Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers

Gibson gk 55 electric guitar made in 1979 kalamazoo, michigan great tone. Gibson GK-55, Serial Number 71239099. It is the bolt-on version of the highly-regarded Les Paul Jr. Special 1955 Reissue. Gibson also owns and makes guitars under such brands as Epiphone, Kramer, Valley Arts, Tobias, Steinberger, and Kalamazoo. The serial numbers are deciphered using the following system: YDDDYRRR. YY is the production year.

Martin began producing instruments in 1833. Prior to serial numbers, the different instruments were identified by the Martin brand which was stamped into the back of the headstock, the upper portion of the back or on the back binding strut visible through the soundhole (the eased blocking reinforcing the center joint between the 2 back pieces). The original instruments had a paper label that read: “Martin and Coupa” 1833 to 1867 The brand reads: “C.F. Martin New York”. 1867 to 1898 The brand reads: “C.F. 1898 onward The brand reads: “C.F. Nazareth, Pa.” 1888 to 1898 Paper label includes: “Charles A.

Zoebisch & Sons” (Zoebisch was the sole distributor of Martin at the time). 1898 Serial numbers begin at #8000 1929 Model numbers were marked on the neck block, inside the body. Some pre-1898 guitars have the date penciled on the top just inside the sound hole. Before 1929, the model size and style designation was generally written on a paper label and glued inside the top of the instrument case. 1895 Mandolins were introduced 1915 Ukuleles, taropatches, tiples and Hawaiian guitars were introduced 1923 Tenor banjos were introduced After workers at the Nazareth factory had been employed for a period of years they were permitted to fashion an instrument for themselves at the plant. Many of these unique instruments pop-up today and don’t fit any clear category.

Fortunately, they are often signed by the builder. Ukuleles did not carry serial numbers but can be roughly identified and dated by the headstock: 1895 to 1932 The Martin brand stamped on the back of the headstock.

1930 onward The Martin logo decal on the front of the headstock. 1895 to 1934 Bar frets 1934 onward Standard frets Interestingly, the original order for Martin decals was placed in June of 1932. This implies that a number of ukuleles built in 1930 remained in the factory until being sold in 1932. It was, after all, the depression. This would also explain why the occasional pre-1932 Martin guitar appears with a decal. Year Last Number 1903 1150 1904 1850 1905 2550 1906 3350 1907 4250 1908 5450 1909 6950 1910 8750 1911 99999. From 1970-1975 all numbers were stamped into wood and assigned a six digit number.

There are many exceptions and sometimes letter prefixes were used. The orange labels inside hollow bodied instruments were discontinued in 1970 and replaced by white and orange rectangle labels on the acoustics and small black, purple and white rectangle labels were used on electric models. In 1970, the words “MADE IN USA” was stamped into instrument headstocks (though a few instruments from the 1950s also had MADE IN USA stamped into their headstocks). Year(s) and Approximate Serial Numbers • 1970, 1971, and 1972 100000s, 600000s, 700000s, 900000s • 1973 000001s, 100000s, 200000s, 800000s and a few “A” + 6 digit numbers • 1974 and 1975 100000s, 200000s, 300000s, 400000s, 500000s, 600000s, 800000s and a few A-B-C-D-E-F + 6 digit numbers During the period from 1975-1977 Gibson used a transfer that had eight digit numbers, the first two indicate the year, 99=1975, 00=1976 and 06=1977, the following six digits are in the 100000 to 200000 range. MADE IN USA were also included on the transfer and some models had LIMITED EDITION also applied.

A few bolt on neck instruments had a date ink stamped on the heel area. In 1977, Gibson first introduced the serialization method that is in practice today. This updated system utilizes an impressed eight digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions.

The pattern is as follows: • YDDDYPPP • YY is the production year • DDD is the day of the year • PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank. Download liga sepak bola. The numbers 001-499 show Kalamazoo production, 500-999 show Nashville production. The Kalamazoo numbers were discontinued in 1984.

When acoustic production began at the plant built in Bozeman, Montana in 1989, the series numbers were reorganized. Bozeman instruments began using 001-299 designations and, in 1990, Nashville instruments began using 300-999 designations. It should also be noted that the Nashville plant has not reached the 900s since 1977, so these numbers have been reserved for prototypes. Examples: • 70108276 means the instrument was produced on Jan.10, 1978, in Kalamazoo and was the 276th instrument stamped that day. • 82765501 means the instrument was produced on Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day. Naaginn drama zee tv last episode tune.pk.