Gibson Guitar Serial Number Checker
Gibson Guitar Serial Number Checker Average ratng: 9,4/10 9365 reviews
I have a Gibson Les Paul I’m trying to identify. The serial numberis 676323, and “Made in USA” is stamped below that. I was toldto check the potentiometer date codes, which all have “1377142”impressed into them. I read on a Gibson forum that, on seven-digitpot codes, the fourth and fifth numbers represent the date. Can youtell me what model this is and how much it is worth today? DatingGibson guitars is not easy—thank you!—Brian Page
Continued to use the 6 digit serial numbers through 1978 and 1979. So double check the serial numbers on those 1970s L-5s, Super 400s, and Super 5 BJBs! Gibson's F O N System In addition to the above serial number information, Gibson also used Factory Order Numbers (F O N) to track batches of instruments being produced at the time. Gibson Electric Guitar anbd Bass Serial Number Date Code Information. 1977 Forward - finally a standard serial number was used. The first and fifth numbers are the year, for example 8997653 = 8997653 or 1986. Gibson serial numbers are usually on the back of the guitars headstock; either stamped, inked or as a decal. Instruments with f-holes often have the serial number repeated on a label inside the guitar body.
Hi Brian,There’s no question that datingGibson guitars is challenging—andsometimes downright impossible.There are two basic componentsto your Les Paul question: datingit and identifying it. I’ll start withtrying to date the instrument, butkeep in mind that dating and identifyingGibson guitars typically gohand in hand.
I get several questions aboutGibson serial numbers every day,and my initial answer is alwaysto not expect or rely on the serialnumber alone to determine the yearof manufacture. For many Gibsonowners, it’s hard to believe thatan individual serial number won’tautomatically indicate the year andmodel of the guitar in question. Infact, without any other informationabout the guitar, the serial number isessentially worthless. This was mainlycaused by Gibson trying to keepup with production while attemptingto serialize everything accurately,as well. Unfortunately, duringextremely busy times, productionsimply trumped serialization.Gibson has used numerousserialization systems over its100-plus-year history, and a majorityof these numbers were usedhaphazardly—and rarely in consecutiveorder—until the systemwas standardized in 1977. Up untilthe early 1960s, serial numberswere fairly consistent, but for mostof the 1960s and 1970s, six-digitnumbers were used pretty muchat random. Based on the chartsoriginally compiled from Gibson’sshipping ledgers by author A.R.Duchossoir, the serial number youprovided could have been used onGibson guitars produced in 1970,1971, 1972, 1974, or 1975. Themost important dating featureon guitars with six-digit serialnumbers is that, starting in 1970,Gibson began stamping “Made InUSA” near the serial number onthe back of the headstock. Sincethe value of a Gibson Les Pauldiffers widely between 1970 and1975, it is very important to pinpointthe year.
As for dating pots, you are correctthat the fourth and fifth numbers ofthe potentiometer date code indicatethe last two digits of the year (thatis, the “71” in your serial numberstands for 1971). Checking the datecodes on pots is usually the secondstep (after approximating the date ofthe serial number) in determining theguitar’s year. This only works if thepots are original. And because manymanufacturers purchased pots in largequantities, the pots could sit on theshelves for weeks—if not months—before they were installed. Basically,dating the pots only confirms the earliesttime the guitar could have beenproduced. Since your guitar has potsdating from 1971 and they appear tobe original, we know it was producedin 1971 or later.
Now comes the identifying part.Your guitar has cosmetic features andspecifications similar to a Les PaulStandard. However, the Les PaulStandard model was not producedbetween 1970 and 1975 (it wasofficially reintroduced in 1976). TheGibson Les Paul Deluxe, which wasnearly identical to the Standard withthe exception of mini-humbuckerpickups, was produced during thistime. Further, beginning in 1972,Gibson began offering the Les PaulDeluxe with a special order of full-sizehumbuckers. Many of theseDeluxes have “Standard” stamped ontheir truss-rod cover.
I believe your guitar is a circa-1972 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe withoptional full-size humbuckers.While the serial number could applyto 1974 and 1975 as well, it is widelyreported that the pots were usedin a timely manner from this era atGibson. Guitar production wasn’tnearly as fast paced during thatperiod as it was in the 1960s, whichmeant Gibson ordered fewer partsat that time. Also note that, in mid-1972, the “Les Paul” signature and“Model” inscription were changedfrom a silkscreen to a decal.
It appears that your pickupswere changed at some point(although the pickup openingsseem to be originally cut for full-sizehumbuckers), the pickguard isabsent, and the tip of the pickupswitch is missing, as well. Most ofthe body appears to be in “verygood plus” condition, and basedon all of this, your guitar is valuedbetween $2200-$2500.To recap: Inconsistent serializationand the fact that many Gibsonguitars do not have the exact modelmarked on the instrument, datingand identifying older Gibsons isn’teasy. It usually takes more thanjust a serial number to accuratelyidentify and date them, and thereare numerous other dating systemsand tools that I haven’t mentionedhere. Some serialization systemsonly apply to certain guitars, and insome cases the same serial numberhas been used on multiple guitars!For more information on Gibsonor potentiometer serialization andmodel identification, please refer toour website (bluebookinc.com) orvisit gibson.com.
Zachary R. Fjestad