• SELLING YOUR GUITAR? We pay top dollar for vintage Fender, Gibson, and Martin instruments.

  • FREE APPRAISALS: Discover what your vintage guitar is really worth with our complimentary valuation service.

Guitar Serial Number Lookup

Guitar Serial Number Lookup: Find Your Guitar's Age & Value

Guitar Serial Number Lookup

Guitar Serial Number Lookup: Find Your Guitar's Age & Value

Guitar Serial Number Lookup

Guitar Serial Number Lookup: Find Your Guitar's Age & Value

Introduction:

Your guitar's serial number is the key to unlocking its history, authenticity, and true value. Whether you own a vintage treasure or a modern instrument, the serial number provides crucial information about when and where your guitar was manufactured. This comprehensive guide will help you decode your guitar's serial number to determine its age, origin, and potential value.

Every major guitar manufacturer uses its own unique serial number system, and these systems often changed multiple times throughout a company's history. Our detailed lookup guides will help you navigate these complex systems to find accurate information about your specific instrument.

General Building
General Building
General Building
General Building
General Building

Why Serial Numbers Matter

A guitar's serial number serves several critical purposes:

Precise Dating

Even a one-year difference in manufacturing date can dramatically affect a guitar's value - sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars for vintage instruments. Serial numbers help pinpoint the exact production year and sometimes even the month.

Authentication

Serial numbers are vital for verifying that an instrument is genuine and not counterfeit. They also help confirm whether all parts are original or if components have been replaced over time.

Production Information

Many serial number systems encode additional information beyond the date, such as the factory location, production sequence, or specific model designation.

Historical Significance

Certain production periods are more desirable due to historical significance, famous player associations, or manufacturing techniques that were only used for specific time periods.

Value Assessment

For collectors and investors, accurate dating through serial numbers is essential for determining fair market value and insurance coverage.

How to Find Your Serial Number

How to Find Your Serial Number

How to Find Your Serial Number

Serial number locations vary by manufacturer and production era:

Always check for serial numbers in multiple locations, as some manufacturers used different systems simultaneously or changed locations over time.

Lookup By Manufacturer

Lookup By Manufacturer

Lookup By Manufacturer

Choose your guitar's manufacturer below for detailed serial number information specific to your instrument:

Lookup By Year

Lookup By Year

Lookup By Year

If you already know your guitar's brand but want to explore what was manufactured during a specific time period, our year-based guides provide detailed information about models, features, and historical context:

Beyond Serial Numbers: Other Dating Methods

Beyond Serial Numbers: Other Dating Methods

Beyond Serial Numbers: Other Dating Methods

When serial numbers are missing, illegible, or inconsistent, these alternative dating methods can help:

Common Serial Number Issues

Missing or Altered Numbers

Serial numbers may be:

  • Worn off through play and handling

  • Deliberately removed or altered

  • Missing due to refinishing

  • Absent on early production models

Reused Numbers

Many manufacturers:

  • Restarted numbering systems

  • Accidentally duplicated ranges

  • Used overlapping systems in different factories

Inconsistent Application

Some production periods featured:

  • Haphazard serialization

  • Numbers applied out of sequence

  • Gaps in numbering sequences

Replacement Parts

Instruments with:

  • Replacement necks bearing different serial numbers

  • Refinished areas where numbers were removed

  • Counterfeit serial numbers added later

General Building
General Building
General Building
General Building

Professional Authentication Services

Professional Authentication Services

Professional Authentication Services

For valuable vintage instruments or when you need definitive answers, consider these professional resources:

Expert Appraisal

Our team of vintage guitar experts can provide:

  • Precise dating based on all available evidence

  • Authentication of originality and components

  • Complete documentation of features and specifications

  • Fair market value assessment

  • Condition grading

Documentation Services

We offer comprehensive documentation including:

  • Detailed photography

  • Component analysis

  • Historical context research

  • Ownership history investigation

  • Comparative analysis with known examples

Free Initial Consultation

Contact us today for a free initial assessment of your instrument:

  • Upload photos of your guitar

  • Share the serial number and any other identifying information

  • Describe your guitar's history and condition

  • Ask specific questions about dating or value

Why Choose Us?

Why Choose Us?

Why Choose Us?

Why Sell to Edgewater Guitars?

Top Dollar Offers

We don't have retail overhead costs, allowing us to pay more for your instruments than most guitar shops or pawn shops.

We Come To You

For valuable instruments, we'll travel throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and West Virginia for in-person evaluations.

Fast & Simple Process

No waiting for your guitar to sell on consignment. Get an offer within hours and cash in hand as soon as same day.

Trusted Experts

Our team has decades of experience evaluating vintage and rare guitars, ensuring accurate assessments of your instrument's value.

Section Image
Section Image
Section Image

How it works

How it works

How it works

Selling your guitar is EASY

Design and Planning

01

01

Tell Us About Your Guitar

Share details and photos of your guitar through our simple form, text, or email.

Design and Planning

01

01

Tell Us About Your Guitar

Share details and photos of your guitar through our simple form, text, or email.

Design and Planning

01

01

Tell Us About Your Guitar

Share details and photos of your guitar through our simple form, text, or email.

Construction Management

02

02

Get Your Free Valuation

Our experts will assess your guitar and provide a fair cash offer based on current market value.

Construction Management

02

02

Get Your Free Valuation

Our experts will assess your guitar and provide a fair cash offer based on current market value.

Construction Management

02

02

Get Your Free Valuation

Our experts will assess your guitar and provide a fair cash offer based on current market value.

Site Preparation

03

03

Get Paid

Accept our offer and receive payment on the spot, by check, or via direct deposit.

Site Preparation

03

03

Get Paid

Accept our offer and receive payment on the spot, by check, or via direct deposit.

Site Preparation

03

03

Get Paid

Accept our offer and receive payment on the spot, by check, or via direct deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation do I need to sell my guitar?

No special documentation is required for most sales. For very valuable vintage instruments, any provenance or ownership history is helpful but not necessary. We handle all the paperwork to make selling easy.

What documentation do I need to sell my guitar?

No special documentation is required for most sales. For very valuable vintage instruments, any provenance or ownership history is helpful but not necessary. We handle all the paperwork to make selling easy.

What documentation do I need to sell my guitar?

No special documentation is required for most sales. For very valuable vintage instruments, any provenance or ownership history is helpful but not necessary. We handle all the paperwork to make selling easy.

Do you purchase other musical instruments?

While we specialize in guitars and amplifiers, we occasionally purchase other stringed instruments and related gear. Contact us with details of what you're selling.

Do you purchase other musical instruments?

While we specialize in guitars and amplifiers, we occasionally purchase other stringed instruments and related gear. Contact us with details of what you're selling.

Do you purchase other musical instruments?

While we specialize in guitars and amplifiers, we occasionally purchase other stringed instruments and related gear. Contact us with details of what you're selling.

How does your online appraisal process work?

Our online appraisal process is simple: submit clear photos of your instrument (front, back, headstock, serial number, and any damage), along with details about its history and condition. Our experts will evaluate the information and provide a fair market offer within 24-48 hours.

How does your online appraisal process work?

Our online appraisal process is simple: submit clear photos of your instrument (front, back, headstock, serial number, and any damage), along with details about its history and condition. Our experts will evaluate the information and provide a fair market offer within 24-48 hours.

How does your online appraisal process work?

Our online appraisal process is simple: submit clear photos of your instrument (front, back, headstock, serial number, and any damage), along with details about its history and condition. Our experts will evaluate the information and provide a fair market offer within 24-48 hours.

Do I need to clean or repair my guitar before selling it?

No, please don't make any repairs or even clean vintage instruments before contacting us. Original condition—even with dust, grime, or minor issues—is often preferable for accurate valuation. Improper cleaning can actually damage valuable finishes on vintage instruments.

Do I need to clean or repair my guitar before selling it?

No, please don't make any repairs or even clean vintage instruments before contacting us. Original condition—even with dust, grime, or minor issues—is often preferable for accurate valuation. Improper cleaning can actually damage valuable finishes on vintage instruments.

Do I need to clean or repair my guitar before selling it?

No, please don't make any repairs or even clean vintage instruments before contacting us. Original condition—even with dust, grime, or minor issues—is often preferable for accurate valuation. Improper cleaning can actually damage valuable finishes on vintage instruments.

Do you offer more for guitars with original cases?

Yes, original cases—especially for vintage instruments—can significantly increase value. 'Case candy' such as original paperwork, warranty cards, tags, and accessories also adds value. Keep everything together when selling for maximum return.

Do you offer more for guitars with original cases?

Yes, original cases—especially for vintage instruments—can significantly increase value. 'Case candy' such as original paperwork, warranty cards, tags, and accessories also adds value. Keep everything together when selling for maximum return.

Do you offer more for guitars with original cases?

Yes, original cases—especially for vintage instruments—can significantly increase value. 'Case candy' such as original paperwork, warranty cards, tags, and accessories also adds value. Keep everything together when selling for maximum return.

What payment methods do you offer?

We offer several secure payment options including cash (for in-person transactions), certified check, bank wire transfer, PayPal, or direct deposit. For high-value instruments or collections, we can accommodate special arrangements to ensure your comfort and security.

What payment methods do you offer?

We offer several secure payment options including cash (for in-person transactions), certified check, bank wire transfer, PayPal, or direct deposit. For high-value instruments or collections, we can accommodate special arrangements to ensure your comfort and security.

What payment methods do you offer?

We offer several secure payment options including cash (for in-person transactions), certified check, bank wire transfer, PayPal, or direct deposit. For high-value instruments or collections, we can accommodate special arrangements to ensure your comfort and security.

Selling Options

Selling Options

Selling Options

Multiple Ways To Sell

Sell Online

Submit photos and information through our secure form for a quick online valuation and offer.

Sell By Phone

Speak directly with our experts at (440) 219-3607 for immediate assistance and valuation.

In-Person Evaluation

Schedule an appointment for an in-person assessment of valuable or multiple instruments.