How to read Gibson Serial Numbers
Find out how old is your Gibson guitar
Discover what year your vintage Gibson guitar was made here
Especially helpful for Gibson serial numbers pre-1975
Use our guide for help with how to read your Gibson serial number
How to read Gibson serial numbers: Use the the clickable pictures on this page below to select the location, style, presence of the Made In USA stamp to guide you to the correct table of serial numbers. It's important to check your serial number on the correct table to find the age of your Gibson guitar since Gibson reused the same serial numbers many times. It will also show you how to decode the 8 and 9 digit modern serial numbers.
Why this is necessary: Gibson reused the same serial numbers many times, so you'll need to use the correct chart to find out how old it is.
Scroll down to start, then click the picture that best represents your guitar in each section
Or, click here to jump to the tables if you already know how to read Gibson serial numbers
Gibson Serial Number Locations - Click the picture that matches the location of your serial number to continue
Back of Neck
Look on the back of the headstock near the top, above the tuners
Inside "F" Hole
Look inside the guitar body through the "F" shaped sound hole for a paper label or ink stamp
Inside Round Sound Hole
Look for a paper label or an ink stamped number
Does it have a "MADE IN USA" marking? Select your type
No "MADE IN USA" Marking
Back of headstock is only marked with a serial number, no other markings or stickers
Marked "MADE IN USA"
Marked "MADE IN USA" with serial number - This can include a sticker or a stamp
If there is no "MADE IN USA" Stamp - Please select your type
If there is a "MADE IN USA" Stamp - Please select your type
Label or Ink Stamp - Please select your type
Round sound hole acoustic guitars
Round sound hole labels for flat top acoustic guitars made before 1961 have either a Factory Order Number (FON) or a proper serial number.
If your Gibson flat top acoustic has a paper label serial number beginning with "A", please contact me.
Since Gibson used multiple styles of both serial numbers and factory order numbers, you'll need to select the photo below which best describes the label presence, color, and style of identification number in order to be directed to the correct chart.
Please click on the photo that matches your label to view serial numbers
Gibson ink stamped serial numbers on the neck:
Solid body electric guitars 1953 - 1961
5 or 6 Digit ink stamped Gibson serial numbers
These serial numbers are typically found on 1953 - early 1961 Gibson guitars including Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V, and Doubleneck guitars.
This is the most helpful serial number range for dating a 1950s Les Paul guitar. I collect Gibson guitars from the 1950s but especially the Les Paul guitars: sell a Gibson.
Exceptions: Gibson used a space between the prefix and consecutive number until the total production per year exceeded 4 digits. Some Gibsons made between 1957 and 1961 may have a 6 digit ink stamp number. Les Paul Models (Goldtops) from 1952 do not have serial numbers. Les Paul Custom guitars from 1953 also do not have serial numbers.
Serial Number Range
Year
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
Looking to sell your vintage Gibson?
If you own a vintage Gibson with an ink stamped serial number such as a Les Paul, Explorer, or Flying V and want more info, or a price quote, you can contact me here: sell a Gibson.
Custom Shop Ink Stamp serial numbers: Gibson reused a similar style of ink stamped serial numbers for the custom shop reissue guitars starting in 1992. If your Gibson has a Certificate of Authenticity, then it's a Custom Shop reissue and not a 1950s Gibson guitar. Here's how to decode the custom shop serial number pattern:
M_YRRR or MYRRRR
M = 1950s Reissue Year (8 = 1958, 9 = 1959, etc)
Y = Last digit of manufacture year (5 = 1995, 2005, or 2015)
R = consecutive production number
Looking to sell your vintage Gibson Les Paul, SG, or ES series guitar?
If you own a vintage Gibson with a die stamped 3 - 5 digit serial number and want more info, or a price quote, you can contact me here: sell a Gibson.
3 - 5 digit die stamped Gibson serial numbers
How to read 3 to 5 digit die stamped serial numbers: read your serial carefully, then check the chart below to see where your number fits between the first and last numbers for each year. Scroll down for 6 digit die stamp numbers.
These serial numbers are typically found on Gibson guitars made from 1961 - 1964 including Les Pauls, SG, ES-335, ES-345
If you own a vintage Gibson with a die stamped serial number and are considering selling, please contact me here: Sell a Gibson.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 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 |
6 digit die stamped Gibson serial numbers
How to read 6 digit die stamp numbers: Make sure the headstock does not have the "MADE IN USA" stamp (scroll down for charts with stamp). Read the number carefully, (especially the first 3 digits), then check the chart below to see where your number falls in the range of first to last known numbers for that year.
Note: Gibson reused 6 digit serial numbers sometimes more than once in the 1960s. these are just a starting point for identifying the year of manufacture. If you would like more info about your vintage Gibson, please click here to contact me.
I am looking for the nicest examples of Gibson guitars made in the 1960s.
If you own an ES-335 or SG from this era and would like to sell it, please contact me to sell your vintage Gibson
| Serial Number Range | Years Manufactured |
|---|---|
| 000001 - 099999 | 1967 |
| 100000 - 106099 | 1963, 1967 |
| 106100 - 106899 | 1963 |
| 109000 - 109999 | 1963, 1967 |
| 110000 - 111549 | 1963 |
| 111550 - 115799 | 1963, 1967 |
| 115800 - 118299 | 1963 |
| 118300 - 120999 | 1963, 1967 |
| 121000 - 139999 | 1963 |
| 140000 - 140100 | 1963, 1967 |
| 140101 - 144304 | 1963 |
| 144305 - 144380 | 1964 |
| 144381 - 149864 | 1963 |
| 149865 - 149891 | 1964 |
| 149892 152989 | 1963 |
| 152990 - 174222 | 1964 |
| 174223 - 176643 | 1964, 1965 |
| 176644 - 250335 | 1964 |
| 250336 - 305983 | 1965 |
| 306000 - 310999 | 1965, 1967 |
| 311000 - 320149 | 1965 |
| 320150 - 320699 | 1967 |
| 320700 - 329179 | 1965 |
| 329180 - 330199 | 1965, 1967 |
| 330200 - 332240 | 1965, 1967, 1968 |
| 332241 - 348092 | 1965 |
| 348093 - 349100 | 1966 |
| 349121 - 368638 | 1965 |
| 368640 - 369890 | 1966 |
| 370000 - 370999 | 1967 |
| 380000 - 385309 | 1966 |
| 390000 - 390998 | 1967 |
| 400001 - 406666 | 1966 |
| 406667 - 409670 | 1966, 1967, 1968 |
| 409671 - 410900 | 1966 |
| 410901 - 419999 | Not Found? |
| 420000 - 429193 | 1966 |
| 500000 - 500999 | 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 |
| 501009 - 501600 | 1965 |
| 501601 - 501702 | 1968 |
| 501703 - 502706 | 1965, 1968 |
| 503010 - 503109 | 1968 |
| 503405 - 520955 | 1965, 1968 |
| 520956 - 530056 | 1968 |
| 530061 - 530850 | 1966, 1968, 1969 |
| 530851 - 530993 | 1968, 1969 |
| 530994 - 539999 | 1969 |
| 540000 - 540795 | 1966, 1969 |
| 540796 545009 | 1969 |
| 555000 - 557999 | 1966 |
| 558000 - 567400 | 1969 |
| 570087 - 570643 | 1966 |
| 570645 - 570755 | 1966, 1967 |
| 570857 - 570964 | 1966 |
| 580000 - 580080 | 1969 |
| 580086 - 580999 | 1966, 1967, 1969 |
| 600000 - 600998 | 1966, 1967, 1968 |
| 600000 - 606090 | 1969 |
| 700000 - 700799 | 1966, 1967, 1969 |
| 750000 - 750999 | 1967, 1968, 1969 |
| 800000 - 800999 | 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 |
| 801000 - 812838 | 1966, 1969 |
| 812900 - 819999 | 1969 |
| 820000 - 820087 | 1966, 1969 |
| 820088 - 823830 | 1966 |
| 824000 - 824999 | 1969 |
| 828002 - 847488 | 1966, 1969 |
| 847499 - 858999 | 1966, 1969 |
| 859001 - 895038 | 1967 |
| 895039 - 896999 | 1968 |
| 897000 - 898999 | 1967, 1969 |
| 899000 - 899999 | 1968 |
| 900000 - 909999 | 1970 |
| 910000 - 999999 | 1968 |
Ink stamped serial number - marked "Classic" On headstock
| Start: | Finish: | Year: |
| 9_001 | 9_999 | 1989 |
| 0_0001 | 0_9999 | 1990 |
| 1_0001 | 1_9999 | 1991 |
| 2_0001 | 2_9999 | 1992 |
| 3_0001 | 3_9999 | 1993 |
| 4_0001 | 4_9999 | 1994 |
| 5_0001 | 519999 | 1995 |
| 6_0001 | 619999 | 1996 |
| 7_0001 | 729999 | 1997 |
| 8_0001 | 899999 | 1998 |
| 9_0001 | 999999 | 1999 |
| 000001 | 009999 | 2000 |
| 010001 | 019999 | 2001 |
| 020001 | 029999 | 2002 |
| 030001 | 039999 | 2003 |
| 040001 | 049999 | 2004 |
| 050001 | 059999 | 2005 |
| 060001 | 069999 | 2006 |
6 digit Gibson serial numbers with "MADE IN USA" stamp
How to read serial numbers with "MADE IN USA" stamp underneath: Gibson reused this range once again, but this time, they jumped all over the place. The potentiometer codes will be more helpful to find the age of an early 1970s Gibson guitar.
| Serial Number Range | Year | Made in USA Stamp |
|---|---|---|
| 000000 | 1973 | Yes |
| 100000 | 1970-1975 | Yes |
| 200000 | 1973-1975 | Yes |
| 300000 | 1974-1975 | Yes |
| 400000 | 1974-1975 | Yes |
| 500000 | 1974-1975 | Yes |
| 600000 | 1970-1972, 1974-1975 | Yes |
| 700000 | 1970-1972 | Yes |
| 800000 | 1973-1975 | Yes |
| 900000 | 1970-1972 | Yes |
8 digit Gibson serial numbers with "MADE IN USA" die stamp
These serial numbers are typically found on the back of the headstock of Gibson guitars made between 1977 and 2005.
How to read 8 digit die stamped Gibson serial numbers: The first and fifth digit will indicated the last two digits of the year it was made. The second, third, and fourth digit indicate the day of the year. The last three digits indicate in which factory it was produced (<500 = Kalamazoo, >500 = Nashville)
Example: 8xxx2xxx = 1982
Sample: 70928001 = 92nd day of the year
70928001 = 001 (first) guitar of the day in the Kalamazoo factory
8 Digit Gibson Serial Numbers with "Made In USA" Sticker
| Serial Number Range | Year | Sticker |
|---|---|---|
| 99xxxxxx | 1975 | Yes |
| 00xxxxxx | 1976 | Yes |
| 06xxxxxx | 1977 | Yes |
9 digit Gibson serial numbers with "MADE IN USA" die stamp
Gibson updated its serial number system in 2005 to include an extra digit for the batch number (6th digit).
How to read 9 digit die stamp Gibson serial numbers: The first and fifth digits still indicate the last two digits of the year it was made.
Example: 0xxx5xxxx = 2005
Gibson serial numbers inside hollow body guitar - white label: 1910 - 1946
The following table is for Gibson serial numbers located only on a white paper label.
Note: This table is for proper Gibson serial numbers (not FONs) printed on white paper labels located inside a Gibson instrument made between 1903 and 1947. Gibson restarted the serialization in 1947 and added an "A" prefix before the number. Scroll down for A prefix serial numbers.
| First Number: | Last Number: | Year: |
| 1 | 1500 | 1903 |
| 1501 | 2500 | 1904 |
| 2501 | 3500 | 1905 |
| 3501 | 5500 | 1906 |
| 5501 | 8300 | 1907 |
| 8301 | 9700 | 1908 |
| 9701 | 10100 | 1909 |
| 10101 | 10600 | 1910 |
| 10601 | 10850 | 1911 |
| 10851 | 13350 | 1912 |
| 13351 | 16100 | 1913 |
| 16101 | 20150 | 1914 |
| 20151 | 25150 | 1915 |
| 25150 | 32000 | 1916 |
| 32001 | 39500 | 1917 |
| 39501 | 47900 | 1918 |
| 47901 | 53800 | 1919 |
| 53801 | 63650 | 1920 |
| 63651 | 69300 | 1921 |
| 69301 | 71400 | 1922 |
| 71401 | 74900 | 1923 |
| 74901 | 81200 | 1924 |
| 81201 | 82700 | 1925 |
| 82701 | 83600 | 1926 |
| 83601 | 85400 | 1927 |
| 85401 | 87300 | 1928 |
| 87301 | 89750 | 1929 |
| 89751 | 90200 | 1930 |
| 90201 | 90450 | 1931 |
| 90451 | 90700 | 1932 |
| 90701 | 91400 | 1933 |
| 91401 | 92300 | 1934 |
| 92301 | 92800 | 1935 |
| 92801 | 94100 | 1936 |
| 94101 | 95200 | 1937 |
| 95201 | 95750 | 1938 |
| 95751 | 96050 | 1939 |
| 96051 | 96600 | 1940 |
| 96601 | 97400 | 1941 |
| 97401 | 97700 | 1942 |
| 97701 | 97850 | 1943 |
| 97851 | 98250 | 1944 |
| 98251 | 98650 | 1945 |
| 98651 | 99300 | 1946 |
| 99301 | 99999 | 1947 |
Gibson Serial numbers inside hollow body guitars
White label with "A" prefix: 1947 - 1955
White label with "A" prefix: 1947 - 1955
| Start | Finish | Year |
|---|---|---|
| A-100 | A-1304 | 1947 |
| A-1305 | A-2665 | 1948 |
| A-2666 | A-4413 | 1949 |
| A-4414 | A-6597 | 1950 |
| A-6598 | A-9419 | 1951 |
| A-9420 | A-12462 | 1952 |
| A-12463 | A-16101 | 1953 |
| A-16102 | A-18667 | 1954 |
| A-18668 | A-20000 | 1955 |
If the serial number starts with "A" please see chart below. For all other orange label serial numbers, please click here to view that Gibson serial number range.
Gibson serial numbers - orange label with "A" prefix
Orange labels with "A" prefix are found on Gibson guitars made from 1955 - 1961 and modern reissues.
I collect and buy nice examples of orange label vintage Gibson guitars. please contact me if you would like to sell your guitar
| Start | Finish | Year |
| A-20001 | A-21909 | 1955 |
| A-21910 | A-24755 | 1956 |
| A-24756 | A-26819 | 1957 |
| A-26820 | A-28880 | 1958 |
| A-28881 | A-32284 | 1959 |
| A-32285 | A-35645 | 1960 |
| A-35646 | A-36147 | 1961 |
| A-36147 | A-9999999 | Reissue |
Looking to sell your vintage Gibson?
If you own a vintage Gibson with an Orange Label “A” serial number such as ES-335, ES-345, ES-355, SJ-185, or SJ-200 and want more info, or a price quote, you can contact me here: sell a Gibson.
Gibson serial numbers inside "F" sound hole -
ink stamped factory order numbers
The following table is a reference guide for three to five digit ink stamp numbers stamped directly onto the wood with no letter prefix.
These are called Factory Order Numbers (or FONs) which is a number for a batch of guitars.
Until 1961, Gibson's low to middle grade models had FONs only in lieu of an actual serial number.
Look for the FON that is closest to yours on the following table.
| Serial Number Range | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|
| 200 - 1000 | 1908 | 1910 |
| 1000 - 2000 | 1910 | 1914 |
| 2000 - 4000 | 1914 | 1917 |
| 11000 - 11300 | 1917 | 1920 |
| 11300 - 11500 | 1920 | 1922 |
| 11500 - 11973 | 1922 | 1923 |
Gibson serial numbers inside "F" sound hole -
Ink stamped factory order numbers
In true Gibson fashion, the company began reusing the same FON number range over again from 1947 to 1951.
This range is still a bit inconsistent but should be helpful to establish a ballpark year of manufacture.
Gibsons from this time period should have tapered headstocks.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| ~700 to ~1099 | 1947 |
| ~1100 to ~3700 | 1948 |
| ~3700 to ~4500 | 1949 |
| ~2000s | 1949 |
| ~3000 to ~5000 | 1950 |
| ~6000 to ~9000 | 1951 |
Gibson Factory Order Numbers - letter prefix ink stamped inside the body
Look for your corresponding letter below in the list of Factory Order Numbers.
These can be found in "F" hole guitars, and inside round hole flattops
In lieu of serial numbers, low to middle grade Gibson guitars until 1961 had an FON instead of a specific serial number.
| Factory Order Letter: | Year: |
| A (for ink stamps on wood only, for paper label go here (send user to A prefix paper label)) | 1935 |
| B | 1936 |
| C | 1937 |
| D or DA | 1938 |
| E + extra letter | 1939 |
| E (with no other letter) | 1941 |
| F (with no other letter) | 1942, 1943 |
| F + extra letter | 1940 |
| G | 1941 |
| H |
1942 |
FON prefixes were discontinued until 1952, but resumed in a reverse pattern beginning with "Z":
| Factory Order Letter: | Year: |
| Z | 1952 |
| Y | 1953 |
| X | 1954 |
| W | 1955 |
| V | 1956 |
| U | 1957 |
| T | 1958 |
| S | 1959 |
| R | 1960 |
| Q | 1961 |
The Factory Order Number system was made obsolete in 1961 when all proceeding Gibson guitars received individual serial numbers.
Looking to sell your vintage Gibson?
My name is John Shults. I am a Gibson guitar collector and owner of True Vintage Guitar. If you have a Gibson guitar made before 1975 that you are considering selling, please contact me today for a price quote, or more information.