Gibson Electric Serialization
Taken from the 11th Edition
Blue Book of Electric Guitars
By Zachary R. Fjestad
Blue Book Publications, Inc.
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Phone: 800-877-4867 (U.S.A. and Canada orders only)
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Reprinted with permission
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GIBSON ELECTRIC SERIALIZATION 1

GIBSON
GIBSON ELECTRIC
ELECTRIC SERIALIZATION,SERIALIZATION cont.
GIBSON

Identifying Gibson instruments by serial number is tricky at best, anddownright impossible in some cases. The best method of identifying themis to use a combination of the serial number, the factory order number andany features that are particular to a specific time. (i.e. logo design change,
headstock volutes, etc).
In addition to the above serial number information, Gibson also used
Factory Order Numbers (F O N) to track batches of instruments being
produced at the time. In the earlier years at Gibson, guitars were normally built in batches of forty instruments. Gibson’s Factory Order
Numbers were an internal coding that followed the group of instruments through the factory. Thus, the older Gibson guitars may have a
serial number and a F O N. The F O N may indicate the year, batch
number, and the ranking (order of production within the batch of
forty).
This system is useful in helping to date and authenticate instruments.
There are three separate groupings of numbers that have been identified
and which are used for their accuracy. The numbers are usually stamped or
written on the instrument’s back and seen through the lower f-hole orround soundhole, or maybe impressed on the back of the headstock.
Code Letter F O Ns were discontinued after 1941, and any instruments
made during or right after World War II do not bear an F O N codes. In
1949, a four digit F O N was used, but not in conjunction with any code
letter indicating the year.
From 1952-1961, the F O N scheme followed the pattern of a letter, thebatch number, and an instrument ranking number (when the guitar was
built in the run of forty). The F O N is the only identification number on
Gibson’s lower grade models (like the ES-125, ES-140, J-160E, etc.)
which do not feature a paper label. Higher grade models (such as theSuper 400, L-5, J-200, etc.) feature both a serial number and a FON.
When both numbers are present on a higher grade model, remember that
the FON was assigned at the beginning of the production run, while theserial number was recorded later (before shipping). The serial number
would properly indicate the actual date of the guitar.
1935-1947: The first production electric guitars appeared in 1935. These
guitars picked up on the serialization, which was already established by the
acoustic models. The serial numbers started with number 100 for acoustics and around 90000 for electrics. This system ran to 99999 for bothacoustics and electrics. All numbers are approximate. In most cases, only
the upper end instruments were assigned identification numbers. Serial
numbers appear ink-stamped on a white paper label. FONs were first usedin 1935. Other FONs may appear that aren’t listed here that were produced during WWII. From 1935 to 1937, the letter appeared between thebatch and instrument numbers (i.e. 722 A 23, 465 D 58, 863 E 02). The
number is ink-stamped inside the guitar on the back. In 1938, the FON
was changed to a two- or three-letter prefix before the batch and instrument numbers. The first letter indicates the year, the second indicates thebrand (i.e. G for Gibson, K for Kalamazoo), and the third (if applicable)
for electric. The FON is either ink-stamped on the label or on the back of
the headstock.
SERIAL NUMBERS
APPROX. LAST NUMBER
YEAR
92800
1935
94100
1936
95200
1937
95750
1938
96050
1939
96600
1940
97400
1941
97700
1942
97850
1943
98250
1944
98650
1945
99300
1946
99999
1947
FACTORY ORDER NUMBERS (FON)LETTER
YEAR
A
1935
B
1936
C
1937
D
1938
DA
1938
E(X, OR OTHER LETTERS) 1939

FACTORY ORDER NUMBERS (FON)LETTER
YEAR
E
1941
F
1940
FA
1940
G
1941
H
1942

1947-1961 (HOLLOWBODIES): Gibson changed their serialization system once they reached 99999 and decided they did not want to go to a
six-digit system. Instead, they added an A prefix followed by a three-, four, or five-digit number. The new system started on April 28, 1947 withnumber A 100. The last number was used on February 21, 1961. From
1947 to early 1955, white oval labels were used. In early 1955, the label
was changed to an orange oval. Serial numbers are on the label and FONs
are ink-stamped on the inside back of the guitar. FONs consisted of a letter, four-digit batch number, and count number (i.e. Y 2230 21, V 4867
8, R 6785 15). FONs were discontinued after Gibson changed to the newserialization system in 1961.
SERIAL NUMBERS
APPROX. LAST NUMBER
A 1304
A 2665A 4413A 6597
A 9419A 12462
A 16101
A 18667

YEAR
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954

APPROX. LAST NUMBER
YEAR
A 21909
1955
A 24755
1956
A 268191957
A 28880
1958
A 32284
1959
A 35645
1960
A 36147
1961
700-1000S
1947
1100-3700S
1948
FACTORY ORDER NUMBERS (FON)LETTER/NUMBER
YEAR
3700-4500S
EARLY 1949
2000S
LATE 1949
3000-5000S
1950
6000-9000S
1951
Z
1952
Y
1953
X
1954
W
1955
V
1956
U
1957
T
1958
S
1959
R
1960
Q
1961

1952-1961 (SOLIDBODIES): When production of solidbody guitars
began, an entirely new serial number system was developed. Though not
used on the earliest instruments produced (those done in 1952), a few ofthese instruments have three digits stamped on the headstock top. Sometime in 1953, instruments were ink stamped on the headstock back with
5- or 6-digit numbers, the first digit indicating the year, and the following
digits indicating production numbers (Y NNNN or Y NNNNN). The
production numbers run in a consecutive order and, aside from a few oddities in the change over years (1961-1962), it is fairly accurate to use themwhen identifying solid body instruments produced between 1953 and1961. Later models typically feature six-digit numbers. Examples of thissystem:
4 2205 = 1954
6 14562 = 1956
0 9865 = 1960

1961-1970: In 1961, Gibson started a new serial number system that cov-

2 GIBSON ELECTRIC SERIALIZATION, cont.
ered 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 orderand 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 guitar is not from the 1960s, but the 1970s. In thiscase, please refer to the next section on serializationf for 1970-1975 guitars.
NUMBER
100-42440
42441-61180
61450-64222
64240-71040
71041-96600
96601-99999
000001-099999
100000-106099
106100-108999
109000-109999
110000-111549
111550-115799
115800-118299
118300-120999
121000-139999
140000-140100
140101-144304
144305-144380
144381-149864
149865-149891
149892-152989
152990-174222
174223-176643
176644-250335
250336-305983
306000-310999
311000-320149
320150-320699
320700-329179
329180-330199
330200-332240
332241-348092
348093-349100
349121-368638
368640-369890
370000-370999
380000-385309
390000-390998
400001-406666
406667-409670
409671-410900
410901-419999
420000-429193
500000-500999
501009-501600
501601-501702
501703-502706
503010-503109
503405-520955
520956-530056
530061-530850
530851-530993
530994-539999
540000-540795
540796-545009
555000-556909
558012-567400
570087-570643
570645-570755

YEAR
1961
1962
1963
1964
1962, 1963, 1964
1963
1967
1963, 1967
1963
1963, 1967
1963
1963, 1967
1963
1963, 1967
1963
1963, 1967
1963
1963, 1964
1963
1964
1963
1964
1964, 1965
1964
1965
1965, 1967
1965
1967
1965
1965, 1967
1965, 1967, 1968
1965
1966
1965
1966
1967
1966
1967
1966
1966, 1967, 1968
1966
No Entries
1966
1965, 1966,1968, 1969
1965
1968
1965, 1968
1968
1965, 1968
1968
1966, 1968, 1969
1968, 1969
1969
1966, 1969
1969
1966
1969
1966
1966, 1967

NUMBER
570857-570964
580000-580080
580086-580999
600000-600998
600000-606090
700000-700799
750000-750999
800000-800999
801000-812838
812900-819999
820000-820087
820088-823830
824000-824999
828002-847488
847499-858999
859001-895038
895039-896999
897000-898999
899000-899999
900000-901999
910000-999999

YEAR
1966
1969
1966, 1967, 1969
1966, 1967, 1968 (LOW END)
1969 (HIGH END)
1966, 1967
1968, 1969
1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
1966, 1969
1969
1966, 1969
1966*
1969
1966, 1969
1966, 1969
1967
1968
1967, 1969
1968
1970
1968

1970-1975: From 1970 to 1975 the method of serializing instruments at
Gibson became even more random. All numbers were impressed into thewood 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 replacedby 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
000000S
100000S
200000S
300000S
400000S
500000S
600000S
700000S
800000S
900000S
6 DIGITS + A
A + 6 DIGITS
B + 6 DIGITS
C + 6 DIGITS
D + 6 DIGITS
E + 6 DIGITS
F + 6 DIGITS

YEAR
1973
1970-1975
1973-1975
1974-1975
1974-1975
1974-1975
1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975
1970, 1971, 1972
1973, 1974, 1975
1970, 1971, 19721970
1973, 1974, 1975
1974, 1975
1974, 1975
1974, 1975
1974, 1975
1974, 1975

When the Nashville Gibson plant was opened in 1974, it was decided thatthe bulk of the production of products would be run in the South; theKalamazoo plant would produce the higher end (fancier) models in the
North. Of course, many of the older guitar builders and craftsmen werestill 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 through1978 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), the following six digits are in the 100000 to
200000 range. MADE IN USA was also included on the transfer and somemodels had LIMITED EDITION also applied. A few bolt-on neck instruments had a date ink stamped on the heel area.
NUMBER
99XXXXXX
00XXXXXX
06XXXXXX

YEAR
1975
1976
1977

GIBSON ELECTRIC SERIALIZATION, cont. 3
1977-JUNE 2005: Between 1997 and late June or early July 2005, Gibson used the same serialization system on all standard-built guitars. Thisupdated system utilizes an impressed, eight-digit numbering scheme thatcovers both serializing and dating functions. The Custom/Historic/Art
divisions do not use this system. Certain models in the Standard series also
do not follow this, either. Please refer to the end of the section for exceptions. The pattern is as follows:
YDDDYPPPYY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank.

In 1994, for Gibson’s Centennial, they used a special serialization. Every
serial number started with 94 followed by six digits, which were the production dates and number (YYNNNNNN).
The three PPP numbers 001-499 indicate Kalamazoo production from1977 to 1984. The Kalamazoo numbers were discontinued in 1984 when
the factory closed. The three PPP numbers 500-999 indicate Nashvilleproduction from 1977 to 1989.
All currently manufactured Gibsons (non-custom shop) are stamped witha hand arbor, and start at 300 or 500, and continue until production isfinished that day. This hand stamp used to be reset daily at #300 or #500
for all the LP style headstocks. The other shapes (Flying V, T-Bird,
Explorer, etc.) were started at 700.
When acoustic production began at the plant in Bozeman, Montana (in1989), the series’ numbers were reorganized. Bozeman instruments began
using 001-299 designations and, in 1990, Nashville instruments began
using 300-999 designations. It should also be noted that the Nashvilleplant has not reached the 900s since 1977, so these numbers have been
reserved for prototypes. Examples:
70108276 means the instrument was produced on Jan. 10, 1978, inKalamazoo 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.
03202652 means the instrument was produced on November 16, 2002
and was the 152nd instrument stamped that day (assuming they started at
500).
There are a few exceptions to this system.
JULY 2005-PRESENT: In early July 2005, Gibson altered their serialization system a bit. A modified nine digit system was introduced with a newbatch number added to the previous system. The new system follows theformat of YDDDYBPPP. The first through fifth digits and the sevenththrough ninth digits all follow the old system, but a batch number was
implemeted to better keep track of production and allow for more than
five hundred instruments to be produced in a day. At the beginning ofeach day, the sixth digit is reset to 0. Once the last three numbers reach
699, the batch number moves on to 1, and the last three digits are reset to500. Examples: 028360612 indicates a guitar that was stamped on the283rd day (October 10th) in 2006 and was the 112th guitar stamped thatday. 001071520 indicates a guitar that was stamped on the 10th day (January 10th) of 2007 and was the 220th guitar stamped on that day (it waspart of the second batch and the 20th guitar of the second batch - firstbatch was of 200 guitars).
Centennial Year/Models: 1994 is the most notable exception, with the first
two numbers representing the year, so all models start with 94 and are followedby six digits. The Centennial models produced for the 1994 model year havean inked-on serial number that is six digits long. The serial number appears as
YYYYMM. The first four represent the number produced. They all started on
1894, which represents instrument #1, and 1994 would be instrument #101.
The last two digits indicate the month of the guitar released. A new model was
released each month with a total of fourteen different models that includes two
prototypes. The last two numbers will range from one to fourteen.
Special Runs/Limited Editions: Certain special editions in the 1970s and1980s may feature serial numbers with six digits in the configuration of
YY NNNN. The YY indicates the year and the NNNN is the instrument
ranking.
Les Paul Classic: The 1960 Les Paul Classic features a six-digit number
like the models had in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The serial number
works just like it did back then with the first number indicating the last
number in the year of production. The following four or five digits areproduction rank and if there is only four digits there will be a space
between the first and last four digits, but if there are five digits they will all
appear together. For example, 215678 would be either a 1992 or 2002,

and a 615890 would be a 1996. These models have been produced since
1990, so every ten years the numbers will recycle. Also, in 1989 only, afour digit number was first used that started with 9. No "Made In U.S.A."
stamp appears by the serial number either.
CUSTOM SHOP: Regular production Custom Shop guitars utilize aserialization system of CSYRRRR. CS stands for Custom Shop, the Y
indicates the last digit in the year of production, and the following digits
indicate the production ranking. Earlier Custom Shop models may use a
Y9NNN or Y9NNNN (if the production run is higher than 1000 units ina year). The Y indicates the last digit of the year the guitar was built. 9 is
assigned to every custom shop guitar, and the last three or four digits areproduction numbers. Example: CS31205 is a Custom Shop instrument
produced in 2003 and was the 1,205th guitar built that year.
Reissues: Early Les Paul reissues produced between the late 1970s and 1993
should have an inked-on serial number on the back of the headstock. The firstnumber should indicate the last year of the production. For example, 8 0358
would be a 1988. The Heritage Flying V, Moderne, and Chet Atkins CE produced between 1981 and 1983 will feature a serial number with a letter prefix
followed by three digits. The letter may range from A through K, and the number started at 001. Most numbers finished at 099 and would move to the next
letter. However, certain models do feature higher numbers than 100. The Heritage Series Explorer produced between 1982 and 1983 has a serial number thatstarts with 1 + 4 digits. These digits are strictly production numbers.
In 1992, the serialization of reissues became standard. The configurationof M YNNN is still in use by Gibson. The M indicates the model code,
specifically the last digit of the year of the reissue. The Y indicates the last
number of the year of the guitar, and the NNN are the production numbers. For example, 4 8256 indicates a 1954 Les Paul reissue built in 1998
and is the 256th instrument of the year. The following codes represent
most of the reissues:
NUMBER
2
4
6
NUMBER
7
8
9
0

MODELS
1952 LES PAUL
1954 LES PAUL
1956 LES PAUL
MODELS
1957 LES PAUL
1958 LES PAUL, EXPLORER
1959 LES PAUL, FLYING V
1960 LES PAULIn 1997, Gibson reissued many of the 1960s models. A similar serialization system was used, but it is different than the 1950s reissues. The configuration consists of YYNNNM, where the YY is the last two years of theguitar’s construction date, the NNN is the production number, and the M
is the model code, specifically the last year of the reissue. For example,
021568 indicates a 1968 Les Paul Custom reissue built in 2002 and was
the 156th instrument built that year. The following codes represent mostof the reissues:
NUMBER
1
2
3
4
5
8

MODELS
SG CUSTOM/SG SPECIAL/LES PAUL
SG STANDARD
1963 FIREBIRD I
1964 FIREBIRD III
1965 FIREBIRD V/FIREBIRD VII
1968 LES PAUL CUSTOMHISTORIC ES MODELS: Historic ES models use a slightly different
system than the Custom Shop. The configuration consists of a letter prefix+ MYNNN. The letter, which is usually an A or B, indicates that it is partof the Historic Collection, the M indicates the last year of reissue model,
the Y indicates the last number of the year the guitar was built, and thefinal NNN digits are production numbers. For example, A-93012 is a2003 1959 ES-335 with Dot inlays reissue and it was the 12th instrument
produced that year.The following codes represent most of the reissues:
NUMBER
2
3
4
5
9 W/ A PREFIX
9 W/ B PREFIXMODELS
ES-295
1963 ES-335 BLOCK INLAYS
ES-330ES-345
1959 ES-335 DOT INLAYS
ES-355CARVED TOP MODELS: On models with carved or ached tops thenumber will normally appear on an orange label. The serialization used onthese instruments consists of a format YDDDYRRR, which is very similar
to Gibson’s standard serialization system. The first and fith digits indicate

4 GIBSON ELECTRIC SERIALIZATION, cont.
the last two years, the second, third, and fourth indicate the day of theyear according to the Julian calendar, and the final three digits indicate thenumbering sequence of carved/arched top instruments produced that day.
In 2000, Gibson changed this system so every serial number starts with 2
instead of 0. Examples: 21364003 indicates a guitar stamped on the 136thday (May 16th) of 2004 and was the 3rd carved top model stamped thatday.
CUSTOM SHOP SIGNATURE MODELS: Most Custom Shop signature guitars use a serialization system with the artists initials and the
instrument production number.
The Gibson Les Paul Chambered Reissue (also known as the Cloud Nine)
has a "CR" prefix before the serial number. This model was introduced in
2004.
Source: A.R. Duchossoir, Gibson Electrics, The Classic Years andWalter Carter and George Gruhn, Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars.