Joe's Vintage Guitars Blog

Serial Number & Dating Guides

Reference guides for dating vintage guitars by serial number, pot codes, and production records.

Serial Number & Dating Guides

Gibson SG Dating Guide

Date a Gibson SG Standard, Custom, Special or Junior using model-specific changes to pickguards, pickups, bridges, vibratos, neck joints & serial numbers.

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Serial Number & Dating Guides

Gibson ES-330 Dating Guide

Date a Gibson ES-330 with photos and a year-by-year guide to dot and block inlays, P-90 covers, neck joints, knobs, hardware, serial numbers and FONs.

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Serial Number & Dating Guides

Gibson ES-335, ES-345 And ES-355 Dating Guide

Date a Gibson ES-335, ES-345 or ES-355 using model-specific photos and timelines for inlays, pickups, bridges, necks, stereo wiring and Varitone controls.

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Serial Number & Dating Guides

Martin Guitar Construction Features And Dating

Compare Martin body joints, bridges, pickguards, woods, inlays and neck reinforcement with dated photos. Check each feature against the serial.

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Serial Number & Dating Guides

Martin Neck-Block Stamps: Models, Serials And Maker’s Marks

Martin neck-block stamps show the serial and, from about October 1930, the model. Compare dated photos, hand stamping and separate maker’s marks.

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Serial Number & Dating Guides

Martin Headstock Logo Evolution And Dating Guide

Martin began using gold front logos in 1932. Compare rear stamps, outlined script and vertical pearl lettering in dated guitar photos.

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Serial Number & Dating Guides

Martin Tuner Dating Guide: Grover, Kluson And Waverly

Identify Martin Grover, Kluson and Waverly tuners with dated photos of clipped-end plates, wartime gears, wafflebacks, Rotomatics and strip tuners.

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Serial Number & Dating Guides

Martin Guitar Model Numbers: Body Sizes And Styles

Decode Martin model stamps from 0-18 and 000-21 to D-28 and 000-45. Compare body sizes, style numbers, trim and dated photos.

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Serial Number & Dating Guides

Gretsch Labels And Serial Number Locations

Find a Gretsch serial on the label, headstock or nameplate. Compare vintage and modern photos, reused labels and numbers that need a closer feature check.

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