Gibson Electric Guitar Serial Number and Date Code Information
Serial numbers show approximate date of manufacture.  For all dates, you will need to look at the construction technique and components used to get a more precise date of manufacture.

Gibson Solid Body Serial Numbers

Gibson Serial numbers are located on the back of the headstock

Years 1953-1961

Use the first number of the 5 or 6 digit serial number.  For example 55395 = 1955   920874 = 1959

1977 Forward - finally a standard serial number was used. The first and fifth numbers are the year, for example 8997653 = 8997653 or 1986

If you are serious about dating a particular Gibson, we suggest getting a book on dating Gibson guitars.  We have a few suggestions here - Books on Collecting Guitars -

Gibson Hollow Body Serial Numbers

Gibson Prefix and Suffix Model Codes

ES - Electric Spanish - hollow body with fixed pickup(s)

T - Thinline

D Double - 2 Pickups

C Cutaway or Cherry Finish

3/4 - 3/4 side and short scale

SV - Stereo and Veritone wiring option

Please keep in mind that Serial numbers show approximate date of manufacture.  For all dates, you will need to look at the construction technique and components used to get a more precise date of manufacture.

1977 Forward - finally a standard serial number was used. The first two digits are the date code , for example 8699753 = 8699753 or 1986

Please note that If you are serious about dating and getting information a particular Gibson, we suggest getting a book on dating Gibson guitars.  We have a few suggestions here - Books on Collecting Guitars -

See our Guitar Books !

If you are serious about dating a particular Rickenbacker, we suggest getting a book on dating Rickenbacker guitars.  We have a few suggestions here - Books on Collecting Guitars -

Serial Numbers for the casual vintage guitar buyer and the serious vintage guitar collector.

 
                                               

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