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serial # help


shore924

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This should clear things up. This is from the Gibson website under support.

NOTE - Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005..

The sixth number is now a batch number- batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once we stamp 699, the batch number will change to 1. The first 5 numbers remain the same, the last 3 numbers will remain the same. The only difference is the addition of this batch indicator.

 

There are always exceptions to these rules, the two listed below are worth noting:

 

Les Paul Classic: This model features an ink stamped serial number with no "MADE IN USA" (just as we used on the original 1952-1960 Les Pauls). Most will be 5 to 6 digits in length, but the earliest examples feature 4 digit serial numbers. There should be a space after the 1st digit with the 4 and 5 digit serial numbers, and no space with the 6 digit numbers.

 

The 1st digit indicates the year of manufacture for the 4 & 5 digit serial numbers, these were used from 1989-1999. The 1st and 2nd indicate the year of manufacture for the 6 digit serial numbers which we've been using since 2000.

 

Examples -

9 xxx = 1989 (4 digit number beginning with "9" used only in 1989)

0 xxxx = 1990

9 xxxx = 1999

00xxxx = 2000

05xxxx = 2005

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It looks like a Classic serial number. The 4658th Classic made in 1993. Call Gibson at 1-800-4-GIBSON or send them an e-mail at service@gibson.com and confirm it. Classics have very thin necks and ceramic magnet high output pickups that you will either like or hate. Try it before you buy it if you can. But the serial number would be for a 93 Classic, just contact Gibson and confirm it.

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Nope no difference in desirability or value in either one. The Classic was first brought out as a kind of reissue (a loosely based one), so they were given serial numbers in a similar format to the original 1950's guitars. That is the only reason for it having that style of serial number. Also, since the originals did not have the 'Made in USA' stamp, the classic didn't get one either.

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