In 1974 Hamer used a four digit number stamped into the wood startingwith guitar #0000 and, until the launch of the Sunburst, this system wasused on all guitars. Some instruments (notably Standard guitarsand basses, Eight-string basses and some custom order instruments) were numbered using the four digit numberingsystem up until 1985(e.g Standard #0722 was completed in May 1984); in total about 750 instrumentswere numbered using these four digit numbers.The Sunbursts were numbered using a different system: the first digit represents the year of production and the following four(or later five digit number) is the total number of guitars made by Hamerand numbered using this system. So for example guitar #8 0196 was madein 1978 and was the 196th guitar to be numbered using this system. Similarly# 8 21416 was made in 1988 and was the 21416th guitar to be numbered. Thesenumbers are printed using ink or paint (black on most but yellow on blackand dark coloured instruments). By 1980 most models with the exceptions noted above were numberedusing this latter system. From late 1987 the serial numberswere stamped into the wood rather than printed. Recently, USA has been stamped under the serial number in the same font.Just to complicate matters,many one-of-a-kind and prototype instruments have numbers that do not relateto either of the above systems.
Dating HamersThe first Hamer Standard was numbered #0000 (stamped into the wood) and subse-quently consecutive numbers were used on all guitars until 1977. By 1980 most models had switched to a second system, however, some continued to be produced bearing 4-digit numbers until 1985, mostly Standards, Eight- and Twelve-string basses. Approximately 750 guitars were made with 4-digit serial numbers.
Hamer Xt Serial Numbers
hey i was wondering if you would be willing to sell the hamer slammer californian import? i had that exact model that was bestowed to me by my late grandfather, untill it was stolen out of my car while i was at work. ill make a good deal on it!
Danelectro/Silvertone (Back to top of page)You can find serial numbers on vintage Danelectro/Silvertone instruments all over the instrument, including back of headstock, neck heel, neck pocket, control cavity and other places. In doing research on this brand I found the definitive website for Danelectro/Silvertone info at www.danelectro.guru. The site is run by Doug Tulloch and he even sells a Danelectro Guitar Guide for you hardcore fans.
Briefly, for a pre-1967 3-digit serial number the first two digits are the week, while the last digit tells the year, such that serial number 210 indicates a 1960 model made in the 21st week of the year. After 1967, it's reversed, so the the first digit represents the year. On 4-digit serials, you ignore the 3rd digit, while the fourth digit tells the year. So 1204 represents a 1964 guitar made in the 12th week of the year. 5-digit serials are the same, you just disregard the fifth digit.
Dean (Back to top of page)Every Dean guitar made in United States comes with a seven digit serial number that is printed on the back of the headstock (some 90s models may be stamped on the fretboard). First two numbers in the sequence are the last two digits of the production year. If you see a seven digit serial number on the back of a Dean guitar, you can be sure that it was produced in United States.Dean's more affordable line made outside the US may require looking at features and hardware and some knowledge of the line. Though I can't verify the accuracy, it was posted in the Dean online forums that imports after 2008 follow a pattern with the initial letter or letters identifying the factory, such that: US = Un Sung Korea, Y = Yoojin China, E = World Korea.The following two digits indicate year, then two-digit month, then production number. An example given was the serial US12040364 (don't let the "US" make you think it's a USA model). Here the serial is decoded as:
YYMMFFRRRRRYY = year of manufactureMM = month of manufatureFF = factory IDRRRRR = ranking numberExample: 08121520333 = 2008 / December / factory 15 / unit 20333Note: Models from 2008 and onwards omit the factory ID letter prefix. Pre-1994 productions also frequently omit the factory letter codes and appeared as all digits, e.g. 3042779.----------------------------------------------FYYMMRRRRF/FF = factory ID Y/YY = year of manufactureMM = month of manufactureRRRR = ranking numberExample: 3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234Example: S3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234Example: S93021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234Example: SI01021234 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 1234Example: SI010212345 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 12345Note: There may be no factory designator for some 1993 and earlier models. A single digit month of manufacture may occur for some 1997 and earlier models. The ranking number may consist of any number of digits.----------------------------------------------FYYMRRRRF = factory IDYY = year of manufactureM = letter code to corresponding month (A=January, B=February, etc...)RRRR = ranking numberExample: R01B0123 = Peerless Korea / 2001 / February / unit 0123.----------------------------------------------FYYSSSS(Epiphone Elite/Elitist models)F = factory IDY = single digit year of manufacture (2 = 2002, 3 = 2003, etc.)YY = double digit year of manufacture (2010-Current)SSSS = sequential ranking numberExample: F21234 = Fuji-gen Japan / 2002 / unit 1234Example: T101234 = Terada Japan / 2010 / unit 1234----------------------------------------------F-Serial Numbers on Les Paul Standard '59/'60 Models and Tribute/Plus ModelsThe latest serial number system used by Epiphone has not yet been completely deciphered. The new "F" models are made in China. The system uses running model numbers rather than a dedicated code for year, month, and place of manufacture.F300000 = late 2009 used on LP Std'59/Std'60/Tribute modelsContinued around F310650F311050 in spring 2012 on Tribute-Plus modelsContinued around F305000 in 2011Continued around F310000 in 2012Continued around F317000 in 2013Continued around F324000 in 2014Continued around F330000 in 2015 ---------------------------------Epiphone Japan Serial Numbers1998 - CurrentThe Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards are in a YMMPPP format.Y = Year of manufactureMM = Month of manufacturePPP = Production numberThe serial number letters used by the Terada and Fuji-Gen guitar factories are:J = TeradaT = Terada,F = Fuji-GenNo Letter = Fuji-GenExample: J902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123Example: T902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123Example: F902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123Example: 902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 1231987 - 1997For Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan semi acoustic models from 1987 to approximately 1997, the serial numbers are in a YCPPP format.They were made by Terada and usually have an Orange Epiphone label.Y = Year of manufactureC = Model codePPP = Production numberModel Codes (C)1 = NVJ2 = EMPEROR3 = RIVIERA4 = SHERATON5 = CASINO6 = Limited Edition7 = EB-28 = ES-930J9 = EMPEROR-JExample: 34123 = 1993 / SHERATON / unit 123Example: 38123 = 1993 / ES-930J / unit 1231971 - 1987The Aria Epiphone Japan models that were made by Matsumoku from the early 1970s and ending before 1987 do not have a reliable serial numbering system but can be approximately dated using their Epiphone label colors.1971-1975 - Blue label - Early models say "Union Made"1976-1979 - Tan or white "Lincolnwood" label with Norlin logo1980-1987 - Brown Label with splotched pattern
Many newer EB instruments (approximately 1998 forward) have the serial number imprinted into the metal of the neck plate. If not, look at the bridge. Early 90s instruments usually had the serial number imprinted on the bridge plate in front of the saddles, or on some nearer to the rear of the plate behind the saddles.
The EB database claims it only covers guitars and basses from the 90s onward. However, I did find it worked with some late '80s serials. (if your serial begins with a "B," try entering just the number portion. it may find it.) But older instruments from the 70s and early 80s will not be covered there. For those instruments, almost all should have a date stamped in the neck pocket and also on the neck heel. (Note, the two dates can differ, at which point you may want to check the CTS pots for a date code.)
The website has a multitude of pages grouped by model and gives samples of early serials which may help you place yours. Music Man was acquired by Ernie Ball in 1984 and the site notes some early Ernie Ball instruments used Music Man bridges, which have serials that begin with a letter "B." It's a confusing crossover period because EB introduced their own serial system around 1986 with five digits starting with "25" (e.g., "25000"). They also introduced a series of "B" prefixed six-digit serials (e.g., "B027xxx"), which are not to be confused with the earlier Music Man "B" serials. Yikes!
Those early EB serials ("B027xxx") may possibly be found in the EB online database if you omit the initial "B." It seemed to find some from 1987 onwards, but it's hit and miss. As always, looking at the neck pocket should clear things up if you can't find a serial or if the serial proves confusing. You can also contact the guys at EB at musicman_customerservice@ernieball.com
Sterling by Music Man instruments are not covered in the online database. I did read in an online forum that the company keeps a record of their instruments. One person was able to get his serial dated by emailing: info@sterlingbymusicman.com. Worth a try! Also, the www.musicmanbass.global website gives some sample serials of Sterling as well as SUB 4 instruments. 2ff7e9595c
Comentarios