Gibson Serial Numbers

Serial numbers are not the only thing that will give you a year for your Gibson. See our Dating a USA Gibson page for more info.

From 1975-1977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock. This should be an 8 digit number that can be dated by the 1st and 2nd digits as follows:


99 = 1975
00= 1976
06 = 1977

Earlier models had an ink stamped serial number or no serial number at all, these are much more difficult to date.

Around 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.

The serial number will be an 8 digit number impressed into the back of the headstock with “MADE IN USA” below.

The pattern is as follows:
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number.
Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production. Ranking numbers 500-999 continued to indicate Nashville production through 1989.

Since 1989, all Gibson acoustics are built in Bozeman, MT and all Gibson electrics are built in Nashville or Memphis. The Memphis factory closed around 2017, was vacated in 2019 and is now FedEx.  Ranking numbers for Bozeman start each day at 001 and the electrics may start as low as the 300s.

Examples: 70108276 means the instrument was produced on Jan. 10, 1978, in Kalamazoo and was the 276th instrument stamped that day.

82765501 means the instrument was produced on Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day.

NOTE – Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005.

The sixth number is now a batch number- batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once they stamp 699, the batch number will change to 1. The first 5 numbers remain the same, the last 3 numbers will remain the same. The only difference is the addition of this batch indicator.

The 2014 Model Year introduces a new numbering system, the model year indicated by the first 2 digits. NOTE – Not all 2014 models have the new system. Nashville use it, Memphis may do later.

There are always exceptions to these rules, the two listed below are worth noting:

Les Paul Classic: This model features an ink stamped serial number with no “MADE IN USA” (just as used on the original 1952-1960 Les Pauls). Most will be 5 to 6 digits in length, but the earliest examples feature 4 digit serial numbers. There should be a space after the 1st digit with the 4 and 5 digit serial numbers, and no space with the 6 digit numbers.

The 1st digit indicates the year of manufacture for the 4 & 5 digit serial numbers, these were used from 1989-1999. The 1st and 2nd indicate the year of manufacture for the 6 digit serial numbers which have been used since 2000.

Examples –
9 xxx = 1989 (4 digit number beginning with “9” used only in 1989)
0 xxxx = 1990
9 xxxx = 1999
00xxxx = 2000
05xxxx = 2005

Those beginning with “94”:
In 1994, Gibson’s Centennial year, many instruments have a serial number that begins with “94” for the year, with the remaining 6 digits indicating the ranking number.

Custom Shop

Custom Shop regular production models


CS YRRRR or CS YXRRRR
CS stands for “Custom Shop”
Y indicates the production year
X – When present indicates the factory (5 = Memphis 0 = Nashville)
RRRR indicates the guitar’s place in the sequence of production

Example: CS10845 is the 845th reg. production CS model produced in 2001.
Example in the photo above: CS 204247 indicates a Nashville CS guitar

Reissue custom shop models and Vintage Old Specification (VOS)  follow the normal serial rules but come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and sometimes a special stamp on the back of the neck. The COA is sometimes in a small black book.

COA

Guitar Dater for Gibson

44 thoughts on “Gibson Serial Numbers”

  1. Why your pictures of custom shop model has 6 numetical digits and your explanation is for 5 numerical digits 🙂

    1. Thanks for pointing out the error. Custom Shop guitars are now made in Memphis as well as Nashville so an extra digit was added to indicate the factory. I visited the Memphis factory last year and was told about this but I forgot to update the blog.

      John

          1. The serial you gave indiates a Nashville guitar built in 1985 as you say. You take the first and fifth digit for the year. The last 3 digits are > 500 so that indicates Nashville.

  2. We’re trying to trace the year of a flat top, cutaway, two pickup, jazz looking model. Somewhat well used, and some damage to the serial number that starts 111 and then looks like 811. Sunburst with a Bigsby. Stephane

    1. Hi,
      Most of the Gibson models designated as “Flat Top” are acoustics with a round sound hole. Others include guitars like the ES175 single cutaway models. From your description of the serial and looking in the Blue Book I think the earliest it could be would be 1961, possibly 1963 to 1967 providing that 111 is the start of the serial number and not another number such as the FON (factory order number). If you could send photos that may help, be sure to include pics of the model no., serial, FON and any stickers inside the sound holes.

  3. i have a solid body gibson with 718004 stamped on the top, can you give me any idea of the age and value of this instrument, thanks

    1. Serial number unrecognized by normal means. If this is a Les Paul Classic it may have be made at the Nashville Plant, TN, USA in 1997 Or 2007
      Production Number: 18004

        1. The serial should be on the headstock
          This should be a LesPaul Classic guitar
          Made at the
          Nashville Plant, TN, USA
          Could be 1996 Or 2006

  4. i have a les paul classic custom shop mahogany top. serial number CS 10258

    2001 correct ?

    0258 = reg production ?

    made in memphis or nashville ?

    thanks!

    1. Your interpertation seems to be correct.

      Custom Shop regular production models
      CSYRRRR
      CS stands for “Custom Shop”
      Y indicates the production year
      RRRR indicates the guitar’s place in the sequence of production

      Solid body electric guitars such as the Gibson Les Paul and the Gibson SG are made in Nashville, Tennessee at Gibson USA and the Gibson Custom Shop. Semi-acoustic guitars such as the Gibson ES Series are made in Memphis, Tennessee at Gibson USA.

    1. 2019, 242nd day of the year, 31st neck of batch 0.

      Keep in mind that Gibson USA serial numbers indicate the day on which the neck was stamped, not necessarily the same as the date of the guitar.

  5. Hello, I believe I have a bit of a poser here !!
    I have a AAA flame top , compound radius, chambered Custom Shop Les Paul. My issue is the serial number, it has only 5 digits which I believe isn’t totally uncommon however, it runs as follows :
    7 space space 9219 with No other letters / stamp markings whatsoever !!
    Can you please shed any light on this guitars history please?
    I brought it 1998/99 , thank you

    1. Bit of a poser is about right. If you accept that there should be 2 digits where you have your spaces then you are still guessing. Most Custom shop models were made with CS before the number but there is a difference between regular CS and “special” or short run CS guitars. Also reissue models sometimes have the old style serial numbers. All of this makes identification difficult. You may be able to find clues, such as a Factory Order Number, elsewhere on the guitar such as in the contol cavity or markings on the pickups or in the pickup cavity. Some photos may help.

  6. Hi, I found a Gibson in my home, it was from my father. It seems to not have a serial number, I want to understand the model, or at worse if it’s false.

    It just has a number on the top, “773”

    Can you help me? Do you have a mail or a contact center?

    1. Looking at the pictures it seems that the number on the top may be a FON (Factory Order Number) which may be repeated somewhere else. You may see this number, or possibly more information by looking through the f holes in the body.

      The logo on the headstock is definitely before 1947 as from that date it had a big change. Before 1933 the logo said “The Gibson”

      So 1933 to 1947 is the initial range. The later models in this range had a similar logo but it was slanted and yours isn’t.

      I expect this guitar to be from 1940 give or take a few years, but it is difficult to date without closer inspection. You could try asking Gibson Customer Services, link below, they usually answer eventually.

      https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Support/Customer-Service

    2. Gibson Tech Support and they think it is either the L30 or L37 model which dates it between 1935 – 1943. They have no idea about the number on the top which means it was added after manufacturing either by a distributer or owner to identify the instrument. The pickup is a Charlie Christian pickup and has been mounted aftermarket, together with the control knobs. There should also be a jack socket on the bottom to plug into an amplifier

      Gibson L37 Flyer

  7. Roberto Martinez

    Hello,

    I just bought an sg special 63 RI custom shop. It has serail 001933. The database refers to the year 1960-1961… can somebody help me with this… its a M2M guitar exposed on NAMM.

    Thx

    1. Hi

      Custom Shop models usually come with a certificate but if you don’t have this a photo might help. I believe the Custom Shop Made to Measure SG Special can come with 2 custom P90 pickups or 3 Humbuckers and a Vibrola trem which are quite different guitars. Custom shop guitars are not supported on the database so the serial number won’t give reliable information. However, from your info, your guitar could be made in Nashville but you can’t rely on that. Best couse of action would be to contact Gibson, the web site has changed a lot recently, lots of stuff missing.

    1. This model started life during the Norlin Corporation period in the 70’s. Serial numbers are available from Gibson.

    1. Hi, it is difficult to know the model just from the serial number. However, your serial indicates it was made in Bozeman, Montana which has been Gibson Guitar’s acoustic factory since 1989. So it should be an acoustic guitar and as such may have a sticker in the sound hole that will give you more information.

      John

  8. I just bought a “Gibson ES335 ’63 Custom Shop” in Cherry Red. The serial number is 870073 but I can’t seem to figure out the date – any ideas based on this serial number?

    1. Custom Shop guitars can be difficult but they normally come with COA (Certificate of Authenticity) which should give you all the information about the guitar, these of course get lost etc. The number you give usually means the 1st and 2nd digit indicate the year of manufacture as it is a 6 digit serial number used since around 2000 which would make it 1987. Having said that some Custom Shop guitars such as Specials, Limited Edition or Signature models tend to go their own way.

  9. I have a les paul studio, I think now it may be fake. the serial number is 101021374. Under the serial number it is stamped ‘Made in USA’ then under it stamped the year 2012.

    what is your take on it since it doesn’t seem to follow the SN scheme in your artical.

    thanks

    1. Sometimes even Gibson don’t follow their own scheme. However, the serial number that you give is valid and indicates was made at the Nashville Plant, January 10th, 2012. You can check the Netherlands Gibson site which has more info. https://www.gibson.com/nl-NL/Support/Serial-Number-Search

      This doesn’t mean it isn’t a fake you need to look for the signs. Fakes are normally made in China, often called Chibson. Search for something like Chibson Tear down online.

      Explanation YDDDYBPPP
      YY is the production year
      DDD is the day of the year
      B is the batch number
      PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank. 3 = Nashville 74 = production number

  10. I have a 1970s Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (cherry sunburst) which I purchased brand new in 1973 or 1974 (I think). On the top of the back of the headstock, it has “184” stamped into the wood. Underneath that, it’s stamped 757592. I can’t seem to find anything to date it.
    Thanks for your help!

    1. Difficult one, about that time much was up in the air including serial numbers. I think it must be before 1975 probably 1972. A picture may help.

    1. Hi, This serial number is 8 digits which indicates before 2005 but it would appear to give a 2014 date which means you should check the number again for a missing digit. It could also be something like a Custom Shop sepecial or Special Edition reissue or some other explanation. A photograph of the back of the headstock might help or look in the cavities for another number, such as a Factory Order Nuumber (FON) that may help. Is there a fret inlay above the first fret?

  11. Have a white Gibson custom electric guitar, code on neck 800324. Having a hard time trying to figure the code out.

    1. Hi, we can’t find any info with just this number. Is there and other information on the guitar? It is possible that it is a Custom Shop model as these don’t follow the normal system. If it is a Custom Shop model you should have a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) which is usually a small booklet. See this page for what to look for.

      https://aboutguitars.uk/?page_id=309

  12. Hello,
    I have a Gibson Les Paul Custom shop with a certification , serial : CS 96892
    Is the serial number correct? Can you give me the age, the lineage and value of this Gibson, please?
    Thanks

    1. Gibson Custom Shop regular production models have a serial No. that starts CS eg CSYRRRR or CS YXRRRR
      CS stands for “Custom Shop”
      Y indicates the production year
      RRRR indicates the guitar’s place in the sequence of production
      X is not always there but if it is it indicates the facory (5 = Memphis 0 = Nashville)
      Memphis shut down in 2019, the year after I visited although it was not my fault.
      9 indicates 2009 in your case.
      You should have a Cetificate of Authenticy (COA) usually a in a black wallet but they do go missing.

      Depending on specifiactions and condition $3000 to $4000 (£3000 – £4000 in UK) is my guess.

  13. I’m trying to understand my
    ES 335 serial#
    It’s a custom shop stamped with
    CS 251832
    I see the 5 represents Memphis …not sure about the 1
    Would this be an 2002 or a 2012
    Doesn’t have the original paper work.

    1. Hi
      CS 251832
      The 5 is Memphis as you say and according to Gibson the last 4 numbers indicate the guitar’s place in the sequence of production, so the 1 is part of this. However this refers to Custom Shop regular production models. Historic, Reissue and Signature models add a little confusion. There should be a Certificate with the guitar (COA) which would explain further. I visited the Memphis factory just before it closed and even they were a little sketchy about CS serial numbers.

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