Dating an Electric guitar with a serial number
To determine the age of your guitar, you'll need to look for the serial number. However, finding this number can be quite a challenge. Sometimes it's simply located on the headstock or on the label inside the soundhole. But other times, it may be cleverly hidden at the end of the neck on the heel block of the guitar. This varies depending on the brand. That's why we'll explain where to find the serial number for major guitar brands like Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor and Eastman as well as what those numbers actually mean.
In this blog, you'll discover more about how to determine the manufacturing year of electric guitars. So grab your favorite six-string and let's dive in.
How old is my Fender guitar?
Since 1976, Fender has been placing most of the serial numbers for guitars made in the United States on the headstock of the instrument. Usually on the back, but sometimes on the front.
The number usually starts with a letter indicating the decade::
S = 1970's
E = 1980's,
N = 1990's,
Z = 2000's (sometimes DZ, for the Deluxe serie)
76 + 5 digits 1976
S6 + 5 digits 1976
S7 + 5 digits 1977 - 1978
S8 + 5 digits 1978
S9 + 5 digits 1978 - 1979
E0 + 5 digits 1979 - 1981
E1 + 5 digits 1980 - 1982
E2 + 5 digits 1982 - 1983
E3 + 5 digits 1982 - 1985
E4 + 5 digits 1984 - 1988
E8 + 5 digits 1988 - 1989
E9 + 5 digits 1989 - 1990
N9 + 5 digits 1990
N0 + 5 digits 1990 - 1991
N1 + 5 or 6 digits 1991 - 1992
N2 + 5 or 6 digits 1992 - 1993
N3 + 5 or 6 digits 1993 - 1994
N4 + 5 or 6 digits 1994 - 1995
N5 + 5 or 6 digits 1995 - 1996
N6 + 5 or 6 digits 1996 - 1997
N7 + 5 or 6 digits 1997 - 1998
N8 + 5 or 6 digits 1998 - 1999
N9 + 5 or 6 digits 1999 - 2000
Z0 + 5 or 6 digits 2000 - 2001
Z2 + 5 or 6 digits 2001 - 2002
Z3 + 5 or 6 digits 2003 - 2004
Z4 + 5 or 6 digits 2004 - 2005
Z5 + 5 or 6 digits 2005 - 2006
Z6 + 5 or 6 digits 2006 - 2007
Z7 + 5 or 6 digits 2007 - 2008
Z8 + 5 or 6 digits 2008 - 2009
Z9 + 5 or 6 digits 2009 - 2010
US10 + 6 digits 2010
US11 + 6 digits 2011
US12 + 6 digits 2012
US13 + 6 digits 2013
US14 + 6 digits 2014
US15 + 6 digits 2015
US16 + 6 digits 2016
US17 + 6 digits 2017
US18 + 6 digits 2018
US19 + 6 digits 2019
Important notice! This number only applies to Fender guitars made in the USA. Since the '90s, guitars from Mexico and other places have also been released. Different numbering applies to those guitars.
Exceptions with Fender guitars
There are many exceptions with these serial numbers, such as the American Vintage Reissue (AVRI) series. These have serial numbers that start with V and deviate from the year in which the guitars were made. Additionally, Fender has released many special or limited editions over the years with different serial numbers. Fender Serial Number Finder can help determine the age of the guitar.
What year was my vintage Fender guitar made
The older a guitar is, the more difficult it can be to determine its exact age. On the very first Esquires and Telecasters, the number was stamped on the bridge (ranging from 0 to about 999). After that, the number was moved to the neck plate, which connects the neck to the body. From 1963, an "L" was added before the number, and from 1965, the unmistakable F Logo appeared on the neck plate. From 1965 onwards, Fender guitars were given the following serial numbers:
100000 to 110000 1965
110000 to 200000 1966
200000 to 210000 1967
210000 to 250000 1968
250000 to 280000 1969
280000 to 300000 1970
300000 to 340000 1971
340000 to 370000 1972
370000 to 520000 1973
500000 to 580000 1974
580000 to 690000 1975
690000 to 750000 1976
Of course, Fender was making guitars even before 1965, but then you're talking about a whole different category of vintage guitars. These are collector's items with a hefty price tag to match. There is often data available on parts such as the neck, body, and potentiometers that can help with dating them. You might get lucky, but the chances of stumbling upon a true gem in the wild are slim. That data usually only tells you when the part was made and doesn't necessarily reflect the overall guitar itself. Additionally, the condition of these vintage guitars is crucial. So don't jump to big conclusions if you come across something like this; it's always a good idea to seek expert advice when in doubt. Over the years, we have seen, played, traded, bought, heard, appraised, and repaired dozens of vintage Fender guitars! Our fellows are here to help you out!
How old is my Gibson guitar?
Since 1977, Gibson has been placing a serial number on the back of both acoustic and electric guitars, on the headstock. You can determine the age of your guitar directly from this serial number, as it consists of 8 or 9 digits with the following information:
YDDDYRRR
First digit: decade (Y) in which the Gibson guitar was made.
Second to fourth digits: day of the year (DDD) on which the Gibson guitar was made.
Fifth digit: year (Y) in which the Gibson guitar was made.
Sixth digit: Since 2005, Gibson USA switched to a 9-digit serial number. The sixth digit (B) now represents the 'batch' number.
Last three digits: factory and 'factory ranking' number(RRR)
Don't feel like puzzling? Here a handy tool to help you date your Gibson guitar (up until 1977):
What year was my vintage Gibson guitar made?
Dating Gibson guitars prior to 1977 can be a bit tricky, mainly because the company used different systems before that time. For instance, in 1975, the serial number started with '06', in 1976 with '00', and in 1977 with '99'.
From 1970 to 1975, Gibson used a messy mix of numbers and digits that doesn't follow much logic:
Number Year
0XXXXX 1973
1XXXXX 1970-1975
2XXXXX 1973-1975
3XXXXX 1974-1975
4XXXXX 1974-1975
5XXXXX 1974-1975
6XXXXX 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975
7XXXXX 1970, 1971, 1972
8XXXXX 1973, 1974, 1975
9XXXXX 1970, 1971, 1972
Letter: Year
XXXXXX + A 1970
A + XXXXXX 1973, 1974, 1975
B + XXXXXX 1974, 1975
C + XXXXXX 1974, 1975
D + XXXXXX 1974, 1975
E + XXXXXX 1974, 1975
F + XXXXXX 1974, 1975
From 1961 to 1970, Gibson once again had a somewhat messy system with partially overlapping and numbers used throughout the years:
Year Numbers:
1961 100-42440
1962 42441-61180
1963 61450-64220
1964 64240-70500
1962 71180-96600
1963 96601-99999
1967 000001-008010
1967 010000-042900
1967 044000-044100
1967 050000-054400
1967 055000-063999
1967 064000-066010
1967 0670000-070910
1967 090000-099999
1963, 1967 100000-106099
1963 106100-108900
1963, 1967 1090000-109999
1963 110000-111549
1963, 1967 111550-115799
1963 115800-118299
1963, 1967 118300-120999
1963 121000-139999
1963, 1967 140000-140100
1963 140101-144304
1964 144305-144380
1963 144381-145000
Year Numbers:
1963 147009-149864
1964 149865-149891
1963 149892-152989
1964 152990-174222
1964, 1965 174223-176643
1964 176644-199999
1964 200000-250335
1965 250336-291000
1965 301755-302100
1965 302754-305983
1965, 1967 306000-306100
1965, 1967 307000-307985
1965, 1967 309848-310999
1965 311000-320149
1967 320150-320699
1965 320700-321100
1965 322000-326600
1965 328000-328500
1965 328700-329179
1965, 1967 329180-330199
1965, 1967-68 330200-332240
1965 332241-327090
1965 348000-348092
1966 348093-349100
1965 349121-368638
1966 368640-369890
Year Numbers:
1967 370000-370999
1966 380000-385309
1967 390000-390998
1965-68 400001-400999
1966 401000-407985
1966 408000-408690
1966 408800-409250
1966 420000-426090
1966 427000-429180
1966 430005-438530
1966 438800-438925
1965-66, 1968-69 500000-500999
1965 501010-501600
1968 501601-501702
1965, 1968 501703-502706
1968 503010-503110
1965, 1968 503405-520955
1968 520956-530056
1966, 1968-69 530061-530850
1968-69 530851-530993
1969 530994-539999
1969 540796-545009
1966 550000-556910
1969 558012-567400
1966 570099-570755
1969 580000-580999
1966-69 600000-600999
Year Numbers:
1969 601000-601090
1969 605901-606090
1966-67 700000-700799
1968-69 750000-750999
1966-69 800000-800999
1966, 1969 801000-812838
1969 812900-814999
1969 817000-819999
1966, 1969 820000-820087
1966 820088-823830
1969 824000-824999
1966, 1969 828002-847488
1966 847499-858999
1967 859001-880089
1967 893401-895038
1968 895039-896999
1967 897000-898999
1968 899000-899999
1968 900000-902250
1968 903000-920899
1968 940000-941009
1968 942001-943000
1968 945000-945450
1968 947415-956000
1968 959000-960909
1968 970000-972864
From 1947 to 1961, Gibson used an 'A' in their numbering system:
Year till number (approx.)#
1947 A 1305
1948 A 2665
1949 A 4410
1950 A 6596
1951 A 9420
1952 A 12460
1953 A 17435
1954 A 18665
1955 A 21910
1956 A 24755
1957 A 26820
1958 A 28880
1959 A 32285
1960 A 34645
1961 A 36147
Exceptions with Gibson guitars
Gibson has a rich history and has been making guitars even before 1947. But in this category, we're talking about vintage acoustic guitars that are in a league of their own. The guitar's (original) condition is crucial when determining its value. Additionally, there are many exceptions for Gibson guitars, so it's possible that your serial number may not be listed here. Over the years, we have encountered, played, traded, purchased, heard, appraised, and repaired dozens of vintage Gibson guitars! Our Fellows would be more than happy to assist you!