Most solid-body Gibsons from 1977 onward use a 8- or 9-digit system:
Since 1977, Gibson has used an eight-digit system. This is the most common format you will encounter. It is a YDDDYPPP format.
Look for a paper label (often orange or white) visible through the "f-hole".
: Factory code. 1 = Kalamazoo (pre-1984), 2 = Nashville (primary), 3 = Bozeman (acoustics), 4 = Memphis (discontinued).
The and 5th digits together give you the year: 9 ... 1 = 1991 .
If you have a high-value instrument, self-verification is only the first step.
However, Gibson’s numbering system has changed frequently over the decades. Unlike some competitors, there is no single universal format. This guide breaks down how to decipher the code on your guitar.
One of the most interesting "Easter eggs" in Gibson’s modern serial number system (used from 1977 to early 2014) is that the are "bookends" that tell you the year . The "Bookend" Year System
Since 1977, Gibson has primarily used an "impressed" (stamped) system. This is the most common format you will encounter. The standard pattern is YDDDYRRR :
To verify your guitar, you must first identify which era it belongs to based on the format of the number.