And the first two numbers normally represent the production year. For example, a serial code of S1202101 provides us with the factory prefix which is S. The first two digits, would indicate that it was made in 2012.
There are only so many guitar manufacturers in Indonesia. Well, at least the big ones. They use factory codes that are specific to them, for the most part. There are many guitar brands that use these factories. They also have these similar prefixes in their serial numbers.
Schecter Serial Numbers Lookup
Some of the more common serial numbers on Japanese builds contain an S or SA. These guitars might be made in the same factory as ESP instruments. The owner of ESP guitars also owns Schecter. And so this would only make sense. I suspect this factory is in Tokyo.
Schecter custom shop guitars and early models are what you will find with American serial numbers. These are usually found on the back of the headstock or on the neck plates. It looks like they range quite a bit.
This is important as there have been many fakes spotted on the market. In the end, little is known about the serial numbers. Everything I listed above is just a guess, except for the year code. To know for sure, you will need to contact Schecter.
Danelectro/Silvertone (Back to top of page)You can find serial numbers on vintage Danelectro/Silvertone instruments all over the instrument, including back of headstock, neck heel, neck pocket, control cavity and other places. In doing research on this brand I found the definitive website for Danelectro/Silvertone info at www.danelectro.guru. The site is run by Doug Tulloch and he even sells a Danelectro Guitar Guide for you hardcore fans.
Dean (Back to top of page)Every Dean guitar made in United States comes with a seven digit serial number that is printed on the back of the headstock (some 90s models may be stamped on the fretboard). First two numbers in the sequence are the last two digits of the production year. If you see a seven digit serial number on the back of a Dean guitar, you can be sure that it was produced in United States.Dean's more affordable line made outside the US may require looking at features and hardware and some knowledge of the line. Though I can't verify the accuracy, it was posted in the Dean online forums that imports after 2008 follow a pattern with the initial letter or letters identifying the factory, such that: US = Un Sung Korea, Y = Yoojin China, E = World Korea.The following two digits indicate year, then two-digit month, then production number. An example given was the serial US12040364 (don't let the "US" make you think it's a USA model). Here the serial is decoded as:
YYMMFFRRRRRYY = year of manufactureMM = month of manufatureFF = factory IDRRRRR = ranking numberExample: 08121520333 = 2008 / December / factory 15 / unit 20333Note: Models from 2008 and onwards omit the factory ID letter prefix. Pre-1994 productions also frequently omit the factory letter codes and appeared as all digits, e.g. 3042779.----------------------------------------------FYYMMRRRRF/FF = factory ID Y/YY = year of manufactureMM = month of manufactureRRRR = ranking numberExample: 3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234Example: S3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234Example: S93021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234Example: SI01021234 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 1234Example: SI010212345 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 12345Note: There may be no factory designator for some 1993 and earlier models. A single digit month of manufacture may occur for some 1997 and earlier models. The ranking number may consist of any number of digits.----------------------------------------------FYYMRRRRF = factory IDYY = year of manufactureM = letter code to corresponding month (A=January, B=February, etc...)RRRR = ranking numberExample: R01B0123 = Peerless Korea / 2001 / February / unit 0123.----------------------------------------------FYYSSSS(Epiphone Elite/Elitist models)F = factory IDY = single digit year of manufacture (2 = 2002, 3 = 2003, etc.)YY = double digit year of manufacture (2010-Current)SSSS = sequential ranking numberExample: F21234 = Fuji-gen Japan / 2002 / unit 1234Example: T101234 = Terada Japan / 2010 / unit 1234----------------------------------------------F-Serial Numbers on Les Paul Standard '59/'60 Models and Tribute/Plus ModelsThe latest serial number system used by Epiphone has not yet been completely deciphered. The new "F" models are made in China. The system uses running model numbers rather than a dedicated code for year, month, and place of manufacture.F300000 = late 2009 used on LP Std'59/Std'60/Tribute modelsContinued around F310650F311050 in spring 2012 on Tribute-Plus modelsContinued around F305000 in 2011Continued around F310000 in 2012Continued around F317000 in 2013Continued around F324000 in 2014Continued around F330000 in 2015 ---------------------------------Epiphone Japan Serial Numbers1998 - CurrentThe Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards are in a YMMPPP format.Y = Year of manufactureMM = Month of manufacturePPP = Production numberThe serial number letters used by the Terada and Fuji-Gen guitar factories are:J = TeradaT = Terada,F = Fuji-GenNo Letter = Fuji-GenExample: J902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123Example: T902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123Example: F902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123Example: 902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 1231987 - 1997For Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan semi acoustic models from 1987 to approximately 1997, the serial numbers are in a YCPPP format.They were made by Terada and usually have an Orange Epiphone label.Y = Year of manufactureC = Model codePPP = Production numberModel Codes (C)1 = NVJ2 = EMPEROR3 = RIVIERA4 = SHERATON5 = CASINO6 = Limited Edition7 = EB-28 = ES-930J9 = EMPEROR-JExample: 34123 = 1993 / SHERATON / unit 123Example: 38123 = 1993 / ES-930J / unit 1231971 - 1987The Aria Epiphone Japan models that were made by Matsumoku from the early 1970s and ending before 1987 do not have a reliable serial numbering system but can be approximately dated using their Epiphone label colors.1971-1975 - Blue label - Early models say "Union Made"1976-1979 - Tan or white "Lincolnwood" label with Norlin logo1980-1987 - Brown Label with splotched pattern
First, start by going to Fender's Serial Number Lookup page. If your serial is found, it will tell you the official model name, number, and date of production. (See our Fender Serial Number Lookup model abbreviation list to decode info on your guitar.) You may be able to click on the model number to obtain full product specs as well. If your serial is NOT found there, don't despair. Fender is far from able to find all its previous serial numbers, and it may just take some research. Start down below, and if you're still stumped, consider looking at pot codes to give you a general idea of production era. You can also contact Fender support for help.
It seems there is no sure-fire way to get the year on a G&L. Below are random tidbits that may help you date yours.1980 - 1992First recorded serial numbers for guitars and bass by year:YEAR / GUITAR / BASS1980 G000530 B0005181981 G003122 B0019171982 G009886 B0085251983 G011654 B0103821984 G013273 B0142661985 G014690 B0161081986 G017325 B0176911987 G020241 B0180631988 G023725 B0196271989 G024983 0201061990 G026344 B0217881991 G027163 B0230131992 G029962 B024288GF and BC prefixes were used for the George Fullerton Signature Model and the Broadcaster, respectively. In 1997, the prefix CL (Clarence Leo) began use, and a couple years later it was changed to CLF.------------------------------
Starting in early 2011 all G&L serials should be in sequence with the serial located on a metal plate on the back of the headstock. In Sept. 2016, the metal plate was replaced with a waterslide decal. Then in Feb. 2017, the serial numbers were laser-etched on the back of headstock. The serial number format is now: "CLFYYMMnnn", where YY=last two digits of year, MM=two digit month.The G&L Tribute models have a different serial numbering scheme. All the Tribute Models have the build year and month coded in the serial number.Tribute serial number formats are:YYMXXXX or YMMXXXX (e.g., 0123456 - Made In Japan Tribute Models only)YYMMXXXX (e.g., 01234567 - Made In Korea Tribute Models only)YYMMXXXXX (e.g., 012345678 - Made In Indonesia Tribute Models only)LYYMMXXXX (e.g., L01234567 - Made In China Tribute Models only)The guitarsbyleo.com website has a G&L registry where you can see what other G&L owners have recorded about specific models they own. ( _id=1)
1952 - 1961 Gibson solid body electrics This period had the serial stamped on the back of the headstock. The first number designates the production year (5 = 1955, etc).1961 - 1975First we present a simplified table that may get you in the ballpark. After that, a much more complex table from that may take you further. Note, this is one of the most convoluted Gibson periods, and your serial may indicate more than one possible year. At that point, observing your model's features and comparing to other examples will be helpful. (Note: Read the detailed table carefully. You will find that some years appear several times with various serial number ranges.)1961-75 (basic)100-9999 1961 - 1963 100000-199999 1963 - 1967200000-290000 1964 - 1965300000-599999 1965 - 1969600000-999999 1966 - 1969000001-099999 1967 1961-75 (detailed)Year / Approx Serial Range1961 100-424401962 42441-611801963 61450-642201964 64240-705001962 71180-966001963 96601-999991967 000001-0080101967 010000-0429001967 044000-0441001967 050000-0544001967 055000-0639991967 064000-0660101967 0670000-0709101967 090000-0999991963, 1967 100000-1060991963 106100-1089001963, 1967 1090000-1099991963 110000-1115491963, 1967 111550-1157991963 115800-1182991963, 1967 118300-1209991963 121000-1399991963, 1967 140000-1401001963 140101-1443041964 144305-1443801963 144381-1450001963 147009-1498641964 149865-1498911963 149892-1529891964 152990-1742221964, 1965 174223-1766431964 176644-1999991964 200000-2503351965 250336-2910001965 301755-3021001965 302754-3059831965, 1967 306000-3061001965, 1967 307000-3079851965, 1967 309848-3109991965 311000-3201491967 320150-3206991965 320700-3211001965 322000-3266001965 328000-3285001965 328700-3291791965, 1967 329180-3301991965, 1967-68 330200-3322401965 332241-3270901965 348000-3480921966 348093-3491001965 349121-3686381966 368640-3698901967 370000-3709991966 380000-3853091967 390000-3909981965-68 400001-4009991966 401000-4079851966 408000-4086901966 408800-4092501966 420000-4260901966 427000-4291801966 430005-4385301966 438800-4389251965-66,68-69 500000-5009991965 501010-5016001968 501601-5017021965, 1968 501703-5027061968 503010-5031101965, 1968 503405-5209551968 520956-5300561966, 1968-69 530061-5308501968-69 530851-5309931969 530994-5399991966, 1969 540000-5407951969 540796-5450091966 550000-5569101969 558012-5674001966 570099-5707551969 580000-5809991966-69 600000-6009991969 601000-6010901969 605901-6060901966-67 700000-7007991968-69 750000-7509991966-69 800000-8009991966, 1969 801000-8128381969 812900-8149991969 817000-8199991966, 1969 820000-8200871966 820088-8238301969 824000-8249991966, 1969 828002-8474881966 847499-8589991967 859001-8800891967 893401-8950381968 895039-8969991967 897000-8989991968 899000-8999991968 900000-9022501968 903000-9208991968 940000-9410091968 942001-9430001968 945000-9454501968 947415-9560001968 959000-9609091968 970000-9728641970 - 1975This period remains confusing and serial numbers from the 60s and 70s may repeat. However, two design changes make it fairly easy to pinpoint a post-1970 Gibson. After 1969 you'll see a "volute" on the back of the neck where it meets the headstock. It's basically a little bump of extra wood to help prevent headstocks from snapping off the neck. Second, starting in 1970, "Made in USA" is stamped on the back of the headstock below the serial. General serial ranges from this period are:Number / Year000000S 1973100000S 1970-1975200000S 1973-1975300000S 1974-1975400000S 1974-1975500000S 1974-1975600000S 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975700000S 1970, 1971, 1972800000S 1973, 1974, 1975900000S 1970, 1971, 19721975-1977Number / Year99XXXXXX 197500XXXXXX 197606XXXXXX 19771977 - 2013Finally, in 1977, Gibson began a steady and reliable numbering scheme, which many are familiar with. Basically the first and fifth digits of the serial will indicate the year. For example, 92229222, means production year 1999. The Gibson website explains the new system in more detail, thus:The pattern is as follows:YDDDYRRRYY is the production yearDDD is the day of the yearRRR is the factory ranking/plant designation numberNOTE - Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 20052014 - PresentThe pattern is as follows:YYRRRRRRRYY is the model yearRRRRRRR is the number in product for the model year (starts at 0000001) Godin (Back to top of page)Robert Godin has been making great bang-for-buck guitars in Canada since 1987. Though serial number info is scarce on the web, I found info on two websites: jedistar.com and sixstringacoustic.com. Serial info here also pertains to Godin's spin-off brands: Seagull, Norman, Simon & Patrick, Art & Luther and LaPatrie.There are three distinct periods in Godin's serial numbering:Pre-1993: The serial will be six or seven digits. Six-digit serials will not help you date the guitar and you must contact Godin for help (info@godinguitars.com). It appears that a seven-digit serial MAY indicate it was built in the 90s and the FIRST digit should indicate the year. (Info provided from a quoted Godin company email does not give any more info on how this digit indicates year, and it seems more research is needed.)1993 to 2007: It should be an 8-digit serial. First two digits indicate production year. Third and fourth are production week. Fifth digit denotes day (1=Monday, 2=Tuesday, etc), and last three digits are the weekly production rank. (If you don't want your brain to hurt, I suggest stopping right here, otherwise read the following paragraph for more detail.)Now stay with me--this is confusing. To more exactly figure your Godin's production date, you should know Godin's production year runs from August 1 to July of the following year. So as an example, a serial number such as 06053168 starts with "06"--a 2006 guitar, right? Well, not so quick. To completely decode this serial you must look at the next two digits--"05"--this denotes the fifth week of Godin's 2006 production year--WHICH BEGINS ON AUGUST 1, 2005 (why Godin?)!So this actually indicates the guitar was made five weeks after August 1, 2005--pointing to a September 2005 production date! (If you don't want to ring Robert Godin's neck right now you are a saint.) Moving on, the serial number's next digit indicates it was made on a Wednesday, and the final three digits that it was the 168th guitar made that week.Post-2007: Godin switched to a 12-digit serial number in late 2007, and those serial numbers give no information on production date. The first six digits are the SKU number for the guitar's model. The seventh digit indicates if it is a factory second ("0" means not factory second, while "9" is a second). The last five digits are the production number of that model since the switch to the 12-digit serial format.Some other pieces of info:-- Some serials may contain an "AA" or "AAA" and likely represents a grade of wood.-- If there is an "F" in the serial number, it signifies the guitar is B-stock.-- Norman models built between 1980 and 1988 have a serial with a B prefix.-- Pre-1993 serials should be stamped on the sound hole label (acoustics), while post-1993 serials should be engraved behind the headstock. Gretsch (Back to top of page)1939 - 1965001 to 999 Pre-war10xx to 20xx Approximately 1945-194720xx-30xx Approximately 1948-194930xx to 40xx Approximately 195040xx to 50xx Approximately 195150xx to 70xx Approximately 195270xx to 90xx 195390xx to 130xx 1954130xx to 180xx 1955180xx to 210xx 1956210xx to 260xx 1957 Note: 1000 serial numbers from 1957 were misplaced and later turned up, with original '57-style labels, in 1965.260xx to 300xx 1958300xx to 340xx 1959340xx to 390xx 1960390xx to 450xx 1961451xx to 530xx 1962530xx to 630xx 1963630xx to 770xx 1964770xx to 840xx 1965 2ff7e9595c
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