1947 to 1961. Once the serial numbers hit 99999, Gibson decided to change to a new system, rather than go into 6 digits. The new system used a letter to prefix the numbers. The first guitar in this new system was A 100 which was in April of 1947. Most gear has a serial number, either printed on a label inside it or stamped into the headstock or neck plate. Use our dating guides below to figure out when your instrument was made and where it came from. You can make a listing on Reverb by going to our sell page via this link. How to Date a Gibson. Gibson Pricing Info.

X - ____ (China) - Early to mid 1990's serial number label - Verified by Epiphone Customer Service. Seen on 'Epi' brand guitars. Y - Korea (seen on a PR775CE) Z - Zaozhuang Saehan (China)-----FACTORY NUMBER CODES For some models starting in 2008, if serial begins with numbers.

Gibson is a popular and collectible guitar brand. It remains one of the only guitar manufacturers to produce its instruments exclusively in the United States. Since 1989, all Gibson acoustic guitars have been made in Bozeman, Mont., and all Gibson electric guitars have been made in either Memphis, Tenn., or Nashville, Tenn. Knowing where the guitar was manufactured is straightforward, but knowing when it was made can be tricky, as Gibson's serial numbering system has changed numerous times through the years.

Check the back of the guitar headstock for an eight-digit serial number. If your guitar has an eight-digit serial number stamped on it, it was made after Gibson changed its numbering system in 1975. If there is no eight-digit serial number found, check the bottom of the guitar neck, which can be seen by looking inside of the guitar's sound hole. There will be a three- to six-digit number stamped in black, and possibly a two-digit number penciled in red.

If your guitar has an eight-digit serial number, it contains the year, date and the factory ranking number for the instrument. Make note of how the serial number will represent this information by referring to the sequence YDDDYRRR. In this sequence, 'Y' indicates the year it was made, 'D' indicates the day of the year, and the 'R' represents the ranking number. For example, 80505210 means that the guitar was made on Feb. 19, 1985 and was the 210th instrument made that day. There are three exceptions to this rule. If the guitar was made in 1975, the eight-digit number will start with a '99.' If the guitar was made in 1976, the guitar number will start with '00.' Finally, if the guitar was made in 1977 the guitar's number will start with '06.'

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to decipher serial codes of guitars made before 1975. Gibson used and reused numbers, changed numbering systems, and generally did not give much consideration to sequential numbering prior to its 1975 serial number system. Visit the Vintage Guitars Info Web site. This comprehensive guide will show all possible derivations of the old Gibson numbering system with information arranged by year. Be aware that the Gibson J-45 was not first produced until 1942.

Tip

In step 2, please note that the 'D' in the code stands for the day of the year, not the day of the month. In the example, the '050' stands for the 50th day of the year, which is February 19th.

The age of a Gibson guitar, along with the physical condition and relative rarity, are the major factors in determining its value. While physical condition can be assessed with a careful inspection, rarity and date of manufacture are not always easy to determine. But the serial number on a Gibson can tell you when the guitar was made. With that information, you can determine its rarity and, ultimately, its worth.

Locate the serial number on your Gibson. 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. On electric guitars, the serial number is generally printed on the back of the headstock.

Decipher your serial number if it's eight digits. Since 1977, Gibson has used the following method: The first and fifth numbers indicate the last two digits of the year the instrument was produced, the second through fourth digits tell the day of the year it was produced and the last three digits indicate the production rank. For example, the serial number 81449243 means the guitar was the 243rd instrument made on the 144th day of 1989.

Gibson Serial Number Lookup 63 To Present

Use the Blue Book of Electric Guitars, available for free at Gibson's website, to date your instrument if it has a different type of serial number. Over the years, Gibson has gone through several different serial-number changes, sometimes resulting in multiple guitars with the same number. The book, which lists all the company's historical serial number schemes, is an invaluable resource when dating vintage Gibson guitars.

Gibson Serial Number Lookup 60's

If you're still having trouble accurately dating your Gibson, take pictures of the guitar, including the serial number, and upload them to the customer service section on the company's website. In most cases, they'll help you date your instrument.