. Kalamazoo numbers were discontinued in 1984. Gibson's F O N System. In the early years Gibson also used Factory Order Numbers (F O N) to track batches of instruments being produced at the time. For information on FON numbers a copy of The Blue Book of Electric Guitars by Zachary R. Fjestad should be obtained. A serial number ending in 501 could be the first instrument made at factory #5 that day, or it could be the 501 st instrument of the day. Looking for Gibson Guitars? There you have it! There are many exceptions, and of course many other brands out there, but now you can tell how old most Fenders or Gibsons are within seconds.
Randall Sinnamon, Southern piano bird, circa 2004, mixed media including piano keys, height 65 cm, ex. Robin Gibson
- Electric Guitars built at the Gibson USA plant in Nashville are ranked from 500-999. Prior to 1984, the numbers 001-499 show Kalamazoo production, 500-999 show Nashville production. The serial numbers from the Custom, Art, and Historic division vary depending on the line. The historic reissue guitars feature historically accurate serial numbers.
- Gibson Serial Numbers 1975-Present This Article is designed to assist in dating and/or identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson Guitar Corp. Please note that most of this information relates to serial numbers used from 1975 to present.
American twelve string acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model B-4512 serial number 121068, Michigan, circa 1961, Gibson decal to headstock with mother-of-pearl inlay, 'Deluxe' tuning keys, the serial number impressed to verso of headstock…
American archtop guitar, by Gibson, model ES175, serial number a 23352, Kalamazoo, circa 1956, the Gibson logo inlaid with mother-of-pearl to headstock and to the fingerboard, mounted with a scratch plate, 105 cm long
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L5, serial number a 18517, Kalamazoo, circa 1954, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock and insets to the fingerboard, with 'Custom' engraved to the truss rod cover…
American century acoustic guitar, by Gibson, serial number 37, Kalamazoo, circa 1930, the Gibson logo inlaid to headstock, the fingerboard veneered in a celluloid plastic (pearloid) and inlaid with mother-of-pearl…
American century sunburst acoustic guitar, by Gibson, serial number 623, Kalamazoo, circa 1933, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock, the fingerboard veneered in celluloid plastic (pearloid) and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, 102 cm long
American sunburst acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L12, serial number Ea 5098, Kalamazoo, circa 1939, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock and inset to the fingerboard, the serial number stamped verso to the headstock…
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L7, serial number 95282, Kalamazoo, circa 1938, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock, and to the fingerboard, and paper label to interior, 106 cm long
American sunburst 'Charlie Christian' guitar, by Gibson, model ES150, serial number Eg 8465, Kalamazoo, circa 1939, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock and serial number stamped to verso…
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L5, serial number 87040, Kalamazoo, circa 1928, 'The Gibson' logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock, 'Patented July 19.1910' engraved to tailpiece, and paper label to interior, 103 cm long
American acoustic sunburst guitar, by Gibson, model L5, serial number 88986, Kalamazoo, circa 1929, 'The Gibson' logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock, and inset to the fingerboard, 'Patented July 19…
American super 400 acoustic guitar with original fittings, by Gibson, serial number 94202, Kalamazoo, circa 1937, the whole in a sunburst finish…
American acoustic sunburst guitar, by Gibson, model L5, serial number 93168, Kalamazoo, circa 1936, the Gibson logo inlaid to the headstock, fingerboard inset with mother-of-pearl, model number impressed to the tailpiece, and paper label to interior…
American acoustic guitar with extra set tuners, by Gibson, model L5, serial number 92035, Kalamazoo, circa 1934, the Gibson logo inlaid to headstock, the fingerboard inset with mother-of-pearl, and paper label to interior, 105 cm long
American acoustic sunburst guitar, by Gibson, model L7, serial number 91856, Kalamazoo, circa 1934, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of -pearl to head stock and to the fingerboard, mounted with a faux tortoiseshell pick guard, and paper label to interior…
American acoustic sunburst guitar, by Gibson, model L10, serial number 95771, circa 1938, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock and to the finger board, inlay to the edges with a pierced metal tailpiece, and paper label to interior…
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L7, serial number a 505, Kalamazoo, circa 1935, the Gibson logo inlaid with mother-of-pearl to the headstock and to the finger board, paper label to interior, 107 cm long
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L1, serial number 31425, Kalamazoo, circa 1916, 'The Gibson' logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock, patent stamps to tailpiece, pick guard mount, and pick guard, and paper label to interior, 98 cm long
American O style acoustic guitar, by Gibson, serial number 42111, circa 1918, with an intricate ring of marquetry to the sound hole, the headstock inlaid with a mother-of-pearl fleur de lis…
American super 400 sunburst acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model A1798, serial number 94202, Kalamazoo, circa 1937, the Gibson logo inlaid with mother-of-pearl to headstock, the pierced metal tailpiece engraved 'Super 400', Kluson tuning keys…
A rare American limited edition acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model J2000, serial number 91342022, circa 2000, finely inlaid with abalone shell to edges, around sound hole and fingerboard, with decorative parquetry inlay to verso…
American tenor acoustic guitar, by Gibson, Kalamazoo, circa 1950s, the spruce front in a sunburst finish, the sides and back crafted from rosewood. Gibson decal to headstock, 108 cm long
American archtop tenor hollow body guitar, by Gibson, Kalamazoo, circa 1950s, the spruce front in a sunburst finish, the sides and back crafted from rosewood. Gibson decal to headstock, 102 cm long
American flat top tenor guitar, by Gibson, model Tg-25N, serial number 159705, Kalamazoo, circa 1964, the Gibson decal to headstock with the serial number stamped to verso, paper label to interior, 96 cm long
American harp guitar, by Gibson, Orville model, Kalamazoo, circa 1910s, 'The Gibson' logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock, the oval sound hole has a decorative ring of mother-of-pearl diamonds in black mastic, paper label to interior…
American pumpkin top mandolin, by Gibson, model A1, serial number 6987, Kalamazoo, circa 1915, painted decal to headstock and impressed mark to tailpiece, paper label to interior, 68 cm long
American mandocello, by Gibson, serial number 2763, circa 1912, inlaid 'The Gibson' to headstock with Fleur de Lis in mother-of-pearl. Paper label to interior, 98 cm long
Australian F hole archtop acoustic guitar, by Stephen Gilchrist, model 18, serial number 94275, circa 1980s, with abalone shell inlaid detailing to the fingerboard and headstock which also bears the 'Gilchrist' logo…
American ukulele, by Gibson, Michigan, circa 1930s, parquetry inlaid around the sound hole. Mother-of-pearl inlay to fingerboard, 53 cm long
American ukulele, by Gibson, style 2 model, Michigan, circa 1930s, stamped Dg-2900 / made in the Us', to the verso of headstock, 53 cm long
American ukulele banjo, by Gibson, Ub-1 model, Michigan, circa 1920s, 'The Gibson' decal to headstock, 49 cm long
Jeff Thomson, Gibson', 'Sculpted Corrugated Iron Guitar', approximately life-size, vintage paint remaining, strung with six strings. Signed, dated 2014 and inscribed to the reverse 'George Harrison' 'Gibson Les Paul'. Length 117.5 cm.
Vintage Gibson American acoustic guitar probably 1960s Gibson acoustic guitar, marked, 'Made in U.S.A' and to verso of headstock and interior label 'Made in the U.S…
Gibson SG timber guitar, having a mahogany body and neck and a rosewood fingerboard and 24 frets, length 100 cm
Gibson S1 Guitar in case, having a maple body, neck and fingerboard with three single-coil pickups, dot inlays, two control knobs, three-way pickup selector, white pickguard, stopbar tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge, triangular headstock, length 101 cm
A Gibson L4CES 'Black' electric guitar, 1992, American made, serial number 91352494, six gold plated 'Kluson Deluxe' machine heads, bound laminated maple body, mahogany neck…
A Gibson Es-150 'Sunburst' electric guitar, 1955, American made, serial number 53128, nitrocellulose 'Sunburst' finish, hollowbody construction, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and 'Dot' pearl inlays…
A limited edition Gibson Elvis Presley 'The King' J-200 'Black' acoustic guitar, no…
A Gibson SST-6 Chet Atkins 'Cherry Red' acoustic/electric guitar, 1990, American made, serial number 92750526 'Promotional not for resale' stamped to rear of headstock, six 'Mini Schaller' die-cast machine heads, gloss cherry finish, solid spruce top…
A Chet Atkins SST twelve-string natural acoustic/electric guitar, 1989, American made, serial number 83429548 'Promotional not for resale' stamped to rear of headstock, twelve 'Mini Schaller' die-cast machine heads, natural gloss finish, solid spruce top…
A Gibson Les Paul custom ebony electric guitar with OHSC, 1969, American made, serial number 565197 stamped to rear of headstock, six gold 'waffle back' machine heads, deluxe bound mahogany body and neck, ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays…
A Gibson ES-335 'Cherry' electric guitar, 1968, American made, serial number 873256 stamped to rear of headstock, 'Orange Oval' printed maker's label to interior inscribed with model and serial numbers, six nickel 'Kluson Deluxe' machine heads…
A Gibson ES-340 Blonde electric guitar with OHSC, 1969, American made, serial number 563266 stamped to rear of headstock, 'Orange Oval' printed maker's label to interior inscribed with model and serial numbers, six nickel 'Kluson Deluxe' machine heads…
A Gibson ES-335 'Cherry' electric guitar, 1972, American made, serial number 752661 stamped to rear of headstock, 'Norlin' white rectangular printed maker's label to interior inscribed with model and serial numbers…
A Gibson SG electric guitar, 1972, American made, serial number 700432 stamped to rear of headstock, six chrome plated machine heads, mahogany body and neck with walnut lacquer finish, East Indian rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays…
Les Paul Gibson Deluxe Guitar USA impressed stamp '399018 made in USA'. In original hard case, length 99 cm
Cased Gibson Junior mandolin. Label to interior indicates maker as Gibson mandolin Guitar Co., Kalamazoo. Mich USA. Style A-Jr. #84355.
Gibson long necked banjo, purchased in Syndey in 1962 from an American draft dodger, in original hard case. Provenance: The Alex & Annette Hood Collection, NSW
Gibson Les Paul Custom 1988 electric guitar, manufactured in Nashville U.S.A. with original hard case. One piece mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard and block mother of pearl inlays. Mahogany body with carved maple top in an Ebony finish…
Gibson Custom Barney Kessel Hollowbody electric guitar
A 1970s 'Made in Japan' Yamaha AE18 hollow body arch top electric guitar. Spruce top, beech back and sides, two piece figured maple neck with ebony finger board, mother-of-pearl inlays, AE18 Humbucking Pick-ups. In vintage gold plush lined hard case…
A Gibson semi-acoustic six string guitar, style Cl-35 Deluxe, in original purple velvet lined case
Vintage Guitars Info's
Vintage Epiphone Guitars.
General Information and Specs.
Contact the Vintage Guitar Info Guy1965 Epiphone Sheraton (Route 66 Guitars)
- Serial Numbers (How to Find the Year)
Guitar Model Information:
- Archtop (full depth) Hollowbody Guitar Models
Thinline (Gibson-made) Hollowbody Guitar Models:
Flat top Guitar Models:
Solidbody (Gibson-made) Electric Guitar Models:
- Epiphone was a family business established in 1873 as 'the House ofStathopoulo' by AnastasiosStathopoulo, a greek violin maker. In 1923 they incorporated and at this time made mostly high quality and fancy banjos. In 1928 the name was changed to 'Epiphone' after Epi Stathopoulo, president of the company and one of the founder's sons. In the 1930's, the company changed its emphasis to guitars. Epiphone was the only banjo company to successfullyswitch to guitar production.
Emperor Zephyr Regent.
- In 1952/1953 the C.G. Conn Company's (a band instrument manufacturer) Orphie got Epiphone distribution rightsmoved. Now most guitar production went to Philidelphia (although the labelsstill said New York). This was done partially as a 'strike break' move,as New York Epiphone workers were in conflict with the Stathopouliofamily. The Stathopoulo family regained control again in 1955, butfew if any instruments were made in 1956 and 1957.
The Chicago Musical Instrument company (CMI), which owned Gibson, boughtEpiphone in 1957. When CMI purchased Epiphone, they got all of Epiphone'scurrent stock of parts including bodies, necks, pickups, etc. Gibson usedthese 'New Yorker' parts in conjuction with their own parts when making Epiphones from 1958 to 1961. By 1961 Gibson has used up all the originalNew York-made Epiphone parts, and then used Gibson parts made in Kalamazoo.Instruments from 1958 to 1969 are commonly referred to as'Gibson/Epiphones'.
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Lookup
Back to the Table of Contents
Model Types.
- In addition to the Zephyr and Zephyr Regent models, Epiphone applied thetwo terms to other models to signify electric or cutaway:
- Zephyr = electric.
- Regent = cutaway.
Contruction and Value.
- High-end acoustic archtop Epiphones are constructed of high quality, solid woods. Electric archtop Epiphones are made from laminated woods. Because of this, electric archtop Epiphones are much less desirable, and are worth considerably less than fully acoustic archtop models.
Pre-1937 Epiphones are of very high quality and are generally much scarcerthan later models. They have a smaller body and less modern neck feel than later models, and are less collectable.
The most collectable models are those made from 1937 whenbody sizes were increased, up to the end of New York productions (1956).Most desirable are the professional grade models on which the companybuilt its reputation: Emperor, DeLuxe, Broadway and Triumph. These models, along with Gibsons, are considered by most to be the best vintage factory-made archtop guitars produced. Mid-rangeand low-end models are generally regarded as student model instruments.
Electric Archtop Epiphones.
- New York-made electric archtops are interesting but generally are notas collectable as equivalent acoustic models. Acoustic models aresolid carved top and back whereas electrics are plywood. In addition,the electronics on New York Epiphones are not as sonically good ascompared to Gibson of the same period or to the later Gibson-madeEpiphones. Therefore, New York electric archtop Epiphones are worthconsiderably less than Gibsons of the same period.
Early Gibson Epiphones with New York pickups are of interest to collectors.Most hollowbody Epiphone electrics bring less than the equivalentGibson models. Double cutaway thinbody electrics are the most highly sought after electric archtop models. The Emperor (single cutaway) is the rarest of the thinlines (66 made). The Sheraton, especially the early version with blond finish, is also very collectable. Sheratons with New York pickups are worth the most, but not for sound. The Riviera, though equal in playability and sound, is not nearly as collectable. The Casino is collectable only because John Lennon played one.
It may seem like a contridiction in terms: New York pickups are sonicallyinferior to Gibson pickups, but models fitted with New York pickups from 1958 to 1960 are worth more than post-1960 models fitted with better Gibsonpickups. These Epiphone models made from 1958 to 1960like the Sheraton and Coronet are much more collectable (and valuable) withNew York pickups, even though everyone agrees the later models sound muchbetter fitted with Gibson pickups.
- Solidbody electric Epiphones with New York pickups are interesting tocollectors, but not for their sound. Later solidbody models with mini-humbucking pickups bring less money than Gibson equivalents with standard humbucking pickups. None are especially valuable, althoughEpiphone workmanship and playability is equivalent to Gibson of the sameperiod.
Back to the Table of Contents
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers For Sale
Epiphone Model Numbers, 1953 to 1981