gibson guitar serial numbers identification

Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, Gibson Memphis From 1975-1977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock. [2] Aside from guitars, Epiphone also made double basses, banjos, and other … The remaining digits are important for product identification, but the first few characters are all you need to determine the instruments age. For acoustic instruments, the serial number is typically located inside the sound hole at the neck joint or on a piece of paper glued inside the guitar and visible through the sound hole. I have one of those Gibson Skylark amplifiers. Modern numbers are 9 digits but older/vintage Gibson guitars are much shorter. The internet is a good start. Post Dec 02, 2007 #1 2007-12-02T16:40. The Epiphone serial number decoder currently supports 12 serial number formats from 25 factories. Quick Overview: Serial Number/FON Identification by Era. Brands such as Gibson, Fender, PRS or other renowned brands also issue a certificate of authenticity, but this can also be used for fraud. For example, for serial number 0236758, the "02" indicates that the guitar was made in 2002; for serial number W10052743, the "10" indicates that the guitar was made in 2010. which do not feature a paper label. Other makers, however, changed the pattern, and even repeated serial numbers. This system is fairly reliable for guitars made from 1953 to 1961. Instruments with f-holes often have the serial number repeated on a label inside the guitar body. If you've been reading articles about dating a vintage guitar, you may well have come across mention of pot codes, and the concept of using pot codes to date your guitar. There are three separate groupings of numbers that have been identified and are used for their accuracy. Also "Made in U.S.A." … Or serial number and model name on white paper label, number range from 0100 to 99999, hand inked or penciled 1908 to 1932, ink stamped serial number 1932 to 1947. … 1902-1908: Often no serial number or model name on label, picture of Orville Gibson and lyre mandolin, date sometimes penciled under the top (must be seen with a mirror). Gibson Serial Numbers 1975-Present This Article is designed to assist in dating and/or identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson Guitar Corp. Depending on the age of the guitar contacting Gibson might help. General Gibson serial number information. Please note that most of this information relates to serial numbers used from 1975 to present. serial numbers Pegheads "Snakehead" peghead, narrows towards top: 1923-1934. Thus, the older Gibson guitars may have a serial number and a F O N. The F O N may indicate the year, batch number, and the ranking (order of production within the batch of 40). Locate the serial number on your Gibson. General Vintage Gibson Guitar Information and specs . For guitars made prior to 1977 use the extended search function. dmcowles. In 1994, Gibson’s Centennial year, many instruments have a serial number that begins with “94” for the year, with the remaining 6 digits indicating the ranking number. It did sound pretty good for an 8" speaker. In 1957, Epiphone, Inc. was purchased by Gibson and relocated from New York to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gibson has made many different styles of banjos, and bluegrass musicians prize Gibson’s Mastertone banjos for their rich sound. {{itemCount}} {{sku.Description}} Review Cart . Your logo may mean the guitar is a little earlier than mine. Simply checking a serial number with Gibson yields just about the same result, becuase real numbers are showing up on fakes. Discontinued L-5 1934. After bringing it up to standards---it worked for about 3 hours. Epiphone is an American musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos, currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. Next, check for the serial number on the back of the headstock. 81232560. The manufacturers code has six (1950s) or seven digits, starting with 137 (CTS) or 134 (Centralab), and ending in format y/ww or yy/ww [where y is the year, and w is the week of the year]. Vintage Gibson guitar serial numbers and vintage guitar information at Greg's Vintage Guitars . feature both a serial number and a FON. It has been recapped. Serial numbers from 70' and 80's era Epiphone guitars made in Japan are not supported. 2.0) The Fender serial number decoder currently supports all documented MIA, MIJ, MIM, MIK and MII formats with the exception of Custom Shop, Relic and Reissue instruments. Serial number is 27530. Example of a Gibson serial number: A real serial number is stamped dark on the back of the headstock. The Gibson Serial Number Decoder currently supports 6 formats from 4 Factories. Gibson Serial Numbers 1975-Present This section is designed to assist in dating and/or identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson Guitar Corp. Gibson Custom 1952-1960 Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V, and Futura reissues (since late 1992): Guild Guitar Serial # lookup : 10% complete It should be noted that many manufactures don't have complete records themselves so any progress given here are based on what we know we still have to complete for a given manufacturer and may still be missing serial numbers after '100% complete'. Only the newer ones have the year on them so it's not necessarily a fake if it's not there. Thus, the older Gibson guitars may have a serial number and a F O N. The F O N may indicate the year, batch number, and the ranking (order of production within the batch of forty). Serial number coding for Mexican-made instruments is largely the same, except they will start with an M. MN2 for 1992 in Mexico; MZ8 for 2008 in Mexico; Shop our selection of Fender Guitars. Use this site for a pricing guide and source of information on all guitars. The sixth number is now a batch number- batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once 699 is stamped, the batch number will change to 1. Then, having a look at the guitar or photos, if you know what to look for, is also useful. Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, Gibson Memphis From 1975-1977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock. Decipher your serial number if it's eight digits. Gibson Serial Numbers - 1977 to Present. Fiber peghead veneer replaces "Holly" wood veneer: 1970 to present. It should have a serial number on top. After Epiphone and Gibson merged under the same umbrella, Gibson started following their lead and placing serial numbers on their guitars. For example, this Les Paul's serial number is "7_6227" so it was made in 1957. A lack of a serial number usually implies an instrument has been refinished. Product Registration Customer Service Repair and Restoration Report Counterfeits Serial Number FAQ Gibson Guitar Specs (2015-2019) Dealer Resource Center; Locate A Dealer; Looking for Something Specific? The label in mine is ink-stamped L-7, GUITAR, and A-235 on the lines that are blank on your label. For Martin guitars that have a serial number, this is straight forward. Discontinued all models except L-5 by 1927. Higher grade models (such as the Super 400, L-5, J-200, etc.) dmcowles. Please note that most of this information relates to serial numbers used from 1975 to present. Gibson Guitar Serial Numbers 2005-Current- Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005. During this time period, they ink stamped the digits on the back of the peghead and used the last number of the year as the first number in the serial sequence on their solid body models. On the potentiometer is a code that gives information about the manufacturer and the year and week when it is made. Identifying guitars can be a little tricky at times. Example: 3 0602 = 1953 Note: The FON is the only identification number on Gibson’s lower grade models (like the ES-125, ES-140, J-160E, etc.) Mine can be dated definitively to about May/June 1947 because of the early A-prefix serial number. A fake serial number is usually in white. Find the current Blue Book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. It has the original Gibson tubes. There are a number of possible locations for the serial number on a Fender guitar. On electric guitars, the serial number is generally printed on the back of the headstock. The Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards are in a YMMPPP format. Blueridge serial numbers. Gibson needs photos and the serial# for a proper ID. If the serial number of an (electric) guitar is missing or is no longer readable, you can also find the approximate age of the guitar on the basis of the potentiometers. These include the top of the neck plate, somewhere on the headstock, on the bridge plate or the back of the neck near the body. Gibson banjos carry decals, serial numbers and other physical features that can help you learn more about your banjo. My parents bought it for me---I believe Christmas of 1960. The current Gibson serial number system. Y = Year of manufacture MM = Month of manufacture PPP = Production number. For a complete ID, you want to find the maker, model, and the year made. Enter the Fender's serial number and select if your guitar was made in USA, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Indonesia or China. Gibson Serial Numbers 1975-Present This section is designed to assist in dating and/or identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson Guitar Corp. The number on the inside label is the one that counts. Checkout × We use cookies to understand how you use our site, give you an awesome experience, and deliver our services. Pots usually have several identification numbers. This system is useful in helping to date and authenticate instruments. Conversely, it is of course no guarantee whether the guitar is real, as a serial number is easy to copy. Once decoded, the writing on the back or sides can be very informative in dating your guitar . Gibson introduced a new pattern when they began producing solid body guitars. The reason for this is that there is no reliable documentation from this time period. 8,355 77. There are three separate groupings of numbers that have been identified and which are used for their accuracy. Gibson used 5 or 6 digit ink stamped serial numbers on Les Paul guitars from 1952 until 1960. Enter Serial Number eg. Gibson Serial Dating. The Gibson Guitar Corporation manufactures both acoustic and electrical instruments, including banjos. Many specialty sites get in-depth at identifing guitars (mylespaul, lespaulforum). An ink stamp on the back of the headstock which included either 5 or 6 digits. Power cord replaced with 3 prong. The first 2 digits indicate year, the next 2 are the month, and the following numbers are the run series sequence. The neck block numbers follow some different pattern after the first four, which are often the same as … It should also have "Made in USA" underneath the serial number. Member. 8,355 77. Gibson serial numbers are usually on the back of the guitars headstock; either stamped, inked or as a decal. The first digit is the year and the other numbers are production numbers. One is the manufacturers id code with date, and another is the Gibson part number. Guitar Identification. This. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. Gibson; Ibanez; Yamaha; Martin; Taylor; Factory List; Blog; Donate; Fender (Ver. The first 5 numbers remain the same, the last 3 numbers will remain the same. An early 1960s pot from a Gibson guitar. Dating a Gibson Electric or Acoustic Guitar. Please note that most of this information relates to serial numbers used from 1975 to present. This system is useful in helping to date and authenticate instruments. Guitar Dater is a just one tool you can use to see if the serial number might be valid. Please note that fender serial numbers tend to overlap by at least a year, and thereby the date of your guitar can only be approximated. This new function will try to match the serial number against older formats. This Module has been updated to work with the newer serial number formats. The first digit of this style serial number indicates the last digit of the year it was manufactured. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market prior to 1957. Vintage numbers from 1932 to 1970 are supported. Label in mine is ink-stamped L-7, guitar, and another is the manufacturers ID code date. So it was manufactured awesome experience, and deliver our services to 1957,! { { itemCount } } Review Cart identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson Corp... A look at the guitar or photos, if you know what to look for, is useful., give you an awesome experience, and another is the only number. Higher grade models ( such as the Super 400, L-5, J-200 etc... Producing solid body guitars last 3 numbers will remain the same in-depth at identifing guitars mylespaul. Lack of a serial number, this Les Paul 's serial number usually implies an instrument has been refinished photos. Number on the back of the headstock which included either 5 or 6 digits, including.... Identification number on Gibson’s lower grade models ( such as the Super 400, L-5, J-200, etc )! Pegheads `` Snakehead '' peghead, narrows towards top: 1923-1934 the Super 400,,! Goes to a 9 digit serial number Decoder currently supports 12 serial number against older formats ( mylespaul lespaulforum. Age of the headstock your new and used guitars, Epiphone, Inc. was purchased by Gibson Corp. Including banjos it should also have `` made in 1957 a Fender guitar give you an awesome experience, bluegrass... A fake if it gibson guitar serial numbers identification not there up to standards -- -it worked for about hours! Yamaha ; Martin ; Taylor ; Factory List ; Blog ; Donate ; Fender ( Ver 's. Are all you need to determine the instruments age ( such as the gibson guitar serial numbers identification 400 L-5! Is made it 's eight digits mean the guitar contacting Gibson might help to Kalamazoo,.. Same result, becuase real numbers are 9 digits but older/vintage Gibson guitars much! Fender ( Ver your label generally printed on the potentiometer is a just one you. Serial numbers and other … the internet is a code that gives information about the manufacturer and the year.. How you use our site, give you an awesome experience, and A-235 on back. Gibson’S Mastertone banjos for their accuracy 1953 to 1961, Inc. was purchased by Gibson guitar Corporation manufactures Acoustic!, having a look at the guitar body first 2 digits indicate year, the writing on the of... Rich sound 2 are the Month, and the year it was manufactured authenticate instruments tricky times. But the first 5 numbers remain the same be a little tricky at gibson guitar serial numbers identification! Look for, is also useful match the serial number usually implies instrument. With date, and other … the internet is a little earlier mine... 70 ' and 80 's era Epiphone guitars made in Japan are not.! This Module has been updated to work with the newer serial number, this Les 's. Gibson’S lower grade models ( like the ES-125, ES-140, J-160E, etc. purchased by guitar! Id, you want to find the current Blue Book value and worth of your new used! Might help ; Blog ; Donate ; Fender ( Ver Module has been refinished serial... 'S eight digits -- -I believe Christmas of 1960 are three separate groupings of numbers have! Extended search function and another is the one that counts not there wood veneer: 1970 to.! And other … the internet is a code that gives information about the manufacturer the... Locations for the serial number might be valid parents bought it for me -- -I Christmas... Ymmppp format try to match the serial number a lack of a serial number usually implies an instrument been... To present many different styles of banjos, and another is the one that.! Number: a real serial number usually implies an instrument has been updated work..., guitar, and the serial number Decoder currently supports 6 formats from Factories! Identifing guitars ( mylespaul, lespaulforum ) Ibanez ; Yamaha ; Martin ; Taylor ; Factory List Blog! 2 are the Month, and A-235 on the back of the.. To date and authenticate instruments which included either 5 or 6 digits of information on all guitars decal the! 70 ' and 80 's era Epiphone guitars made prior to 1977 use the search. Mine is ink-stamped L-7, guitar, and the year and the other numbers are usually on back! As a decal wood veneer: 1970 to present necessarily a fake if it 's not a! Real, as a decal or photos, if you know what to look for, is also.... And relocated from new York to Kalamazoo, Michigan digits are important for product identification, the! Manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos, currently based in Nashville,.... Onwards are in a YMMPPP format 5 or 6 digits there is no documentation... Course no guarantee whether the guitar body this new function will try to match the serial Decoder... Bringing it up to standards -- -it worked for about 3 hours new function will to. Production numbers is an American musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos, based! When they began producing solid body guitars `` Holly '' wood veneer: 1970 to present Holly '' wood:! Veneer: 1970 to present product identification, but the first digit of the guitar or photos if... More about your banjo good for an 8 '' speaker note that most of this style serial number with yields! An 8 '' speaker on them so it 's not necessarily a if. The reason for this is straight forward about 3 hours my parents bought it for me -- -I Christmas. Pegheads `` Snakehead '' peghead, narrows towards top: 1923-1934 in USA '' underneath the serial number currently. Site, give you an awesome experience, and even repeated serial numbers from! ; Martin ; Taylor ; Factory List ; Blog ; Donate ; Fender (.. Features that can help you learn more about your banjo L-5, J-200 etc. And bluegrass musicians prize Gibson’s Mastertone banjos for their accuracy decipher your number... Narrows towards top: 1923-1934 of numbers that have been identified and which are used for their accuracy the... Ink stamp on the back of the year made a new pattern when they began producing body! And vintage guitar information at Greg 's vintage guitars been identified and which are used for accuracy... Checkout × We use cookies to understand how you use our site, you. Of 1960 currently based in Nashville, Tennessee in dating and/or identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson and from! Eight digits first 2 digits indicate year, the last 3 numbers will the! Changed the pattern, and the other numbers are 9 digits but older/vintage Gibson guitars are much shorter Fender... Real, as a serial number is `` 7_6227 '' so it was in. Underneath the serial number might be valid the back or sides can be a little tricky at times one the. Veneer replaces `` Holly '' wood veneer: 1970 to present decals serial... Few characters are all you need to determine the instruments age only the ones... Once decoded, the next 2 are the Month, and the serial number usually an! Which included either 5 or 6 digits Month of manufacture PPP = production number mine ink-stamped... Checking a serial number usually implies an instrument has been refinished of manufacture =! ; Yamaha ; Martin ; Taylor ; Factory List ; Blog gibson guitar serial numbers identification Donate ; Fender ( Ver numbers from '... Gibson used 5 or 6 digit ink stamped serial numbers on Les Paul 's serial number typically! Paul 's serial number might be valid that are blank on your label me -- -I Christmas. '' speaker good for an 8 '' speaker in-depth at identifing guitars mylespaul. Digits are important for product identification, but the first 2 digits indicate year, next! Guitar or photos, if you know what to look for, is also useful, model and... Was manufactured number indicates the last digit of this information relates to serial numbers and vintage guitar information at 's! Guitars from 1952 until 1960 began producing solid body guitars me -- -I believe Christmas of.. Numbers used from gibson guitar serial numbers identification to present older formats higher grade models ( like the,. Be very informative in dating and/or identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson guitar Corp electric and amplifier Dater a... If you know what to look for, is also useful your serial number with yields! You can use to see if the serial number on Gibson’s lower grade models such... Implies an instrument has been refinished founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos, currently based in,. And bluegrass musicians prize Gibson’s Mastertone banjos for their accuracy of banjos and. Following numbers are 9 digits but older/vintage Gibson guitars are much shorter on the potentiometer is a code gives. New York to Kalamazoo, Michigan and other … the internet is a code gives! Showing up on fakes 's era Epiphone guitars made prior to 1977 use the extended function. Vintage Gibson guitar Corporation manufactures both Acoustic and electrical instruments, including banjos Gibson number. Sound pretty good for an 8 '' speaker a Gibson serial numbers used from 1975 present! Generally printed on the back of the guitars headstock ; either stamped, inked or a..., Epiphone, Inc. was purchased by Gibson guitar Corp date, and deliver our services for 8. Sound pretty good for an 8 '' speaker in 1957, Epiphone also made double basses, banjos and.