Gibson Serial Numbers >> FlyGuitars

General Gibson serial number information

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. A lack of a serial number usually implies an instrument has been refinished.

The current Gibson serial number system

There is no Gibson serial number decoder that can automatically date your pre-1977 Gibson, although after this time, the currently used eight digit system ha been used. Not only can it tell the date, but also the place of production. These details are encoded unambiguosly into the serial number as follows.

YDDDYXXX
where YY is the year, DDD is the day of the year, and it was the XXXth instrument stamped that day. Numbers below 500 signify a Kalamazoo productio, above signifies Nashville.

So for example, 80921089 tells us that this bass was stamped on the 2nd April 1981 (day 092), at the Gibson Kalamazoo plant, and was the 089th instrument stamped that day

Vintage Gibson serial numbers

Gibson used various systems of numbering their instruments, and some records exist that can give a clue to a shipping date. 50s and early 1960s details are fairly straightforward, but later serial numbers (particularly around 65-75) can cause more confusion than clarity. BEFORE you read the Gibson serial number charts, please read the rest of this page!

The serial numbers Gibson used, particularly from 1969-1979 are often very difficult to interpret. The reason being that Gibsons 6 digit serial number system reached 999999 several times; each time they continued from 000001.

So Gibson re-used serial numbers. If you read through the charts for a hypothetical number, say 123456 - we see that it was shipped in 1963, 1970-72, and again in 74-75. Not an ideal situation, but many of the Guitars we see listed for sale as 1960s instruments, are actually newer. It is often not the sellers fault, as they will have looked through the numbers, found it was 1963, and would see no reason to look further in the document.

Dating Gibson guitars without serial numbers

Seeing as the Gibson serial numbers can be ambiguous, and that guitar serial numbers are sometimes removed, how can you be sure of a Gibson guitars vintage?. There are subtle changes in most Gibson guitars over the course of their production runs, and, you can usually date a guitar by physical features. Also, with a little knowledge of potentiometer codes, another approximate date can be read. Most instruments can be dated to within 1-2 years without a serial number.

See the list of serial numbers on the Gibson website

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1964 Gibson EB-0 Vintage Short Scale Bass Cherry, 100% Original w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3400

Up for sale, a 1964 Gibson EB-0 in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Introduced in 1959 in response to declining sales of the EB-1, the EB-0 originally came with a Les Paul Junior style body, quickly superseded by the SG style body in 1961, boasting a short 30 1 / 2?? scale length
Lightweight at 6lbs 11oz, this EB-0 features solid Honduran mahogany construction and a rosewood fretboard. The famous ??Mudbucker?? pickup ... more

? For Sale: Legendary 1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass ?? A Piece of Rock History! ?

Danbury, Connecticut, 068**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4500

? For Sale: Legendary 1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass ?? A Piece of Rock History! ?
Own a true piece of music history!
This 1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass is in excellent condition and comes with an incredible pedigree.
This iconic instrument was played by some of the most legendary bassists in rock history:
John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin
Jack Bruce of Cream
Felix Pappalardi of Mountain
The bass is in excellent shape, with only the pickguard and bridge cover missing ?? a small ... more

1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless Ebony Black OHSC Rare

Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2999

For Sale: 1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless ?? Ebony Black w / OHSC
Up for sale is a 1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless in Ebony Black, complete with its original hard-shell case
This is a very cool and very rare original fretless Gibson bass from the late ??70s. Original fretless Rippers do not come up often, and this one has all the bold visual presence and unmistakable feel that make these basses so appealing. With its long-scale Gibson design, ebony fingerboard, and classic Ebony Black finish, it... more

1967 Gibson EB-2C Bass fabulous special ordered EB-2 in "Sparkling Burgundy" !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6495

The Gibson EB-2 Bass was invented in 1959 & made famous by many players. This example is oh-so rare & very special ordered by its 1st owner & is 1 of the coolest special ordered EB-2C??s from 1967. Its beautiful slightly faded original ??Sparkling Burgundy?? custom color finish is what this is all about & it??s so frickin rare. Its 1 piece mahogany neck feel delicious. No volute nor Made in the USA stamp. She??s got a perfect orange label too. Its pickgard is missing. Its ... more

1972 Gibson EB-3 Mahogany Maple neck Bass Guitar first year 1972 has Gibson logo

Kokomo, Indiana, 469**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

The 1972 Gibson EB-3 The first Model Mahogany Bass Guitar is a vintage electric bass guitar that exudes classic style and timeless appeal. With a short scale body made of mahogany with a maple neck and a right-handed design, this 4-string bass guitar features a rosewood fretboard for a smooth and rich tone. This model, part of the Gibson series, comes with a hard case for added protection and easy transport. Whether you're a seasoned musician or a beginner looking to add a vintage touch to your ... more

Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Guitar 1973 Walnut With Original Hard Case

Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

Vintage Gibson USA
1973 Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Guitar
Walnut
With Original Purple Lined, Gibson Branded Hard Case
Plays / Sounds Great!
Finish: 100% Original
Repairs: None To Note
Serial Number: Cant See Due To Thick Factory Finish (black lights perfectly)
Year: This Guitar Was Dated By The Pot Codes. Both Date 1973 With Original Solder Joints
Weight: 8 Pounds, 7 Ounces
Scale Length: 30 5 "
Nut Width: 1 63" (measured with my caliper)
Neck Specs: .860@1st ... more

1960 Gibson EBO a stunning rare all original example from Gibson's best era !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6495

This is a very rare late production 1960 Gibson EB-0 Bass the original slab-bodied EB-0 bass weighs just 9 lbs. 6oz. and has a nice, fat nut width of just under 1 11 / 16 inches and a scale length of 30 1 / 2 inches. Solid mahogany body, one-piece mahogany neck, and unbound Brazil rosewood fretboard with 20 original jumbo frets and inlaid pearl dot position markers. Headstock with inlaid pearl ??Gibson?? logo and pearl crown inlay. Two-layer black over white plastic ?bell-shaped?? truss-rod ... more

1958 Gibson EB-2 1st year Museum Quality 100% original its 1 of a kind & Minty !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9995

This is a truly superb original example of one of the rarer Gibson electric basses: the first-generation semi-hollow EB-2. The EB-2 in general is not a overly rare bass, but these earliest models built in the debut year were sold in only small numbers; many more were built in 1964-68 when production was at its peak. The ES-335 guitar from 1958 is one of Gibson??s most treasured and sought after instruments; this matching bass is actually considerably rarer, if not as highly in demand ! The EB-2 ... more