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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Gibson EST 1964 / 1969 EB-0 Electric Bass

Chesapeake, Virginia, 233**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

PREOWNEDGIBSON EB-0 ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR
EST. 1964 / 1969, FEATURING RARE FIND, SLOTTED HEADSTOCK
COMES WITH ORIGINAL CASE! INSIDE OF CASE COND. IS FINE, HOWEVER THE EXTERNAL SHAPE OF THE CASE IS POOR. LOTS OF TEARS AND ATTEMPTED FIXES
THE GIBSON ITSELF IS IN FAIR SHAPE, SOME DINGS AND WEAR FROM USE. ITEM IS AS PICTURED ABOVE. MESSAGE WITH ANY QUESTIONS!
* FEDEX SHIPPING ONLY *NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE LOWER 48 STATES *
... more

Gibson EB-5 Bass

West Palm Beach, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1050

Gibson EB-5 bass, in new like condition.
Comes with an original Gibson soft gig bag.
Local pick up in West Palm Beach or additional shipping cost will be added.... more

1960s Gibson eb-3 Bass Guitar

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

$950

1960s Gibson eb-3 Bass Guitar
Please ask any questions before buying.
The item is in good over all Condition.
The item in the pictures is you what you will get
Thanks For Looking. On Jan-05-26 at 09:42:07 PST, seller added the following information:Neck of the guitar has been repaired.... more

Gibson EB-0 - Cherry

Wylie, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1430

? USED - Excellent Condition | Minor Body Bump - Full Playability
Small shipping bump on the body ?? purely cosmetic and adds character without affecting performance. Lowest price online - get it before it's gone!
? Now Offering 2-Day Shipping - Select at Checkout
?? Includes Fresh Strings & a Basic Setup - Read Our Reviews!
? Hassle-Free Returns
New Items: 30 days from delivery Used & Vintage:... more

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case

Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5200

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case.

The Gibson comes with a stellar silver and gold very early flight case you could ship it overseas in that thing and I wouldn't be afraid. It came from a very high end Collection and is in extremely good condition and will not find one in better shape. Plays and sounds amazing, has the stock bass boost switch that gets super deep tones and a very very cool bass!!!! It is so clean you can eat off of it!!! Jimmy page... more

1970 Gibson EB-3 Slotted Headstock Vintage Short Scale SG Bass

Chesapeake, Virginia, 233**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1299

Players grade instrument. Has had work done to it, please see the pictures. It's a really fun guitar to thump on, it could stand to have some neck adjustments. I will include a photo of the truss nut, which looks good. Will come in a gig bag
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Vintage Gibson 1961 EB-O bass

Novato, California, 949**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1650

This vintage Gibson EB-O bass has been refurbished with Schaller chrome roller bridge and Schaller tuning pegs. At the top of the neck there is a replaced new mahogany headstock as can be seen in the photos. All work done by a master guitar craftsman.
Original Mahogany body with cherry lacquer finish Original clean rosewood neck frets in great shape, with original black plastic pickup, original knobs, original hard shell case. Plays great, true EB-O original sound and quality. Length of bass... more

Gibson 1965 EB-0 SG 1965 Electric Bass Guitar

Smithville, Tennessee, 371**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2800

Gibson 1965 SG Electric Bass Guitar For Sale. I bought this bass guitar from Earnest Tubb Record & Pawn Shop on Broadway, Nashville, TN in June, 1978. I have played it professionally & personally for 47 years. The bass amplifier was purchased many years later. Both were used on stage in many different types of venues. I am no longer performing due to health issues, but I hate to see these items sit without being enjoyed
The bass guitar is in excellent condition. It has a small belt buckle ... more