Serial #'s
Founded in 1976, the Santa Cruz Guitar Company brought boutique guitar making to the forefront of the steel string guitar business. Richard Hoover invites you to watch this short film by LR Baggs, which documents the culture of SCGC’s small production lutherie and mission to provide musicians with exceptional instruments that truly change the world. Guitar 1931 catalog Serenader de Luxe Bueg. Guitar 1931 catalog Serenader Gretsch NLI Signal with arrow Deutsche Signal-Instrumenten Fabrik: Deutsche Signal-Instrumenten Fabrik: signal horn (free reed brass instru: 1897- NLI: Signet Selmer; H. 1927- NLI Silva-Bet Cundy-Bettoney Cundy-Bettoney.
Serial #'s
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Serial #'s
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Serial #'s
Dating Fender Acoustic Guitars
Unfortunately, our records are not complete enough to provide precise dating information for many Fender acoustic guitars from the early 1960s through the 1970s and 1980s. Although the tables below are as accurate as possible, serial numbers of these acoustic guitars have never been archived and are of no assistance when attempting to date these instruments.
The information contained in this guide was culled from our archives of Fender price lists and catalogs, beginning with 1968. Unknown information is indicated with a question mark.
This guide can help you determine the approximate age of your instrument, what the price range was during its years of production or what it sold for in the last year it was available, and what woods were used in its construction.
DG SERIES FENDER ACOUSTIC GUITARS
(IMPORTED FROM CHINA, INDONESIA AND KOREA)
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| DG3 | 1996 -1998 | $319.99 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG5 | 1995 -1998 | $175.99 | Nato top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG10 | 1995 -1997 | $289.99 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG15-BLK Black | 1995 -1996 | $359.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG15-NAT Natural | 1997 -1997 | $359.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG15-SB Sunburst | 1995 -1996 | $359.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG17-NAT | 1996 -1998 | $219.00 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| DG17E-NAT | 1996 -1998 | $279.00 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| DG18-BLK | 1996 -1998 | $279.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG18-NAT | 1996 -1998 | $279.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG18-SB | 1996 -1998 | $279.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG18 LH | 1996 -1998 | $279.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG18-12-NAT | 1996 -1998 | $269.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG18CE | 1996 -1998 | $249.00 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG19 | 1996 -1998 | $319.00 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| DG19CE-NAT | 1996 -1998 | $429.00 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| DG19CE-SB | 1996 -1998 | $429.00 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| DG30-12 | 1996-1996 | $519.00 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG30S | 1996-1996 | $519.00 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG30S LH | 1996-1996 | $549.00 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG30SCE-BLK | 1996-1996 | $779.00 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG30SCE-NAT | 1996-1996 | $779.00 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG30SCE-SB | 1996-1996 | $779.00 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG31-12 | 1996-1999 | $529.99 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG31S | 1996-1999 | $549.99 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG31S LH | 1996-1999 | $559.99 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG31SCE-BLK | 1996-1999 | $799.99 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG31SCE-CSB | 1996-1997 | $799.99 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG31SCE-NAT | 1996-1999 | $799.99 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| DG40S | 1996-1996 | $589.00 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| DG40S-12 | 1996-1996 | $639.00 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| DG40SCE-NAT | 1996-1996 | $949.00 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| DG95 | 1996-1996 | ?200.00 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
SPRING HILL SERIES
(HANDMADE FENDER ACOUSTIC GUITARS MADE IN SPRING HILL, TENN.
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| LS-10 | 1994 to 1996 | $1,775.00 | Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides |
| LS-20 | 1994 to 1996 | $1,975.00 | Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides |
| LS-20 LH | 1994 to 1996 | $2,075.00 | Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides |
| LS-30 | 1994 to 1996 | $2,075.00 | Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides |
| LS-40C | 1994 to 1996 | $1,975.00 | Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides |
| LS-50C | 1994 to 1996 | $2,175.00 | Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides |
| LS-60C | 1994 to 1996 | $2,275.00 | Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides |
| SB-15 | 1994 to 1996 | $1,875.00 | Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides |
| SB-15SB | 1994 to 1996 | $1,925.00 | Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides |
| SB-25 | 1994 to 1996 | $2,075.00 | Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides |
| SB-25SB | 1994 to 1996 | $2,125.00 | solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides |
| SB-35 | 1994 to 1996 | $2,175.00 | Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides |
| SB-45C | 1994 to 1996 | $2,075.00 | Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides |
| SB-55C | 1994 to 1996 | $2,275.00 | Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides |
| SB-65C | 1994 to 1996 | $2,375.00 | Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides |
AG SERIES
(ACOUSTIC GUITARS IMPORTED FROM KOREA)
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| AG10 | 1994-1995 | $239 to $269 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| AG15 | 1994-1995 | $259 to $289 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| AG20 | 1994-1995 | $281 to $299 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| AG21 | 1995-1995 | $251 to $289 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| AG22 | 1995-1995 | $251 to $289 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| AG23 | 1995-1995 | $310 to $329 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| AG25 | 1994-1995 | $337 to $355 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
SX/CX SERIES
(ACOUSTIC GUITARS IMPORTED FROM KOREA)
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| 200SX | 1995-1995 | $210 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| 600SX | 1994-1995 | $449 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| 800SX | 1994-1995 | $519 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| 1000SX | 1992-1995 | $709 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| 1100SX | 1992-1995 | $819 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| 1105SXE | 1992-1994 | $989 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| 1200SX | 1992-1994 | $964 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| 1300SX | 1992-1994 | $1,173 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| 1500SX | 1992-1994 | $964 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| 1505SX | 1992-1994 | $1,015 | Solid spruce top, sycamore back and sides |
| 1600SXE | 1993-1994 | $1,066 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| 150CX | 1995-1995 | $179 | Spruce top, meranti back and sides |
| 2100CX | 1994-1995 | $679 | Solid cedar top, ovangkol back and sides |
GEMINI SERIES
(ACOUSTIC GUITARS IMPORTED FROM KOREA, DISTRIBUTED IN THE U.S. BY MIDCO)
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| Gemini I (Classical) | 1984-1988 | $140 to $165 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| Gemini II | 1984-1987 | $165 to $189 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| Gemini IIE (Electric) | 1987-1990 | $240 to $260 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| Gemini III (Black) | 1987-1988 | $199 to $209 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Gemini IV (White) | 1987-1990 | $220 to $240 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
CALIFORNIA SERIES
(ACOUSTIC GUITARS IMPORTED FROM JAPAN FROM ABOUT 1982 TO 1985, THEN IMPORTED FROM KOREA FROM ABOUT 1985 TO 1992)
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| Avalon (Folk) | 1985-1992 | $315 to $370 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| Balboa | 1983-1987 | $535 to $650 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Capistrano | 1983-1987 | $450 to $525 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| Catalina | 1983-1992 | $295 to $370 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Concord | 1987-1992 | $185 to $320 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| Del Mar | 1983-1989 | $335 to $340 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| El Rio | 1983-1987 | $595 to $520 | Solid spruce top, sycamore back and sides |
| La Brea (Black) | 1987-1992 | $345 to $495 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| La Brea (Maple) | 1992-1995 | $535 to $510 | Spruce top, flame maple back and sides |
| La Brea (Natural) | 1990-1992 | $435 to $495 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| La Brea (Sunburst) | 1990-1992 | $435 to $495 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Laguna | 1986-1988 | $395 to $475 | Spruce top, redwood back and sides |
| Malibu | 1983-1992 | $325 to $410 | Sycamore top, back and sides |
| Montara (Black) | 1990-1992 | $575 to $695 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Montara (Maple) | 1992-1995 | $675 to $780 | Spruce top, flame maple back and sides |
| Montara (Natural) | 1990-1992 | $575 to $695 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Montara (Sunburst) | 1990-1992 | $575 to $695 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Montclair | 1987-1988 | $415 to $435 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Newporter | 1983-1992 | $235 to $330 | Mahogany top, back and sides |
| Redondo | 1983-1990 | $250 to $340 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| San Luis Rey | 1990-1995 | $385 to $444 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| San Marino | 1990-1992 | $325 to $370 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| San Miguel | 1990-1992 | $310 to $355 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Santa Maria XII | 1988-1992 | $310 to $375 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Santa Rosa | 1989-1990 | $739 | Basswood? Semi-solid body electric/acoustic |
STANDARD SERIES
(ACOUSTIC GUITARS IMPORTED FROM ASIA, DISTRIBUTED IN THE U.S. BY MIDICO)
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| F200 | 1982-1988 | $245 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F210 | 1982-1988 | $265 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F210S | 1988-1990 | $325 | Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F210LH | 1982-1988 | $265 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F220SB | 1982-1988 | $275 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F230 | 1982-1988 | $325 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F230CE | 1988-1990 | $425 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F240A | 1982-1988 | $330 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F250 | 1982-1988 | $380 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F260S | 1987-1987 | $510 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F265C | 1987-1987 | $425 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F270SCE | 1987-1987 | $630 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F310-12 | 1985-1988 | $265 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F330-12 | 1982-1987 | $375 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F360S-12 | 1987-1987 | $535 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| FC100 | 1982-1988 | $225 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| FC110 | 1982-1988 | $225 | Spruce top, ovangkol back and sides |
| FC120 | 1982-1988 | $295 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| FC130S | 1987-1987 | $395 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
'F' SERIES
(ACOUSTIC GUITARS IMPORTED FROM ASIA)
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| F1000 | 1969-1973 | $33 | Laminated hardwoods |
| F1010 | 1969-1973 | $40 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F1030 | 1969-1973 | $60 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F1040 (Classical) | 1969-1973 | $110 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F1050 | 1969-1973 | $100 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F1060 | 1969-1973 | $120 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F1070-12 | 1969-1973 | $197 | Laminated hardwoods |
| F115 | 1977-1987 | $835 | Solid spruce, top jacaranda back and sides |
| F15 (Concert) | 1973-1981 | $170 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| F25 (Auditorium) | 1972-1981 | $200 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| F3 | 1981-1981 | $150 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F35 | 1972-1981 | $215 | Spruce top, obankole back and sides |
| F45 | 1972-1974 | $150 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F5 | 1980-1981 | $175 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F5-12 | 1980-1981 | $195 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| F50 | 1980-1980 | $355 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F55-12 | 1972-1980 | $270 | Spruce top, bubinga back and sides |
| F65 | 1972-1981 | $270 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F75 | 1974-1980 | $320 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F80-12 | 1977-1981 | $365 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F85 | 1974-1980 | $415 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| F95 | 1974-1980 | $520 | Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides |
| FC10 (Classical) | 1972-1981 | $150 | Spruce top, mahogany or chitora back and sides |
| FC10 ¾ (Classical) | 1972-1981 | $140 | Spruce top, nato back and sides |
| FC20 (Classical) | 1972-1981 | $185 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
| FC30 (Classical) | 1972-1981 | $240 | Cedar top, rosewood back and sides |
| FC40 (Classical) | 1972-1981 | $260 | Cedar top, rosewood back and sides |
| FJ70 (Jumbo) | 1980-1981 | $360 | Solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
EARLY U.S.-MADE FENDER ACOUSTIC GUITARS
These early U.S.-made acoustics had laminated construction, bolt-on necks, through-body tension rods and Stratocaster® 'styled' headstocks.
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| Concert | 1963 - 1970 | $255 to $310 | Spruce top; mahogany, rosewood, vermilion, or zebrawood back and sides |
| Folk | 1963 - 1964 | $? | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Kingman | 1965 - 1971 | $280 to $394 | Spruce top, rosewood or vermilion back and sides |
| Malibu | 1965 - 1971 | $170 to $240 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Newporter | 1965 - 1971 | $130 to $194 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Palomino | 1968 - 1971 | $210 to $299 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Redondo | 1969 - 1971 | $160 to $220 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Shenandoa XII | 1965 - 1971 | $300 to $440 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Villager XII | 1965 - 1969 | $200 to $289 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| Wildwood | 1966 - 1971 | $365 to $385 | Spruce top, dyed figured beechwood back and sides |
TARREGA ACOUSTIC GUITARS
These early acoustics were made in Sweden and imported and distributed by Fender from the mid- to late 1960s. They used laminated construction.
| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | MATERIALS |
| FT108 (Flat-top) | ? to 1968 | $135 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| FT110 (Concert) | ? to 1968 | $116 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| FT111 (Concert) | ? to 1968 | $129 | Spruce top, maple back and sides |
| FT112 (Grand Concert) | ? to 1968 | $169 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| FT113 (Grand Concert) | ? to 1968 | $210 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| FT114 (Grand Concert) | ? to 1968 | $221 | Spruce top, maple back and sides |
| FT115 (Grand Concert) | ? to 1968 | $257 | Spruce top, mahogany back and sides |
| FT116 (Grand Concert) | ? to 1968 | $362 | Spruce top, rosewood back and sides |
REGAL ACOUSTIC GUITARS
These early acoustics were distributed by Fender from the mid- to late 1960s. They used laminate construction. There is very little detailed information on them.| MODEL | YEARS | MSRP | Description |
| R-200 | ? to 1969 | $30.00 | Student model flat-top Spanish guitar |
| R-205 | ? to 1969 | $39.50 | Student concert grand flat-top |
| R-210 | ? to 1969 | $72.50 | Standard-size flat-top Spanish guitar |
| R-215 | ? to 1969 | $72.50 | Tenor guitar |
| R-218 | ? to 1969 | $52.50 | Folk, concert grand |
| R-220 | ? to 1969 | $84.50 | Regal classic guitar |
| R-230 | ? to 1969 | $87.50 | Auditorium-size flat-top Spanish guitar |
| R-235 | ? to 1969 | $94.50 | Jumbo flat-top Spanish guitar |
| R-240 | ? to 1969 | $49.50 | Student auditorium-size archtop guitar |
| R-250 | ? to 1969 | $99.50 | Auditorium grand archtop guitar |
| R-251 | ? to 1969 | $105.50 | Auditorium grand archtop guitar |
| R-260 | ? to 1969 | $124.50 | Cutaway auditorium grand archtop guitar |
| R-261 | ? to 1969 | $129.50 | Cutaway auditorium grand archtop guitar |
| R-265 (3/4 size) | ? to 1969 | $95.50 | 3/4-size student electric |
| R-270 | ? to 1969 | $149.50 | Electric single-cutaway archtop, thin body |
| R-272 | ? to 1969 | $189.50 | Electric single-cutaway archtop, thin body |
| R-273 | ? to 1969 | $229.50 | Electric double-cutaway archtop, thin body |
| R-275 Baritone Ukulele | ? to 1969 | $54.50 | Baritone ukulele |
REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR DATING FENDER INSTRUMENTS
If you’re unable to identify the approximate production year of your instrument using the above charts, several excellent books are available that contain invaluable and reliable information on the history of Fender instruments. We highly recommend each of them.
They are detailed reference resources with a wealth of information on determining the production years of various instruments and on Fender history in general. Indeed, we use these same books here at Fender when researching historical and date-related issues. You can order these titles through your local Authorized Fender Dealer.
| TITLE | PART NUMBER | U.S. MSRP |
| 50 Years of Fender | 099-5050-000 | $19.99 |
| The Fender Stratocaster 40th Anniversary Edition | 099-5000-000 | $14.99 |
| The Stratocaster Chronicles | 099-5057-000 | $50.00 |
| The Story of the Fender Stratocaster | 099-5017-000 | $19.99 |
| Fender—The Sound Heard ’Round The World | 099-5015-000 | $29.95 |
| The Fender Telecaster | 099-5005-000 | $14.99 |
| The Fender Bass | 099-5004-000 | $9.99 |
| The Fender Bass: An Illustrated History | 099-5046-000 | $24.99 |
| How the Fender Bass Changed the World | 099-5045-000 | $27.99 |
| The Fender Book—2nd Edition | 099-5006-100 | $24.99 |
| The Fender Custom Shop Guitar Gallery | 099-5012-000 | $12.99 |
| Fender Classic Moments | 099-5013-000 | $24.99 |
| The Story of the Fender Stratocaster | 099-5016-000 | $24.95 |
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Gretsch history in shortCrescent Guitar Serial Number Lookup
Crescent Guitar Serial Number Lookup Chart
| Friedrich Gretsch, a German immigrant from Mannheim, started in 1883 with building from drum kits and banjos. After WWI the company has been taken over by his son Fred.Under his leadership, the company flourished and gained the reputation for high quality and precision. Around 1930 with the rise of big bands, the banjo was gradually replaced by the guitar. In 1939 the first electric guitar from Gretsch was released, the 'Electromatic Line' followed by the archtop model 'Synchromatic Line'. In 1942 he handed over the company to his sons Fred Jr. and William. Led by Fred Gretsch jr. Mainly in the middle of the 1950s many innovative guitars were built, such as the Model 6120 and the 'White Falcon'. In 1967 the company was sold to Baldwin Piano Company and the production was moved to Arkansas. The entire production was stopped in 1981 due to a fire in the factory. In the 1980s, interest in Gretsch guitars revived. Thanks to, among other, the Stray Cats and Chris Isaak and the production was resumed. The Gretsch White Falcon 1 has been a popular model again since the early 1980s. | Since 1985, when Fred got the company back into the family, the Gretsches were made in Japan. In 2002, Fred approached the Fender company for distribution in Europe. Fender offered to distribute it worldwide and also build the guitars for Gretsch. Gretsch and Fender signed an agreement in 2003 allowing Fender to gain control over production and distribution of guitars and gained a foothold in the Gibson dominated market for semi-acoustic guitars. New and improved old models soon appeared. Friedrich Gretsch (1885) |
Crescent Guitar Serial Number Lookup Key
| In the early years (1939-1945) Gretsch started with handwritten sequential serial numbers (001-999), written directly on the inside of the guitar. Often these serials are vague or almost illegible or completely erased. If you see at least three hard-to-read numbers, you can be pretty sure that it is a pre-war instrument. In the period from 1945 to 1954 there is the transition from handwritten serial numbers to the official labels in 1949, although the numbering remained the same. The following serials are approximate. In general, a higher number means that the guitar was produced later in the year or transferred to the next year's range.
(*) In 1957, about a thousand serial number labels were lost for unknown reasons. Part of this is recovered in 1965 and used for that year's production.
| With the imminent acquisition by Baldwin and annual production of approximately 150,000 guitars, Gretsch switched to a date-linked coding system in August 1966. Strangely enough, some guitars have serial numbers stamped into the narrow top of the headstock, while others have it stamped on the back. From June of 1967, the text 'Made in the USA' is stamped next to the serial number. The date-code distribution used from 1966 to 1972: (without a hyphen in the serial number) The first digit(s) represent the month of manufacture (1-12 for January-December). The next digit is the last digit of the year (6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1, 2 for 1966-1972). The last three digits is the production number of that month. Example 129800: Month: December Year: 1969 Production number: 800 The guitars manufactured from 1972-1981 are easier to identify because they are the only Gretsch specimens with a hyphen (or a space) after the first one or two digits. The meaning of the numbers is the same as that without a hyphen. The digits for the hyphen are for the month (1-12). The first position after the hyphen (or space) represents the last digit of the year (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1 for 1972-1981). The last three digits represent the production number for that month. Example 6-2752: Month: June Year: 1972 Production number: 752 Before the acquisition by Fender (in 2003), a more logical sequential application for the period 1989-2002 is the production made in Japan with a xxxxxx-xxx serial number. The first two digits are the year, the next digit or two digits is the month (1-9/10-12). The subsequent three digits is the model number, eg. 120 = G6120. The digits after the hyphen show the production number during the execution of the model. (not for that month or year) Example 976120-123: Month: June, Year: 1997, Model: 120, Production number: 123 In 2003 Gretsch is acquired by Fender. Fender decided to introduce a single serial number system for all guitars after 2002. The Gretsch serial numbers now have a two letter prefix indicating the location of the production, followed by a two-digit year a two-digit month and a four-digit production number related to that specific plant. Production locations:
Example: KS14053456 Year of manufacture: 2014. Month: May. Manufacture: Korea. Factory: SPG. Production number: 3456. |