Probably the first thing when trying to determine the year on an old Gibson Guitars with no label are usually lower end instruments Also mid to top end instruments usually have a label inside
#Gibson custom shop serial numbers search serial number
Serial number to make sense (see the General Specs sectionįor more details). See the serial number/FON section for details.ĭuplicate or no serial/FON number doesn't make things easy, but there are other traits that allow the (but sometimes neither!) Various serial number systems were used by Gibson,Īnd often the same serial number could be used in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
Gibson guitars usually have a FON (Factory Order Number), a serial number, or both Next Determine the Year or Approximate Year. MUCH easier! (just go to one of the above six linked webpages that describes your guitar,Īnd compare each model specs to your guitar, until you find the one that matches). Once the type of guitar is determined, figuring out the exact model is In the lap, Hawaiian style, with a metal slide bar, pickup and knob routed into the top.
Electric Lapsteel Gibson: a small solidbody guitar (no cutouts. These are always electric from the factory. With two "f" holes in the top), but the body is thinner at 1.5" to 2" thick. Electric Thinline Archtop Gibsons: same as above (electric. Electric Archtop Gibsons: same as above ("f" holes, arch top)īut the factory installed electric pickups into the guitar with volume/tone knob(s). Sound holes cut in the top, body 3" to 4.5" thick, slightly arched top,Īcoustic with no pickups (but sometimes these models have bolt-on electic assembly Acoustic Archtop Gibsons: two "f" hole style. (but often owners add a sort of bolt-on electric assembly). Hole under the strings, body 3.5" to 4.5" thick with a flat top, usually not electric Flattop Acoustic Gibsons: single round sound. (no soundhole or cutouts), 1.5" to 2" thick, pickups and knobs routed
Electric Solid body Gibsons: body is a solid piece of wood. Here are the general types of Gibson guitars: That type (listed in the blue table of contents text above),Īnd look at the model pictures and descriptions that matches your guitar. Once this is known, go directly to the section about These are several different types of Gibson guitars made. If this is the case, start at the beginning and first determine what Usually there is NO tag or label inside the guitar specifying what it is. Note of any ink stamps (sometimes the model is ink stamped inside the guitar).īut unfortunately, especially on the low to mid line models, If the model is hollow, look on the inside for any tags and made Sometimes there is a tag inside the guitar stating the "style" or model. Oringinality (have any of the parts been changed or modified?).įirst Determine the Type of Guitar and the Model. The year it was made (or approximate year/era). The type of guitar (flattop, archtop, solidbody, lapsteel, etc). Me asking, "what kind of Gibson guitar do I have?"), Introduction and "What type of Gibson guitar do I have?"īefore collectibility and value can be determined about a Gibson guitar (and before you email Mandolin, Mandola, Mandocello Model Information. Gibson Vintage Electric Bass Model Informations: Gibson Vintage Lapsteel Model Information: EBSF-1250 Double neck Bass solid body electric (1962-1963). EMS-1235 Double neck Mandolin solid body electric (1958-1962). EDS-1275 Double neck 12 string solid body electric (1958-1962). Firebird I, III, V, VII solid body electric. Les Paul (standard) solid body electric. Gibson Vintage Solidbody Model Information: Roy Smeck Radio Grande (Hawaiian) flat top. Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe (Hawaiian) flat top. Gibson Vintage Flat top Model Information: Trini Lopez Standard electric thinline archtop. ES-350T electric thinline archtop (1956 to present). ES-125T, ES-125TC, ES-125TCD electric thinline archtop. Gibson Vintage Electric Thinline Archtop Model Information: Trini Lopez Custom (Deluxe) electric arch top. Barney Kessel Regular & Custom electric arch top. Gibson Vintage Electric Archtop Model Information: Kalamazoo Award acoustic archtop (1978-1985). Super 400, Super 400P, Super 400C acoustic archtop. Gibson Vintage Acoustic Archtop Model Information: Mandolin, Mandola, Mandocello Model Information. Electric Thinline Archtop Model Information. Serial Numbers and Factory Order Numbers, all instruments (How to Find the Year). Introduction and "What type of Gibson guitar do I have?". Introduction, General Specs, Serial Number/Year Info, etc.: Gibson vintage guitars history and collecting. Vintage Guitars Info - Gibson collecting vintage gibson guitars Vintage Guitars Info's