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Serial numbers show approximate date of manufacture. For all dates, you will need to look at the construction technique and components used to get a more precise date of manufacture. See my note at the bottom of the page for some 1953 and earlier models that do not have a serial number. There is still a way to date them.
Gibson Solid Body Serial Numbers
Gibson Serial numbers are located on the back of the headstock
Years 1953-1961
Use the first number of the 5 or 6 digit serial number. For example 55395 = 1955 920874 = 1959
Years 1961-1975
(This is a little confusing as some numbers are duplicated and inconsistent)
100-9999 1961 - 1963
100000-199999 1963 - 1967
200000-290000 1964 - 1965
300000-599999 1965 - 1969
600000-999999 1966 - 1969
000001-099999 1967
000001-999999 1970-1975 (from 74 to 75 a prefix of C, D, E, F was used)
1977 Forward - finally a standard serial number was used. The first and fifth numbers are the year, for example 8997653 = 8997653 or 1986
If you are serious about dating a particular Gibson, we suggest getting a book on dating Gibson guitars. The Blue Book of Electric Guitars has an excellent appendix in it exactly how to date Gibson guitars, how to source which plant the guitar was manufactured in, and how to determine what number off of the line the guitar is.
Gibson Hollow Body Serial Numbers
Gibson Prefix and Suffix Model Codes
ES - Electric Spanish - hollow body with fixed pickup(s)
T - Thinline
D Double - 2 Pickups
C Cutaway or Cherry Finish
3/4 - 3/4 side and short scale
SV - Stereo and Veritone wiring option
Please keep in mind that Serial numbers show approximate date of manufacture. For all dates, you will need to look at the construction technique and components used to get a more precise date of manufacture.
1947 to 1961
located on a white or orange label inside the upper F Hole,
can be 3, 4, or 5 characters with an "A" prefix.
A100 - A9999 1947 - 1952
A10000 - A20000 1952 - 1955
A20000 - A30000 1955 - 1959
A30000 - A36500 1959 - 1961
1961 to 1975
Serial number is stamped on the back of the headstock.
There were considerable duplication of numbers so this is a very rough guide.
100 - 99999
1961 - 1963
100000 - 199999 1963 - 1967
200000 - 299999
1964 - 1965
300000 - 599999 1965 - 1969
600000 - 999999 1966 - 1969
000001 - 099999 1967
000001-999999 1970-1975 (from 74 to 75 a prefix of C, D, E, F were used
1977 Forward - finally a standard serial number was used. The first two digits are the date code , for example 8699753 = 8699753 or 1986
note: The 1952 and 53 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top had no serial numbers. On many of these and other Les Paul's lacking serial numbers you can read the code numbers on the volume and tone potentiometers, their on the sides of the cases. The codes will tell the year and mount of manufacture, since 1952 model had no serial# and no RHYTHM/TREBLE plastic switch plate on the front on the guitar. Also the capacitors should be wax coated GT452 Grey Tigers in red writing. I hope this helps all of you out there. Please vote on my guide!
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