Understanding the story behind your Taylor guitar can be fascinating, and the serial number is the key to unlocking much of that information. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a new owner, or simply curious about your instrument, knowing how to decipher the Taylor guitar serial number is invaluable. This guide will walk you through the various serial number formats Taylor has used over the years, enabling you to determine when and where your beloved guitar was crafted.
Taylor Guitars has implemented several serial number systems since its inception in 1974. These formats have evolved to reflect the growing complexity and scale of their production. By examining the serial number, you can typically pinpoint the year, month, and even the day your guitar began its journey from raw materials to a finely crafted instrument. Let’s delve into each format to help you conduct your Taylor Guitar Serial Number Lookup effectively.
Decoding 10-Digit Taylor Serial Numbers (November 2009 – Present)
The current 10-digit serial number system, introduced in November 2009, provides a detailed breakdown of your guitar’s origin and production date. This format reveals the manufacturing location, the precise date production commenced, and the guitar’s position in that day’s production sequence.
Let’s break down an example serial number: 1107064001, representing the first guitar built in the El Cajon factory on July 6, 2014.
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First Digit (Location): The initial digit indicates the factory where your Taylor guitar was built.
- 1: El Cajon, California, USA ( главная фабрика Taylor Guitars)
- 2: Tecate, Baja California, Mexico ( Фабрика Tecate, специализирующаяся на моделях серии 100 и 200)
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Second and Seventh Digits (Year): These digits together represent the two-digit year of manufacture.
- In our example, 1 and 4 indicate ’14, which corresponds to the year 2014.
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Third and Fourth Digits (Month): These digits denote the two-digit month of production.
- 07 in our example signifies July.
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Fifth and Sixth Digits (Day): These digits specify the day of the month when production started.
- 06 indicates the 6th day of the month.
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Last Three Digits (Production Sequence): The final three digits indicate the guitar’s sequential position in that day’s production schedule.
- 001 signifies that this was the first guitar in the production sequence for July 6, 2014, at the El Cajon factory.
Understanding 9-Digit Taylor Serial Numbers (1993 – 1999)
From 1993 until the end of 1999, Taylor guitars utilized a 9-digit serial number system. This format reveals the guitar’s production year, month, day, series, and its position in the daily production run.
Consider the serial number 980311301 as an example:
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First Two Digits (Year): The initial two digits represent the year of manufacture.
- 98 indicates 1998.
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Third and Fourth Digits (Month): These digits denote the month of production.
- 03 represents March.
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Fifth and Sixth Digits (Day): These digits specify the day of the month.
- 11 signifies the 11th day.
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Seventh Digit (Series Code): This digit is a code indicating the guitar series.
- 3 in this example represents a Baby or Big Baby Taylor model (through 2002).
- Here’s a breakdown of the series codes used during this period:
- 0: 300 or 400 Series
- 1: 500 through Presentation Series
- 2: 200 Series
- 3: Baby or Big Baby (through 2002)
- 4: Big Baby (2004-2009)
- 5: T5
- 7: Nylon Series
- 8: 100 Series
- 9: SolidBody Series
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Last Two Digits (Production Sequence): The final two digits indicate the guitar’s position in the production sequence for that day.
- 01 indicates it was the first guitar in the sequence.
Decoding 11-Digit Taylor Serial Numbers (January 2000 – October 2009)
Between January 2000 and October 2009, Taylor transitioned to an 11-digit serial number format. This change primarily accommodated the four-digit year designation, reflecting the new millennium. Beyond the year, the decoding remained largely consistent with the 9-digit system.
Let’s examine the serial number 20070311301:
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First Four Digits (Year): The initial four digits now represent the full four-digit year.
- 2007 clearly indicates the year 2007.
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Fifth and Sixth Digits (Month): These digits still represent the month of production.
- 03 is March.
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Seventh and Eighth Digits (Day): These digits continue to specify the day of the month.
- 11 is the 11th day.
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Ninth Digit (Series Code): The ninth digit remains the series code, with a few additions to reflect new models.
- 3 again represents a Baby or Big Baby Taylor.
- Series codes during this period included:
- 0: 300 or 400 Series
- 1: 500 through Presentation Series
- 2: 200 Series
- 3: Baby or Big Baby (through 2002)
- 4: Big Baby (2004-2009)
- 5: T5
- 6: T3
- 7: Nylon Series
- 8: 100 Series
- 9: SolidBody Series
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Last Two Digits (Production Sequence): The final two digits still denote the guitar’s position in the daily production sequence.
- 01 indicates the first guitar in the sequence.
Serial Numbers for Older Taylor Guitars (Pre-1993)
For Taylor guitars manufactured before 1993, the serial number system is less detailed and primarily indicates the year of production. Record-keeping in the early years was not as systematic, making precise dating beyond the year challenging.
Here’s a chart to help you identify the year of your older Taylor guitar:
| Serial Numbers | Year |
|---|---|
| [No serial numbers] | 1974 |
| 00108 and 10109 to 10146 | 1975 |
| 20147 to 20315 | 1976 |
| 30316 to 450 | 1977 |
| 451 to 900 | 1978 |
| 901 to 1300 | 1979 |
| 1301 to 1400 | 1980 |
| 1401 to 1670 | 1981 |
| 1671 to 1951 | 1982 |
| 1952 to 2445 | 1983 |
| 2446 to 3206 | 1984 |
| 3207 to 3888 | 1985 |
| 3889 to 4778 | 1986 |
| 4779 to 5981 | 1987 |
| 5982 to 7831 | 1988 |
| 7832 to 10070 | 1989 |
| 10071 to 12497 | 1990 |
| 12498 to 15249 | 1991 |
| 15250 to 17947 | 1992 |
Notably, the two oldest verified Taylor serial numbers are 00109 and 10109, both produced within the initial months of Taylor Guitars’ operation in 1975. It remains uncertain which of these guitars was actually the very first.
Understanding 4-Digit Taylor Serial Numbers (1991-1992 for 410 Models)
When Taylor introduced the 410 model in 1991, it was assigned a unique 4-digit serial numbering system. These serial numbers begin with “4-” followed by three or four additional digits, such as 4-1068. This system was exclusive to the 410 model for a brief period.
- 1991 410 Models: Serial numbers ranged from 4-001 to 4-1121.
- 1992 410 Models: Serial numbers ranged from 4-1122 to 4-3152.
Unlock Your Taylor Guitar’s Story
By utilizing this guide, you can now confidently perform a Taylor guitar serial number lookup and decode the history embedded within your instrument. Understanding your guitar’s origins adds another layer of appreciation to its craftsmanship and the legacy of Taylor Guitars. Whether you’re checking the year of manufacture for insurance purposes, or simply satisfying your curiosity, the serial number is a valuable tool at your fingertips.
