Gibson Serial Number Lookup: Decode Your Gibson Guitar's Age & Value
How To Date Your Gibson Guitar:
To date your Gibson guitar: Check the serial number on the back of the headstock (solid bodies) or inside the f-hole label (hollow bodies). Most Gibson serial numbers follow patterns based on production era: ink stamps (1952-1961), impressed 6-digits (1961-1969), "Made in USA" stamps (1970-1975), or modern 8-digit codes (1977-present). Enter your serial number in our decoder tool below for instant dating, or use our comprehensive guide to manually decode any Gibson serial number from 1902 to 2025.
Gibson Serial Number Decoder Tool
Gibson Guitar Dating Tool
Enter your Gibson serial number to determine the most likely model year
Gibson has used several locations for serial numbers throughout its history:
Special Cases & Exceptions
1961-1969 guitars: May have numbers in multiple locations
Factory seconds: Often have "2" stamp or irregular numbering
Prototypes: May lack serial numbers entirely
Artist models: Sometimes have special prefixes or locations
Different Gibson models often have unique characteristics that help with dating. For more detailed information specific to your model, visit these dedicated guides:
Model-Specific Serial Number Guides
Les Paul Models
Identifying Specific Les Paul Years
Goldtop
Years: 1952-1957
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: P-90s to PAFs in '57
Custom
Years: 1954-1960
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: Black Beauty, blocks
Standard
Years: 1958-1960
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: Sunburst, PAFs
Junior
Years: 1954-1961
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: Single P-90
Special
Years: 1955-1960
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: Two P-90s
SG/Les Paul
Years: 1961-1963
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: Transitional model
Deluxe
Years: 1968-1985
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: Mini-humbuckers
Studio
Years: 1983-present
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: No binding
Standard (Reissue)
Years: 1968-present
Serial Location: Headstock back
Key Features: Various specs
SG Models
SG Serial Number Specifics
SG Standard
Introduction: 1961
Unique Features: Originally "Les Paul"
SG Special
Introduction: 1961
Unique Features: P-90 pickups
SG Junior
Introduction: 1961
Unique Features: Single P-90
SG Custom
Introduction: 1961
Unique Features: Three pickups, blocks
ES Series (Hollow/Semi-Hollow)
ES Model Dating Guide
ES-335
Years: 1958-present
Serial Location: F-hole label
Key ID Features: Dot or block inlays
ES-345
Years: 1959-1982
Serial Location: F-hole label
Key ID Features: Varitone, stereo
ES-355
Years: 1958-present
Serial Location: F-hole label
Key ID Features: Blocks, gold hardware
ES-175
Years: 1949-present
Serial Location: F-hole label
Key ID Features: Single/double cut
ES-125
Years: 1941-1970
Serial Location: F-hole label
Key ID Features: P-90 pickup(s)
Acoustic Models
J-Series & Other Acoustics
J-45
Serial Location: Soundhole label
Dating Notes: FON system pre-1947
J-200/SJ-200
Serial Location: Soundhole label
Dating Notes: Premium model
Hummingbird
Serial Location: Soundhole label
Dating Notes: 1960-present
Dove
Serial Location: Soundhole label
Dating Notes: 1962-present
L-Series
Serial Location: Soundhole label
Dating Notes: Archtop acoustics
When Gibson serial numbers are absent, unclear, or known to be from an inconsistent period, these alternative methods can provide more accurate dating:
Identifying Counterfeits
Quick Reference: Gibson Serial Number Formats
Visual Serial Number Decoder Card
If Your Serial Looks Like: Ink stamp 5 digits (8xxxx)
It's From: 1952-1961
How to Date: First digit = year
If Your Serial Looks Like: Impressed 6 digits (no USA)
It's From: 1961-1969
How to Date: Check pot codes
If Your Serial Looks Like: Impressed 6 digits + USA
It's From: 1970-1975
How to Date: Multiple years possible
If Your Serial Looks Like: 99xxxxxx on label
It's From: 1975
How to Date: Definitive year
If Your Serial Looks Like: 00xxxxxx on label
It's From: 1976
How to Date: Definitive year
If Your Serial Looks Like: 8 digits (82765432)
It's From: 1977-2005
How to Date: 1st & 5th digits = year
If Your Serial Looks Like: 9 digits (CS90001)
It's From: Custom Shop
How to Date: CS + year + number
If Your Serial Looks Like: R9 xxxx
It's From: Historic Reissue
How to Date: R + model year + number
If Your Serial Looks Like: YY####
It's From: 2005-2013
How to Date: First 2 digits = year
If Your Serial Looks Like: YYMMDD###
It's From: 2014-present
How to Date: Date + batch number
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