There should be a space after the 1st digit with the 4 and 5 digit serial numbers, and no space with the 6 digit numbers. The 1st digit indicates the year of manufacture for the 4 & 5 digit serial numbers, these were used from 1989-1999. Most will be 5 to 6 digits in length, but the earliest examples feature 4 digit serial numbers. There are always exceptions to these rules, the two listed below are worth noting: Les Paul Classic: This model features an ink stamped serial number with no 'MADE IN USA' (just as we used on the original 1952-1960 Les Pauls). The only difference is the addition of this batch indicator. The first 5 numbers remain the same, the last 3 numbers will remain the same. The sixth number is now a batch number- batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once we stamp 699, the batch number will change to 1.

NOTE - Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day. 82765501 means the instrument was produced on Oct.10, 1978, in Kalamazoo and was the 276th instrument stamped that day. 70108276 means the instrument was produced on Jan.Ranking numbers for Bozeman start each day at 001 and the electrics may start as low as the 300s. Ranking numbers 500-999 continued to indicate Nashville production through 1989. Since 1989, all Gibson acoustics are built in Bozeman, MT and all Gibson electrics are built in Nashville or Memphis. Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production.

RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number.

Guitar serial numbers check