Gibson Les Paul Serial Numbers
Posted on April 25 2023
Knowing how to date Gibson Les Paul serial numbers is a study of its own. Gibson's serial number scheme changed in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, so a simple Les Paul serial number lookup isn't often very helpful. Never fear! This page is intended to clear up some some of the inconsistencies of dating Gibson guitars. If you're looking for "How old is my Gibson Les Paul guitar?" then you've come to the right place.
The serial number is one of the first places to start for how to date a Gibson Les Paul guitar. It should be on the back of the neck at the top just between and above the tuning machines. If the Gibson Les Paul serial number is six digits or less then your guitar may be older than 1975. Gibson reused this serial number scheme for reissue guitars starting in the 1990s, so check the picture below to compare vintage versus reissue serial numbers.
Start here: How many digits?
4 to 6 digits and ink stamped 1953 - 1960, also reissues marked "Classic"
3 to 6 die stamped (No MADE IN USA) 1961 - 1969
6 digits die stamped with MADE IN USA 1970-1975
8 digit sticker with model name and Made In USA (1975-1977)
8_digit_die_stamped (1977 - 2010s)
9_digit_die_stamped (2005 - Now)
Gibson Les Paul Serial Numbers
6 digits or less and ink stamped:
Is your Gibson Les Paul serial number ink stamped like the 1959 Gibson Les Paul on the left? Gibson used 5 or 6 digit ink stamped serial numbers on Les Paul guitars from 1952 until 1960. The first digit of this style serial number indicates the last digit of the year it was manufactured. For example, this Les Paul's serial number is "7_6227" so it was made in 1957. This is how to date a Gibson Les Paul serial number from the 1950s. Gibson reused this serial number scheme for reissue guitars in the past 20 years as well, so check to see that the style matches. 1950s era Gibson Les Paul serial number stamps will have a thinner and sharper font than the larger font of the 1990s to now.
Do you have a Gibson Les Paul with an ink stamped serial number? I am looking to buy Gibson Les Pauls with ink stamped serial numbers like this from the 1950s. Click the Contact Me button in the corner of your browser or click here to sell a Gibson Les Paul.
Ink stamped serial numbers (Guitars with "Classic" on the front of the neck are reissues):
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No ink stamp serial in 1952. Les Pauls with "2" prefix are reissues. 3 XXXX 1953 4 XXXX 1954 5 XXXX 1955 6 XXXX 1956 7(x)XXXX 1957 8(x)XXXX 1958 9(x)XXXX 1959 0(x)XXXX 1960 1(x)XXXX 1961 |
Contact me if you think you have a 1950s Gibson with ink stamp serial number. I would be happy to take a look. |
Gibson Les Paul serial numbers with 6 digits or less and die stamped on the back of the headstock:
Gibson used the 6 digits or less die stamped serial number style from 1961 until 1975. Gibson guitars with "MADE IN USA" impressed below the serial were made from 1969 and on. If your guitar has 6 digits impressed on the headstock and a "MADE IN USA" underneath then it was likely made between 1969 and 1975. Gibson reused serial numbers during this time period so that's as close as we can narrow these guitars down without reading the potentiometer codes. The serial number is only one way for how to date a Gibson Les Paul from the 1960s. Often the features and potentiometer codes are a better way.
I'm also looking to buy Gibson guitars with impressed serial numbers and no "MADE IN USA" stamp. You can contact me here to sell a Gibson guitar.
3 to 6 digit Gibson Les Paul serial number impressed with no "Made In USA":
Your Gibson Les Paul guitar, if vintage, was made between 1961 and 1963 or 1968 to 1969. Gibson Les Paul Serial number ranges here can be tricky since Gibson reused the serial range multiple times through out the 1960s. You would probably benefit from having a professional take a look at your guitar. I would love to take a look. Click the Contact Me Button (lower right of your browser) to send me a message about your guitar. Gibson didn't make the Les Paul line from 1964 until 1968, but these serial number ranges will work for the SG guitars made in the 1960s as well. Here's how to date a Gibson Les Paul with six digits or less serial number impressed like the guitar on the right with no Made In USA stamp.
1960s Les Paul Serial Numbers:
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0100 to 42440 1961 42441 to 61180 1962 61450 to 64222 1963 64240 to 71040 1964 71041 to 96600 1962, 1963, or 1964 96601 to 99999 1963 |
I am looking for all 4 and 5 digit serial Gibson guitars. |
Note: The Les Paul line was discontinued in 1963 and revived in 1968. The following list is helpful for nearly all Gibson guitars made in the 1960s.
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000001 to 099999 1967 100000 to 106099 1963 (wide neck) or 1967 106100 to 106899 1963 109000 to 109999 1963 (wide neck) or 1967 110000 to 111549 1963 111550 to 115799 1963 (wide neck) or 1967 115800 to 118299 1963 118300 to 120999 1963 (wide neck) or 1967 121000 to 139999 1963 140000 to 140100 1963 (wide neck) 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 (wide neck) or 1967 311000 to 320149 1965 320150 to 320699 1967 320700 to 329179 1965 329180 to 330199 1965 (wide neck) or 1967 330200 to 332240 1965 (wide neck) 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, 1967, or 1968 409671 to 410900 1966 410901 to 419999 Not Found 420000 to 429193 1966 500000 to 500999 1965, 1966, 1968, or 1969 501009 to 501600 1965 501601 to 501702 1968 501703 to 502706 1965 (wide neck), 1968 503010 to 503109 1968 503405 to 520955 1965 (wide neck), 1968 520956 to 530056 1968 530061 to 530850 1966, 1968, 1969 (knobs) 530851 to 530993 1968 or 1969 530994 to 539999 1969 540000 to 540795 1966 or 1969 (knobs) 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, 1969 knobs 600000 to 600998 1966, 1967, or 1968 600000 to 606090 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 knobs 812900 to 819999 1969 820000 to 820087 1966 or 1969 knobs 820088 to 823830 1966 824000 to 824999 1969 828002 to 847488 1966 or 1969 knobs 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 sometimes 1968 but this range is not consistent |
I am looking for the nicest examples of all wide neck Gibson guitars made until about 1965. A "wide neck" measures about 1 11/16" or 1.66" or about 42mm wide when measured at the nut. A "skinny" neck measures about 1 9/16" or 1.59" or 40.3mm. Contact me here: Sell a Gibson
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Six Digit Gibson Les Paul Serial Number with "MADE IN USA" Stamp:
Six digit serial numbers with "MADE IN USA" stamp underneath:
000000 1973 MADE IN USA stamp
100000 1970-1975 MADE IN USA stamp
200000 1973-1975 MADE IN USA stamp
300000 1974-1975 MADE IN USA stamp
400000 1974-1975 MADE IN USA stamp
500000 1974-1975 MADE IN USA stamp
600000 1970-1972, 1974-1975 MADE IN USA stamp
700000 1970-1972 MADE IN USA stamp
800000 1973-1975 MADE IN USA stamp
900000 1970-1972 MADE IN USA stamp
Sticker on back of the neck with two digit prefix, 8 digit total serial number:
99xxxxxx 1975
00xxxxxx 1976
06xxxxxx 1977
8 Digit die stamped Gibson Les Paul Serial Number with Made IN USA:
8 digit serial number die stamped on the headstock: these guitars were made after 1977. The first and fifth digit will indicated the last two digits of the year it was made.
Example: 8xxx2xxx = 1982
Sample: 70928001 = 092 day of the year
70928001 = 001 guitar of the day in the Kalamazoo factory, above 500 were made in the Nashville factory
9 Digit Gibson Les Paul Serial Number with Made IN USA:
Gibson updated its serial number system in 2005 to include an extra digit for the batch number (6th digit). The first and fifth digits still indicate the last two digits of the year it was made.
Example: 0xxx5xxxx = 2005
4 comments
I have what appears to be a late 1960’s Gibson Melody Maker. It was purchased as a package with a Kalamazoo amp. The serial number is 590712. It still has the original strings on it and was bought by my grandmother. I remember her playing it in the late 60’s. Can you verify the year by the serial number?
Hi, my Gibson J45 has a serial number of
535487. It is not stamped “made in the USA”
Below the serial numbers. The paper inside the bossy of the guitar is missing. Can you help me pinpoint when this guitar was made and what it might be worth? It’s in very good condition with a straight neck. Thank you!
Ken
Hello, can you help me pinpoint my mid 60’s LG-O Gibson please. It doesn’t have a Made in USA stamp.
Thank you
My les Paul custom
300616