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
1961 Gibson EB-6 string Bass Sunburst w / PAF
Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$14900
Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1961 Gibson EB-6 Bass in its original Sunburst finish. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original with the exception of the earlier Gibson knobs, the switch and one tuning key. All original tuning key is included, but its tuning button had shrunken and crumbled. A vintage double-ring Gibson Deluxe tuning key is holding the place for the original. The original hardshell case is included. This ... more
1965 Gibson EB-2 Bass a very special ordered EB-2 in a factory Argentine Gray !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$8995
1958 Gibson EB-2 Thinline Bass Guitar
Keene, New Hampshire, 034**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$7500
... more
1968 Gibson EB-2 Semi Hollow Short Scale Electric Bass w OCBC ~ 100% Original, VG+
Collingswood, New Jersey, 081**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$6500
Music, Instruments Jewelry: Antique / Vintag??e MENSJEWELRY: CAMEOSJewelry: 1940-1980's VintageJewelry: 1910 - 1939 Art DecoJewelry: 1837-1910 VictorianJewelry: 1895-1910 Art NouveauJEWELRY: Necklaces, Pendants WATCHES & WATCH ACCESSORIES JEWELRY: Brooches & PinsJEWELRY: EarringsJEWELRY: BraceletsJEWELRY: LocketsJEWELRY: Charms & BraceletsJEWELRY: SetsJEWELRY: RingsJEWELRY: SILVERCHINA & PORCELAINRELIGIOUS ... more
Gibson 1960 EB-0 Bass Guitar Cherry
Rochester, New York, 146**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5999
This is a double cut solid body guitar, featuring banjo-style tuners and a one pickup design. Condition-wise this piece is in great playing and sounding condition, and bears typical signs of wear and tear. Small dings, checking, and scratches can be seen on the surface, as well as more checking and wear up the neck (as seen). This will include a non original case.... more
Gibson EB3L Bass Guitar- 1968 / 72 LONG SCALE SLOTTED HEADSTOCK WITH Case
Hagerstown, Maryland, 217**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5000
CHERRY FINISH, CHROME METAL TRIM, BLACK PICK GUARD.
LONG SCALE WITH SLOTTED HEADSTOCK, # 914058 ENGRAVED ON HEADSTOCK.
NOT THE ORIGINAL CASE, IT WAS BOUGHT IN 1992. PAPERWORK INSIDE CASE.
BASS HAS NICE GLOSS CHERRY FINISH, COUPLE OF MARKS, NOTHING MAJOR. VIEW PICS.
COMES WITH STRAP, 2 CORDS, MASTER KEY CHROMATIC PITCH INSTRUMENT, EXTRA PLUG JACK, KEY FOR THE CASE
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK, ... more
Vintage 1961, Original Style Gibson EB-0 Bass, Cherry Red, GREAT PRICE
Agoura Hills, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4750
No cracks or damage
The Cherry Red finish has faded on the front, but it has a very nice vibe and patina 1961 is the last of the Thicker Double-Cutaway body style before Gibson introduced the SG style bodies The bass plays very nicely and has just been setup with Brand New D'Addario Short scale Round wound strings
This bass is original except the Pots have been replaced.
There is also an added Strap Button on the... more
Gibson EB-1 Violin Bass Electric Bass w / Original Case SN: 810964 Instrument
Lafayette, Indiana, 479**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4730