On this page you will find multiple serial look-up engines. Because Gibson has change their method of formatting their serial numbers through the years each look-up engine reflects a certain time frame. So look for the engine that meets your criteria

GIBSON SERIALIZATION

Identifying Gibson instruments by serial number is tricky at best and downright impossible in some cases. The best methods of identifying them is by using a combination of the serial number, the factory order number and any features that are particular to a specific time that changes may have accurred in the instrument design (i.e. logo design change, headstock volutes, etc). There have been six different serial number styles used to date on Gibson Instruments.

The first Serialization started in 1902 and ran until 1947. The serial numbers started with number 100 and go to 99999. All numbers are approximates. In most cases, only the upper end instruments were assigned identification numbers.

The second type of serial numbers used started with an A prefix and ran from 1947 to 1961. The first number is A 100.

In 1961 Gibson started a new serial number system that covered all instrument lines. It consisted of numbers that were impressed into the wood. It is also generally known to be the most frustrating and hard to understand sytem that Gibson has employed. There are several instances where serial numbers are switched in order or duplicated. The numbers are approximately as follows:

Serial number with a zero prefix

RARE SERIAL NUMBERS FROM 1967
Approximate Serial Range	Year

000001 - 008010	1967
010000 - 042900	1967
044000 - 044100	1967
050000 - 054400	1967
055000 - 063999	1967
064000 - 066010	1967
067000 - 070910	1967
090000 - 099999	1967

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1970 - 1975

From 1970 - 1975 the method of serializing instruments at Gibson became even more random. All numbers were impressed into the wood and a six digit number assigned in no particular order. Some instruments had a letter prefix. The orange labels positioned inside hollow bodied guitars was discontinued in 1970. Gibson acoustic guitar labels changed to a white and orange rectangle shaped label and purple, black and white labels were placed on the electric models.
In 1970, the words "MADE IN USA" was impressed into the back of instrument headstocks. Please note that some instruments manufactured in the 1950's also had "MADE IN USA" on their headstocks.

1977 - 1984

In 1977, Gibson introduced the serialization method that is in practice today. This updated system utilizes an impressed eight digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions. The pattern is as follows:

YDDDYPPP
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank.

Since 1989, acoustic guitars built at our Bozeman, Montana facility are ranked from 001-499. Electric Guitars built at the Gibson USA plant in Nashville are ranked from 500-999. Prior to 1984, the numbers 001-499 show Kalamazoo production, 500-999 show Nashville production. The serial numbers from the Custom, Art, and Historic division vary depending on the line. The historic reissue guitars feature historically accurate serial numbers.

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.

Please Note: Gibson's Kalamazoo plant closed in 1984. Some guitars made after this date may still be identified as being made in Kalamazoo. I am currently working on a solution to fix this discrepancy.

Enter the serial number
Production Year	Production Date
Manufactured at

Disclaimer: Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of this page, however, Music Enthusiast cannot guarantee the information displayed here is 100% accurate! Please contact the manufacturer to be certain of information pertaining to the manufactured date of your guitar.