Anyone Own A Complete CAE SE Pack?

[StratVegas]

Often times when Squier SEs get discussed, the manufacture dates of the CAE guitars pops up. The online database (and "conventional internet wisdom") says that all of the CAEs were made in 2000. The rationale for this appears to be that all of the CAE SEs have serial numbers that begin with "CAE 00", and the typical Fender brand serialization points to this meaning the year 2000.

There is, however, evidence that this isn't true. Specifically, the inspection date on the amp included in the SE Packs (which is also serialized, and shares the same serial number of the guitar) indicates that it is the 2nd and 3rd digit of the serial that is the year of manufacture.

One nice example of this is a Strat Pack purchased by ST'er @belfegore. His guitar (and amp) are serialed CAE 005, and the inspection sticker on his amp shows a date of 3-7-05. His pics are attached to this post for reference.

I have seen three examples of this posted in the last two years on Strat Talk: This 05, and previous posts of an 04 and an 03. All three of these packs had amp inspection years that matched the 2nd and 3rd digits of the CAE serial number.

It does not make any sort of sense that AXL would produce all the CAEs in 2000, then retain those guitars in storage, separated by the third digit of their serial number. Then, as they produce the completed Strat Packs, they just happen to include guitars and serial-matched amps which correspond to the year of that amp's inspection...and the year of the retail sale of the Pack. In this case, retaining a CAE 005 guitar ("built in 2000") until 2005 so the amp inspected in 2005 can be released in 2005. Occam's Razor says....no.

I'm interested in seeing if there are other complete CAE SE pack owners that can provide more datapoints for this discussion.

Thanks!

 

[drewcp]

I have never heard the claim that they were all made in 2000, but this is still an interesting concept.

 

[StratVegas]

Just a bump on this, a year down the road. Still trying to collect some data on the CAE Pak phenomenon.

 

[Las Palmas Norte]

CAE serial numbered (sticker) SE's where made in the early 2000's and all have serial numbers starting with 00. When the CXS numbered SE's hit the market, they reflected the year of manufacture. These where stenciled on and not the sticker type.
Few here have shown pics of a complete SE set with all the gear that came in the pack. Most where parted out.

 

[Guitarmageddon]

Just a bump on this, a year down the road. Still trying to collect some data on the CAE Pak phenomenon.

Well. we know for a fact that SE's were made from 2000 to 2012, if that helps you....

 

[StratVegas]

Few here have shown pics of a complete SE set with all the gear that came in the pack. Most where parted out.

I know of twice in the last 3 years that complete packs have been posted here on ST, and those photos are what kind of inspired this thread.

The Fender website lists every CAE SE as having been made in 2000, and that (I believe *false*) information gets repeated often on the Facebook Squier groups, and occasionally here, too. I just was hoping to actually gather some specific datapoints, backed up by photos, to be able to support the hypothesis that the third digit of the CAE serial is the year of manufacture.

 

[Guitarmageddon]

I know of twice in the last 3 years that complete packs have been posted here on ST, and those photos are what kind of inspired this thread.

The Fender website lists every CAE SE as having been made in 2000, and that (I believe *false*) information gets repeated often on the Facebook Squier groups, and occasionally here, too. I just was hoping to actually gather some specific datapoints, backed up by photos, to be able to support the hypothesis that the third digit of the CAE serial is the year of manufacture.

Well, in early 2013 I bought a CAE serial whole pack brand new as a gift .....unless it was 12 year old stock....

 

[Las Palmas Norte]

I know of twice in the last 3 years that complete packs have been posted here on ST, and those photos are what kind of inspired this thread.

The Fender website lists every CAE SE as having been made in 2000, and that (I believe *false*) information gets repeated often on the Facebook Squier groups, and occasionally here, too. I just was hoping to actually gather some specific datapoints, backed up by photos, to be able to support the hypothesis that the third digit of the CAE serial is the year of manufacture.

My guess is the real facts about those early SEs may never be known. No concerted effort was made to accurately keep production records for the sticker serial guitars. It's probable they where printed in large quantities (perhaps off site) and applied randomly as these packs where produced, with no concern for detail about each guitar. There was no perceived need for such.

 

[Shaytan]

Well, in early 2013 I bought a CAE serial whole pack brand new as a gift .....unless it was 12 year old stock....

Also in 2013, I've been gifted with a brand new CSX pack. According to its serial number (assuming it reads as the typical Squier SNs - and that the online info stands correct), it would've been sitting for 6 years in its box.

In all honesty, I don't find that an unlikely scenario, moreover given the reputation of that store only later I've got to know of. Nothing came defective out of the box, either, and while the amp and most of the guitar's original parts are long gone, it plays fine and no issues arose from the time it possibly sat in its box for.

 

[Ash_Kaiju]

Sorry for bringing this thread back from the dead but here are the numbers from my amp and guitar. I can’t remember what year I received it but it was a pack including the guitar, amp, a guitar bag, cable and songbook

 

[JohnnyMac]

There was recently a complete black SE pak listed locally but I can't find it now.

 

[JohnnyMac]

I'd like to find a rhino like that to go with my white Squier SE, AKA White Rhino.