This is generally considered to be the most confusing out of all Gibsons serial number systems used.There are several instances where batches of numbers are switched in order and duplicated, not just once, but up to four times, and seem to be randomly assigned throughout the decade.
Gibson Guitar Information Serial Number SystemsNote: If MADE IN USA is stamped in the back of the headstock near the serial number, the guitar is not from the 1960s, but the 1970s. All numbers were impressed into the wood and a six-digit number was assigned, though no particular order was given and some instruments had a letter prefix. In 1970, the words MADE IN USA were impressed into the back of instrument headstocks (though a few instruments from the 1950s also had this). Of course, many of the older guitar builders and craftsmen were still in Kalamazoo, and if they werent ready to change how they built guitars, then they may not have been ready to change how they numbered them Certain guitar models built in the late 1970s can be used to demonstrate the old-style, six-digit serial numbers. It is estimated that Gibsons Kalamazoo plant continued to use the six-digit serial numbers through 1978 and 1979. So double check the serial numbers on those 1970s L-5s, Super 400s, and Super 5 BJBs ---------- 1975 - 1977 ---------- Gibson used a transfer that had 8 digit numbers. YY NNNNNN YY year (991975, 001976 and 061977) NNNNNN production number from 1 00000 to 200000 range. MADE IN USA was also included on the transfer and some models had LIMITED EDITION also applied. EXAMPLES: 99XXXXXX 1975 00XXXXXX 1976 06XXXXXX 1977 NOTES: A few bolt-on neck instruments had a date ink stamped on the heel area. June 2005 ---------- Between 1997 and late June or early July 2005, Gibson used the same serialization system on all standard-built guitars. This updated system utilizes an impressed, 8 digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions. Y DDD Y PPP YY last two digits of the production year DDD day of the year PPP plant designation andor instrument rank: 001-499 -- Kalamazoo production from 1977 to 1984 when the factory closed. Nashville production from 1977 to 1989. All currently manufactured Gibsons (non-custom shop) are stamped with a hand arbor, and start at 300 or 500, and continue until production is finished that day. This hand stamp used to be reset daily at 300 or 500 for all the LP style headstocks. Gibson Guitar Information Series Numbers WereWhen acoustic production began at the plant in Bozeman, Montana (in 1989), the series numbers were reorganized. Bozeman instruments began using 001-299 designations and, in 1990, Nashville instruments began using 300-999 designations. It should also be noted that the Nashville plant has not reached the 900s since 1977, so these numbers have been reserved for prototypes. Examples: 70108276 means the instrument was produced on Jan. Kalamazoo and was the 276th instrument stamped that day. Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day. November 16, 2002 and was the 152nd instrument stamped that day (assuming they started at 500). NOTES: The CustomHistoricArt divisions do not use this system. Certain models in the Standard series also do not follow this, either. Once the last three numbers reach 699, the batch number moves on to 1, and the last three digits are reset to 500. Examples: 028360612 stamped on the 283rd day (October 10th) in 2006 and was the 112th guitar stamped that day. January 10th) of 2007 and was the 220th guitar stamped on that day (it was part of the second batch and the 20th guitar of the second batch - first batch was of 200 guitars).
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