Le tabelle devono essere sempre confrontate
con altri elementi di ricoscimento a conferma
del reale anno dello strumento.
Anno Numerazione a lotti 1908 259 1909 309 1910 545, 927 1911 1260, 1295 1912 1408, 1593 1913 1811, 1902 1914 1936, 2152 1915 2209, 3207 1916 2667, 3508 1917 3246, 11010 1918 9839, 11159 1919 11146, 11212 1920 11329, 11367 1921 11375, 11527 1922 11565, 11729 1923 11973
Dal 1935 al 1942
Anno 1°Lettera 1935 A 1936 B 1937 C 1938 D 1939 E Eccetto EA 1940 F 1941 G 1942 H
Dal 1936 al 1943 Numeri Anno Dal 200-xx Al 399-xx 1937 Dal 400-xx Al 599-xx 1936, 1937 Dal 500-xx Al 599-xx 1936 to 1938 Dal 600-xx Al 799-xx 1936, 1938 Dal 800-xx Al 999-xx 1936 Dal 1000-xx Al 1599-xx 1937 Dal 1600-xx Al 2999-xx 1938 to 1940 Dal 3000-xx Al 5999-xx 1941 Dal 6000-xx Al 6999-xx 1942 Dal 7000-xx Al 7999-xx 1943
Dal 1942 al 1952
Numeri Anno 910-3 1942 923-45 1942 2004-1 1942 2224-14 1943 2426-39 1943 2558-46 1944 n/a 1945 n/a 1946 n/a 1947 n/a 1948 100's al basso 2000's 1949 alto 2000's al basso 5000's 1950 high 5000's al basso 9000's 1951 high 9000's 1952
Dal 1952 al 1961
Lettera Anno Z 1952 Y 1953 X 1954 W 1955 V 1956 U 1957 T 1958 S 1959 R 1960 Q 1961
Numeri Di Serie dei modelli Hollow Bodies dal 1947 al 1961
Numeri Anno A-100 Apr 28 1947 A-411 Jul 2 A-1146 Dec 1 A-1304 A-1305 Jan 8 1948 A-1849 Jul 2 A-2613 Dec 8 A-2665 A-2666 Jan 5 1949 A-3353 Jul 1 A-4209 Dec 1 A-4413 A-4414 Jan 3 1950 A-5456 Jul 3 A-6312 Dec 4 A-6597 A-6598 Jan 4 1951 A-8030 Jul 2 A-9194 Dec 3 A-9419 A-9420 Jan 1952 A-11057 Jul 1 A-12202 Dec 1 A-12462 A-12463 Jan 8 1953 A-14332 Jul 1 A-15883 Dec 2 A-16101 A-16102 Jan 5 1954 A-17435 Jul 1 A-18496 Dec 1 A-18667 A-18668 Jan 1955 A-18750 Jan 12 ultima White Label La Numerazione che va da A-18751 a A-19999 non č stata utilizzata A 20001 Jan 13 Prima Orange Label A 20991 Jul 1 A 21745 Dec 1 A 21909 A 21910 Jan 6) 1956 A 23387 Jul 3 A 24567 Dec 1 A 24755 A 24756 Jan 3 1957 A 25899 Jul 3 A 26695 Dec 3 A 26819 A 26820 Jan 6 1958 A 27816 Jul 1 A 28576 Dec 1 A 28880 A 28881 Jan 9 1959 A 30569 Jul 13 A 31844 Dec 2 A 32284 A 32285 Jan 4 1960 A 34068 Jul 1 A 35252 Dec 1 A 35645 A 35646 Jan 1961 A 35943 Feb 1 A 36147 Feb 21, Ultimo Numero con "A"
Numeri di Serie dei modelli solid body da 1952 al 1960
Il primo numero Anno Nessun Numero 1952 3 1953 4 1954 5 1955 6 1956 7 1957 8 1958 9 1959 0 1960
dal Feb 1961 to 1969.
Tutti i modelli hanno il numero stampato dietro la paletta.
Diversi numeri tra il 1963 e il 1969 compaiono anche in altro periodo
Range dei numeri Anno 0100 al 42440 1961 42441 al 61180 1962 61450 al 64222 1963 64240 al 70501 1964 71180 al 96600 1962 96601 al 99999 1963 000001 al 099999 1967 Tutti i numeri che iniziano con lo " sono del 19670 100000 al 106099 1963, 1967 106100 al 106899 1963 109000 al 109999 1963, 1967 110000 al 111549 1963 111550 al 115799 1963, 1967 115800 al 118299 1963 118300 al 120999 1963, 1967 121000 al 139999 1963 140000 al 140100 1963, 1967 140101 al 144304 1963 144305 al 144380 1964 144381 al 149864 1963 149865 al 149891 1964 149892 al 152989 1963 152990 al 174222 1964 174223 al 176643 1964, 1965 176644 al 250335 1964 250336 al 305983 1965 306000 al 310999 1965, 1967 311000 al 320149 1965 320150 al 320699 1967 320700 al 329179 1965 329180 al 330199 1965, 1967 330200 al 332240 1965, 1967, 1968 332241 al 348092 1965 348093 al 349100 1966 349121 al 368638 1965 368640 al 369890 1966 370000 al 370999 1967 380000 al 385309 1966 390000 al 390998 1967 400001 al 400999 1965-1968 401000 al 438922 1966 500000 al 500999 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 501009 al 501600 1965 501601 al 501702 1968 501703 al 502706 1965, 1968 503010 al 503109 1968 503405 al 520955 1965, 1968 520956 al 530056 1968 530061 al 530850 1966, 1968, 1969 530851 al 530993 1968, 1969 530994 al 539999 1969 540000 al 540795 1966, 1969 540796 al 545009 1969 555000 al 556909 1966 558012 al 567400 1969 570099 al 570755 1966 580000 al 580999 1969 600000 al 600999 1966-1969 601000 to 606090 1969 700000 al 700799 1966, 1967 750000 to 750999 1968, 1969 800000 al 800999 1966-1969 801000 al 812838 1966, 1969 812900 al 819999 1969 820000 al 820087 1966, 1969 820088 al 823830 1966 824000 al 824999 1969 828002 al 847488 1966, 1969 847499 al 858999 1966, 1969 859001 al 895038 1967 895039 al 896999 1968 897000 al 898999 1967, 1969 899000 al 972864 1968
Dai primi 70' alla metā 70'
Numeri Anno 000000's 1973 100000's 1970-1975 200000's 1973-1975 300000's 1974-1975 400000's 1974-1975 500000's 1974-1975 600000's 1970-1972, 1974-1975 700000's 1970-1972 800000's 1973-1975 900000's 1970-1972 A + 6 digits 1973-1975 B + 6 digits 1974-1975 C + 6 digits 1974-1975 D + 6 digits 1974-1975 E + 6 digits 1974-1975 F + 6 digits 1974-1975 In tutti questi anni esiste lo stamp "Made in U.S.A." nel retro della paletta
Dal 1975 al 1977
Tutti i modelli hanno una Decal di 2 cifre di prefisso seguite da 6 numeri
In tutti questi anni esiste lo stamp "Made in U.S.A." nel retro della paletta
Prefisso Anno 99 1975 00 1976 06 1977
Dal 1977 in poi
tutti i modelli hanno 8 numeri impressi nel retro paletta con questo significato:
AA (1° e 5° numero) = Anno GGG (numeri dal 2°al 4°) = giorno dell'anno 001= 1°Gennaio, 365 = 31 Dicembre NNN (numeri dal 6° al 8°) = Classificazione dello strumento in quel giorno. ESEMPIO: 83180069 = 1°e5° 80(anno) - 2°3°4° 318 giorno dell'anno - dal 6°al 8° 69° strumento costruito.
Ogni strumento made in Kalamazoo (1977-1984)e Bozeman (1989-in poi) č numerato iniziando con 001 ogni giorno.
Strumenti fatti a Nashville iniziano la numerazione con 500 ogni giorno.
Exceptions to the 1977
and later 8 digit serial numbers.
Vintage reissue and custom shop models use a different serial number format.
1970s Les Paul
Spotlight Special
Numbered YY nnnn (with YY being the year, nnnn is the ranking).
1994 Electric
Gibsons.
In 1994 only, the Nashville Gibson factory numbered all instruments with a
94xxxxxx style number. The final 6 digits ranked the instruments over the
whole year's production.
1994 Centennial
Electric Models.
Inked on serial number in a YYYY-MM format. This funky formatting keys the
YYYY number to a ranking of the model according to the years of centenial
(1894 corresponds to #1, 1994 corresponds to #101, etc). The MM was the month
of the model within the series, ranging from 1 to 14 (but only 12 models were
actually produced, plus 2 prototypes).
Les Paul Classic,
1990-present.
The LP Classic have a 1950s style inked serial number with the first digit
decoding to the last digit of the year.
Historic ES MODELS (since 1995):
(A or B)-MYRRR
M is the model year being reissued
Y is the production year
RRR indicates the guitar's place in the sequence of Historic ES production for
that year.
Reissue model codes:
2= ES-295
3= 1963 ES-335 (block inlays)
4= ES-330
5= ES-345
9 with an "A" prefix = 1959 ES-335 (dot inlays)
9 with a "B" prefix= ES-355
Example: A-38005 is the 5th '63 ES-335
Reissue produced in 1998.
Carved Top models (serial number on orange label)
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR indicate the guitar's place in the sequence of carved tops made that day.
NOTE - as of 2000, 1st digit will be a "2"
Examples:
91418009 is the 9th carved top produced on the 141st day of 1998.
20045002 was the 2nd carved top stamped on the 4th day of 2005.
Custom Shop regular production models
CSYRRRR
CS stands for "Custom Shop"
Y indicates the production year
RRRR indicates the guitar's place in the sequence of production
Example: CS10845 is the 845th reg. production CS model produced in 2001.
CS Signature Models:
The list below is not an exhaustive listing but we have included many of our
most popular Signature models. Please contact us at service@gibson.com should
you have any questions.
Ace Frehley Les Paul
- 1997 Limited run, numbered in sequence as "ACE xxx"
Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul has a
standard 8 digit serial number.
Andy Summers ES-335
Limited edition of 50. Numbered in sequence as "AS xxxx"
Dickey Betts '57 goldtop Les Paul
Limited edition of 114. Numbered in sequence as "DB xxx"
Dickey Betts '57 red top Les Paul
Numbered in sequence as "DBR xxx"
Gary Rossington Les Paul
Limited edition of 250. Numbered in sequence as "GR xxx"
Gary Rossington SG
Limited edition of 250. Numbered in sequence as "13xxx"
Jimmy Page Les Paul (3 versions)
-1st 25 aged models were hand numbered 1-25 and signed by Jimmy Page, no other
number is on this model.
-Limited run of 150 aged models are numbered in sequence as "PAGE xxx"
-Unlimited run of Custom Authentic models are numbered in sequence as "JPP xxx"
Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul has a standard
8 digit serial number.
Joe Perry Les Paul (2 models)
- Joe Perry Signature Les Paul from 1996 (trans black finish) - numbered in
sequence as "JPxxx"
- Boneyard LP - Pilot Run models have an inked number and hand written "Pilot
Run". The production version (no difference in spec) numbered in sequence as "BONE
xxx"
Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Joe Perry Signature Les Paul made has a
standard 8 digit serial number.
Johnny A.
Numbered in sequence as "JA xxx"
Pete Townshend LP Deluxe
Limited run of 75, numbered in sequence as "PETE xxx"
Peter Frampton Les Paul (2 models)
- PF LP Custom - numbered in sequence as "PF xxx"
- PF LP Special - numbered in sequence as "PFYxxx" Y indicates the year of
production.
Slash Les Paul (2 models)
- 1997 limited edition model, cranberry finish: numbered in sequence as "SL
xxx"
- Regular production model introduced in 2004, also numbered in sequence as
"SL xxx"
Note: The discontinued Epiphone Slash Les Paul made has a standard Epiphone
serial number.
Tony Iommi SG
Numbered in sequence as "TI xxx"
Zakk Wylde Les Paul
Bullseye and the rare "Rough Top" version numbered in sequence as "ZW xxx"
Camo version numbered in sequence as "ZPW xxx"
Special Cases
Every serial number rule has its exceptions. This is especially true for the
Les Paul line, because there are a wide variety
of specialty models within the line itself. Les Paul Classic models, made to
recreate every nuance of the original Les Pauls
created between 1952 and 1960, feature serial numbers with 4, 5, or 6 digits,
depending on the decade they were manufactured in.
Les Paul Classics made in the '80s have four, ones from the '90s have five,
and ones from the 00's have six. There will be a space between
the first digit, which indicates the specific year number, and the rest on
the serial numbers with 4 and 5 digits. On the Classics stamped
with six digits, the space won't be there. In 1994, Gibson used special
serial numbers on their guitars to commemorate the company's
100th anniversary. All Les Pauls made in 1994 have a serial number that
begins with, you guessed it, 94. The other six digits tell you the
tranking number. If a Les Paul has a serial number of 94000300, for example,
it means that it was the 300th one produced by Gibson in 1994.
R9s would have the following SNs:
9 3xxx 1993 or 2003
9 4xxx 1994 or 2004
9 5xxx 1995 or 2005
9 6xxx 1996 or 2006
9 7xxx 1997 or 2007
9 8xxx 1998 or 2008
9 9xxx 1999 0r 2009
9 0xxx 2000 or 2010
9 1xxx 2001
9 2xxx 2002.
2002 and up R9s would have pointed inlays, pre 2002 would have rounded
inlays.
PreHisorics made in 1989 would also begin with a 9 xxxx.
Gibson PAF (Patent Applied For) Humbucker Pickup Info: History of Gibsons PAF Pickups By the mid-1950s, Gibson wanted to counter the latest electric guitars introduced by competitors and especially those by Fender. Leo Fender had built a company from nothing in the mid-1940s to a substantial factor in the solid-body guitar market. Gibson believed they could beat Fender and other rivals for market share by developing a low-noise pickup. Players loved the sound of Gibson's P-90 and Fender's single-coil pickups, but they also put up with the 60-cycle hum (noise) inherent in their respective designs. Gibson's management assigned this important task to one of their engineers, the late Seth Lover. Seth's subsequent design and patent changed guitar playing and music recording history.Let's leave the heavy technical discussion for another article and understand the basic design: Seth connected two single coil pickups in series. However, he connected the coils out-of-phase electrically and magnetically. Thus, the signal is passes through the pickup minus much of the noise or hum. That is how the pickup Seth designed came to be known as the humbucker. Seth's pickup patent was filed on June 22, 1955. Gibson added the new pickups to steel guitars in 1956, and in 1957 on electric solid-body and arch-top guitars, including the popular Les Paul Model. During 1957, a small black decal with gold lettering was added to the underside of the pickup.This decal read, "PATENT APPLIED FOR". Later, as the vintage guitar market evolved from savvy recording artists to local musicians, these pickups became known as the 'PAF'. Seth Lover received his approved pickup patent, #2,896,491, on July 28, 1959. By late 1962, Gibson changed the decal to read, "PATENT NO 2,737,842". It is interesting to note that the patent number listed on the decal was not for the pickup design, but for Les Paul's trapeze tailpiece. One can assume Gibson was creating a research roadblock for the competition. Or, was it simply a typo? The competition idea seems more credible, but silly, as these new decals appeared 7 years after the pickups were first installed on Gibson's instruments. Between 1959 and 1960, Gibson made PAF pickups with white and black plastic bobbins.Prior to this point in time, both of the bobbins were black. These oblong bobbins are exposed when the pickup's metal cover is removed. Thus, some PAFs are referred to as double black (two black bobbins), zebra (one black and one white bobbin) and double cream (two white bobbins). Because collectors and players want the rarest possible instruments, amps, parts, etc… vintage double cream and zebra PAFs command higher prices that the more common double black pickups.These variations of PAF pickups with cream bobbins are also in their prime period of construction from 1956-1960. The bobbin's color does not influence the sound of the pickups.It's purely cosmetic, but creates a very cool image. From 1956 until sometime in 1961, Gibson used different Alnico magnets in their PAFs.Alnico magnets (composed primarily of the alloys Aluminum, NIckel, and CObalt) come in a variety of grades based on their magnetic strength.Gibson used the same magnets (size and grades) available for their P-90 pickups. It seems Gibson randomly used Alnico 2, 3, 4 and 5 grade magnets in PAFs until 1961. The higher the magnet's number, the higher the magnetic strength. By 1961, Gibson began consistently using a smaller size Alnico 5 magnet. Generally speaking, decreasing the flat (top) side size of these magnets decreases the power of the pickups. As for wiring, Gibson used a braided shield wire for connection to the control pot.The pickup bobbins were wound with #42 (plain enamel) wire. The bobbin wire appears purple versus later versions that appear reddish. Gibson eventually switched to polyurethane coated wire around 1963. The capacitance of the coating is determined by thickness and material composition, and this influences the sound of the pickup.When coatings change, the sound signature of the pickup can change. The amount of wire(and coating) wound on each bobbin determines the DC resistance and other factors, including sound characteristics. When the bobbins are wound with more than a nominal amount of wire, the more power they exhibit, thereby sounding fatter in the midrange with less treble. The resonant peak of the pickup changes as more or less wire is used. Due to human intervention and the wide-tolerance of the winding machines and the test equipment used by Gibson from 1956-1961, PAF pickups during these years usually measure between 7.5 - 9.0 thousand ohms (K ohms).