Hello! This is Hartman Vintage Guitars.
Want to sell your vintage/old instrument? When you go to a shop 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 made..."?
I've had some experience with Gibson and Fender guitars before, but...
This time, let's review how to determine the year of manufacture of Gretsch electric guitars, specifically those from around the 1970s.
Gretsch guitars from this period follow a pattern in their serial numbers, so it's generally possible to narrow down the year of manufacture based on the serial number.
How to read serial numbers from around 1966 to 1973
【M(M)YXXX】
M(M) = Month Y = Last digit of the year XXX = Number in the production order of that model in that year
For example, the serial number [113177] on the Roc Jet in the photo
can be interpreted as being produced in November 1973, making it the 177th Roc Jet of that year.
From around 1973 onward, hyphens were added, but the reading remained essentially the same. (In 1973, both old and new type serial numbers coexisted.)
Serial number from around 1973 to around 1981
【M(M)-YXXX】
M(M) = Month Y = Last digit of the year XXX = Number in the production order of that model in that year
For example, the serial number [11-0204] on the 'BST-1000' in the photo
can be interpreted as being produced in November 1980, making it the 204th BST-1000 of that year.
However, it's important to note that many cars from the 1950s to the early 1960s have five-digit serial numbers.
For example, this serial number [26204]
If we apply the rules of the 1970s, this could be read as the 204th unit produced in February 1966, but in reality, this is a 1957 model, and it was not produced in the 1970s.
While checking the overall specifications and features, it's also crucial to understand roughly when the model itself was produced.
Since there isn't much information available about Gretsch guitars, if you're having trouble determining the year of manufacture, it's best to consult with a specialist.
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.
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