- GIBSON
- chevron_right Serialization 1961-Present
1961-1970: In 1961, Gibson started a new serial number system that covered all instrument lines. It consisted of numbers that were impressed into the wood. This is generally considered to be the most confusing out of all Gibson's serial number systems used between the years 1961 and 1970. There are several instances where batches of numbers are switched in order and duplicated, not just once, but up to four times, and seem to be randomly assigned throughout the decade.
Note: If "MADE IN USA" is stamped in the back of the headstock near the serial number, the mandolin is not from the 1960s, but the 1970s. In this case, please refer to the next section on serialization for 1970-1975 guitars.
NUMBER YEAR
100-41199 - 1961
41200-61180 - 1962
61450-64222 - 1963
64240-71040 - 1964
71041-95846 - 1962
95849-99999 - 1963
000001-008009 - 1967
010000-042899 - 1967
044000-044100 - 1967
050000-054400 - 1967
055000-070909 - 1967
090000-099999 - 1967
100000-106099 - 1963, 1967
106100-108999 - 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 - 1963, 1964
144381-145000 - 1963
147001-149891 - 1963, 1964
149892-152989 - 1963
152990-174222 - 1964
174223-179098 - 1964, 1965
179099-199999 - 1964
200000-250199 - 1964
250540-290998 - 1965
300000-305999 - 1965
306000-306099 - 1965, 1967
307000-307984 - 1965
309653-310999 - 1965, 1967
311000-320149 - 1965
320150-320699 - 1967
320700-325999 - 1965
326000-326999 - 1965, 1966
327000-329999 - 1965
330000-330999 - 1965, 1967, 1968
331000-346119 - 1965
346120-347099 - 1965, 1966
348000-349100 - 1966
349101-368639 - 1965
370000-370999 - 1967, 1968
380000-380999 - 1966, 1967, 1968
381000-385309 - 1966
390000-390998 - 1967
400001-400999 - 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968
401000-408699 - 1966
408800-409670 - 1966, 1967, 1968
410000-438922 - 1966
500000-500999 - 1965, 1966,1968, 1969
501009-501600 - 1965
501601-501702 - 1968
501703-502706 - 1965, 1968
503010-503109 - 1968
503405-515499 - 1965, 1968
515500-518120 - 1965, 1966, 1968
518121-520955 - 1965, 1968
520956-530050 - 1968
530061-530469 - 1966
530470-530850 - 1966, 1968, 1969
530851-530993 - 1968, 1969
530994-539999 - 1969
540000-540795 - 1966, 1969
540796-544095 - 1969547001-547499 - 1968
555000-556909 - 1966
558012-567800 - 1969
570099-570643 - 1966
570645-570755 - 1966
580000-580999 - 1966, 1969
600000-600998 - 1966, 1967, 1968
601000-601090 - 1968
605901-606090 - 1969
700000-700799 - 1966, 1967, 1968
750000-750999 - 1968, 1969
800000-800999 - 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
801000-801999 - 1966
802000-803999 - 1966
804000-804999 - 1966, 1967, 1969
805000-809999 - 1966, 1969
810000-810999 - 1966, 1967, 1969
811000-812838 - 1966, 1969
812900-819999 - 1969
820000-820999 - 1966, 1969
821000-823830 - 1966
824000-828999 - 1969
829000-829999 - 1966, 1969
830000-830999 - 1966, 1967, 1969
831000-837999 - 1969
840000-847498 - 1966, 1967, 1969
847499-848999 - 1966, 1967
849000-849999 - 1966, 1967, 1968
850000-850999 - 1966, 1968
851000-858999 - 1966
859001-891999 - 1967
892000-892999 - 1967, 1968
893000-895499 - 1967
895500-895999 - 1968
896000-896999 - 1968, 1969
897000-898999 - 1967
899000-899999 - 1968
900000-900999 - 1966, 1967, 1968
901000-902250 - 1968
903000-920899 - 1968
940000-942999 - 1968
945000-956999 - 1968
959000-960909 - 1968
970000-982178 - 1968
1970-1975: From 1970 to 1975 the method of serializing instruments at Gibson became even more random. All numbers were impressed into the wood and a six-digit number was assigned, though no particular order was given and some instruments had a letter prefix. The orange labels inside hollow bodied instruments were discontinued in 1970 and were replaced by white and orange rectangular labels on the acoustics, and small black, purple, and white rectangular labels were placed on electric models.
In 1970, the words "MADE IN USA" were impressed into the back of instrument headstocks (though a few instruments from the 1950s also had this). The difference between a 1960s and a 1970s Gibson model is the "MADE IN USA" stamp on the back of the headstock.
NUMBER YEAR
000000's - 1973
100000's - 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975
200000's - 1973, 1974, 1975
300000's - 1974, 1975
400000's - 1974, 1975
500000's - 1974, 1975
600000's - 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975
700000's - 1970, 1971, 1972
800000's - 1973, 1974, 1975
900000's - 1970, 1971, 1972
6 Digits + A - 1970
A + 6 Digits - 1973, 1974, 1975
B + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
C + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
D + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
E + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
F + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
When the Nashville Gibson plant was opened in 1974, it was decided that the bulk of the production of products would be run in the South; the Kalamazoo plant would produce the higher end (fancier) models in the North. Of course, many of the older guitar builders and craftsmen were still in Kalamazoo, and if they weren't ready to change how they built guitars, then they may not have been ready to change how they numbered them! Certain guitar models built in the late 1970s can be used to demonstrate the old-style, six-digit serial numbers. It is estimated that Gibson's Kalamazoo plant continued to use the six-digit serial numbers through 1978 and 1979. So double check the serial numbers on those 1970s L-5s, Super 400s, and Super 5 BJBs!
1975-1977: During the period from 1975 to 1977, Gibson used a transfer that had eight-digit numbers. The first two indicate the year (99=1975, 00=1976 and 06=1977), and the following six digits are in the 100000 to 200000 range. MADE IN USA was also included on the transfer and some models had LIMITED EDITION also applied. A few bolt-on neck instruments had a date ink stamped on the heel area.
NUMBER YEAR
99XXXXXX - 1975
00XXXXXX - 1976
06XXXXXX - 1977
1977-1987: In 1977, Gibson first introduced the serialization method that is in practice today. This updated system utilizes an impressed, eight-digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions. The pattern from 1977 to 1987 is as follows:
YDDDYPPP
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank.
Examples: 81463508 is a mandolin produced on the 146th day (May 26th) of 1983 and was the 8th instrument to be produced in Nashville that day.
1987-Present: Gibson still uses the previously listed eight digit scheme today, but when mandolin production moved to Montana in 1987, a new serialization system was introduced. This serialization system consists of seven digits and a similar pattern:
YNNNMMZ
Y is the last digit of the production year
Z is the digit indicating the decade of production
MM is the month of production
NNN is the rank of the mandolin inside of its series (i.e. A-style models, F-style models, etc.)
Examples: 9125078 is a mandolin produced in July, 1989 and is the 125th model produced from that series.
Note: If "MADE IN USA" is stamped in the back of the headstock near the serial number, the mandolin is not from the 1960s, but the 1970s. In this case, please refer to the next section on serialization for 1970-1975 guitars.
NUMBER YEAR
100-41199 - 1961
41200-61180 - 1962
61450-64222 - 1963
64240-71040 - 1964
71041-95846 - 1962
95849-99999 - 1963
000001-008009 - 1967
010000-042899 - 1967
044000-044100 - 1967
050000-054400 - 1967
055000-070909 - 1967
090000-099999 - 1967
100000-106099 - 1963, 1967
106100-108999 - 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 - 1963, 1964
144381-145000 - 1963
147001-149891 - 1963, 1964
149892-152989 - 1963
152990-174222 - 1964
174223-179098 - 1964, 1965
179099-199999 - 1964
200000-250199 - 1964
250540-290998 - 1965
300000-305999 - 1965
306000-306099 - 1965, 1967
307000-307984 - 1965
309653-310999 - 1965, 1967
311000-320149 - 1965
320150-320699 - 1967
320700-325999 - 1965
326000-326999 - 1965, 1966
327000-329999 - 1965
330000-330999 - 1965, 1967, 1968
331000-346119 - 1965
346120-347099 - 1965, 1966
348000-349100 - 1966
349101-368639 - 1965
370000-370999 - 1967, 1968
380000-380999 - 1966, 1967, 1968
381000-385309 - 1966
390000-390998 - 1967
400001-400999 - 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968
401000-408699 - 1966
408800-409670 - 1966, 1967, 1968
410000-438922 - 1966
500000-500999 - 1965, 1966,1968, 1969
501009-501600 - 1965
501601-501702 - 1968
501703-502706 - 1965, 1968
503010-503109 - 1968
503405-515499 - 1965, 1968
515500-518120 - 1965, 1966, 1968
518121-520955 - 1965, 1968
520956-530050 - 1968
530061-530469 - 1966
530470-530850 - 1966, 1968, 1969
530851-530993 - 1968, 1969
530994-539999 - 1969
540000-540795 - 1966, 1969
540796-544095 - 1969547001-547499 - 1968
555000-556909 - 1966
558012-567800 - 1969
570099-570643 - 1966
570645-570755 - 1966
580000-580999 - 1966, 1969
600000-600998 - 1966, 1967, 1968
601000-601090 - 1968
605901-606090 - 1969
700000-700799 - 1966, 1967, 1968
750000-750999 - 1968, 1969
800000-800999 - 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
801000-801999 - 1966
802000-803999 - 1966
804000-804999 - 1966, 1967, 1969
805000-809999 - 1966, 1969
810000-810999 - 1966, 1967, 1969
811000-812838 - 1966, 1969
812900-819999 - 1969
820000-820999 - 1966, 1969
821000-823830 - 1966
824000-828999 - 1969
829000-829999 - 1966, 1969
830000-830999 - 1966, 1967, 1969
831000-837999 - 1969
840000-847498 - 1966, 1967, 1969
847499-848999 - 1966, 1967
849000-849999 - 1966, 1967, 1968
850000-850999 - 1966, 1968
851000-858999 - 1966
859001-891999 - 1967
892000-892999 - 1967, 1968
893000-895499 - 1967
895500-895999 - 1968
896000-896999 - 1968, 1969
897000-898999 - 1967
899000-899999 - 1968
900000-900999 - 1966, 1967, 1968
901000-902250 - 1968
903000-920899 - 1968
940000-942999 - 1968
945000-956999 - 1968
959000-960909 - 1968
970000-982178 - 1968
1970-1975: From 1970 to 1975 the method of serializing instruments at Gibson became even more random. All numbers were impressed into the wood and a six-digit number was assigned, though no particular order was given and some instruments had a letter prefix. The orange labels inside hollow bodied instruments were discontinued in 1970 and were replaced by white and orange rectangular labels on the acoustics, and small black, purple, and white rectangular labels were placed on electric models.
In 1970, the words "MADE IN USA" were impressed into the back of instrument headstocks (though a few instruments from the 1950s also had this). The difference between a 1960s and a 1970s Gibson model is the "MADE IN USA" stamp on the back of the headstock.
NUMBER YEAR
000000's - 1973
100000's - 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975
200000's - 1973, 1974, 1975
300000's - 1974, 1975
400000's - 1974, 1975
500000's - 1974, 1975
600000's - 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975
700000's - 1970, 1971, 1972
800000's - 1973, 1974, 1975
900000's - 1970, 1971, 1972
6 Digits + A - 1970
A + 6 Digits - 1973, 1974, 1975
B + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
C + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
D + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
E + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
F + 6 Digits - 1974, 1975
When the Nashville Gibson plant was opened in 1974, it was decided that the bulk of the production of products would be run in the South; the Kalamazoo plant would produce the higher end (fancier) models in the North. Of course, many of the older guitar builders and craftsmen were still in Kalamazoo, and if they weren't ready to change how they built guitars, then they may not have been ready to change how they numbered them! Certain guitar models built in the late 1970s can be used to demonstrate the old-style, six-digit serial numbers. It is estimated that Gibson's Kalamazoo plant continued to use the six-digit serial numbers through 1978 and 1979. So double check the serial numbers on those 1970s L-5s, Super 400s, and Super 5 BJBs!
1975-1977: During the period from 1975 to 1977, Gibson used a transfer that had eight-digit numbers. The first two indicate the year (99=1975, 00=1976 and 06=1977), and the following six digits are in the 100000 to 200000 range. MADE IN USA was also included on the transfer and some models had LIMITED EDITION also applied. A few bolt-on neck instruments had a date ink stamped on the heel area.
NUMBER YEAR
99XXXXXX - 1975
00XXXXXX - 1976
06XXXXXX - 1977
1977-1987: In 1977, Gibson first introduced the serialization method that is in practice today. This updated system utilizes an impressed, eight-digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions. The pattern from 1977 to 1987 is as follows:
YDDDYPPP
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank.
Examples: 81463508 is a mandolin produced on the 146th day (May 26th) of 1983 and was the 8th instrument to be produced in Nashville that day.
1987-Present: Gibson still uses the previously listed eight digit scheme today, but when mandolin production moved to Montana in 1987, a new serialization system was introduced. This serialization system consists of seven digits and a similar pattern:
YNNNMMZ
Y is the last digit of the production year
Z is the digit indicating the decade of production
MM is the month of production
NNN is the rank of the mandolin inside of its series (i.e. A-style models, F-style models, etc.)
Examples: 9125078 is a mandolin produced in July, 1989 and is the 125th model produced from that series.