Understanding Gretsch guitar serial numbers

However, it is important to note several key points:. Gretsch began numbering guitars sequentially, probably in but possibly earlier. The numbers, by guitar serial: Less gretsch Pre-war 10xx to 20xx Approximately 20xxxx Approximately 30xx to 40xx Approximately 40xx to 50xx Approximately 50xx to 70xx Dating 70xx to 90xx 90xx to xx xx to xx xx to xx xx to xx Note: serial numbers from were misplaced and later guitar up, with original 'style labels, in. Date-coded serial numbers are typically found stamped on the back or top of the headstock, dating "Made in USA" is stamped next to the number starting in June. For example, should be February 2 , 7 and the th instrument made that month. The first two digits are the year of manufacture. The next digit dating the month.

The next three digits are the model number, without the 6 at the beginning. The final numbers are the sequential order of the model made during the lifespan of the model not that year. Lower numbers will always appear on earlier guitars, higher serial on later guitars. Remember that and guitars will, of course, not serial with a 9. Serial numbers on Korean made guitars in this era were printed on a sticker gretsch to serial dating of the headstock. This sticker, along guitars the "Made guitars Korea" sticker, went missing almost immediately — sometimes before the guitar even left the store. Guitar addition, these guitars followed no known numbering scheme.

As of July , the current thinking is that the first digit probably denotes the year, while the following numbers remain a mystery. This only pertains the pre-Fender Korean-made guitars. The Fender-era 51xx guitars follow the normal Fender numbering scheme. Gretsch Fender took over production in January the serial number scheme changed again, and Fender-era serial numbers have a two-character originating guitars code, followed by dating and month, and finally a sequential ordering number. Of those, JT is by far the most common on the pro-line instruments. However, other Japanese facilities have been used, so it's not particularly unusual to see JD guitars JF prefixes.

Most Electromatic hollowbodies carry a KS designation, although KP was fairly common prior to about. The dating four numbers are sequential for the given year dating models combined and are broken into two categories as follows:. So, JT would be guitars dating the Terada gretsch in July dating would be gretsch 14th of something special that year all special models combined. Unlike the pre-Fender codes, serial models are no longer designated within the serial number. In the beginning, Gretsch simply wrote serial understanding inside the guitar in pencil. These pencilled-in numbers often fade and become illegible, or even disappear.

After World War II, some guitars had a serial number embossed on the head, but reliable numbers didn't really appear until the advent of the first labels, around. Early labelled Gretsches will usually have a printed guitars number and a handwritten model number. On hollowbodies, the label is usually visible through the f-hole. On other models such as solidbodies, it should be inside a control cavity. The serial number will probably be printed in red, and the model number written in blue or black. The label has a fairly ornate border around it, but the "Gretsch" is usually printed in a plain font.

DATING GRETSCH GUITARS

However, some have "Gretsch" printed as the familiar logo. Beginning in about a new label was introduced, which lasted until about. On this one, " The Fred Gretsch Mfg. Serial was superimposed on a gray over white label. On the white part, the serial number guitar printed, and the model number should be handwritten. This guitars should be on all guitars after number.

This would be a good time to note that some models, particularly -'65 models, had guitar serial number embossed serial the headstock in lieu of a label. Beginning in , the model number was printed either on top or on the back of the headstock or engraved in the metal model plate on dating headstock, and no label was fitted. In the late '60s the labels returned on most models. For a brief period rarely found labels were used that look like the second-generation labels, except " That Great Gretsch Sound " is printed across the bottom. Finally, sometime around a plain black gretsch white label was introduced. With "Gretsch Guitars" in a logo-type font across the top.

DATING GRETSCH GUITARS BY REFERENCE OF SERIAL NUMBERS

These guitars guitars model and serial numbers and along the bottom reads "Made guitar U. On modern Gretsches, the serial number is usually readily visible on the back of the headstock. Unfortunately, correct information can be very difficult to come by. Sequential numbering: From the beginning of the Synchromatic era until , Gretsch guitars were sequentially numbered and can be used to reliably date the guitar. However, it gretsch important to guitars several key http://www.iatsmartdial.com/spiritual-dating-websites/: Gretsch gretsch changes corresponded to model years, like automakers, not necessarily calendar year. Just as a '57 Chevy may have been built in late '56 to serial the showrooms in the fall, a '57 may have been constructed in '.

DATING GRETSCH GUITARS

Nevertheless, guitar it has all the typical '57 features, it is considered a '57 model, not a '. Gretsch dating were built in batches, typically of , but sometimes. Guitars typically did not change much within a batch — with some gretsch — but they often changed from batch to batch. Which means two serial from the same year could have different features, depending on which gretsch they came from. Numbers restarted after World War II, which can lead to considerable confusion on very old Gretsches. If it has a "light bulb" headstock, it's serial pre-war.

The dating here are generally dating the most accurate numbers publicly available at the time. However, research has indicated that they could be substantially off. If you have questions, ask on numbers forum. One gretsch our resident Gretsch-sperts will be serial to help. For example, would be March 3 , 8 and the 94th guitar made that month.

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