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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Vintage Epiphone By Gibson Rock Bass Ebony Jazz Bass Hockey Stick Headstock

San Jose, California, 951**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$150

This vintage Epiphone by Gibson Rock Bass is a rare find for any collector or musician. With a solid body type and an ebony black color, this electric bass guitar boasts a unique hockey stick headstock design that is sure to turn heads. The maple neck material and 20 frets , need some work and restoration the frist fret board pop out and need repair no neck plate and tunner you got what see in the picture
The four string configuration and Accu series model year of 86-93
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$250

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Asheboro, North Carolina, 272**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$350

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1967 / 68 / 69 Gibson USA EB Bass Husk - Routed

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

$795

1967 / 68 or 69 GIBSON USA EB bass husk. No parts included. Routed and extra holes for pots and switches as you can see in the pictures. Truss rod turns both ways. Could make a cool project bass. No case. Please review pictures carefully.
Buyer pays $60 shipping and insurance.
Thanks for looking.
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Vintage 1970 Gibson EB-0L Bass Natural

Stockton, California, 952**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

Vintage 1970 Gibson EB-0L Bass Natural
Awesome storage unit find Bass has been modified to a fretless, it is also missing the bridge cover as well as the small model plaque. I acquired it as shown. "GIBSON" is missing the S Local guitar shop owner inspected and said it was in good shape for its age Bass shows some scratches as should be expected. IThe case it came with has some cracks, its in rough shape I have added many images, please be sure to look through all and ask any questions you ... more

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Union, New Hampshire, 038**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1275

The Gibson 70s EB-3 WALNUT Used Electric Bass is a classic right-handed solid wood electric bass guitar with a 4-string configuration. This vintage model, known as the Les Paul, was made in the United States and features a solid brown body color, making it both visually appealing and high-quality in terms of sound and playability. With its durable construction and iconic design, this guitar is a popular choice among bass players looking for a reliable and timeless instrument.... more

Vintage 1972 Gibson EBO Walnut Bass With OHSC

Santa Monica, California, 904**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

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For those who want great vintage bass tones from a short scale bass legend, here's this Gibson EB-0 from 1972! From its debut in the '60s the Gibson EB-0 has established itself as a short scale bass with great feel and plenty of thick, punchy tones
The EB-0 features a double-cut slab mahogany body ala SG with a great walnut finish that you can really see the grain. The deep cutaways give plenty of access to the fingerboard. The set mahogany neck ... more

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