I want to sell my vintage/old musical instruments!
So, when you actually go to a store to ask for an estimate of the purchase price, have you ever had the experience of thinking, "I don't know when the instrument I want to sell was manufactured..."?
(Many of you may already know this, but)
This time, let's review how to determine the model year of Gibson electric guitars from 1977 onwards.
Since around 1977, regular Gibson guitars and basses have had an 8-digit (now 9-digit) serial number engraved on the back of the headstock along with "MADE IN USA".
How to read 8-digit serial numbers from 1977 onwards
【XAAAYBBB】
XY = Year of manufacture (19XY) AAA = Day of production
BBB (for electric guitars): 001-499 = Production number for the day at the Kalamazoo factory (closed in 1984) 500-999 = Production number for the day at the Nashville factory
For example, like in the photo
【80510508】
This indicates that it was the 51st day of production in 1980, and the 8th unit produced that day at the Nashville factory.
【81752025】
In this case, it indicates that it was the 25th item produced on the 175th day of 1982 at the Kalamazoo factory.
Even after the closure of the Kalamazoo factory, there have been changes in the factory's operations, and while the way of reading the year of manufacture may have changed slightly, the basic way of reading the year of manufacture, which will be useful for appraisal, remains the same (with some exceptions), so please use this as a reference.
For instruments manufactured before 1977, as well as reissue models, the method for determining the year of manufacture differs for each, so I would like to explain that on another occasion.
For all your vintage guitar and bass needs, look no further than this store.
Hartman Vintage Guitars, a specialty store for vintage guitars and basses .
If you want to relive the good old days, this is the place.
Hartman Vintage Guitars is a vintage guitar and bass specialty shop in a prime location, just a 3-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station.
Our dedicated staff has sourced guitars, basses, and effect pedals from trade shows around the world, and we have a stunning array of rare vintage items that are among the few of their kind in the world.
Furthermore, our shop boasts one of the best selections in Japan, including bizarre guitars (our specialty) and rare Japanese vintage guitars that are always in stock, making it a must-see for enthusiasts.
Hartman Vintage Guitars is located on the 5th floor of the "Shibuya IKEBE Musical Instrument Village Pro Shop Tower," right across the pedestrian overpass at the west exit of JR Shibuya Station.
We look forward to your visit.
Store page > Hartman Vintage Guitars
