WHAT YEAR IS MY GIBSON GUITAR?
How to Date Gibson Guitars | Serial Number Search, Decode
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Quick Gibson Guitar Serial Number Guide: 1904-1977
- Quick Gibson Factory Order Number FON Overview: 1902-1961
- More Info on Gibson Factory Order Numbers (FON)
- Gibson Hyphen FON without Letters (First Number Range 1937-1943)
- 1942 - 1951 Factory Order Number FON Info
- Gibson FON with Letters (1935-1961)
- Gibson Non-Hyphen Serial Numbers Last Number (1903-1947)
- Gibson Hollow Body Serial Numbers (1947-1961)
- Gibson Solid Body Model Serial Numbers First Number (1952-1961)
- Gibson Serial Numbers (1961-1977)
- Made in USA Stamp, Volute on Headstock: 1970-1975
- Gibson 8 Digit Pattern 1977-Present
- Gibson 9 Digit Serial Number
Quick Gibson Guitar Serial Number Guide: 1904-1977
Here is a quick list of Gibson serial numbers. These are generally found on the interior label, or on the back of the headstock. More detailed information later on this page.
| YEAR | LAST SERIAL NUMBER |
| 1904 | 1850 |
| 1905 | 2550 |
| 1906 | 3350 |
| 1907 | 4250 |
| 1908 | 5450 |
| 1909 | 6950 |
| 1910 | 8750 |
| 1911 | 10850 |
| 1912 | 13350 |
| 1913 | 16100 |
| 1914 | 20150 |
| 1915 | 25150 |
| 1916 | 32000 |
| 1917 | 39500 |
| 1918 | 47900 |
| 1919 | 53800 |
| 1920 | 62200 |
| 1921 | 69300 |
| 1922 | 71400 |
| 1923 | 74900 |
| 1924 | 80300 |
| 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 |
| 1947 | A 1305 |
| 1948 | A 2665 |
| 1949 | A 4410 |
| 1950 | A 6595 |
| 1951 | A 9420 |
| 1952 | A 12460 |
| 1953 | A 17435 |
| 1954 | A 18665 |
| 1955 | A 21910 |
| 1956 | A 24755 |
| 1957 | A 26820 |
| 1958 | A 28880 |
| 1959 | A 32285 |
| 1960 | A 35645 |
| 1961 | A 36150 |
| YEAR | Serial Number Range |
| 1961 | 100-42440 |
| 1962 | 42441-61180 |
| 1963 | 61450-64220 |
| 1964 | 64240-70500 |
| 1962 | 71180-96600 |
| 1963 | 96601-99999 |
| 1967 | 000001-008010 |
| 1967 | 010000-042900 |
| 1967 | 044000-044100 |
| 1967 | 050000-054400 |
| 1967 | 055000-063999 |
| 1967 | 064000-066010 |
| 1967 | 0670000-070910 |
| 1967 | 090000-099999 |
| 1963, 1967 | 100000-106099 |
| 1963 | 106100-108900 |
| 1963, 1967 | 1090000-109999 |
| 1963 | 110000-111549 |
| 1963, 1967 | 111550-115799 |
| 1963 | 115800-118299 |
| 1963, 1967 | 118300-120999 |
| 1963 | 121000-139999 |
| 1963, 1967 | 140000-140100 |
| 1963 | 140101-144304 |
| 1964 | 144305-144380 |
| 1963 | 144381-145000 |
| 1963 | 147009-149864 |
| 1964 | 149865-149891 |
| 1963 | 149892-152989 |
| 1964 | 152990-174222 |
| 1964, 1965 | 174223-176643 |
| 1964 | 176644-199999 |
| 1964 | 200000-250335 |
| 1965 | 250336-291000 |
| 1965 | 301755-302100 |
| 1965 | 302754-305983 |
| 1965, 1967 | 306000-306100 |
| 1965, 1967 | 307000-307985 |
| 1965, 1967 | 309848-310999 |
| 1965 | 311000-320149 |
| 1967 | 320150-320699 |
| 1965 | 320700-321100 |
| 1965 | 322000-326600 |
| 1965 | 328000-328500 |
| 1965 | 328700-329179 |
| 1965, 1967 | 329180-330199 |
| 1965, 1967-68 | 330200-332240 |
| 1965 | 332241-327090 |
| 1965 | 348000-348092 |
| 1966 | 348093-349100 |
| 1965 | 349121-368638 |
| 1966 | 368640-369890 |
| 1967 | 370000-370999 |
| 1966 | 380000-385309 |
| 1967 | 390000-390998 |
| 1965-68 | 400001-400999 |
| 1966 | 401000-407985 |
| 1966 | 408000-408690 |
| 1966 | 408800-409250 |
| 1966 | 420000-426090 |
| 1966 | 427000-429180 |
| 1966 | 430005-438530 |
| 1966 | 438800-438925 |
| 1965-66, 1968-69 | 500000-500999 |
| 1965 | 501010-501600 |
| 1968 | 501601-501702 |
| 1965, 1968 | 501703-502706 |
| 1968 | 503010-503110 |
| 1965, 1968 | 503405-520955 |
| 1968 | 520956-530056 |
| 1966, 1968-69 | 530061-530850 |
| 1968-69 | 530851-530993 |
| 1969 | 530994-539999 |
| 1966, 1969 | 540000-540795 |
| 1969 | 540796-545009 |
| 1966 | 550000-556910 |
| 1969 | 558012-567400 |
| 1966 | 570099-570755 |
| 1969 | 580000-580999 |
| 1966-69 | 600000-600999 |
| 1969 | 601000-601090 |
| 1969 | 605901-606090 |
| 1966-67 | 700000-700799 |
| 1968-69 | 750000-750999 |
| 1966-69 | 800000-800999 |
| 1966, 1969 | 801000-812838 |
| 1969 | 812900-814999 |
| 1969 | 817000-819999 |
| 1966, 1969 | 820000-820087 |
| 1966 | 820088-823830 |
| 1969 | 824000-824999 |
| 1966, 1969 | 828002-847488 |
| 1966 | 847499-858999 |
| 1967 | 859001-880089 |
| 1967 | 893401-895038 |
| 1968 | 895039-896999 |
| 1967 | 897000-898999 |
| 1968 | 899000-899999 |
| 1968 | 900000-902250 |
| 1968 | 903000-920899 |
| 1968 | 940000-941009 |
| 1968 | 942001-943000 |
| 1968 | 945000-945450 |
| 1968 | 947415-956000 |
| 1968 | 959000-960909 |
| 1968 | 970000-972864 |
| USA Stamp *** | Year |
| 000000S | 1973 |
| 100000S | 1970-1975 |
| 200000S | 1973-1975 |
| 300000S | 1974-1975 |
| 400000S | 1974-1975 |
| 500000S | 1974-1975 |
| 600000S | 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 |
| 700000S | 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| 800000S | 1973, 1974, 1975 |
| 900000S | 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| 99XXXXXX | 1975 |
| 00XXXXXX | 1976 |
| 06XXXXXX | 1977 |
Made in USA Stamp, Volute on Headstock: 1970-1975
Quick Gibson Factory Order Number FON Overview: 1902-1961
This is a quick Gibson Factory Order Number guide. These are not serial numbers, but more batch numbers. They are generally found on the neck block (inside) or the treble F-hole (inside).
| Year(s) | FON Range |
| 1902-1916 | 1 – 3650 |
| 1917-1923 | 11000 – 12000 |
| 1924-1925 | 11000A – 11250A |
| 1925-1931 | 8000 – 9999 |
| 1931-1933 | 1 – 890 |
| 1934 | 1 – 1500 |
| 1935 | 1A – 1520A |
| 1936 | 1B – 1100B |
| 1937 | 1C – 1400C |
| 1938 | 1d – 1000d |
| 1939 | 1E – 980E |
| 1940-1945 | 1 – 7900 |
| 1942 | 907, 910, 923, 2004, 2005, 7000’s |
| 1942 | H |
| 1943 | 9xx to 22xx |
| 1944 | 22xx to 29XX |
| 1945 | 1xx to 10xx, no FON |
| 1946 | most no FON |
| 1947 | 700s to 1000s |
| 1948 | 1100s to 3700s |
| 1949 | 2000s |
| 1950 | 3000s to 5000s |
| 1951 | 6000s to 9000s |
| Year | FON Letter Prefix |
| 1952 | Z |
| 1953 | Y |
| 1954 | X |
| 1955 | W |
| 1956 | V |
| 1957 | U |
| 1958 | T |
| 1959 | S |
| 1960 | R |
| 1961 | Q |
More Info on Gibson Factory Order Numbers (FON)
Factory Order Numbers with Photo Examples
| FON Number: | Year: |
|---|---|
| 1 - 3650 | 1902 - 1916 |
| 11000 - 12000 | 1917 - 1923 |
| 11000A - 11250A | 1924 - 1925 |
| 8000 - 9999 | 1925 - 1931 |
| 1 - 890 | 1931 - 1933 |
| 1 - 1500 | 1934 |
| 1A - 1520A | 1935 |
| 1B - 1100B | 1936 |
| 1C - 1400C | 1937 |
| 1D - 1000D | 1938 |
| 1E - 980E | 1939 |
| 1 - 7900 | 1940 - 1945 |
Gibson Hyphen FON without Letters (First Number Range 1937-1943)
| Factory Order Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 200-xx to 399-xx | 1937 |
| 400-xx to 599-xx | 1936, 1937 |
| 500-xx to 599-xx | 1936 - 1938 |
| 600-xx to 799-xx | 1936, 1938 |
| 800-xx to 999-xx | 1936 |
| 1000-xx to 1599-xx | 1937 |
| 1600-xx to 2999-xx | 1938 - 1940 |
| 3000-xx to 5999-xx | 1941 |
| 6000-xx to 6999-xx | 1942 |
| 7000-xx to 7999-xx | 1943 |
1942 - 1951 Factory Order Number FON Info
Example 1948 Gibson LG-2 3/4
| Year | FON or Letter Code |
| 1942 | 907, 910, 923, 2004, 2005, 7000s |
| 1943 | 9xx to 22xx |
| 1944 | 22xx to 29xx (some no FONs) |
| 1945 | 1xx to 10xx (many no FONS) |
| 1947 | 700s to 1000s |
| 1948 | 1100s to 3700s (block logo) |
| 1949 | 2000s |
| 1950 | 3000s to 5000s |
| 1951 | 6000s to 9000s |
Gibson FON with Letters (1935-1961)
Example: 1937 with C suffix
| Gibson Letter: | Year: |
|---|---|
| A | 1935 |
| B | 1936 |
| C | 1937 |
| D | 1938 |
| DA | 1939 |
| Ex | 1939 |
| F | 1940 |
| FA | 1940 |
| E | 1941 |
| G | 1941 |
| H | 1942 |
| Z | 1952 |
| Y | 1953 |
| X | 1954 |
| W | 1955 |
| V | 1956 |
| U | 1957 |
| T | 1958 |
| S | 1959 |
| R | 1960 |
| Q | 1961 |
More Info on Gibson Serial Numbers:
Gibson Non-Hyphen Serial Numbers Last Number (1903-1947)
Example: 1910 Gibson Style 0 guitar with present, but faint serial number.. If the serial number is illegible, you can also look for a Factory Order Number as a secondary dating reference.
| Serial Number: | Year: |
|---|---|
| 1500 | 1903 |
| 2500 | 1904 |
| 3500 | 1905 |
| 5500 | 1906 |
| 8300 | 1907 |
| 9700 | 1908 |
| 10100 | 1909 |
| 10600 | 1910 |
| 10850 | 1911 |
| 13350 | 1912 |
| 16100 | 1913 |
| 20150 | 1914 |
| 25150 | 1915 |
| 32000 | 1916 |
| 39500 | 1917 |
| 47900 | 1918 |
| 53800 | 1919 |
| 63650 | 1920 |
| 69300 | 1921 |
| 71400 | 1922 |
| 74900 | 1923 |
| 81200 | 1924 |
| 82700 | 1925 |
| 83600 | 1926 |
| 85400 | 1927 |
| 87300 | 1928 |
| 89750 | 1929 |
| 90200 | 1930 |
| 90450 | 1931 |
| 90700 | 1932 |
| 91400 | 1933 |
| 92300 | 1934 |
| 92800 | 1935 |
| 94100 | 1936 |
| 95200 | 1937 |
| 95750 | 1938 |
| 96050 | 1939 |
| 96600 | 1940 |
| 97400 | 1941 |
| 97700 | 1942 |
| 97850 | 1943 |
| 98250 | 1944 |
| 98650 | 1945 |
| 99300 | 1946 |
| 99999 | 1947 |
Quick Gibson Hollow Body Serial Numbers (1947-1961)
Example above: 1949 Gibson L-7C with white interior label
Example above: 1957 Gibson ES-350T with orange interior label
Example above: Late 1958 Gibson ES-335TD with orange interior label
| Year | Last Numbers |
| 1947 | A 1305 |
| 1948 | A 2665 |
| 1949 | A 4410 |
| 1950 | A 6596 |
| 1951 | A 9420 |
| 1952 | A 12460 |
| 1953 | A 17435 |
| 1954 | A 18665 |
| 1955 | A 21910 |
| 1956 | A 24755 |
| 1957 | A 26820 |
| 1958 | A 28880 |
| 1959 | A 32285 |
| 1960 | A 34645 |
Here are some sample serial numbers with specific dates. Courtesy of Guitar HQ.
| Sample Serial Number: | Year: | Date: |
|---|---|---|
| A-100 | 1947 | Apr 28 |
| A-411 | 1947 | Jul 2 |
| A-1146 | 1947 | Dec 1 |
| A-1305 | 1948 | Jan 8 |
| A-1849 | 1948 | Jul 2 |
| A-2613 | 1948 | Dec 8 |
| A-2666 | 1949 | Jan 5 |
| A-3353 | 1949 | Jul 1 |
| A-4209 | 1949 | Dec 1 |
| A-4414 | 1950 | Jan 3 |
| A-5456 | 1950 | Jul 3 |
| A-6312 | 1950 | Dec 4 |
| A-6598 | 1951 | Jan 4 |
| A-8030 | 1951 | Jul 2 |
| A-9194 | 1951 | Dec 3 |
| A-9420 | 1952 | Jan 2 |
| A-11057 | 1952 | Jul 1 |
| A-12202 | 1952 | Dec 1 |
| A-12463 | 1953 | Jan 8 |
| A-14332 | 1953 | Jul 1 |
| A-15883 | 1953 | Dec 2 |
| A-16102 | 1954 | Jan 5 |
| A-17435 | 1954 | Jul 1 |
| A-18496 | 1954 | Dec 1 |
| A-18668 | 1955 | Jan 6 |
| A-18750 | 1955 | Jan 12 |
| A-20001 | 1955 | Jan 13 |
| A-20991 | 1955 | Jul 1 |
| A-21745 | 1955 | Dec 1 |
| A-21910 | 1956 | Jan 6 |
| A-23387 | 1956 | Jul 3 |
| A-24567 | 1956 | Dec 1 |
| A-24756 | 1957 | Jan 3 |
| A-25899 | 1957 | Jul 3 |
| A-26695 | 1957 | Dec 3 |
| A-26820 | 1958 | Jan 6 |
| A-27816 | 1958 | Jul 1 |
| A-28576 | 1958 | Dec 1 |
| A-28881 | 1959 | Jan 9 |
| A-30569 | 1959 | Jul 13 |
| A-31844 | 1959 | Dec 2 |
| A-32285 | 1960 | Jan 4 |
| A-34068 | 1960 | Jul 1 |
| A-35252 | 1960 | Dec 1 |
| A-35646 | 1961 | Jan 3 |
| A-35943 | 1961 | Feb 1 |
| A-36147 | 1961 | Feb 21 |
Gibson Solid Body Model Serial Numbers First Number (1952-1961)
Example above: 1957 Gibson Les Paul TV Special with inked on serial number
Example above: 1955 Gibson Les Paul Standard with inked on serial number
| Year: | Serial Number (First Number): |
|---|---|
| 1952 | None |
| 1953 | 3 |
| 1954 | 4 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1956 | 6 |
| 1957 | 7 |
| 1958 | 8 *** |
| 1959 | 9 |
| 1960 | 0 |
| 1961 | 1 (very rare) |
*** 1958 (some LP Juniors/Specials had a four-digit serial number with no leading year digit)
Gibson Serial Numbers (1961-1977)
Example above: 1965 Gibson with stamped serial number
Made in USA Stamp, Volute on Headstock: 1970-1975
Example above: 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom with Made in USA stamp. Serial number stamps can be very faint (especially on black guitars).
| 000000S | 1973 |
| 100000S | 1970-1975 |
| 200000S | 1973-1975 |
| 300000S | 1974-1975 |
| 400000S | 1974-1975 |
| 500000S | 1974-1975 |
| 600000S | 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 |
| 700000S | 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| 800000S | 1973, 1974, 1975 |
| 900000S | 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| 99XXXXXX | 1975 |
| 00XXXXXX | 1976 |
| 06XXXXXX | 1977 |
Gibson 8 Digit Pattern 1977-Present
Gibson introduced the serial numbering method that is currently used in 1977 for Gibson USA, Gibson Custom and Gibson Acoustic. Instruments have an 8-digit serial number impressed on the back of the headstock along with “MADE IN USA”. The important year date is from the 1st and 5th numbers. In the examples below, the 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom has a "7" and "8" for the 1st and 5th numbers, respectively. 1978 is the year. In our second example below, the 1981 Gibson ES-175 has an "8" and a "1" for the 1st and 5th numbers, respectively. This signifies 1981 is the year the guitar was made.
Example above: 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Example above: 1981 Gibson ES-175 with factory second stamp
YDDDYRRR
YY = Production Year
DDD = Day of the Year
RRR = Factory Ranking/ Plant Designation Number
001 – 499 = Kalamazoo Production (1977 – 1984)
500 – 999 = Nashville Production (1977 – 1989)
In 1994 (Gibson’s Centennial Year), Gibson has instruments with a serial number beginning with “94” indicating the year. The remaining 6 digits of the serial number indicate the ranking number.
GIBSON’S CENTENNIAL YEAR SERIAL NUMBERS (1994):
In 1994 (Gibson’s Centennial Year), Gibson has instruments with a serial number beginning with “94” indicating the year. The remaining 6 digits of the serial number indicate the ranking number.
Gibson 9 Digit Serial Number
In early July 2005, Gibson went to a 9-digit serial number with the sixth number indicating a batch number and the other serial number digits staying the same. Batch number 0 indicates instruments stamped 0-699, after that the batch number will change to 1.
GIBSON USA PATTERN 2014-PRESENT:
Serial numbers (2014-present) cannot be dated to a specific day of the year. There can also be new models that were produced and built during the previous model year.
YYRRRRRRR
YY = Model Year
RRRRRRR = Number in product for the model year starting at 0000001
Where is the serial number and date located on a Gibson guitar?
Example: 1955 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop Gibson Solid Body Model 1955 “5” First Number
Back of Headstock Serial Number
Example: Orange Label 1957 Serial Number on ES-350T
Serial Number Located on the Label
Example: Gibson Letter “X” 1954 Gibson
Factory Order Number Located Inside F-Hole
EXAMPLE: 1949 Gibson Factory Order Number FON
Factory Order Number Located on the Neck Block
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