Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production. RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number.
#GIBSON GUITAR SERIAL NUMBERS GENUINE SERIAL NUMBER#
The serial number will be an 8 digit number impressed into the back of the headstock with “MADE IN USA” below. This should be an 8 digit number that can be dated by the 1st and 2nd digits as follows:Įarlier models had an ink stamped serial number or no serial number at all, these are much more difficult to date.Īround 1977, Gibson introduced the serialization method that they primarily use to this day at Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, and the Gibson Custom facility in Memphis, TN. See our Dating a USA Gibson page for more info.įrom 1975-1977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock. To make matters even more confusing, there wasnt really an order for these serial numbers so you could have something from 1975 that started with a 1 and something from 1972 that started with a 9. The biggest telling factors for guitars from this period, as opposed to the guitars from 1961 to 1969 is the Made in U.S.A that can be found on guitars from 1970 onwards.ĭigit Serial numbers were still used so a lot of the same numbers were also used on 1960s models.
This was pretty poorly done though (IMO) and meant that some serial numbers were reused so a certain serial number could be from a guitar from different years. The serial numbers shown represent the approximate last serial number for that year. The chart below shows the year that relates to the serial number. The following serial numbers apply just to acoustic guitars.ĭuring this period, the system was actually relatively simple. O.k., lets take a look at the different time periods of serial numbers from Gibson Guitars. Good question and the answer is simply that the serial number system used up until 1977 wasnt the easiest or most reliable system so you may not be able to accurately determine anything about your guitar using the serial number alone. These were starting to be added in 1969 so if your instrument didnt have them then its likely to be pre-1969 Things such as tuners, capstans, plates can also give you clues though remember that an older instrument could have had these items replaced so its not a definite clue. Some of these include: Volutes: Extra bits of wood carved into the headstock where it meets the neck. Other Features You can also use other features to help identify the time period of your instrument. This can help determine if your guitar was from the 1960s or 1970s (some guitars during those 2 decades had the same serial number). Made in USA From 1970 onwards a Made in U.S.A was engraved below the serial number. Logo Gibsons logo has been largely unchanged since 1947 but before that time the logo changed a bit, so you can use that to help identify the era your guitar was built. Other Identifiers There are some other ways you can get an idea of the age of your Gibson. In some cases, in fact, only FONs were used and there was no serial number (this was mainly for early low-end models).įONs (and serial numbers) on Gibson guitars are usually found either on the inside of the back of the guitar (inside the sound hole) or on the back of the headstock).
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