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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1969 Gibson EB-0 Cherry Electric Bass Guitar Slotted Headstock / Short Scale

Dewey, Arizona, 863**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

1969 Gibson EB-0 Bass Guitar purchased new. Bass has been kept in excellent condition has Slotted Headstock and Short Scale has original case in good condition. Cherry finish and chrome in excellent condition... 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

Gibson Thunderbird IV 4 String Rex Brown Pantera Bass Ebony Black w / VIDEO

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1895

Scroll down to see 44 HD Images of this bass
Here's a 2022 Gibson Rex Brown Thunderbird 4 string bass guitar in a factory original Ebony finish
She's in very good condition and has light playwear
The top back and sides are glossy and clean with some very light indents and a few superficial scratches
The back has some clear coat micro scratches
The serial number is 226530207 and she made in the Nashville Gibson plant in 2022
She has a fresh set up with d'addario 45 / ... more

Gibson EB-3 FRETLESS Bass Guitar Electric Vintage Rare 60??s / 70??s SG Fret Less

Brisbane, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1799

Wow look at this beast. Fretless monster from I think the 70??s. Not sure if it was made into a fretless, or if that??s stock. Either way. Its such a cool bass.

-11 pounder
-nics and dents everywhere, wear here and there. Belt rash
-extra hole from a once moved strap peg

Ive had this for a few years. Im just not a fretless player, but I always dug this thing. Was in this condition when I originally purchased it. Pots look original

Switch #4 and #1 light ... more

Gibson EB-0 with Slotted Headstock

Delray Beach, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2300

It's an oldie but a goody! I purchased this guitar in the late 80's or early 90's and I believe it's a 1968 but my memory isn't what it used to be and can't guarantee that. It's been sitting in my closet for a very long time and it will probably need a set-up. The instrument really growled when I did play it. It didn't come with a case when I purchased it but I purchased an Epiphone SG case for it. The bass weighs 7lbs 6oz. Please contact me with any questions you may have and I'll try to answer... more

Gibson EBO Cherry 1970

Nacogdoches, Texas, 759**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

The Gibson EBO Cherry 1970 is a classic right-handed bass guitar with a solid body design and a brown color. As part of the EB-0 model series, this vintage guitar boasts a 4-string configuration, perfect for bass players looking for a traditional and versatile instrument. With its iconic Gibson brand and timeless design, this 1970 model continues to be a popular choice for musicians seeking a high-quality bass guitar
This comes with Gibson case , not original. Bass is short scale bass ... more

1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass Guitar

Rock Hill, South Carolina, 297**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2800

This 1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass Guitar is in good condition, with cosmetic wear consistent with its age. The dark brown finish shows checking and cracking in the topcoat, common for vintage instruments from this era. It has been fitted with flat wound strings, contributing to its classic thumpy tone
The EB-1 features a short scale length and a violin-style body, modeled to compete with upright basses of the time. It includes a single humbucking pickup in the neck position, delivering the deep, ... 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