2020. 2. 20. 22:30ㆍ카테고리 없음
Wondering how old your Gibson or Epiphone guitar is? Maybe you have a Gibson banjo, dobro, or a Goldtone amplifier you’re not sure about.
- Serial Number Lookup
- Prs Serial Number Handwritten Letter Sample
- Prs Serial Number Handwritten Letter Example
This serial number guide will help you to figure it all out. This guide, republished courtesy of Gibson.com, provides information from 1975-present, covering thousands of Gibson instruments. For instruments older than 1975, you’ll need to consult a Gruhn guide or one of the. Serial number information republished from Gibson.com: Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, Gibson Memphis – From 1975-1977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock. This should be an 8 digit number that can be dated by the 1st and 2nd digits as follows: 99 = 1975 00= 1976 06 = 1977 – In 1977, Gibson introduced the serialization method that we primarily use to this day at Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, and the Gibson Custom facility in Memphis, TN.
The serial number will be an 8 digit number impressed into the back of the headstock with “MADE IN USA” below. The pattern is as follows: YDDDYRRR YY is the production year DDD is the day of the year RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number. Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production. Ranking numbers 500-999 continued to indicate Nashville production through 1989. Since 1989, all Gibson acoustics are built in Bozeman, MT and all Gibson electrics are built in Nashville or Memphis. Ranking numbers for Bozeman start each day at 001 and the electrics may start as low as the 300s.
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. NOTE – Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005. The sixth number is now a batch number- batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once we stamp 699, the batch number will change to 1.
The first 5 numbers remain the same, the last 3 numbers will remain the same. The only difference is the addition of this batch indicator. There are always exceptions to these rules, the two listed below are worth noting: Les Paul Classic: This model features an ink stamped serial number with no “MADE IN USA” (just as we used on the original 1952-1960 Les Pauls).
Serial Number Lookup
Most will be 5 to 6 digits in length, but the earliest examples feature 4 digit serial numbers. There should be a space after the 1st digit with the 4 and 5 digit serial numbers, and no space with the 6 digit numbers. The 1st digit indicates the year of manufacture for the 4 & 5 digit serial numbers, these were used from 1989-1999.
The 1st and 2nd indicate the year of manufacture for the 6 digit serial numbers which we’ve been using since 2000. Examples – 9 xxx = 1989 (4 digit number beginning with “9” used only in 1989) 0 xxxx = 1990 9 xxxx = 1999 00xxxx = 2000 05xxxx = 2005 Those beginning with “94”: In 1994, Gibson’s Centennial year, many instruments have a serial number that begins with “94” for the year, with the remaining 6 digits indicating the ranking number. Gibson Custom 1952-1960 Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V, and Futura reissues (since late 1992): M YRRR or MYRRRR M is the model year being reissued Y is the production year RRR(R) indicates the guitar’s place production for that year.
Prs Serial Number Handwritten Letter Sample
NOTE: This number includes all models for a particular reissue year – so, for example, a 1958 Reissue serial number may include ’58 Reissue LP Standard and ’58 Explorer production. Example: 7 5123 is the 123rd 1957 reissue model produced in 2005. 1961-1969 Firebird, Les Paul, and SG reissues (since 1997): YYRRRM Y is the production year RRR(R) indicates the guitar’s place in production for that year. M is the model being reissued Reissue model codes: 1= SG Custom and Special 2= SG Standard 3= 1963 Firebird 1 4= 1964 Firebird III 5= 1965 Firebird V & VII 8= 1968 Les Paul Custom Examples: 050102 is the 10th SG Standard reissue produced in 2005. 030084 is the 8th 1964 Firebird III reissue produced in 2003. Historic ES MODELS (since 1995): (A or B)-MYRRR M is the model year being reissued Y is the production year RRR indicates the guitar’s place in the sequence of Historic ES production for that year. Reissue model codes: 2= ES-295 3= 1963 ES-335 (block inlays) 4= ES-330 5= ES-345 9 with an “A” prefix = 1959 ES-335 (dot inlays) 9 with a “B” prefix= ES-355 Example: A-38005 is the 5th ’63 ES-335 Reissue produced in 1998.
Carved Top models (serial number on orange label) YDDDYRRR YY is the production year DDD is the day of the year RRR indicate the guitar’s place in the sequence of carved tops made that day. NOTE – as of 2000, 1st digit will be a “2” Examples: 91418009 is the 9th carved top produced on the 141st day of 1998. 20045002 was the 2nd carved top stamped on the 4th day of 2005. Custom Shop regular production models CSYRRRR CS stands for “Custom Shop” Y indicates the production year RRRR indicates the guitar’s place in the sequence of production Example: CS10845 is the 845th reg. Production CS model produced in 2001. CS Signature Models: The list below is not an exhaustive listing but we have included many of our most popular Signature models. Please contact us at service@gibson.com should you have any questions.
Ace Frehley Les Paul – 1997 Limited run, numbered in sequence as “ACE xxx” Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul has a standard 8 digit serial number. Andy Summers ES-335 Limited edition of 50. Numbered in sequence as “AS xxxx” Dickey Betts ’57 goldtop Les Paul Limited edition of 114. Numbered in sequence as “DB xxx” Dickey Betts ’57 red top Les Paul Numbered in sequence as “DBR xxx” Gary Rossington Les Paul Limited edition of 250. Numbered in sequence as “GR xxx” Gary Rossington SG Limited edition of 250.
Numbered in sequence as “13xxx” Jimmy Page Les Paul (3 versions) -1st 25 aged models were hand numbered 1-25 and signed by Jimmy Page, no other number is on this model.Limited run of 150 aged models are numbered in sequence as “PAGE xxx” -Unlimited run of Custom Authentic models are numbered in sequence as “JPP xxx” Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul has a standard 8 digit serial number. Joe Perry Les Paul (2 models) – Joe Perry Signature Les Paul from 1996 (trans black finish) – numbered in sequence as “JPxxx” – Boneyard LP – Pilot Run models have an inked number and hand written “Pilot Run”. The production version (no difference in spec) numbered in sequence as “BONE xxx” Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Joe Perry Signature Les Paul made has a standard 8 digit serial number. Numbered in sequence as “JA xxx” Pete Townshend LP Deluxe Limited run of 75, numbered in sequence as “PETE xxx” Peter Frampton Les Paul (2 models) – PF LP Custom – numbered in sequence as “PF xxx” – PF LP Special – numbered in sequence as “PFYxxx” Y indicates the year of production. Slash Les Paul (2 models) – 1997 limited edition model, cranberry finish: numbered in sequence as “SL xxx” – Regular production model introduced in 2004, also numbered in sequence as “SL xxx” Note: The discontinued Epiphone Slash Les Paul made has a standard Epiphone serial number.
PRS Guitars History PRS Guitars History The PRS Story Paul Reed Smith has done more for the high end guitar market than any other person alive. If it weren't for Paul Reed Smith, people would still be playing Gibson's & Fenders. The early PRS guitars were absolutely the best guitars I had ever seen or played in my life.
Up until the mass production and CNC manufactured models of 1995 I was recommending PRS guitars to everyone. The absolute best thing that Paul ever did was to bring the perceived price of an electric guitar up to the level where a consumer would actually consider buying a custom made instrument.
Today there are hundreds of small builders who owe their success to Paul. I am one of them. Paul wasn't the only company who built great guitars, There was Hamer, Dean, BC Rich, Jackson, Moonstone, Turner, Alembic, Veillette Citron, and many others. These other companies even though they built great guitars failed to capture the imagination and hearts of thousands of guitarists who could afford to purchase a beautiful guitar. Paul succeeded where all others failed.
Prs Serial Number Handwritten Letter Example
I am not a huge fan of what he is doing today but his guitars will always have a special place in my heart. My first contact with Paul Smith was in 1977, this was as a direct result from my conversations with Stanley Whittaker and Rick Kennel of the Maryland based band, 'Happy the Man'. They were raving about this unknown builder making guitars in his attic.
They were so enthusiastic that I simply could not ignore them. As a large retailer, I am frequently approached by many small luthiers. I will generally check them out and occasionally I will find a real.
In this case these 2 guys were incessantly driving me up the wall. I had never been pitched so strongly about any other guitar up until that time and to this day.
Later that day I called Paul I spoke to him for a few moments. He sent me a handwritten letter ( which I still have) and several not so good pictures of his guitars. I was not terribly impressed by the photos. In any case a few years went by and I spoke to Paul several times about his product. They were high priced for a completely unknown brand name.
I sold very few of the original pre production models that were made between 1976 and 1984. These guitars played and sounded extremely good but there were many custom builders in that era that were advertising more and we all know the golden rule of the guitar business. 'He who advertises the most sells the most guitars ' I n 1985 Paul got some major financing and he was able to start limited hand-made production of the PRS Custom. His design got sleeker his finishes were and still are probably some of the best in the industry to this day. The locking tuning pegs that were standard were the best in the industry at that time and have been copied in theory by Fender, Sperzel, Schaller and other notables.
( Today Sperzel probably manufactures the best one) The headstock design is great. The angle of the headstock facilitates a lesser tension and makes the guitar a pleasure to play not to mention the fact that the locking tuners simply cannot work with any other nut design but what Paul designed in 1985. He used only the finest Brazilian Rosewood for his fingerboards and the wood that Paul used for the bodies and necks were tone woods that he had 'hoarded and stashed for years' Paul built an incredible monument to himself in those early guitars and anyone who has had the privilege to own or even play one of those beauties is a very lucky player indeed. I could go on for paragraphs about how great those guitars were. His major financing also included an advertising budget. So at that time I became extremely interested in carrying his guitars. I already knew the quality and playability was excellent and best of all the buying public were going to see ads in magazines.
1995 The End of an Era. In 1995 as most of us already know, PRS expanded their facility and went close to a full year being unable to supply the demand for the products. Of course the products that were in demand were actually the older original ones. In any case a whole new group of PRS buyers came to the table. Most of these people were the uninformed or misled majority of guitarists who bought them only because of their early reputation. These are the people who make up the PRS Forum today.
A sad group of people with nothing better to do than go into chat rooms and blab about PRS guitars, OY!!! Many people who bought PRS guitars in 1993 were able to sell them for more than double what they paid in 1996. This led to the investor market getting involved. Most of the investors made bad purchases thinking that lightning would strike twice. Some lucky ones were able to find more misinformed buyers and still continued to make some profits. The vast majority however lost their butts on the post 1995 guitars. Many of those guys reside on the popular PRS forum that breeds people with nothing better to do but gossip about PRS all day.
(Get a Life) Many of those forum people don't like me, or anyone like me, for pointing out the changes in the pre and post 1995 models. They used to send me hate mail and have long on the forum. Personally I didn't like what they were saying but it was wonderful for business and it drove thousands of buyers to my site.
That's pretty much old news now so that's why it's on the history page. The reasonably intelligent people who landed on my site and read all the and did their due diligence, resulted in lots of sales for me. 2001 PRS starts importing Korean Guitars EEEEEEKKKK PRS has made some very good moves over the years but I think he has made even more mistakes. It's OK to make mistakes, I mean how else do you learn? Fran Tarkington threw more touchdowns than any other football player but he also threw more interceptions than any other player. The bottom line is that he simply threw the ball more than any other player. (I don't know Jack about football, I read that someplace and it made a lot of sense) Some major mistakes that PRS made were Basses, Amplifiers, Acoustic Guitars and the dreaded Heel from Hell.
His Basses were pigs that didn't sound too good and never even became collector worthy. He finally discontinued them only to bring them back about 8 years later and fail again miserably. Remember Bass players are almost always musicians. Guitar players, especially the people who buy PRS guitars today, are rarely musicians. Musicians aren't impressed with bird inlays and 10 tops so PRS could never have hoped to sell too many Basses. Some Good Moves were the Dragon & The Smithsonian Exhibition Ed Roman. Prefix Number Year or Years 0 1990 2000 1 1991 2001 2 1992 2002 3 1993 2003 4 1994 2004 5 1995 6 1996 7 1997 8 1998 9 1999 Serial Number Prefix -Year Codes The first digit is the last number of the production year, followed by the sequential number of guitars produced to that date.
For example - 7 3559 would be a guitar manufactured in 1987 and was the 3,559th Glued on neck guitar made. While 6 29475 would be a guitar manufactured in 1996 and was the 29,475th set-in neck guitar made. Approximate Serial Numbers Year 0001 0400 1985 0401 – 1700 1986 1701 – 3500 1987 3501 – 5400 1988 5401 – 7600 1989 7601 – 10101 – 12601 – 15001 – 17901 – 20901 – 24601 – 29501 – 34601 – 39101 – 44500 – 52200 – 62200 – 72354 – 82255 – 92556 – 1 103104 – 2006 Set-Neck Sequential Serial Numbers The year of manufacture of any glued in neck PRS Guitar can be determined by the serial number located on the back of the headstock. The series of numbers that follow the year prefix is the sequential number of guitars produced to that date. Approximate Serial Numbers Year 0001 – 0270 1988 0271 – 1830 1989 1831 – 3200 1990 3201 – 4540 1991 4541 – 7090 1992 7091 – 8820 1993 8821 – 10701 – 13001 – 14681 – 17131 – 19581 – 20750 – 21600 – 23200 – 25390 – 26400 – 27901 – 29378 – 2006 Bolt In: Sequential Serial Numbers The year of manufacture is determined the same way for the CE bolt-on neck models however the serial number is located on the neck plate on the back of the guitar.
The following number determines the model: 7 or CE for the Classic Electric models, T hen the sequential number for that particular model. As far as I am concerned these were the Best PRS guitars ever made, They were also the most reasonably priced Approximate Serial Numbers Year 00001 – 00411 – 00761 – 00970 – 01180 – 01400 – 01900 – 02100 – 02288 – 2005 Swamp Ash Special Models: Sequential Serial Numbers The year of manufacture is determined the same way for the Swamp Ash Special. Like the CE and EG models the serial number is located on the neck plate on the back of the guitar. The following number determines the model: 8 or SA for the Swamp Ash Special, then the sequential number for that particular model. the first 200 Swamp Ash Specials were given a CE serial number. Approximate Serial Numbers Year 0001 – 0230 19 – 0350 1988 0351 – 0680 1989 0681 – 0730 1990 0731 – 0800 1991 Set-Neck Bass: Sequential Serial Numbers The PRS Bass models produced between 1986 and 1991 will be numbered with the year as the first number, followed by the prefix 9 indicating a set-neck model bass, then the sequential number for that particular model. The serial number will be located on the back of the headstock.
Approximate Serial Numbers Year 00007 – 00073 – 00200 – 00423 – 00502 – 2004 Electric Bass: Sequential Serial Numbers The PRS Electric Bass models introduced in 2000 will also be numbered with the year as the first number, followed by the prefix EB indicating Electric Bass, then the sequential number for that particular model. The serial number will be located on the back of the headstock. Prefix Letter Year A 2000 B 2001 C 2002 D 2003 E 2004 SE Model Serial Numbers 'Who Cares' Please don't call us and ask us about your guitar if it is an import. We don't know and We don't care!!!! I get at least one call a day from some 12 year old kid who wants to know about his platinum series BC Rich or an imported Jackson model!! We don't know and We don't care!!!!