Thomas Baum Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Hi Can anyone help me decoding my Gibson Dobro serial number? Thanks thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 This is only 95 to present. Not sure how old you think yours is. It may or may not help. Dobro (1995-present) 1995-1997 A(A) (#)###YY A(A) = model code (#) ### = ranking number YY = last 2 digits of year Example - BA xxx 95 dates to 1995 1997-Current YMMDDRRY Y = last digit of year MM = Month DD = day of month RR = ranking number Y (last digit) = decade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Factory Order Numbers (FON) with a letter from 1935 to 1941The FON consists a batch number of usually four digits, followed by a one letter (sometimes prefixed by a space) followed by one or two digits (ranking).• 1935-1937: Letter between the batch number and the order number. e.g. 0123 A5• 1938-1941: Two or three letters before batch number. The first letter is the year. If there is a second character follows it is the code for the type of the instrument. (G = Gibson, K = Kalamazoo, W = Recording King (Montgomery Wards). If follows there is a third letter E, it stands for Electric.• Exceptions: Some high-end models and lap steels from 1939-1940 have been added the letter A, to the prefixes D, E or F. 1st Letter PRODUCTION YEAR A 1935 B 1936 C 1937 D and DA 1938 Ex (x = any letter) 1939 F and FA 1940 E (no sequel letter) 1941 G 1941 H 1942 So "B" could indicate 1936 the FON (Factory Order Number) 321 the "9" could be the Ninth one built. Maybe... I think you should contact Gibson directly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 If it is pre Gibson the B means "metal". If this is a pre-Gibson Dobro Gibson can and will tell you nothing about it. There are a couple Dobro serial number places on the net. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 I was confused at first as both Dobro and Gibson are brand names. Research reveals that Gibson owns Dobro now. I can only wonder what John Dopyera's reaction to that would be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) If Gibson acquired Dobro in 1998 Gibson it would have to be newer, but if its old maybe a prototype from the 40's... maybe... Article https://www.vintageguitar.com/30152/a-guide-to-vintage-dobros/ The U.S.’ entry into WWII was a death blow to resonator guitars. President Roosevelt issued a limitation order restricting the use of critical materials. Louis Dopyera saw the handwriting on the wall. Within weeks of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he sold all the assets of National-Dobro to himself and with his former employees Vic Smith and Al Frost started the Valco Corporation to go into war work. According to Smith, Valco sold the Dobro hardware it had on hand to Gibson. Gibson experimented with a few resonator guitar prototypes in the 1940s, but never put any into production. After the war Valco returned to the instrument business, building electric guitars. Regal struggled along and declared bankruptcy in 1954. Not until the folk music revival of the ’60s would anyone make another Dobro. The article link below says Serial number 101-401 were manufactured in 1967-1970, which is before Gibson bought Dobro in 98 ..... http://www.guitarhq.com/dobro.html Edited November 21, 2020 by mihcmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 15 hours ago, mihcmac said: If Gibson acquired Dobro in 1998 Gibson it would have to be newer, but if its old maybe a prototype from the 40's... maybe... Article https://www.vintageguitar.com/30152/a-guide-to-vintage-dobros/ The U.S.’ entry into WWII was a death blow to resonator guitars. President Roosevelt issued a limitation order restricting the use of critical materials. Louis Dopyera saw the handwriting on the wall. Within weeks of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he sold all the assets of National-Dobro to himself and with his former employees Vic Smith and Al Frost started the Valco Corporation to go into war work. According to Smith, Valco sold the Dobro hardware it had on hand to Gibson. Gibson experimented with a few resonator guitar prototypes in the 1940s, but never put any into production. After the war Valco returned to the instrument business, building electric guitars. Regal struggled along and declared bankruptcy in 1954. Not until the folk music revival of the ’60s would anyone make another Dobro. The article link below says Serial number 101-401 were manufactured in 1967-1970, which is before Gibson bought Dobro in 98 ..... http://www.guitarhq.com/dobro.html mihcmac. Thank you. I never knew any of that. I've saved your response & link in my guitar folder. Excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 I say 1979. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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