2013 model made in 2015?

[gruffydd3]

I've done a Google search with no luck. I just bought a used Gibson LP Studio 50's Tribute. Stamped on the back of the headstock is 2013 model. The factory card says it was made in 2015 and the serial and model numbers match the guitar.

What gives?

 

[RedMastiff]

you can search for the serial.
maybe its a nos 2013

 

[So What]

My local Gibson dealer said that Gibson produced so many Studio models that they had to build a warehouse to store them in.

If that is true, it is very likely that you got one made in 2013, and prepped to be sold in 2015.

Or, my guy could be full of ****.

.

 

[JMB1984]

For your guitar the serial number will indicate when it was built.

You can't go by the model stamp or the factory card alone because they can be different from the SN.

If your Studio was made in 2013, the SN should begin with 1XXX3XXXX.

If your Studio was made in 2015, the SN should begin with 15XXXXXXX (though Gibson also used this for late 14 production built to 15 spec).

 

[gruffydd3]

Thanks for the replies. The card says it was built 2/20/15. I looked up the serial number and it says 7/8/13. The serial # is 1xxx3xxxx, so It's a 13.

So What, I think your answer explains things. The guitar looks brand new by the way.

 

[RedMastiff]

and the neck, its like 2015 or like 2013? fretboard, frets....

 

[gruffydd3]

I'm afraid I don't know the difference between a '13 and '15 neck unless you mean the new wider ones. It doesn't have the wider neck, brass nut, or robot tuner. I wouldn't have bought it if it did.

 

[starscream]

I don't think the date on the card is ever supposed to be a "manufactured on" date. I think it's supposed to be the date the guitar tech went through the final checklist before packing and leaving the factory.

 

[gruffydd3]

I don't think the date on the card is ever supposed to be a "manufactured on" date. I think it's supposed to be the date the guitar tech went through the final checklist before packing and leaving the factory.

I think you're right, but it's odd that it was almost two years between being made and the final check being done.

 

[Inside Guy]

My local Gibson dealer said that Gibson produced so many Studio models that they had to build a warehouse to store them in.

If that is true, it is very likely that you got one made in 2013, and prepped to be sold in 2015.

Or, my guy could be full of ****.

.

Gibson did not build a warehouse to store LP Studios nor did they build a new ware house at all. They use a 3PL warehouse when there is overflow from their normal warehouse. It's funny how that turns into "Gibson had to build a new warehouse to store all of the LP Studios".

To the OP, the card you see a 2015 date is the Final Inspection card, and doesn't necessarily correspond with a build date. The serial # will give you an idea of the DAY your neck was stamped in the factory. There is about a 1.5 week process after that to complete your guitar.

 

[jstarr]

Gibson has a metric ****te-tonne of overstock Tributes still in their warehouse. How do I know this? I bought a 2013 Tribute that didn't ship from Gibson until 2015. Clearly built in 2013, but the inspection date was sometime in early 2015 and the UPS shipping label was dated two days after the inspection.

 

[RedMastiff]

thats very funny xD

 

[Kaicho8888]

The card could be a typo...especially if hand written... a "3" written looking like a "5".

Many times I cannot read the SN that is impressed on the wood after it's been filled with nitro!

 

[gruffydd3]

The card is hand written but it definitely says 2015. It seems they have overstock that is just now being shipped out.

 

[jstarr]

Trust me. Mine was very clearly dated 2015 as well. Not sure why there's any debate here. Serial number and headstock year stamp say 2013. Inspection tag says 2015. Shipped to Sam Ash from Gibson in 2015. What's missing?

 

[Mr. Satchmo]

I remember watching a gibson factory tour video made a couple years back ( like in 2012 or 2011) and the guy on the video said they were still making orders for guitars that were ordered in 2008, so could it be possible that they are still trying to fulfill that 2013 order in 2015? I have no idea how anything at gibson works though haha

 

[jstarr]

...so could it be possible that they are still trying to fulfill that 2013 order in 2015?

Uhhh... no. There was never enough demand to have any need to fulfill orders on the 2013 Tribute two years later. These are one or both of two things: Unsold overstock, or Gibson "refurbished" returns. I actually bought two 2013 Tributes from Sam Ash (one LP & one SG). Both were stamped 2013 on the headstock, with a stamped serial number that dates to a build date of 2013. Both had inspection tags that were CLEARLY dated in 2015. Both were also covered in dust, and had their fair share of quality issues. These were clearly stashed somewhere in Gibson's warehouse... waiting. Waiting patiently for the 2015's to suck ass and give Gibson something to sell when their sales dropped through the floor.