Gibson custom shop serial numbers lookup how to#
Gibson custom shop serial numbers lookup serial numbers#

Gibson custom shop serial numbers lookup serial numbers#

1950s era Gibson Les Paul serial number stamps will have a thinner and sharper font than the larger font of the 1990s to now.ĭo you have a Gibson Les Paul with an ink stamped serial number? I am looking to buy Gibson Les Pauls with ink stamped serial numbers like this from the 1950s.

Gibson reused this serial number scheme for reissue guitars in the past 20 years as well, so check to see that the style matches.

Gibson custom shop serial numbers lookup how to#

This is how to date a Gibson Les Paul serial number from the 1950s. For example, this Les Paul's serial number is '7_6227' so it was made in 1957. The first digit of this style serial number indicates the last digit of the year it was manufactured. Is your serial number ink stamped like the 1959 Gibson Les Paul on the left? Gibson used 5 or 6 digit ink stamped serial numbers on Les Paul guitars from 1952 until 1960. Gibson reused this serial number scheme for reissue guitars starting in the 1990s, so check the picture below to compare vintage versus reissue serial numbers.Ĭlick here for 8 Digit Serial Number with Made In USA

It should be on the back of the neck at the top just between and above the tuning machines. If the Gibson Les Paul serial number is six digits or less then your guitar may be older than 1975. The serial number is one of the first places to start for how to date a Gibson Les Paul guitar. Click the red Contact Me button in the lower right corner of your screen to send me information about your guitar. Need help? I'd be happy to take a look at your guitar. Or if you think your guitar may be a Gibson SG, check out How to date a Gibson SG. If you're looking for help dating a Gibson ES-335, ES-345, or ES-355 then check out How to date a Gibson ES-335 guitar.

If you're looking for 'How old is my Gibson Les Paul guitar?' then you've come to the right place. Never fear! This page is intended to clear up some some of the inconsistencies of dating Gibson guitars. Gibson's serial number scheme changed in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, so a simple Les Paul serial number lookup isn't often very helpful. Knowing how to date Gibson Les Paul guitars by serial numbers is a study of its own.