✎ Key Takes:
» You can find the serial number on your guitar on the back or top of the headstock or inside the soundhole.
» You can tell the year of your Gibson Guitar by checking the serial number.
» You can identify your Gibson Guitar by checking the headstock logo or serial number.
Contents
Gibson Guitar Serial Number Lookup:
You can look out for the Gibson guitar with its serial number:
1. Gibson USA
To tell the year of your Gibson USA guitar, you can check the serial number, which is located on the back of the headstock.
Gibson has used different serial number formats over the years, so it’s essential to determine the correct structure for the year of your guitar.
Here’s how to decode the serial number for Gibson USA guitars:
🎸 From 1977 to 2005
Gibson used an 8-digit serial number on their guitars from 1977 to 2005. The first and fifth digits indicate the production year, while the second, third, and fourth digits indicate the production date within the year. The sixth digit indicates the factory’s location and the seventh and eighth digits indicate the production number.
🎸 From 2006 to present
Gibson changed their serial number format in 2006 to a 9-digit code. The first and fifth digits still indicate the production year, while the second, third, and fourth digits indicate the production date within the year. The sixth digit indicates the factory’s location, and the seventh, eighth, and ninth digits indicate the production number.
🎸 Pre-1977
Gibson used different serial number formats before 1977. It’s best to consult a serial number guide or contact Gibson’s customer service to determine the correct format for your guitar.
2. Gibson Custom
If you want to tell the year of your Gibson Custom guitar, you can say it by checking the serial number.
🎸 From 2005 to present
Gibson Custom used a 9-digit serial number on their guitars from 2005 to now. The first and fifth digits indicate the production year, where each digit plays a specific role.
🎸 Pre-2005
Before 2005, Gibson Custom utilized various serial number types. It is best to refer to a serial number guide or get in touch with Gibson’s customer care.
3. Gibson Dobro
You may check the serial number, normally found on the back of the headstock, to determine the year of your Gibson Dobro instrument.
🎸 From 1930 to 1947
Gibson Dobro used a four-digit serial number stamped on the guitar’s body from 1930 to 1947. The first two digits indicate the year of production, while the second two digits indicate the production number for that year.
🎸 From 1948 to 1953
Gibson Dobro used a five-digit serial number stamped on the guitar’s body from 1948 to 1953. The first digit indicates the year of production, while the second and third digits indicate the model type. The fourth and fifth digits indicate the production number for that year.
🎸 From 1954 to 1969
Gibson Dobro used a six-digit serial number stamped on the guitar’s body from 1954 to 1969. The first and second digits indicate the year of production, while the third and fourth digits indicate the model type. The fifth and sixth digits indicate the production number for that year.
🎸 From 1970 to present
Gibson Dobro used a different serial number format from 1970 to the present. You can determine the correct format for your guitar by contacting Gibson’s customer service.
Where to Find Gibson Serial Number on Your Guitar:
▸ On the back or top of the headstock – This is the most common location for the serial number on most Gibson guitars.
▸ Inside the soundhole – The serial number may be stamped on the back of the headstock or inside the guitar’s soundhole on acoustic guitars.
▸ On the back of the neck – Some Gibson guitars, particularly those made in the 1970s, may have the serial number stamped on the back of the neck, just below the headstock.
▸ On the label inside the Guitar – Some Gibson guitars may have a label inside the soundhole or on the back of the headstock that includes the serial number.
