Understanding the serial number on your Gibson guitar, especially a Custom Shop model, is key to unlocking its history, production year, and sometimes even the specific model or reissue it represents. This guide will help you navigate the various serial number formats used by Gibson’s Custom Shop, ensuring you can accurately identify your cherished instrument.
Decoding Reissue Models: 1952-1960 (Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V, Futura)
For reissues of classic Gibson models from the golden era of 1952 to 1960, produced from late 1992 onwards, the serial numbers follow a specific pattern: MYRRRR or MYRRRRM.
- M: Represents the model year being reissued.
- Y: Indicates the production year.
- RRR(R): Denotes the guitar’s production rank within that year’s reissue production run.
Important Note: This numbering sequence is cumulative across all reissue models for the same reissue year. For example, a 1958 Reissue serial number counts both ’58 Reissue Les Paul Standards and ’58 Explorer guitars within the same production sequence.
Example: 7 5123
- 7: Represents a 1957 Reissue model.
- 5: Indicates the production year 2005.
- 123: Signifies that this is the 123rd reissue model produced in 2005 within the ’57 Reissue series.
Decoding Reissue Models: 1961-1969 (Firebird, Les Paul, SG)
For reissues of Firebird, Les Paul, and SG models from the 1961-1969 era, manufactured since 1997, the serial number format is YYRRRMY.
- YY: Represents the production year.
- RRR(R): Indicates the guitar’s production number for that specific model reissue in that year.
- M: Represents the Reissue Model Code.
Reissue Model Codes:
- 1: SG Custom and Special
- 2: SG Standard
- 3: 1963 Firebird I
- 4: 1964 Firebird III
- 5: 1965 Firebird V & VII
- 8: 1968 Les Paul Custom
Examples:
-
050102
- 05: Production year 2005.
- 010: The 10th reissue produced.
- 2: Model code for SG Standard Reissue.
- Therefore, this is the 10th SG Standard reissue produced in 2005.
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030084
- 03: Production year 2003.
- 008: The 8th reissue produced.
- 4: Model code for 1964 Firebird III Reissue.
- Therefore, this is the 8th 1964 Firebird III reissue produced in 2003.
Decoding Historic ES Models (Since 1995)
Gibson’s Historic ES models, produced since 1995, employ a serial number format of (A or B)-MYRRR.
- (A or B): Prefix letter indicating the specific ES model type.
- M: Represents the model year being reissued.
- Y: Indicates the production year.
- RRR: Denotes the guitar’s position in the sequence of Historic ES production for that year.
Reissue Model Codes (Prefixes):
- 2: ES-295
- 3: 1963 ES-335 (Block Inlays)
- 4: ES-330
- 5: ES-345
- 9 with “A” prefix: 1959 ES-335 (Dot Inlays)
- 9 with “B” prefix: ES-355
Example: A-38005
- A: Prefix indicating a 1959 ES-335 Reissue (Dot Inlays).
- 3: Represents a ’63 ES-335 model year reissue. (Note: There seems to be a slight inconsistency in the original German text example provided which mentions ’63 ES-335 while prefix ‘A’ refers to ’59 ES-335. We will assume ‘3’ refers to ’63 ES-335 as per the provided Reissue Model Codes).
- 8: Production year 1998.
- 005: The 5th Historic ES model produced in 1998.
- Therefore, this is the 5th 1963 ES-335 Reissue produced in 1998. (Assuming ‘3’ in ‘A-3’ refers to ’63 ES-335)
Decoding Carved Top Models
Carved Top models feature a serial number on an orange label inside the instrument with the format YDDDYRRR. From 2000 onwards, the format became 2YDDDYRRR.
- Y (or 2Y): Represents the production year (with ‘2’ prefix for years 2000 and later).
- DDD: Represents the day of the year (Julian date).
- RRR: Indicates the guitar’s rank in the Carved Top production sequence for that day.
Examples:
-
91418009
- 9: Production year 1999.
- 141: The 141st day of the year.
- 009: The 9th Carved Top guitar produced on that day.
- Therefore, this is the 9th Carved Top guitar made on the 141st day of 1999.
-
20045002
- 200: Production year 2000 (starting with ‘2’).
- 045: The 45th day of the year.
- 002: The 2nd Carved Top guitar stamped on that day.
- Therefore, this is the 2nd Carved Top guitar stamped on the 45th day of 2000. (Note: Original German text example mentions year 2005, but ‘200’ prefix suggests year 2000. We assume it’s year 2000 based on prefix explanation)
Decoding Regular Custom Shop Models
Standard Custom Shop models utilize a serial number format of CSYRRRR.
- CS: Prefix designating “Custom Shop.”
- Y: Represents the production year.
- RRRR: Indicates the guitar’s position in the overall Custom Shop production run for that year.
Example: CS10845
- CS: Custom Shop designation.
- 1: Production year 2001.
- 0845: The 845th guitar from the regular Custom Shop production in 2001.
- Therefore, this is the 845th regular Custom Shop guitar produced in 2001.
Decoding Custom Shop Signature Models
Gibson Custom Shop produces a variety of Signature Models with unique serial number formats. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most popular examples:
-
Ace Frehley Les Paul:
- 1997 Limited Edition: Serialized as “ACE xxx”.
- Note: Gibson USA Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul (non-Custom Shop) uses a standard 8-digit serial number.
-
Andy Summers ES-335:
- Limited Edition of 50: Serialized as “AS xxxx”.
-
Dickey Betts 57 Goldtop Les Paul:
- Limited Edition of 114: Serialized as “DB xxx”.
-
Dickey Betts Red Top 57 Les Paul:
- Serialized as “DBR xxx”.
-
Gary Rossington Les Paul:
- Limited Edition of 250: Serialized as “GR xxx”.
-
Gary Rossington SG:
- Limited Edition of 250: Serialized as “GRS xxx” or “13xxx” (Original German text mentions “13xxx” for SG, which might be a typo and should likely align with Les Paul format “GRS xxx” for consistency).
-
Jimmy Page Les Paul (Three Versions):
- Aged (First 25): Hand-numbered 1-25, signed by Jimmy Page, no other serial.
- Limited Edition (150): Serialized as “PAGE xxx”.
- Custom Authentic (Unlimited): Serialized as “JPP xxx”.
- Note: Discontinued Gibson USA Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul (non-Custom Shop) uses a standard 8-digit serial number.
-
Joe Perry Les Paul (Two Models):
- 1996 Joe Perry Signature Les Paul (Transblack): Serialized as “JPxxx”.
- Boneyard LP:
- Pilot Run: Ink-stamped number, handwritten “Pilot Run”.
- Standard Production: Serialized as “BONE xxx”.
- Note: Discontinued Gibson USA Joe Perry Signature Les Paul (non-Custom Shop) uses a standard 8-digit serial number.
-
Jonny A.:
- Serialized as “JA xxx”.
-
Pete Townshend LP Deluxe:
- Limited Edition of 75: Serialized as “PETE xxx”.
-
Peter Frampton Les Paul (Two Models):
- PF LP Custom: Serialized as “PF xxx”.
- PF LP Special: Serialized as “PFYxxx” (Y indicates production year).
-
Slash Les Paul (Two Models):
- 1997 Limited Edition (Cranberry Finish): Serialized as “SL xxx”.
- Regular Production Model (Introduced 2004): Serialized as “SL xxx”.
- Note: Discontinued Epiphone Slash Les Paul (non-Custom Shop) uses a standard Epiphone serial number format.
-
Tony Iommi SG:
- Serialized as “TI xxx”.
-
Zakk Wylde Les Paul:
- Bullseye and “Rough Top” versions: Serialized as “ZW xxx”.
- Camo version: Serialized as “ZPW xxx”.
By understanding these Gibson Custom Shop serial number formats, you can confidently research the origins and specifications of your instrument. For any further inquiries or if you encounter a serial number format not covered here, contacting Gibson Customer Service is always recommended for definitive information.
