skilsaw Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Just wondering if the serial number is always stamped on the back of the headstock on Gibson L5CES guitars. No stamped serial number on the guitar I've purchased for my son for Christmas. I know all the solid bodies have a stamped serial number because they can't put a label inside like they do on the hollow-bodies. Do Gibson hollow-body guitars have the serial number stamped on the headstock as well as on a paper label inside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody78 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Not all Gibson archtops do have a stamped headstock. My ES 5 Switchmaster from 2010 doesn't have a stamped serial number, but some from earlier years do. My ES 175 does have a stamped number on the headstock. Gibson seem to change their minds every few years on whether to stamp or not to stamp! I'm pretty sure I have seen some pictures of L5's with and without a stamp. I wouldn't worry too much if it was bought from an authorised dealer. I'm sure some L5 owners will reply and put your mind at ease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 There has been some discussion of late on here about Gibson number stamping. My brand new 1959 ES345 Reissue does not have a number on the headstock but this is "period correct". The only number is on the orange label inside the f-hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny W. Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 My 2011 Custom Shop WesMo does not have a number stamped on the headstock. Danny W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Do Gibson hollow-body guitars have the serial number stamped on the headstock as well as on a paper label inside? What is quantity, color, shape, and text of the label(s) inside your L-5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skilsaw Posted December 9, 2014 Author Share Posted December 9, 2014 The label reads like this: Style: Guitar Gibson: L-5 CES Number: 12803003 is hereby GUARANTEED against faulty workmanship and materials. GIBSON Custom Nashville Tennessee, USA The second label says: The top, back, tone bars and air chamber of this instrument were tested,tuned and the assembled instrument tried and approved September 10, 2013 (signature unable to be read but the initials are JDC) The guitar is new, from an authorized dealer so I can be confident it is not a fake. I'm just checking because I read somewhere that the serial # is stamped on the back of the headstock of Gibson guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 My 2012 ES-330 VOS only has a stamped number, on the inside back of the body - no label. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 My 2013 L5 CES Custom does not have a serial number stamped or engraved on back of headstock. Just a label inside the body. And serial number pretty close to yours - no worries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveB100 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I just bought a 2007 L5 and the ser # starts with 23457006... I sent an e-mail to Gibson..no reply yet. This Guitar is just to right to be a fake...any comments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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