Vintage Gibson Serial Numbers

Gibson Serial Number Locations

Gibson used many different locations over the years and across models such as inside the soundhole (only on acoustic guitars), on the back of the headstock, and inside the F hole. There were also many years where certain models of Gibson guitars did not have a serail number, just a factory order number. Looking for Gibson Factory order number information? You can use the factory order number to estimate the age of your guitar, the guide is after the serial number information.

Gibson Serial Number Formats

Gibson formatted their serial numbers differently depending on the era of guitar. These serial numbers can be decoded. Through serial numbers, and an evaluation of the vintage Gibson’s features it can be accurately dated. Having trouble dating your vintage Gibson guitar or have one you are looking to sell? Contact me

Ink Stamped Gibson Serial Numbers (1952-1961)

Les Pauls made in 1952 had no serial number on the back of the headstock. From 1953 to early 1961 Gibson used ink stamped serial numbers located on the back of the headstock. All that is needed to read one of these serial numbers is the first digit, which corresponds to the last digit of the year it was made (195x). I am interested in buying all Gibson guitars in this serial number range. Have one you are looking to sell, or need help dating your guitar? Contact me

Year                 Serial Number

1953                 3 xxxx

1954                 4 xxxx

1955                 5 xxxx

1956                 6 xxxx

1957                 7 xxxx

1958                 8 xxxx

1959                 9 xxxx

1960                 0 xxxx

1961                 1 xxxx

Die Stamped Gibson Serial Numbers (No Made in USA Stamp, 1961-1969)

From 1961 to 1969 Gibson stamped 3-6 digit serial numbers into the back of the headstock. If your Gibson guitar has a 6 digit serial number with a "Made in U.S.A." below it, it is a sign it was made in the 70's (See 1970's Gibson Serial numbers). Have a guitar in this serial number range you are looking to sell or get appraised? Contact me

Serial Number Range                     Year(s)

100-42440                                      1961

42441-61180                                  1962

61450-64220                                  1963

64240-70500                                  1964

71180-96600                                  1962

96601-99999                                  1963

000001-008010                              1967

010000-042900                              1967

044000-044100                              1967

050000-054400                              1967

055000-063999                              1967

064000-066010                              1967

067000-070910                              1967

090000-099999                              1967

100000-106099                              1963 or 1967

106100-108900                              1963

109000-109999                              1963 or 1967

110000-111549                              1963

111550-115799                              1963 or 1967

115800-118299                              1963

118300-120999                              1963 or 1967

121000-139999                              1963

140000-140100                              1963 or 1967

140101-144304                              1963

144305-144380                              1964

144381-145000                              1963

147009-149864                              1963

149865-149891                              1964

149892-152989                              1963

152990-174222                              1964

174223-176643                              1964 or 1965

176644-199999                              1964

200000-250335                              1964

250336-291000                              1965

301755-302100                              1965

302754-305983                              1965

306000-306100                              1965 or 1967

307000-307985                              1965 or 1967

Serial Number Range                     Year(s)

309848-310999                              1965 or 1967

311000-320149                              1965

320150-320699                              1967

320700-321100                              1965

322000-326600                              1965

328000-328500                              1965

328700-329179                              1965

329180-330199                              1965 or 1967

330200-332240                              1965, 1967, or 1968

332241-327090                              1965

348000-348092                              1965

348093-349100                              1966

349121-368638                              1965

368640-369890                              1966

370000-370999                              1967

380000-385309                              1966

390000-390998                              1967

400001-400999                              1965, 1966, 1967, or 1968

401000-407985                              1966

408000-408690                              1966

408800-409250                              1966

420000-426090                              1966

427000-429180                              1966

430005-438530                              1966

438800-438925                              1966

500000-500999                              1965, 1966, 1968, or 1969

501010-501600                              1965

Serial Number Range                     Year(s)

501601-501702                              1968

501703-502706                              1965 or 1968

503010-503110                              1968

503405-520955                              1965 or 1968

520956-530056                              1968

530061-530850                              1966, 1968, or 1969

530851-530993                              1968 or 1969

530994-539999                              1969

540000-540795                              1966 or 1969

540796-545009                              1969

550000-556910                              1966

558012-567400                              1969

570099-570755                              1966

580000-580999                              1969

600000-600999                              1966, 1967, 1968, or 1969

601000-601090                              1969

605901-606090                              1969

700000-700799                              1966 or 1967

750000-750999                              1968 or 1969

800000-800999                              1966, 1967, 1968, or 1969

801000-812838                              1966 or 1969

812900-814999                              1969

817000-819999                              1969

820000-820087                              1966 or 1969

820088-823830                              1966

824000-824999                              1969

828002-847488                              1966 or 1969

847499-858999                              1966

859001-880089                              1967

893401-895038                              1967

895039-896999                              1968

897000-898999                              1967

899000-899999                              1968

900000-902250                              1968

903000-920899                              1968

940000-941009                              1968

942001-943000                              1968

945000-945450                              1968

947415-956000                              1968

959000-960909                              1968

970000-972864                              1968

Die Stamped Vintage Gibson Serial Numbers on back of Headstock (With "Made in U.S.A" stamp"

From 1970 to 1975 Gibson used die stamped serial numbers in the same format as in the 60’s. The key difference is all Gibsons from this time period had “Made in U.S.A.” stamped into the back of the headstock. These serial numbers are not the most accurate and only give a rough estimate of age. After finding the age range from the serial number these guitars can be dated more accurately by pot codes and other features. Need help narrowing down a guitar's age or have a guitar in this serial number range you are looking to sell? Contact me

Serial Number Range                 Year(s)

000000-100000                          1973

100000-200000                          1970-1975

200000-300000                          1973, 1974, or 1975

300000-400000                          1974 or 1975

400000-500000                          1974 or 1975

500000-600000                  1974 or 1975                            

600000-700000                          1970-1975

700000-800000                          1970, 1971, or 1972

800000-900000                          1973, 1974, or 1975

900000-999999                          1970, 1971, or 1972

Gibson Serial Numbers with "Made in USA" Sticker (1975-1977)

From 1975 to 1977 Gibson used clear stickers with gold printed lettering on the back of the headstock. Each serial number had a 2 digit prefix followed by a 6 digit number. Guitars in this serial number range are dated by the prefix. Have a Gibson guitar in this serial number range you are looking to sell or appraise? Contact me

Serial Number Range               Year

99xxxxxx                                      1975

00xxxxxx                                      1976

06xxxxxx                                      1977

Gibson Serial Numbers (Inside F Hole)

Some years and models of Gibsons had the serial numbers located on a label in the F hole or soundhole, this label also shows which model of guitar it is. Have a Gibson in this serial number range you are looking to date, appraise, or sell? Contact me.

Serial Number on Orange Label Inside F Hole ot soundhole (A Prefix)

I buy, sell, appraise, and collect guitars. Do you have a Gibson guitar with a serial number in this range you are looking for more information on , or are looking to sell? Contact me! I offer free appraisals.

1955:                  A-20001 to A-21909

1956:                  A-21910 to A-24755

1957:                  A-24756 to A-26819

1958:                  A-26820 to A-28880

1959:                  A-28881 to A-32284

1960:                  A-32285 to A-35645

1961:                  A-35646 to A-36147

Gibson Factory Order Numbers (FON) (1902-1961)

Factory order numbers before 1945 consist of two numbers, the first and longer number is typically from 3 to 5 digits and is the only number useful for dating the guitar. The first number is followed by a second two digit number that does not help date the guitar.

Factory Order Numbers only provide a rough estimate of a guitar's age, although it can often be more specifically dated by its other features. Need help dating a vintage Gibson guitar? Contact me

Gibson Factory Order Number Locations

In the early days of Gibson their acoustic and hollowbody guitars used factory order numbers instead of serial numbers. These are most frequently located on the neck block of an acoustic guitar inside the soundhole, or can be seen inside a F hole on a hollowbody guitar.

1902-1945 Gibson FON Range

Have a Gibson guitar in this FON range you are looking to sell? Contact me

FON Range                                  Year(s)

1 to 3650                                     1902 to 1916

11000 to 12000                           1917 to 1923

11000A to 11250A (A suffix)     1924 to 1925

8000 to9999                                1925 to 1931

1 to 890                                       1931-1933

1 to 1500                                     1934

1A to 1520A                               1935

1B to 1100B                                1936        

1C to 1400C                                1937

1D to 1000D                                1938

1E to 980E                                   1939

1 to 7900 (May have suffix)        1940-1945

1935-1942 FON (with letter suffix) range

After 1935  Gibson became consistent with their use of a letter suffix after the FON. This letter suffix can be used to narrow down the date of a guitar more specifically than previous FONs could. Have a Gibson in this FON range you are looking to sell or get appraised? Contact me

How to Decode 1935 to 1942 FONs with a Letter Suffix             

Letter Suffix                                Year    

A                                                 1935

B                                                 1936

C                                                 1937

D, DA                                         1938
E (followed by a letter)              1939

F, FA                                           1940

E (not followed by a letter)        1941

G                                                 1941

H                                                 1942

1942-1951 FON range

After 1942 Gibson became largely inconsistent with FONs and many of the guitars made from 1942-1951 do not have FONs. This does not mean they are not authentic. Wondering if your vintage Gibson guitar is authentic or have one you are looking to sell? Contact me

How to Decode 1942 to 1951 FONs

FON                                                            Year

907, 910, 923, 2004, 2005, 7000s              1942

900 to 2200                                                1943

2200 to 2900                                              1944

100 to 1000                                                1945

700 to 1000                                                1947

1100 to 3700                                              1948

2000 to 3000                                              1949

3000 to 6000                                              1950

6000 to 9999                                              1951

1952-1961 FON Range

After 1952 until 1961 Gibson moved to using a reliable letter prefix to the FON. Have a Gibson guitar in this FON range you are looking to sell or need an appraisal? Contact me

How to Decode 1952 to 1961 FON Letter Prefix

FON Letter Prefix              Year

Z                                         1952

Y                                        1953

X                                        1954

W                                       1955

V                                        1956

U                                        1957

T                                        1958

S                                        1959

R                                        1960

Q                                        1961  

Haven't found your serial number? Looking to sell a vintage Gibson guitar? Send me a message!