The final numbers are the sequential order of the model made during the lifespan of the model ( not that year).įor example, 946119-976 would be a June 1994 Tennessee Rose, the 976th made. The next three digits are the model number, without the 6 at the beginning. The first two digits are the year of manufacture.
#Vega guitars serial numbers serial numbers#
Serial numbers have six numbers, with a three digit suffix. Last 3 digits = number of the instrument.įor example, 3-8094 would be March (3), 1978 (8) and the 94th guitar made that month. The first digit after hyphen = last digit of year. The remaining digits = number of individual instrument, probably.įor example, 27136 should be February (2), 1967 (7) and the 136th instrument made that month.Ī hyphenated number was embossed on the back of headstock. The first digit or first 2 digits = month (1-12). Date-coded serial numbers are typically found stamped on the back or top of the headstock, and "Made in USA" is stamped next to the number starting in June 1967. Gretsch began date-coding serial numbers in August 1966. Note: the misplaced 1957 serial numbers, as well as some odd four-digit serial numbers, show up in 1965-1966, during the transition to the date-coded system in mid-'66. Note: 1000 serial numbers from 1957 were misplaced and later turned up, with original '57-style labels, in 1965. Gretsch began numbering guitars sequentially, probably in 1939 but possibly earlier. One of our resident Gretsch-sperts will be able to help.
However, research has indicated that they could be substantially off. The numbers here are generally considered the most accurate numbers publicly available at the time. If it has a "light bulb" headstock, it's probably pre-war. Numbers restarted after World War II, which can lead to considerable confusion on very old Gretsches. You can see this as you browse Gretsch-GEAR or chart the changes. Which means two examples from the same year could have different features, depending on which batches they came from.
Guitars typically did not change much within a batch – with some exceptions – but they often changed from batch to batch. Gretsch guitars were built in batches, typically of 100, but sometimes 50. Nevertheless, if it has all the typical '57 features, it is considered a '57 model, not a '56. Just as a '57 Chevy may have been built in late '56 to hit the showrooms in the fall, a '57 6120 may have been constructed in '56. Gretsch annual changes corresponded to model years, like automakers, not necessarily calendar year. However, it is important to note several key points: We highly recommend Ed Ball's " Gretsch 6120: The History of a Legendary Guitar."īall is one of the key researchers who have determined the actual dates, years and features Gretsch serial numbers correspond to.įrom the beginning of the Synchromatic era until 1966, Gretsch guitars were sequentially numbered and can be used to reliably date the guitar.
If you'd like to learn more about Gretsch serial numbers, What was built and when, and to harness the collective knowledge of thousands of To document the actual serial numbers, to determine once and for all The Gretsch-GEAR database exists to get it right:
#Vega guitars serial numbers serial number#
Subsequent research has unearthed quite a few inaccuracies in Scott's numbers, so any serial number guides cribbing from Scott are also incorrect. Which is a fine book, but is nearly two decades old. " Gretsch: the guitars of the Fred Gretsch Company," Most online guides (and quite a few print guides) are based on Jay Scott's groundbreaking book Unfortunately, correct information can be very difficult to come by. Gretsch used several different serial number schemes through the years.Įach of them can be used to accurately pinpoint the age of a guitar, if you have the correct information. Gretsch Guitars Understanding Gretsch guitar serial numbers
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