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SERIAL NUMBERS ON THE HM's

As near as anyone can follow Fender's disorganized numbering system (wasn't everyone "disorganized" in the 80's?), here's how the HM's break down:

        E8 - Japan 1988
        E9 - Japan 1989

        HO - Made in America

        * If your HM has the Big Swooshy STRAT logo and a single humbucker or H/S/S, it's almost positive it was MIJ.
        * If it has a tele pickguard and the Big Swooshy logo, or twin humbuckers and a Big Swooshy logo, it's MIA.
        * If it has the Digital - Stencil logo - it was MIA.
       The Made in Japan and Made in America stickers are not reliable.

        Please see the HM Strat Serial Number Database at HM Strat Serial Number Database


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    The following was compiled with information graciously contributed by www.strat-central.com and other sources.

MIJ HM STRATS (1986 - Early/Mid 1989)

Japanese HM Power Strat, first version:
The HM Power Strat, first version, could be recognised by it having a single humbucker pickup, 2 controls, 1 coil switch and no pickguard.
On the headstock would be a large Strat logo.
In short: H, 2 controls, no pickguard, 24 frets, dot markers, large Strat logo

Japanese HM Power Strat, second version:
This type of guitar can be recognised by it having a humbucker and two single coils, a large Strat logo, 3 controls, a 5-way selector, 1 coil switch,
no pickguard, and a large Strat logo on the headstock.
In short: SSH, 3 controls, no pickguard, 24 frets, dot markers, large Strat logo

USA-MADE HM STRATS (Late 1989 - 1992)


        HM Strat, first version:
        The USA 'first version' can be recognised by two single-coils and one humbucker, 3 controls, a 5-way switch, a coil switch, no pickguard,
        maple or rosewood fingerboard and a large Strat logo. Other features include a 24 fret maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, basswood
        body, double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo, black hardware with Gotoh tuners.
        In short: SSH, 3 controls, no pickguard, 24 frets, dot markers, Digital Strat logo

HM Strat, second version:
The US second version of the HM Strat can be recognised by the fact that is has one tilted Lace sensor pickup, one humbucker, and a
Telecaster pickguard. Has the big swooshy strat logo.
In short: SH (S tilted), 2 controls, Tele pickguard, 24 frets, dot markers, Big Swooshy Strat logo

HM Strat, third version:
The US third version of the HM Strat can be recognised by the fact that it has two humbuckers, digital Strat logo, 2 controls, a 3-way switch,
1 coil switch, and no pickguard. Has the big swooshy strat logo.
In short: HH, 2 controls, no pickguard, 24 frets, dot markers, Big Swooshy Strat logo

HM Strat Ultra

The fourth USA HM Strat type is the HM Strat Ultra. It has 4 Lace sensor pickups in SSH configuration (2 Lace sensors together at the bridge).
It has a small 'digital' Strat logo, 2 controls, a 5-way switch, no pickguard and an ebony fingerboard with split-triangle (a.k.a. sharkfin) markers
(all other HM Strat fingerboards were either rosewood or maple). The Fender logo on the headstock is mother of pearl.
In short: SSH (H=2xS), 3 controls, no pickguard, 24 frets, sharkfin markers, small Fender Strat logo 'Made in USA' Special: Ebony fingerboard

Fender HM Strat Ultra Specifications:

Model Name: HM STRAT ULTRA (U.S. H.M. Series)
Model Number: 110-2000
Series: U.S. H.M. SERIES
Body: Figured Maple Top and Back
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Ebony
No. of Frets: 24
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.650" (42mm)
Hardware: Black Chrome
Machine Heads: Black Chrome Sealed Cast
Bridge: Kahler Steeler 2760 or Floyd Rose Pro Double Locking Tremolo
Pickguard: None
Pickups: (SSH) 1 Blue, 1 Gold, 1 Red Dually Fender Lace Sensor Pickups Pickup
Switching: 5 Position Blade Switch, 3 position Mini-Toggle Coil Tap
(Position 1 left coil, position 2 (middle) both coils, position 3 right coil)
Controls: Master Volume, Master TBX
Colors: (837) Antique Burst, (859) Ebony Frost, (861) Crimson Frost,
(862) Blue Frost, (863) Silver Frost, (878) Firestorm Red
Strings:
Unique Features:
Source: U.S.
Accessories:
U.S. MSRP: $1,449.00 (in 1990)

HM Strat, "Heartfield Talon Version":
This type of guitar can be recognised by it having a humbucker-single-humbucker pickup configuration, 2 controls, 1 5-way switch, a black laminated
pickguard, and an uncharacteristic 'droopy' headstock (originally produced for the Heartfield Talon) with elongated Fender logo.
In short: HSH, 2 controls, black pickguard, 22 frets, dot markers, stylized Fender logo small Strat logo

SQUIER HM3

           There was also a Fender Squier version of the HM Strat called the HM3. Although there's not a lot of information on these, they were VERY similar to the Ibanez Sabres.
           It's hard to consider these true HM Strats, since they didn't contain the DiMarzio Super 3 pickup, nor a top quality tremolo system, like the Kahler Spyder or Floyd Rose.
            I had the good luck to play one once, it was before I knew what an HM was. It was a nice playing guitar though, and I came very close to buying it.

            In short: 22 frets, pointed headstock, TRS-101 style locking trem, Big Swooshy Squier logo, Ibanez S-type thin body

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Additional Information received by Strat-Central by email:

1986-early 1989 all strats were made in Japan & had Kahlers & coil taps. There were no 22 fret necks or droopy headstocks because those were reserved for the Heartfields.

Late 1989 production moved from Japan to the USA & many bodies, necks & raw parts were shipped from Japan to the USA for final assembly. The Stencil (digital) font was put into use as well as the Floyd Rose Trems. Once full USA production was implemented they did away with the coil tap switch & the wiring for it to save time & production costs. During this time it has been said from Fender personnel that it is very likely to have a guitar branded "Made in Japan" that was assembled in the USA. (The quality of parts though, is still suspect in terms of the shims & tolerances .)

1992 marked the addition of the droopy head stock 22 fret HM in an effort to use up leftover Heartfield parts.

I do not believe that any of the HM strats with the script font on the headstock were ever produced here in the USA

Production started in Japan with the big script & swoosh & then moved to the US with the stencil type digital font.