Understanding the history and specifics of your Taylor guitar can significantly enhance your connection with your instrument. One of the most direct ways to uncover details about your guitar, such as its production date and origin, is through its serial number. Taylor Guitars has employed a few different serial number formats over the years, each providing unique insights. This guide will walk you through the process of performing a Taylor Guitar Serial Number Lookup and understanding the information encoded within.
Understanding Taylor Guitar Serial Numbers
Taylor Guitars’ serial numbering system is meticulously designed to tell a story about each instrument. By examining the serial number, you can determine when your guitar was crafted and at which facility. This knowledge is valuable for various reasons, from verifying authenticity to understanding the guitar’s production timeline and potential collectibility. Let’s explore the different formats Taylor has used.
10-Digit Serial Numbers (November 2009 – Present)
The current 10-digit serial number format, implemented in November 2009, is quite detailed. It reveals the manufacturing location, the production date, and the guitar’s sequence number for that specific day.
For example, consider the serial number 1107064001:
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1107064001: The first digit indicates the factory of origin.
- 1 = El Cajon, California, USA
- 2 = Tecate, Baja California, Mexico
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1107064001: The second and seventh digits represent the two-digit year. In this case, 14 corresponds to 2014.
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1107064001: The third and fourth digits denote the two-digit month. 07 signifies July.
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1107064001: The fifth and sixth digits indicate the day of the month. 06 represents the 6th day.
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1107064001: The final three digits reflect the guitar’s production order for that day. 001 means this was the first guitar built in the El Cajon factory on July 6, 2014.
9-Digit Serial Numbers (1993 – 1999)
From 1993 to the close of 1999, Taylor guitars used a 9-digit serial number system. This format provides the year, month, and day of production commencement, along with a series code and the guitar’s production sequence.
Let’s decode the serial number 980311301:
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980311301: The initial two digits represent the year of manufacture. 98 indicates 1998.
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980311301: The third and fourth digits specify the month. 03 is March.
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980311301: The fifth and sixth digits denote the day of the month. 11 is the 11th day.
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980311301: The seventh digit is a series code, categorizing the guitar model.
- 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
In our example, 3 indicates a Baby Taylor model.
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980311301: The last two digits show the guitar’s position in the day’s production. 01 signifies it was the first one in that day’s production sequence.
11-Digit Serial Numbers (January 2000 – October 2009)
Between January 2000 and October 2009, Taylor transitioned to an 11-digit serial number to accommodate the four-digit year. Beyond the year designation, the decoding is similar to the 9-digit format.
Consider the serial number 20070311301:
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20070311301: The first four digits represent the year. 2007 is the year 2007.
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20070311301: The fifth and sixth digits are the month. 03 is March.
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20070311301: The seventh and eighth digits indicate the day. 11 is the 11th day.
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20070311301: The ninth digit is the series code, identical to the 9-digit system. In this example, 3 again represents a Baby Taylor.
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20070311301: The final two digits are the production sequence number for the day. 01 indicates it was first in line.
4-Digit Serial Numbers (Specific 1991-1992 Models)
In 1991, when the 410 model was introduced, it received a unique 4-digit serial numbering system. These serial numbers begin with “4-” followed by three or four additional digits, like 4-1068. This system was brief, spanning only two years:
- 1991: Serial numbers from 4-001 to 4-1121
- 1992: Serial numbers from 4-1122 to 4-3152
Pre-1993 Serial Numbers
For Taylor guitars manufactured before 1993, a different approach is needed. Early record-keeping was less consistent, but a general chart can help approximate the year of production based on the serial number range.
| 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. While it’s unclear which was definitively the first Taylor guitar due to early record inconsistencies, these were among the very first instruments produced within the initial months of Taylor Guitars’ history.
Conclusion
Performing a guitar serial number lookup, especially for Taylor guitars, is a straightforward process that unlocks a wealth of information. Whether you own a modern Taylor or a vintage model, understanding the serial number system allows you to connect with your instrument on a deeper level, appreciating its history and the craftsmanship embedded within. Use this guide to decode your Taylor guitar and discover its unique story.
