Prior to 1984, the numbers 001-499 show Kalamazoo production, 500-999 show Nashville production. Note: Custom shop guitars are not supported Enter Serial Number eg. Messages 3,024. If you have an older model without a serial number, this might be all the closer you’ll get to dating your Gibson. Problem is no one can tell me the year. Gibson (Ver. A number stamped with ink on the back of the headstock. 1961-1969. He knows what Custom Shop Gibson's are... Last edited: Nov 19, 2010. 891083. If so, it has a weight-relieved body, short neck tenon, 490/498 pickups, 500k tone pots / 300k volume pots, 0.022uF ceramic disc caps, Nashville bridge, USA taller/square frets, and should have a fairly fat neck. Early Gibson solidbody electrics received a serial stamp on the back of the headstock, with the first number indicating the year of production. In 1994, Gibson’s Centennial year, many instruments have a serial number that begins with “94” for the year, with the remaining 6 digits indicating the ranking number over the entire year’s production. Keep in mind, Gibson never inked serial numbers on the Gibson Les Paul Standard but they did ink the custom shop series and some Les Paul Classics. 81232560 Extended Search For all Gibson guitars made prior to 1977 and reisues . in 1947 Gibson changed the serial number pattern and in 1954 went from white labels to orange labels. Speaking of Custom shop serial numbers. So, there's Custom Shop and "Custom Shop" when it comes to Gibson guitars. The serial number will be an 8 digit number impressed into the back of the headstock with "MADE IN USA" below. There are five iterations of the company’s logo dating all the way back to 1902. Does your Custom have a CS serial number? D. diagrammatiks Member. Gibson's solid bodys were released in 1952. Since all the instruments using this serial number pattern were acoustic or semi-hollow the labels were located inside the instrument body. The original logo is a one-of-a-kind, unmistakable italic typeface with pearl inlay. Gibson Custom 1952-1960 Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V, and Futura reissues (since late 1992): 2.0) The Gibson Serial Number Decoder currently supports 6 formats from 4 Factories. Production Year: Serial #s: Production Year: Serial #s: 1947 : A100 - … It’s got the circle banner custom shop logo and seems to have old school zebra PAF pickups with the sticker on the back of them. Gibson serial numbers 1952 to 1961, solidbody model. The serial numbers from the Custom, Art, and Historic division vary depending on the line. Starting in 1961, Gibson implemented a new serialization system designed to cover its entire lineup. Fakes usually have the serial number either engraved too deep into the wood or inked (with too much ink). The serial number is consistent with a model made in Nashville in 1994. - In 1977, Gibson introduced the serialization method that we primarily use to this day at Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, and the Gibson Custom facility in Memphis, TN. Electric Guitars built at the Gibson USA plant in Nashville are ranked from 500-999. The serial number on this Les Paul Junior indicates that it was made in 1956. Gibson did not use serial numbers at that time but started in 1953. I’ve heard 1980’s. "Custom shop" guitars with a CS serial number are essentially just production guitars *unless* you've specifically special-ordered a guitar through one of the dealers authorized to estimate and order custom guitars. Each instrument celebrates Gibson’s legacy through accuracy, authenticity and attention to detail. In 1994, Gibson's Centennial year, many instruments have a serial number that begins with "94" for the year, with the remaining 6 digits indicating the ranking number. Fakes are often too close. I have one that’s simply 6 digits. The first digit of the series number is the last digit of the year. 60th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard Clear edges from the old lacquer which I believe makes them real. The Gibson Custom Shop is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality and sound excellence. Nov 19, 2010 Another thing to look for is whether the numbers are too close. For guitars …