INFORMATION ON MIRC USED STAMPS/ partial serial number removed. M.I.R.C guitars, stands for Musical Instrument Reclamation Corporation ( MIRCWEB.com). M.I.R.C., claims to be:  "The Nations Largest wholesaler of Quality USED Guitars",  purchases instruments from major manufactures like Gibson, and wholesale distributors, most of them with a little flaw. M.I.R.C. has a high quality repair shop that reconditions the instruments, brings them back up to ‘new’ standards, and then in turn re-sells to dealers only as MIRC USED reconditioned guitars, they do not sell to the public.  Note that MIRC Makes highest quality repairs on instruments with little flaws only. Think of a little finish flaw or lifted fingerboard.   What MIRC does as a indicator of their work is they have a particular USED imprint stamp that is hammer stamped into the back of every headstock on each instrument that goes through the MIRC reclamation process. Their USED stamp is not a precise stamp, it's really hand hammered into the back of the headstock. In addition they also remove all or part of the original factory serial number and replace it with a white paper sticker with black printed numbers as the MIRC inventory control number, it's the number that appears on the dealers MIRC invoice. The reason for the USED stamp and partial serial number removal is MIRC's assurance to the manufactures and distributors they purchase these instruments from that these instruments won't end up on back on the racks as a New Product with implied Manufacture Warranty, after the MIRC process there's no chance of a Warranty Claim back to the maker or in direct competition with new models already on the dealers rack. MIRC does absolute excellent work, if you purchase a MIRC processed guitar stamped USED on the back of the head stock, you'll know it's been through the MIRC repair process and should be a good value for the money spent. Misinformation is that the instrument was stamped USED by the original manufacturer. We highly recommend stamped “USED” and don't be alarmed when you see that the original factory serial number was removed or altered. MIRC is a legit firm, and the word USED, is your indicator that it was quality reconditioned by MIRC. Often MIRC guitars look just like new and are in near mint condition, the frets will look new, you won't typically find dents, dings, scratches, funny smells, no non-working features etc. In many cases it may be in newer "wear condition". So a MIRC processed guitar can be a great value.