Gibson has used multiple serial number systems, sometimes simultaneously, and in several eras the same serial number ranges appear in more than one year. This is why Gibson dating requires understanding which system applies before trusting any lookup result.
Below is a complete overview of Gibson serial number formats, organized by era.
This information applies to all Gibson instruments including guitars, mandolins, lap steels, basses, and others
From 1902 to 1947, Gibson marked instruments with serial numbers.
From 1908 until 1961, factory order numbers were used on many (but not all) instruments.
Some instruments may have no serial number or FON.
Still others may have a number or FON, but the pencil or ink used to mark the instrument may have faded, partially or completely.
1902-1908: Often no serial number or model name on label. Completion date sometimes penciled under the top (must be seen with a mirror).
1908-1930: Factory Order Numbers stamped on neck block inside body.
1925-1931: Some low end models with no numbers. Some models with an ink stamped 3 digit number on neck block.
1931: FON 4 digit numbers start.
1932-1935: FON numbers roll over from 9999, reusing old numbers. This new series of FONs from 1932 to 1935 are not in sequential order.
1935-1941: Factory Order Numbers and Letter Codes: a letter A to G. ink stamped on the inside back, on the neck block (flattops), or on the label.
1938-1941: Factory Order Numbers beginning with the letter D to H pressed into the back of the peghead.
1942-1947: Factory Order Numbers with 3 or 4 digits, followed by a hyphen, followed by 1 or 2 more digits, ink stamped on neck block (flattops) or on the inside back,
1947-1952: Factory Order Numbers of 3 or 4 digits, followed by a hyphen, followed by by 1 or 2 more digits, ink stamped on the inside back.
1952-1961: Factory Order Numbers beginning with the letter Q to Z, ink stamped on inside back, all hollowbody models.
1947-early 1955: "A" series serial numbers on a white label, on many models.
Early 1955-1961: "A" series serial numbers on a orange label, on many models.
1953-1961: Solidbody guitars have ink-stamped serial numbers on the back of the headstock.
1961-1969: Serial numbers, 4, 5 or 6 digit, impressed in back of headstock for all models. No MADE IN USA stamped below.
1969-1975: 6 digit peghead-impressed serial number with MADE IN USA stamped below.
1975-1977: Serial number on transparent decal on the back of the headstock, MADE IN USA below.
1977-2005: 8 digit impressed serial number on back of headstock with MADE IN USA stamped below.
2005-Present: 9 digit impressed serial number on back of headstock with MADE IN USA stamped below
1982-Present: Reissue and custom shop serial numbers in various formats. Some reissue numbers duplicate on some custom shop reissue models.
Now that you know where to look, here's the detail you need to find the general era in which your guitar was made.
In this era, the Factory Order Number (FON) consists of a 3, 4 or 5 digit batch number followed by a 1 or 2 digit sequence number (usually from 1 to 40, but there were some double or triple batches where the numbers were higher).
1902-1916: 1 through 3650
1917-1923: 11000 through 12000
1924-1925: 11000A through 11250A ("A" suffix used)
1925-1931: 8000 through 9999
1931-1933: 1 through 890 (with some isolated higher numbers)
1934: 1 through 1500 (with some isolated higher numbers)
1935: 1A through 1520A (most with "A" suffix and some isolated higher numbers)
1936: 1B through 1100B (most with "B" suffix and some isolated higher numbers)
1937: 1C through 1400C (most with "C" suffix and some isolated higher numbers)
1938: 1d through 1000d (most with "D" suffix and some isolated higher numbers)
1939: 1E through 980E (most with "E" suffix and some isolated higher numbers)
1940-1945: 1 through 7900 (some with letter suffix or prefix, some with neither)
Many instruments from 1935 to 1941 have a letter designating the year within the Factory Order Number (FON).
The FON consists of a batch number, usually 4 digits. Then there is a letter (and sometimes a space), followed by a 1 or 2 digit sequence (ranking) number.
Year: 1st Letter
1935: A
1936: B
1937: C
1938: D, DA
1939: Ex (where 'x' is any other letter)
1940: F, FA
1941: E (with NO other following letter)
1941: G
1942: H
Pre-WW2 hyphen Factory Order Numbers are used mostly on lap steels. The format consists of a three or four digit number, a hyphen, then a one or two digit batch number. Only the first number (before the hyphen) determines the year.
Year: Number range
1937: 200-xx to 399-xx
1936: 1937: 400-xx to 599-xx
1936 to 1938: 500-xx to 599-xx
1936: 1938: 600-xx to 799-xx
1936: 800-xx to 999-xx
1937: 1000-xx to 1599-xx
1938 to 1940: 1600-xx to 2999-xx
1941: 3000-xx to 5999-xx
1942: 6000-xx to 6999-xx
1943: 7000-xx to 7999-xx
Serial numbers are seldom found on instruments made during World War 2. However, most (but not all) have Factory Order Numbers (FON). These contain a four digit batch number stamped in ink, followed by a two digit sequence number written in red pencil (during WW2 only). The red pencil mark often fades and is hard or impossible to see.
There typically were no more than 46 instruments (sequence numbers) per batch. Also no batch number with a "1" as the first digit was used during WW2.
The FON is usually located on the neck block. The war-time list that follows is not definitive but includes FONs that are at least somewhat commonly seen.
Year: Factory Order Number
1941: G (letter code sometimes seen after FON, i.e. 2586G).
1942: 907, 910, 923, 2004, 2005, 7000ish (i.e. 7119) - all 'Banner' logo.
1942: H (letter code sometimes seen after FON, i.e. 7116H). Range 5xxxH to 8xxxH
1943: Range generally 9xx to 22xx, depending on the model.
1944: Range generally 22xx to 29XX, depending on the model, some with no FON.
1945: 1xx to 10xx, but many with no FON.
1946: No FON used. 'Banner' logo no longer used, now script logo with no banner.
1947: 700s to 1000s
1948: 1100s to 3700s 'Script' logo no longer used, block logo used.
1949: 2000s
1950: 3000s to 5000s
1951: 6000s to 9000s
This letter preceeds the batch number within the Factory Order Number (FON), and denotes the year of manufacture.
As mentioned previously, the batch number is the first 4 numerical digits of the FON, followed by a 1 or 2 digit sequence number (within the batch).
On archtop models, this number was ink stamped inside treble F-hole. On flat top models the FON was ink stamped on the neck block.
Year: Letter
1952: Z
1953: Y
1954: X
1955: W
1956: V
1957: U
1958: T
1959: S
1960: R
1961: Q
You know this was coming, based on the information above. Serial numbers add another wrinkle! Now you see how involved this whole process is!
Gibson serial number placement is called out at the top of this page. Refer to that section for help locating your serial number.
Serial numbers start with 1000. The number listed next to each year below is the last number from that year. Note the format of these serial numbers has NO HYPHEN and NO LETTERS. For a number list with a hyphen and/or a letter, see the previous Factory Order Numbers section.
Year: Last Serial Number Of the Year
1903: 1500
1904: 2500
1905: 3500
1906: 5500
1907: 8300
1908: 9700
1909: 10100
1910: 10600
1911: 10850
1912: 13350
1913: 16100
1914: 20150
1915: 25150
1916: 32000
1917: 39500
1918: 47900
1919: 53800
1920: 63650
1921: 69300
1922: 71400
1923: 74900
1924: 81200
1925: 82700
1926: 83600
1927: 85400
1928: 87300
1929: 89750
1930: 90200
1931: 90450
1932: 90700
1933: 91400
1934: 92300
1935: 92800
1936: 94100
1937: 95200
1938: 95750
1939: 96050
1940: 96600
1941: 97400
1942: 97700
1943: 97850
1944: 98250
1945: 98650
1946: 99300
1947: 99999 (April 28, 1947)
Hollowbody guitars from 1947 to 1961 will have a label inside one of the F holes with the letter "A" preceding a number.
These "Artist" series serial numbers were only used on mid to upper end instruments.
Year: Number
1947: A-100 through A-1304
1948: A-1305 through A-2665
1949: A-2666 through A-4413
1950: A-4414 through A-6597
1951: A-6598 through A-9419
1952: A-9420 through A-12462
1953: A-12463 through A-16101
1954: A-16102 through A-18667
1955: A-18668 through A-18750 (Jan 12, last white label).
1955: A-20001 (Jan 13, First orange label) through A-21909
1956: A 21910 through A 24755
1957: A 24756 through A 26819
1958: A 26820 through A 28880
1959: A 28881 through A 32284
1960: A 32285 through A 35645
1961: A 35646 through A 36147 (Feb 21, Last "A" number)
Solid body guitars from 1952 to 1961 will have an ink stamped number on the back of peghead.
Gibson did not use serial numbers in 1952 - the first year of solid body guitars.
Starting in 1953, the first number of the ink stamp is the last number of the year.
5 digit ink-stamped serial numbers will have a space between the first and second numbers, separating the last digit of the year from the actual serial number. 6 digit ink stamped numbers have no space between the year and serial number as the serial number has exceeded 9999 and now occupies the space. Numbers with no space and 5 digits following the year only occurred in 1955, 1956, 1959 and 1960, and the second digit will ONLY be a "1" in 1955 and 1956.
In 1955 Gibson forgot to reset their serial number back to 5 0001. Instead they continued the 1954 series, just changing the first digit to a "5" for 1955. For this reason the serial numbers exceeded "5 9999", hence 5 digits and no space following the year had to be used.
Production was high enough in 1956 to exceed "6 9999". Production in 1959 and 1960 was also very high, exceeding "9 9999" and going to "932000" or higher (so a "1" or "2" or "3" could be the second digit in 1959).
The Ink Stamped serial number virtually ceased at the end of 1960, though a few 1961 instruments were made with a "1" ink stamped prefix. This is very rare, but seen on a few lap steels (pressed in serial numbers started in 1961 for all Gibson instruments) and a few Les Paul models.
One other exception to the above rules is in late 1958 where some Les Paul juniors and specials had a FOUR digit serial (no leading year digit).
Year: First Number
1952: none
1953: 3
1954: 4
1955: 5
1956: 6
1957: 7
1958: 8*
1959: 9
1960: 0
1961: 1 (very rare)
* In late 1958 some LP Juniors/Specials had a four digit serial number with no leading year digit.
All models in this period received an impressed serial number on the upper back portion of the peghead. There will be no "Made in USA" stamp under the serial numbers of guitars from this era.
Many serial numbers are duplicated between 1963 and 1969, and some ranges spread over more than one year. To figure out which is the exact year for a guitar with a duplicate serial number, specifications must be examined. As a result, we check the specs of all mid-60s Gibson guitars before confirming the year.
Also: Be careful to note if your guitar has 5 or 6 digits in its serial number. It is easy to glance quickly and make a mistake!
Serial Number Range: Year
0100 To 42440: 1961
42441 to 61180: 1962
61450 to 64222: 1963
64240 to 71040: 1964
71041 to 96600: 1962, a few from 1963/1964
96601 to 99999: 1963
000001 to 099999: 1967 (all 6 digit numbers starting with "0" are 1967)
100000 to 106099: 1963 or 1967
106100 to 106899: 1963
109000 to 109999: 1963 or 1967
110000 to 111549: 1963
111550 to 115799: 1963 or 1967
115800 to 118299: 1963
118300 to 120999: 1963 or 1967
121000 to 139999: 1963
140000 to 140100: 1963 or 1967
140101 to 144304: 1963
144305 to 144380: 1964
144381 to 149864: 1963
149865 to 149891: 1964
149892 to 152989: 1963
152990 to 174222: 1964
174223 to 176643: 1964 or 1965
176644 to 250335: 1964
250336 to 305983: 1965
306000 to 310999: 1965 or 1967
311000 to 320149: 1965
320150 to 320699: 1967
320700 to 329179: 1965
329180 to 330199: 1965 or 1967
330200 to 332240: 1965, 1967 or 1968
332241 to 348092: 1965
348093 to 349100: 1966
349121 to 368638: 1965
368640 to 369890: 1966
370000 to 370999: 1967
380000 to 385309: 1966
390000 to 390998: 1967
400001 to 406666: 1966
406667 to 409670: 1966 to 1968
409671 to 410900: 1966
410901 to 419999: unknown
420000 to 429193: 1966
500000 to 500999: 1965, 1966, 1968, or 1969
501009 to 501600: 1965
501601 to 501702: 1968
501703 to 502706: 1965 or 1968
503010 to 503109: 1968
503405 to 520955: 1965 or 1968
520956 to 530056: 1968
530061 to 530850: 1966, 1968, or 1969
530851 to 530993: 1968 or 1969
530994 to 539999: 1969
540000 to 540795: 1966 or 1969
540796 to 545009: 1969
555000 to 557999: 1966
558000 to 567400: 1969
570087 to 570643: 1966
570645 to 570755: 1966 or 1967
570857 to 570964: 1966
580000 to 580080: 1969
580086 to 580999: 1966, 1967 or 1969
600000 to 600998: low end models, 1966, 1967, or 1968
600000 to 606090: high end models, 1969
700000 to 700799: 1966, 1967 or 1969
750000 to 750999: 1968 or 1969
800000 to 800999: 1966, 1967, 1968 or 1969
801000 to 812838: 1966 or 1969
812900 to 819999: 1969
820000 to 820087: 1966 or 1969
820088 to 823830: 1966
824000 to 824999: 1969
828002 to 847488: 1966 or 1969
847499 to 858999: 1966 or 1969
859001 to 895038: 1967
895039 to 896999: 1968
897000 to 898999: 1967 or 1969
899000 to 899999: 1968
900000 to 909999: 1970
910000 to 999999: 1968
All models in this era received an impressed serial number on the upper part of the back of the headstock. Below the serial number, all guitars also were marked: MADE IN U.S.A. stamped below the serial number. U.S.A appears below the words "MADE IN".
It is very important - imperative really - to check features and part dates for most of these serial number sets as they cross several years when features changed quite a bit and production numbers increased.
Year: Number
1970: 6 digits + A
1973: 000000's
1970-1975: 100000's
1973-1975: 200000's
1974-1975: 300000's
1974-1975: 400000's
1974-1975: 500000's
1970-1972, 1974-1975: 600000's
1970-1972: 700000's
1973-1975: 800000's
1970-1972: 900000's
1973-1975: A + 6 digits
1974-1975: B + 6 digits
1974-1975: C + 6 digits
1974-1975: D + 6 digits
1974-1975: E + 6 digits
1974-1975: F + 6 digits
This is a refreshingly simple period for most models, but of course - not all!
Most instruments have an 8 digit number impressed in the upper part of the back of the peghead in the following format:
YDDDYNNN
YY (1st and 5th digit) = last two digits of the year.
DDD (digits 2-4) = day of the year (001=Jan 1st, 365=Dec 31st).
NNN (digits 6-8) = rank of instrument for that day.
Example: 80012005 = 5th instrument made in Kalamazoo on the first day of 1982.
Note: All Kalamazoo, Michigan made instruments (1977-1984) and Bozeman, Montana made instruments (1989-present) are numbered beginning with 001 each day. Instruments made in Nashville are numbered beginning with 500 each day.
Exceptions to the 1977 and later 8 digit serial numbers:
Beginning in July 2005, Gibson USA moved to a 9-digit number,
with the 6th digit now being a batch number. Batch 0 starts at the
beginning of the day, and once we stamp 699, the batch number changes to 1.
This format is as follows:
YDDDYBRRR
YY indicates the last two digits of the
production year
DDD indicates the day of the year
B is the batch number
RRR is the factory ranking for that day
beginning with 001
These serial numbers do not indicate a specific day of production.
The new model year typically launches in the fall as the current model year winds down. It is not uncommon for a new model year model to be produced during the previous model year. For example, a 2015 model may have been built in late 2014.
The format is as follows:
YYRRRRRRR
YY indicates the last two digits of the production year
RRRRRRR is the production number for the model year
In 2019, Gibson USA reverts back
to its previous post-2005 scheme, which follows this pattern:
YDDDYBRRR
