The stands for "Fuji Jen, Japan". The sticker "Made in Japan" explains that.

The C is what gets my interest. I know the C normally stands for "Cort" made in Korea.

The production of ATK's was moved from Korea to Japan. I want to know why and about when.

Danomite64, what's you serial?

 

[roro92]

Anyone? If you don't know, who will?

 

[danomite64]

I have thought about that too, there's a small hitch in that theory.

Like you, I assume the C stands for Cort. I did not assume the C was for the month. F is for FugiGen, C for Cort, 6 for 1996, 03 id for March. My bass is a '94, but made in Korea, so it only has a C prefix. Mine starts off with C43 and only has 6 digits; according to the serial number charts, they expect 7 or 8 digits; so in their world my bass should start off with either 'C403' or 'C0403'.

 

[roro92]

Right. Well, the day after tomorrow I will be picking it up! It's an Amberburst'er 300 .

 

[burnzy]

If you drop the F from the serial #, this is what I get:

Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Cort Plant, Korea
March 1996
Production Number: 1830


You can check it here:

Check Ibanez Serial Number

 

[roro92]

Thanks.

That still doesn't explain the "Made in Japan" sticker on the headstock and the F .

I'm tough to satisfy.

 

[Swin]

The neck came from Japan...the body came from Korea. As production was moving to Korea, there were still issues with quality control with the necks...so they were being sent down from FujiGen and retrofitted in Korea prior to being sent off to the distributors.

 

[Plucker Tom]

I just picked up a used...ATK 300...and the serial number is..C437589..?..So what year is this..? a ...1994..?