

- #Guitar serial number checker how to#
- #Guitar serial number checker serial numbers#
- #Guitar serial number checker series#
#Guitar serial number checker serial numbers#
Around this time, the serial numbers became a bit unpredictable, as they were figuring out a new system. The format for these dates is ( YY/MM/DD).Īnother neat way to know your Hondo was built prior to 1984, is that if it has the original Grover Rotomatic tuners, the posts that the buttons are screwed onto will be larger in diameter than Rotomatics made from 1984-on.Īs 1990 approached, the use of one digit for the year presented the issue of repeat serial numbers. If your guitar was built prior to 1984, or has lost its serial number sticker, the only other way to date your guitar is by looking for a date ink-stamped on the side of the original box switch. Being a sticker, many are ripped off or wear off over the years. These serial numbers are easily recognized as a white sticker with a black border, usually found on the back of the headstock or the heel of the neck.
#Guitar serial number checker series#
It is commonly found on Mastercaster Series models, among others. The significance of this format is unknown. Many guitars made around 1985 have a serial number with the format: In 1988, occasionally the format was YYMMPPPPP because of high production volume.Įxample: 880510504 = 10,504th guitar made in May of 1988 Samick first started using serial numbers on Hondos and other contract brands in 1984 (their home brand models did not use serials until ~1987), using the following format:Įxample: 8030768 = 768th guitar made in March of 1988 There you have it! There are many exceptions, and of course many other brands out there, but now you can tell how old most Fenders or Gibsons are within seconds.Earliest known serial number, June 1984 (production number faded away).



Serial dating is easiest for instruments made in the USA or Mexico, but is also possible for those made in Japan, Korea, China, and Indonesia.
#Guitar serial number checker how to#
Here's a brief rundown of how to do it, plus resources for more information. Well, good news it's very easy to figure out the age of Fender and Gibson instruments from the last 30 years. Ever wonder exactly when your favorite guitar was made? You sort of remember when you got it, but you want to really know its history, especially if you're not the first owner.
