Decoding Gibson Serial Numbers

One of the most common methods of determining when and where your favorite guitar was made is to check the serial number. In some cases, though, that's not always quite enough to determine it beyond doubt—especially with venerable brands like Gibson Guitars, who have gone through a variety of serialization schemes since Orville Gibson started making instruments in the late 1800s.

In this article, we hope to clear up some of the mystery behind Gibson's serial number systems and show you how to find the serial number to get a reasonably accurate idea of your Gibson guitar's birthday (save us some cake).

Pictured: Gibson ES-335 '60s Block Headstock

Table of Contents

Using Serial Numbers and Physical Features to Date Your Gibson Guitar
   Serial Numbers: A Roadmap, Not a Destination
   Physical Features: The Telltale Clues
   Piecing It All Together
Decoding Gibson Serial Numbers by Decade
   Gibson Serial Numbers by Letter Prefix (Where Applicable)
   Gibson Serial Numbers by Date Range
   Why It Matters
Determining Your Gibson Guitar's Serial Number and Manufacturing Date
People Also Ask ...

Using Serial Numbers and Physical Features to Date Your Gibson Guitar

Gibson’s history stretches back to the late 19th century, when Orville Gibson first began crafting his innovative carved-top mandolins and guitars in the 1890s. Over the decades, the company evolved from a small workshop to one of the most revered names in the guitar world. With that long legacy comes an intricate web of serial number systems—some straightforward, others downright perplexing.

If you’re trying to date a Gibson guitar, whether it’s a Gibson Hummingbird acoustic, an ES-175 archtop or a Flying V, the serial number is the logical first stop, but it’s rarely the whole story. Overlapping number ranges, factory inconsistencies and even modern reproductions can make it tricky to pinpoint an exact manufacturing date. That’s where physical features—things like headstock logos, the presence of a volute and potentiometer date codes—become critical in verifying an instrument’s history. Considering all of this, our director of Used & Vintage, Jack Hetherington, adds the caveat that you need to gather as many other clues as you can to come up with a reasonable guess as to any precise date. In some cases, the best you can do is establish a potential window.

Serial Numbers: A Roadmap, Not a Destination

Gibson has changed its serial number system numerous times and not always with perfect continuity. The earliest Gibson instruments, built between 1902 and the late 1940s, had serial numbers stamped inside the body, often on a paper label. These numbers ran sequentially, but they weren’t always consistently applied—especially during periods of increased demand.

Pictured: Gibson Custom 1961 SG Standard Reissue Headstock Serial Number

By the 1950s, when Gibson introduced the Les Paul, serial numbers became more standardized, though not without their quirks. In the late ’50s, for example, serial numbers were ink-stamped on the back of the headstock, often in a font that faded over time. By the early 1960s, Gibson introduced a new serialization system, but it proved less reliable—numbers were sometimes reused, leading to overlaps where multiple guitars from different years carried the same serial number. If you’re trying to date a Gibson from this era, the serial number alone can only take you so far.

The 1970s marked another turning point. In 1970, Gibson began stamping “Made in USA” on the back of headstocks, making it easier to differentiate earlier models from newer ones. A more structured serial system was introduced in 1977—an eight-digit format where the first and fifth digits represented the year of manufacture. This system has remained in use (with refinements) ever since.

Physical Features: The Telltale Clues

Since serial numbers can be inconsistent, smart collectors and players rely on physical details to verify an instrument’s age. Some of the most reliable indicators include:

Headstock Logos:

• Early Gibson instruments from the 1920s and ’30s carried the words “The Gibson” in a stylized slanted script. By the late 1920s, this transitioned to a horizontal orientation.
• After World War II, Gibson modernized the logo, tweaking it slightly over the years. One notable change? The dot over the “i” in “Gibson” disappeared for several years before returning in 1972.

Neck Volute:

• In the late 1960s, Gibson, then under the ownership of Norlin, introduced a volute—a small, reinforced bump at the back of the headstock where the neck meets the head. This was designed to prevent breakage at a notoriously weak spot, and its presence is a key indicator of late-60s and ’70s Gibsons.

“Made in USA” Stamp:

• Introduced in 1970, this stamp signifies that the guitar was manufactured in Gibson’s U.S. factories, distinguishing it from earlier models that lacked the marking.

Potentiometer Codes:

• Inside the control cavity, potentiometers (the volume and tone controls) often have stamped codes, like “137YYWW” (where “YY” represents the year and “WW” the week of production). While these codes don’t indicate the final assembly date, they provide a useful reference point; if a pot was made in 1968, the guitar couldn’t have been built before then.

Pictured: Gibson Branded Potentiometer

Piecing It All Together

Dating a Gibson is rarely as simple as checking a number in a database. Instead, it’s about detective work—matching serial numbers with physical features to build a full picture of the guitar’s origin. If the serial number suggests 1969, but the guitar has a volute (which didn’t appear until the late ’60s), you might be looking at a 1970 or later model. If the headstock logo style points to the early ’50s, but the serial number doesn’t align, it’s worth verifying with potentiometer codes inside the control cavity.

Every Gibson has a story. By combining serial numbers with telltale design elements, you can not only pinpoint when your instrument was made but also appreciate the long and sometimes convoluted history of Gibson’s production methods. Whether you’re dating a vintage Les Paul, an ES-335 or an SG, the key is to gather all the available clues—and let them tell you the full story.

Decoding Gibson Serial Numbers by Decade

Gibson’s approach to serial numbers has been anything but straightforward. Over the decades, they’ve changed formats multiple times, occasionally reusing numbers or applying them inconsistently. While serial numbers provide a useful starting point, understanding how Gibson’s system evolved is key to pinpointing an instrument’s era.

Gibson Serial Numbers by Letter Prefix (Where Applicable)

While Gibson primarily used numeric serials, there were specific periods when letter prefixes were introduced. Here’s a quick reference:

• FON Letter Prefixes (Pre-1961): Factory Order Numbers (FONs) were used alongside serial numbers, often stamped inside acoustic guitars and hollowbodies.
• “A” Prefix (1950s): Found on archtops and acoustics from 1947 to 1961.
• “Y” Prefix (1973–1975): Some models used a Y + 6-digit system in this period.
• “B,” “C,” “D” Prefixes (Mid-1970s): These appeared inconsistently on some lower-cost models.
• “R” Prefix (1980s-Present): Used for reissues and Custom Shop guitars.

Pictured: Gibson ES-335 Headstock Serial Number

Gibson Serial Numbers by Date Range

Here’s how Gibson’s serial number systems evolved through the decades:

1902–1947: Early Serialization

• Gibson’s first instruments used sequential numbering, stamped or written inside the body.
• These numbers were often found on a label inside hollowbody guitars.
• Factory Order Numbers (FONs) were introduced as an internal tracking system, often stamped on the neck block.

1947–1961: Introduction of Solid-Body Guitars

• Gibson introduced six-digit serial numbers in the late 1940s.
• In 1952, with the launch of the Les Paul, serials were ink-stamped on the back of the headstock.
• Factory Order Numbers (FONs) continued to be used, with letter prefixes indicating the year.
• The first digit of the serial often represented the last digit of the year (e.g., “7 XXXX” = 1957).

1961–1969: The Confusing Transitional Years

• Gibson implemented a six-digit serial system, but inconsistencies led to numbers being reused.
• Some guitars from 1963–1969 have identical serial numbers, making them difficult to date without additional clues.
• Factory Order Numbers disappeared by the early ’60s as Gibson moved to a more centralized serial system.

1970–1975: Serial Stamps & The “Made in USA” Mark

• “Made in USA” was stamped on headstocks starting in 1970.
• Gibson continued using six-digit serials, but they were often non-sequential.
• Some models used a Y + 6-digit system (e.g., Yxxxxxx).
• Neck volutes began appearing on headstocks as reinforcement.

1977–Present: The Modern 8-Digit System

• In 1977, Gibson introduced an eight-digit format
• First & fifth digits = Year of manufacture
• Second, third & fourth digits = Day of the year
• Last three digits = Production rank

Example: A serial number 81237567 means:

• First & fifth digit (8 & 7) → 1987
• Second through fourth digits (123) → 123rd day of the year (May 3rd)
• Last three digits (567) → 567th instrument made that day
• This system has remained largely unchanged, with refinements such as the introduction of a batch number in 2005.

Why It Matters

Understanding Gibson’s serial number evolution is essential for dating guitars accurately. Because of overlaps and inconsistencies—especially in the 1960s and 1970s—it’s always best to cross-check with other identifying features like headstock logos, potentiometer codes and construction details.

By using this serial number guide in conjunction with physical indicators, you can confidently determine where—and when—your Gibson was made.

Determining Your Gibson Guitar's Serial Number and Manufacturing Date

You should now have a basic understanding of not just Gibson serial numbers, but also of other physical factors that can help you pinpoint when your Gibson guitar was built. Since some of those factors, like potentiometer date codes and internal date stamps, involve doing some disassembly of the instrument, we can understand that you might be a bit shy of breaking out the toolkit and getting to work. Never fear, our skilled techs at the Guitar Center Repairs desk at your local Guitar Center store would be more than glad to help out.

If perusing this article has fired your curiosity about Gibson electric guitars—and we hope it has—we recommend checking out our Riffs articles on similar topics, like How to Buy a Vintage Gibson Les Paul, The History and Evolution of the Gibson Les Paul and The History of the Gibson ES-335. We think that the more you know about your instrument, the more you'll play and appreciate it, so learn, grow and, most importantly, make some musical noise.

Pictured: Orange Drop Capacitor

People Also Ask ...

Finally, here are some quick answers to common questions about figuring out Gibson serial numbers.

How can I find out when my Gibson guitar was manufactured?

To determine your Gibson guitar’s production date, locate the serial number, typically found on the back of the headstock or inside the body for older models. You can use Gibson’s official Serial Number Search tool to decode the serial number and find the manufacturing date.

Where is the serial number located on a Gibson guitar?

Gibson serial numbers are usually located on the back of the headstock. In some older models, especially acoustics and hollowbodies, the serial number may be found on a label inside the guitar’s body.

What does the “Made in USA” stamp on my Gibson guitar signify?

Starting in 1970, Gibson began stamping “Made in USA” on the back of the headstock to indicate American manufacturing. This stamp helps differentiate guitars made in the U.S. from those produced elsewhere or before 1970.

How do I decode a Gibson serial number from the 1990s?

In the 1990s, Gibson used an eight-digit serial number system where the first and fifth digits represent the year; the second, third and fourth digits indicate the day of the year; and the last three digits denote the production rank. For example, a serial number starting with “90512” would indicate the 51st day of 1992. For a detailed explanation, visit Gibson’s Serial Number Search page, linked above.

Can I verify my Gibson guitar’s authenticity using the serial number?

While the serial number provides clues about your guitar’s age and origin, it’s not solely sufficient to confirm authenticity due to potential forgeries. It’s advisable to examine other factors, such as craftsmanship or hardware. You may even want to consult with our experts at Guitar Center Vintage.