Guitar Serial Number Lookup
Decode your guitar's serial number to uncover its production year, factory of origin, and model details. Select a brand below to get started.
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Gibson
Decode Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, Gibson Custom Shop, Les Paul Classic, and vintage Gibson serial numbers. Identify production year, factory, and more.
Open the Gibson serial number decoder →
Epiphone
Decode Epiphone serial numbers to find production year, factory, and country of origin. Works for Les Paul, SG, Casino, Sheraton, Dot, Elite, Elitist, and all Epiphone models made in Korea, China, Indonesia, and Japan.
Open the Epiphone serial number decoder →Gibson Guitar Serial Numbers by Era
Gibson has changed its serial number system more than a dozen times since 1902, so the number of digits and where the number is stamped tell you which era your guitar belongs to. Use this quick reference to recognise the format, then run the number through our Gibson serial number decoder for the exact year, day, and factory.
| Era | Format | Example | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1902–1947 | Paper label / FON | A-1234 · 910-2 | Label inside body; FON on neck block |
| 1947–1961 | A-prefix serial | A 21234 | Paper label inside body |
| 1952–1961 | 5-digit ink stamp (YRRRR) | 32397 → 1953 | Back of headstock (solid-bodies) |
| 1961–1969 | 4–6 digits impressed, no "Made in USA" | 123456 | Back of headstock; numbers were reused |
| 1970–1975 | 6 digits + "Made in USA" | 654321 | Back of headstock; ranges overlap by year |
| 1975–1977 | 8-digit decal (99 / 00 / 06 prefix) | 99123456 → 1975 | Decal on back of headstock |
| 1977–2005 | YDDDYRRR (8 digits) | 82763523 → Oct 3, 1983 | Impressed, "MADE IN USA" below |
| 2005–2014 | YDDDYBRRR (9 digits) | 112410501 → May 4, 2011 | Impressed, Gibson USA Nashville |
| 2014–mid 2019 | YYRRRRRRR (9 digits) | 160012345 → 2016 | Impressed; year only, no day |
| Mid 2019–present | YDDDYBRRR (9 digits) | 225320789 → Sept 10, 2022 | Impressed, Gibson USA Nashville |
| Custom Shop | CS + digits, or MYRRRR reissue | CS201234 | Ink-stamped on back of headstock |
Vintage numbers from 1961–1975 were reused across years and are not reliable on their own. The full Gibson guitar serial number lookup page covers every format in detail, including Les Paul Classic, Custom Shop, and Factory Order Numbers.
Epiphone Serial Numbers by Era
Epiphone serial numbers usually start with a factory letter that tells you the country of origin, followed by the year and month. Identify the pattern below, then use our Epiphone serial number decoder to get the factory name, country, and production month.
| Era | Format | Example | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-1994 | All digits, no prefix (≈YMMRRRR) | 3051234 | Back of headstock |
| 1987–1997 (Japan) | YCPPP (5 digits) | 91123 | Orange label, Terada semi-acoustics |
| 1993–2008 | FYYMMRRRR (factory letter prefix) | U03051234 → Unsung, Korea, May 2003 | Back of headstock |
| 2008–present | YYMMFFRRRRR (10–11 digits) | 12052112345 → May 2012 | Back of headstock |
| Elite / Elitist | F or T + year + sequence | F04123 | Made in Japan (Fuji-gen / Terada) |
| Tribute / '59 & '60 LP Std | F3xxxxx (7 digits) | F312345 | Qingdao, China |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up a guitar serial number?+−
Find the serial number on your guitar — usually stamped or printed on the back of the headstock, or on a label inside the soundhole on acoustics. Then choose your brand above (Gibson or Epiphone) and enter the number. The decoder instantly returns the production year, factory of origin, and other details encoded in the serial. The tool is free and requires no signup.
Where is the serial number on a guitar?+−
On most electric guitars the serial number is on the back of the headstock. On acoustic guitars, look inside the soundhole — on the neck block or on the manufacturer's label. Some vintage instruments have the serial stamped on the neck heel or impressed into the wood.
What can a guitar serial number tell me?+−
A serial number typically encodes the production year (and often the exact day), the factory or country where the guitar was built, and its sequence in that day's or year's production run. It usually does not encode the model name — that's determined from the guitar itself. Different brands and eras use different formats, which is why a brand-specific decoder gives the most accurate reading.
How do I find out what year my guitar was made?+−
The production year is the main thing a serial number reveals. Modern Gibson serials (1977 onward) encode the year in the 1st and 5th digits; Epiphone typically uses a factory-letter-plus-date format. Enter your serial in the matching decoder above and it will calculate the year for you.
Can a serial number tell me if a guitar is real or fake?+−
It can help. A serial that doesn't match the brand's known formats, has the wrong number of digits, or dates the guitar to a year the model wasn't produced is a strong red flag. However, counterfeits sometimes copy genuine serial numbers, so also check logo shape, fonts, hardware, and build quality. For high-value purchases, ask the brand's customer support to verify the serial against their records.
Are guitar serial numbers unique?+−
Not always. Gibson reused serial numbers several times between the 1950s and mid-1970s, which can make some vintage guitars date to multiple possible years — our decoder lists all candidate years when that happens. Most brands' modern systems (such as Gibson's post-1977 eight or nine digit format) produce unique serials.
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