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From 2010, serial numbers begin with US and the final two digits of the year of production. From 1950 to 1956, Fender stamped serial numbers up to 10,000 on the butt end of the neck heel. This numbering system continued until 1963, when Fender included the letter L at the beginning of the serial number.
Alongside Fender, Gibson, Martin and Rickenbacker, Gretsch was one of the original American guitar manufacturers. As such, there are a lot of vintage specimens hidden under beds, lurking in closets or parading in plain sight on shop walls (and Reverb listings). Half the battle of finding a great deal or pre-empting conflict is accurately dating the guitar in question. The guide below is intended to help you identify the production year of any Gretsch guitar, given the serial number and its location on the guitar. This information has been compiled from multiple sources (cited at bottom). Their collective investigative legwork deserves the respect and gratitude of us all.
Like the other Giants of Original American Guitars (save Martin), Gretsch had its share of corporate hand-offs and resulting serial number inconsistencies over the years. While the situation isn't quite as bad as say, Gibson or Guild, this guide should be viewed as the best available consensus, not gospel. In some cases a serial number may leave you with a fuzzy span of several years, and in others you will know which number your guitar was within a batch during a specific month and year. And there's always the possibility of discovering a specimen that completely upends common knowledge about what was produced when. Just make sure it's not modified or a partscaster before screaming from the Gretsch-pert mountaintops.
The best approach is to cross-reference the serial number with known features for the model during different eras and the personal account of previous owners. Getting the correct year is one thing, but getting the story behind a guitar is the fun part. The guide for that is much simpler: be nice, ask questions, offer whiskey.
Overview of Gretsch Production Eras
If you have absolutely no idea whether your Gretsch is old or new, a good place to start is the model number. This will give you an approximate idea of the era during which your guitar was manufactured. It's also one more piece of evidence to pair with the serial number to corroborate the actual year.
1933 - 1948: Model numbers reflect retail price. The original Synchromatic models.
1948 - 1971: 6000 Series (example, the original 6120 Chet Atkins Hollowbody)
1971 - 1980: 7000 Series (though the 8000 Series started in 1979)
1979 - 1983: 8000 Series
1990 - present: G before the number. (i.e. G6120)
1948 - 1971: 6000 Series (example, the original 6120 Chet Atkins Hollowbody)
1971 - 1980: 7000 Series (though the 8000 Series started in 1979)
1979 - 1983: 8000 Series
1990 - present: G before the number. (i.e. G6120)
Does this also tell me where my Gretsch was manufactured, you ask? It depends. The bulk of vintage Gretsch specimens were manufactured in the original factory in New York, with a decade of Arkansas production during the '70s. From there, things get a bit more complicated. See the reference below.
Early 1900s - 1970: New York City
1970 - 1979: Booneville, Arkansas
1979 - 1981: Various locations including Mexico. Low production.
1989 - present: Japan (Terada factory)
1995 - present: US (Custom & Masterbuilt Series)
2000 - present: China and Korea (Electromatic & Synchromatic Series)
1970 - 1979: Booneville, Arkansas
1979 - 1981: Various locations including Mexico. Low production.
1989 - present: Japan (Terada factory)
1995 - present: US (Custom & Masterbuilt Series)
2000 - present: China and Korea (Electromatic & Synchromatic Series)
You will also hear people throw around terms with Gretsch guitar like pre-Baldwin or Fender-era. This refers to the corporate ownership changes the company experienced over time. Gretsch is unique in that it started as a family company, was bought out and later taken back by the family, only to be bought a second time. See the reference below.
Pre-Baldwin Era: 1883 - 1967. Gretsch is family owned, growing to major distribution. This was the original Golden Age for Gretsch, particularly the late '50 and early '60s, when they enjoyed the endorsement of Chet Atkins and George Harrison.
Baldwin Era: 1967 - 1981. Gretsch is bought by Baldwin as a second choice after failing to buy Fender. Production moved to Baldwin/Burns factory in Arkansas. Quality and worker morale drop in the wake of new management and two factory fires. Chet Atkins withdraws his endorsement.
Revival Era: 1989 - 2002. Fred W. Gretsch (great grandson of the founder) buys back the company. Production begins in Japan's Terada plant, mostly re-creating classic models.
Fender Era: 2002 - present. Fender buys Gretsch with complete control. Model ranges expand and quality improves even further, with standard models produced in Japan and budget models produced in China, Korea or Indonesia.
Baldwin Era: 1967 - 1981. Gretsch is bought by Baldwin as a second choice after failing to buy Fender. Production moved to Baldwin/Burns factory in Arkansas. Quality and worker morale drop in the wake of new management and two factory fires. Chet Atkins withdraws his endorsement.
Revival Era: 1989 - 2002. Fred W. Gretsch (great grandson of the founder) buys back the company. Production begins in Japan's Terada plant, mostly re-creating classic models.
Fender Era: 2002 - present. Fender buys Gretsch with complete control. Model ranges expand and quality improves even further, with standard models produced in Japan and budget models produced in China, Korea or Indonesia.
In the eyes of collectors, late '50s and early '60s models are most desirable, particularly specimens with the same features as those played by Harrison or Atkins. Specimens from 1967 - 1981 are mostly considered player-grade, non-collectible guitars, though some models like the Atkins Axe and Super Axe have a strong following. In terms of raw playability, the made-in-Japan models of the last decade are regarded as high-quality instruments that avoid some of the flaws of the mid-20th century designs on which they're based.
Serial Numbers
To find the serial number on your Gretsch, start by looking at the headstock. On most modern (post-1989) Gretsch guitars, you'll find it on the back of the headstock. Some models from 1962 - late '60s also had serial numbers on the top of the headstock or on the model plate, but for most vintage specimens you'll be looking for a label, either visible through the F-hole on hollow bodies or in a control cavity for solid bodies (in which case you'll need some tools). Before 1949 there were no labels and serials were written in pencil inside the guitar.
Gretsch serial numbers were sequential (a la Martin) from 1939 - 1966. When Baldwin took over, serials became date-coded from 1967 - 1981.
Click on the links here to jump directly to the serial number style that matches your instrument:
Pre-War: 1939 - 1945
In the early years, Gretsch began with sequential serial numbers, written by hand usually in pencil directly on the inside of the guitar body. As such, many of these serials will be faded, nearly illegible or erased completely. At the very least, if you only see three hard-to-read numbers, you can be fairly confident that it's a pre-war instrument.
Four Digit Sequential: 1945 - 1954
This era saw the transition from hand-written penciled serial numbers to official labels in 1949, though the numbering system remained the same.
Keep in mind that the ranges below are best consensus approximations. A healthy +/- one year disclaimer is as good as it's going to get, based on the historical examples available. In general, a higher number means the guitar was produced later in the year or transitioned into the range for the overlapping year. Notice the uptick in production in 1954.
1000 to 20xx | 1945 - 1947 |
20xx to 30xx | 1948 - 1949 |
30xx to 40xx | 1950 |
40xx to 50xx | 1951 |
50xx to 70xx | 1952 |
70xx to 90xx | 1953 |
90xx to 130xx | 1954 |
Five Digit Sequential: 1954 - 1965
This era continued the same sequential numbering scheme. The only difference is that the number of guitars produced (and thus serial numbers) got higher. A funny thing happened, however, in 1957. A batch of nearly a thousand serial number labels were misplaced, only to be rediscovered - and used - in 1965. A confusing but known anomaly. Thankfully, guitars made in 1965 had different features. See the end of our article if you're unsure whether your guitar is a '57 or a '65.
130xx to 180xx | 1955 |
180xx to 210xx | 1956 |
210xx to 260xx | 1957 (Or 1965. Check features.) |
260xx to 300xx | 1958 |
300xx to 340xx | 1959 |
340xx to 390xx | 1960 |
390xx to 450xx | 1961 |
451xx to 530xx | 1962 |
530xx to 630xx | 1963 |
630xx to 770xx | 1964 |
770xx to 840xx | 1965 |
Baldwin Era, No Hyphen: 1966 - 1972
With the imminent Baldwin buyout and yearly production topping 150,000 guitars, Gretsch switched to a date-coded system in August of '66. Some specimens oddly have these serials stamped into the thin top of the headstock, while others have it on the back. Starting in June of '67, the words 'Made in the USA' were stamped next to the serial number. Here is the date-code breakdown:
The first digit(s) represent the month of manufacture (1 - 12 for Jan - Dec). |
The next digit is the last digit of the year (6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1, 2 for 1966 - 1972). |
The last three digits most likely represent production number (188 for the 188th guitar made that month). |
Example: A serial number showing 118145 would indicate a guitar made in November (11) of 1968 (8) that was the 145th down the assembly line that month.
Baldwin Era, Hyphenated: 1972 - 1981
These guitars are a bit easier to identify, since they are the only Gretsch specimens with a hyphen (or a space) after the first one or two digits. The meaning of the numbers remained the same.
The digits before the hyphen represent the month (1 - 12). |
The first digit after the hyphen (or space) represents the last digit of the year (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1). |
The final three numbers represent the production number for that month. |
Example: A serial number of 4-3001 would indicate the 1st guitar made in April of 1973.
Modern Pre-Fender: 1989 - 2002
When Gretsch the great-grandson regained control of the company, there was a solid decade of Japan production with a xxxxxx-xxx type serial number. These serial numbers include year, month, model number and production order info.
The first two digits are the year (i.e. 97 = 1997). |
The next digit(s) is the month (1 - 12). |
The next three digits are the model number, all within the resurrected G6000 Series (i.e. 120 = G6120). |
The numbers after the hyphen represent the production number during the run of the model, not for that month or year. |
Example: A serial number of 998120-345 tells us this guitar was made in 1999 during the month of August (8) and is a G6120 model (120), the 345th to be produced during the Revival Era.
Starting in 1999, Gretsch began producing budget-level Electromatic, Synchromatic and Historic Series guitars in Korea. Unfortunately, these guitars followed no clear numbering system. Worse yet, the serial numbers were put on a simple sticker on the back of the headstock, ensuring that they would be lost immediately. Fender eventually corrected this when they took over in 2002, but there remains a batch of made-in-Korea Gretsch guitars from 1999 - 2002 that have no serial number.
Fender Era: 2002 - Present
Brand new Gretsch guitars seen hanging in shops today are the result of Fender's respect for the company's loyal fan base, an understanding of the Gretsch aesthetic and tight quality control. Thankfully, regardless of the series or point of manufacture, Fender decided to use a single serial number system for all post-2002 guitars.
Contemporary Gretsch serial numbers have a two letter prefix indicating the location of manufacture, followed by a two-digit year, a two-digit month and a four-digit production number relating to that specific factory for the given year.
Example: A serial number of JT04021010 tells us the guitar was made at the Japan Terada factory (JT) in 2004 (04) during the month of February (02) as the 1,010th Gretsch guitar made at the factory that year.
The key below shows which prefixes correspond to which factories.
CS | United States - Custom Shop |
CY | China - Yako |
KP | Korea - Peerless |
KS | Korea - Samick |
JD | Japan - Dyna Gakki |
JF | Japan - FujiGen Gakki |
JT | Japan - Terada |
IS | Indonesia - Samick |
Caveats, Exceptions, Gratitude
The serial number should serve as one piece of evidence in dating a guitar, even though it is usually the most powerful piece. Examine the checking on the finish, the age of the wiring, the tuners, the bridge and the knobs to corroborate the age of the guitar you're looking at. If you're about to put down a hefty sum on a vintage Gretsch, we strongly encourage you to consult multiple sources such as Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars and The Gretsch Pages to understand what features and hardware were original for a given year. This will help avoid buying a guitar with non-original parts.
We can hardly express enough how grateful we are for the hard work that the good folks at The Gretsch Pages website, Mike Lewis at Fender, Jay Scott and George Gruhn have put in to help refine the available public information on Gretsch serial numbers.
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Here I'll try and cast some light on the different Squier Mini Serial Numbers with a few examples. General serial number info at the bottom of the page. Enjoy.
Squier Mini Serial Number Examples
Squier Mini Strat IS90600556
This guitar was made by Samick in Indonesia and is a typical representative of the most common Mini in terms of appointments and color. Note the 'affinity' silkscreen on the nose.
Below is a view of the backside of the peghead. The inspection sticker is clearly shown. The exact same sticker appear on guitars with serial numbers starting with 'SI', so the two are probably under the same management. Note also the original tuning machines.
The back of the peghead. Note the inspection sticker.
Squier Mini Strat IS00300077
The second Mini Strat in my collection was made in the same Samick plant. Not a lot of difference. 'Affinity' at the nose still present.
This guitar also has the original tuners. One ever so slight difference, is the font of the 'Crafted in Indonesia' has changed.
Back of peghead.
Squier Mini Strat SI02095734
This example is a neck I picked up from fleabay a while ago. Notice the absence of the verbiage 'affinity' at the nose.
When I bought the neck it had the original tuners. Not entirely unexpected, they were in pretty poor condition and had to go. This picture was taken after I installed the new tuners. The fonts are an exact match in size and type with the IS00300077 above and has the same quality control sticker. One difference is the inspector is filled in with a name and a date (9/02). These similarities lead me to believe they are made under the same management (S=Samick), but probably two separate locations.
Back of the peghead.
Squier Mini Strat IC070814663
This guitar was made by Cort in Indonesia. They use nine digits for their serial numbers and the 's/n' in front. No 'affinity' silkscreen on this peghead.
This guitar has the original tuning machines as well. No inspection sticker, but the words 'Designed and Backed by Fender' which neither of the others have.
Back of peghead made by Cort.
Squier Mini Strat IC040538985
I had already started to strip this guitar before I got the idea to write this page. This guitar is a real oddball. The build quality and finish is as good as the others even after a close look. The first immediate difference is in the wood used for the neck. This ain't no Maple.
The serial number looks right at first. Font and size is right and the verbiage both front and back match that on the previous guitar. The print looks somewhat smudged, which combined with the exotic wood seems a little off. The space between the 'C' and the '0' is cramped, in lack of a better word.
Back of the peghead. Notice the wood grain - this is not maple.
Looking at the back of the peghead it looks right. Tuners look the same.
Upon close inspection of internal components I noticed several small but significant differences with the other guitars. I will examine this guitar closer on a separate page in the near future.
Squier Mini Serial Numbers - The Long Story
The Squier Mini is manufactured in at least two different plants, both in Indonesia. Fender and Squier serial numbers, for guitar made overseas, has in the last 20 years or longer consisted of two letters followed by eight (sometimes nine) numerals.
The two letters leading denotes what plant the instrument was made in. In the case of the Mini Strats, I have seen 'IC', 'IS' and 'SI'. 'IC' are made by Cort while IS are made by Samick, both in Indonesia.
The source of the Minis with serial numbers starting with 'SI' have been difficult to research. The word on the net is that they denote the fact they were sold in a kit or bundle with a cheap practice amp, cable, picks and some other material geared toward young beginners. I'm not convinced this is the case. Why would a company use a different serial number because it is sold in a bundle? There would be too many disadvantages and doesn't make any sense. There is no other difference.
These 'SI' Minis have the same inspection sticker on the back on the peghead as those with 'SI' serial numbers. Both say 'Crafted in Indonesia' but with different fonts. My theory is that there is a second Samick location that produces these guitars, and to distinguish there is a different source, the letters were switched around. Yet to be confirmed though.
In a couple of instances I have noticed guitars with an orange sticker with a number, that does not conform to the standard number structure. As I recall they are 10 or 11 characters, all numerals. This is a relatively common practice when non-conforming guitars are sold in bulk to a dealer/middle-man who refurbish them and sell them to the open market.
I have been looking at many Mini Strat listings by now, and I can not remember ever seeing a black Mini that did not have an 'IC' serial number. Red I have seen all three, but 'SI' seems to be dominant.
In 2008 Fender started having 'Fender' branded instruments made in the Cort facility in Indonesia for the first time. The new series of guitars were given serial number starting with 'ICF' - with the letter 'F' for Fender. At the same time Squiers made in the same factory started getting serial numbers with 'ICS' - where 'S' stands for Squier to follow the same pattern.
For many years I believed the first two numbers in the string of eight/nine was the year the neck was made. It seemed to make sense, especially considering the guitar above (SI02095734) where the inspection date (9/02) was written by hand on the inspection sticker.
It all made sense until I learned Fender started manufacturing Squier guitars in Indonesia in 1999 (thanks Martin!) - one of my Minis has '90' in the serial number - there went that theory. That said, it seems reasonable to assume there is some correlation with these numbers and year of manufacture on some guitars, but doesn't seem to always apply.
There are comments on the net saying the next two numbers are the month. I believe that to be incorrect, as two out my guitars have '60' and '30' in those places.
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