Gibson Les Paul Serial Number Lookup and Dating

Finding out the year of your Gibson Les Paul guitar can be a very tricky task indeed. That being said, if you are trying to figure out what your guitar is worth, just a one year difference can make an astronomical difference in value! In order to help you ascertain what year your guitar was made, and consequently, what it is worth, I have written up a comprehensive guide to dating your Gibson Les Paul guitar. While serial numbers and features can be an effective way to date your guitar, the best way to get the date of your guitar is to contact a vintage guitar expert! Lucky for you, I’m just a phone call or email away and would be happy to assist you! Feel free to contact me if you would like help dating or valuing a guitar. For a detailed and precise valuation, consider our free appraisal services, ensuring you understand the full potential of your instrument

Step One: Serial Number Decoder & Serial Number Format

The first step in dating your Les Paul is locating the serial number and deciphering it correctly. The serial number will be located on the back of the headstock as seen below.

Next, figure out which type of serial number your Les Paul has. Gibson changed the way they put serial numbers on their guitars over the years, so the serial number format is a great place to start. Click on the format below that matches your serial number to be taken directly to that part of this article! As always, please reach out if you would like to sell your Gibson guitar to a passionate collector who will take care of it and appreciate  it!

• 4 to 6 digits and ink stamped 1953 – 1960
• 3 to 6 impressed (No MADE IN USA stamp) 1961 – 1969
• 6 digits impressed with MADE IN USA stamp 1970-1975
• 8 digit sticker with model name and Made In USA (1975-1977)
• 8 or 9 digit impressed (1977-Present)

Dating a Gibson Guitar with 4 to 6 Digits Ink Stamped

From 1952 until 1960, Gibson Les Paul serial numbers were stamped in ink on the back of the headstock. The ink color can be yellow or black. Sometimes, the serial numbers have a gap between the first number and the rest of the numbers. These serial numbers can be deciphered as follows:

The first digit of the serial number corresponds to the last digit of the year. For example:

• 2 = 1952
• 3 = 1953
• 4 = 1954
• 5 = 1955
• 6 = 1956
• 7 = 1957
• 8 = 1958
• 9 = 1959
• 0 = 1960

If you have a Gibson guitar with an ink stamp serial number, I am interested in buying it! Feel free to contact me at (602) 900-6635 or email me at joesvintageguitars94@gmail.com

Gibson Serial Number Search for 3 to 6 Digit Impressed Serial Numbers with NO “Made In USA” Stamp

As you can see above, Gibson changed the way they put serial numbers onto their guitars. Starting sometime in 1961, Gibson switched from an ink stamp, to an impressed stamp. If your guitar has an impressed serial number and NO “Made In USA” Stamp, it was made sometime between 1961 and 1970.

KEEP IN MIND: Serial numbers from this period are very inconsistent and should really only be used as a general guide. They were often reused or used improperly, hence why some serial numbers in this list correspond to more than one year. If you want help ascertaining the exact year of your instrument, feel free to call me at (602) 900-6635 or email me at joesvintageguitars94@gmail.com

100   to  42440      1961 42441  to 61180     1962 61450  to 64222      1963 64240  to 71040   1964 71041  to 96600    1962, 1963, or 1964 96601  to 99999     1963

000001 to 099999   1967 100000 to 106099   1963 or 1967 106100 to 106899   1963 109000 to 109999   1963 or 1967 110000 to 111549   1963 111550 to 115799   1963 or 1967 115800 to 118299   1963 118300 to 120999   1963 or 1967 121000 to 139999   1963 140000 to 140100   1963 or 1967 140101 to 144304   1963 144305 to 144380   1964 144381 to 149864   1963 149865 to 149891   1964 149892 to 152989   1963 152990 to 174222   1964 174223 to 176643   1964 or 1965 176644 to 250335   1964 250336 to 305983   1965 306000 to 310999   1965  or 1967 311000 to 320149   1965 320150 to 320699   1967 320700 to 329179   1965 329180 to 330199   1965 or 1967 330200 to 332240   1965, 1967 or 1968 332241 to 348092   1965 348093 to 349100   1966 349121 to 368638   1965 368640 to 369890   1966 370000 to 370999   1967 380000 to 385309   1966 390000 to 390998   1967 400001 to 406666   1966 406667 to 409670   1966, 1967, or 1968 409671 to 410900   1966 410901 to 419999   1966 420000 to 429193   1966 500000 to 500999   1965, 1966, 1968, or 1969 501009 to 501600   1965 501601 to 501702   1968 501703 to 502706   1965 (wide neck), 1968 503010 to 503109   1968 503405 to 520955   1965 (wide neck), 1968 520956 to 530056   1968 530061 to 530850   1966, 1968, 1969 (knobs) 530851 to 530993   1968 or 1969 530994 to 539999   1969 540000 to 540795   1966 or 1969 (knobs) 540796 to 545009   1969 555000 to 557999   1966 558000 to 567400   1969 570087 to 570643   1966 570645 to 570755   1966 or 1967 570857 to 570964   1966 580000 to 580080   1969 580086 to 580999   1966, 1967, 1969 knobs 600000 to 600998   1966, 1967, or 1968 600000 to 606090   1969 700000 to 700799   1966, 1967 or 1969 750000 to 750999   1968 or 1969 800000 to 800999   1966, 1967, 1968 or 1969 801000 to 812838   1966 or 1969 812900 to 819999   1969 820000 to 820087   1966 or 1969 820088 to 823830   1966 824000 to 824999   1969 828002 to 847488   1966 or 1969 847499 to 858999   1966 or 1969 859001 to 895038   1967 895039 to 896999   1968 897000 to 898999   1967 or 1969 899000 to 899999   1968 900000 to 909999   1970 910000 to 999999   1968

Serial Number Dates for Six Digit Serial Numbers with “Made In USA” Stamp Underneath

Starting in 1970, Gibson began stamping “Made In USA” on the back of the headstock on all electric guitar models. If your guitar says “Made In USA” on the back of the headstock, it was definitely, unequivocally made after 1970! Once again, serial numbers from this time period are NOT reliable and should only be used as a loose guide. Feel free to contact me at (602) 900-6635 if you have a guitar that you would like help dating or valuing your Gibson. Below are the serial numbers and corresponding years for guitars with the “Made In USA” Stamp

000000        1973               MADE IN USA stamp

100000        1970-1975     MADE IN USA stamp

200000        1973-1975     MADE IN USA stamp

300000        1974-1975     MADE IN USA stamp

400000        1974-1975     MADE IN USA stamp

500000        1974-1975     MADE IN USA stamp

600000        1970-1972, 1974-1975    MADE IN USA stamp

700000        1970-1972     MADE IN USA stamp

800000        1973-1975     MADE IN USA stamp

900000        1970-1972     MADE IN USA stamp

8-Digit Sticker Serial Number with Model Name and “Made In USA”

From 1975-1977, Gibson used sticker serial numbers. These are easy to identify because they also include the model name of the guitar on the back of the headstock as seen above. Below are the corresponding serial numbers.

99xxxxxx     1975              

00xxxxxx     1976

06xxxxxx     1977

How to Check Gibson Les Paul Serial Numbers for 8 or 9 Digit Impressed Serial Numbers

Starting in 1977 and continuing on until present day, Gibson began using a standardized and easy-to-read serial number system. This system was and is very reliable and will always give you a correct year on your guitar. The year of the guitar is determined by the FIRST and FIFTH digits of the number. These two digits represent the last two digits of the year. For example: 

90008554=1998 

05571664= 2001

88765111= 1985

Uncover Your Guitar’s Story with Joe’s Vintage Guitars

Let’s discover together what secrets your vintage guitar holds! I want to hear about the family stories, the shows played, and the owners of these legendary instruments. I am happy to help you date, value and sell your vintage guitar! Sell your vintage instrument to a vintage guitar aficionado today!