How do we determine if an R9 is an '07 or a '17?

[jk60LPTH]

Check for pot codes, that would nail it down to 2 years... the year the the pot was manufactured and the year after if there were pots left over and used on the following year's production.

 

[SoK66]

That serial number format suggests to me it's a late '17. My '06 R9 has the traditional serial number format and the Lifton-style brown case like that. Also, an '07 wouldn't have the black certificate booklet, it would have a letter-sized paper certificate of authenticity. Would need to see more pics to be certain.

 

[SoK66]

That's the late-style Lifton case, too, the lining gives it away. The pot code would be the only real way to tell. Nice looking guitar, tho.

 

[Danelectro]

The subject guitar looks like a 2007 to me.

Here are a few visual differences between 2007 and 2017:

 

[THDNUT]

My 2007 R9 has the paper COA and a space between the 9 and 7 (9 7069). It also has a big Phillips head screw on the face of the pickguard.

My case is the "Lifton" style with the tag that says "CWW, Costa Rica" with a date of 2006.

My guess is that the LP in question is a 2017.

 

[gkelm]

That’s not a 2007 lifton case.

 

[mudface]

That serial number format suggests to me it's a late '17. My '06 R9 has the traditional serial number format and the Lifton-style brown case like that. Also, an '07 wouldn't have the black certificate booklet, it would have a letter-sized paper certificate of authenticity. Would need to see more pics to be certain.

My 2007 R9 has the paper COA and a space between the 9 and 7 (9 7069). It also has a big Phillips head screw on the face of the pickguard.

My case is the "Lifton" style with the tag that says "CWW, Costa Rica" with a date of 2006.

My guess is that the LP in question is a 2017.

The black booklet was issued in 2007 as well as the paper one... look it up.

 

[THDNUT]

The black booklet was issued in 2007 as well as the paper one... look it up.

I don't dispute that. My '07 R9 is early, the 69th one out the door. Just sayin'.

I can't tell by the pic if there is a Phillips head screw on the pickguard. That would be a big clue. Gibson Custom changed it to a slotted screw on the later models.

 

[DarthPaul]

That serial number format suggests to me it's a late '17. My '06 R9 has the traditional serial number format and the Lifton-style brown case like that. Also, an '07 wouldn't have the black certificate booklet, it would have a letter-sized paper certificate of authenticity. Would need to see more pics to be certain.

@THDNUT
My 2017 has a space between the numbers.
The serial in question looks like an older "less historically accurate" style stamp.

 

[mudface]

@THDNUT
My 2017 has a space between the numbers.
The serial in question looks like an older style stamp.

View attachment 649364

The reason for the missing space is that the OP's guitar in question is made late in the year,... in fact it is the 1534th R9 produced by that number,.... when ever the production runs over 999 the space is used. The black COA booklet is also and indication it is not a 2017,... In 2017 the COA booklet is brown.....

 

[DarthPaul]

The reason for the missing space is that the OP's guitar in question is made late in the year,... in fact it is the 1534th R9 produced by that number,.... when ever the production runs over 999 the space is used.

The font is completely different as well.
That is the older style.

 

[mudface]

The font is completely different as well.
That is the older style.

I bet your booklet is brown as well,.... the OP's is Black

 

[vanguard]

More pics. Now the apparent separating of the neck binding from the body has me concerned. Looks like a Philips screw on the guard.

 

[Mr French]

Ok to settle this, if has has the stock pickups as the seller to take pictures on their backside. That should have the white lable with date.

Again square stickers are pre 08.

 

[HIDDEN]

Something doesn’t look right about this guitar. I’d steer clear of it

 

[Strikes]

COA and the «customer care guide» is correct for 2007. Black COA (First brown in 2012) And the older Historic logo gives away the «paperwork» at least.

 

[Tim Plains]

Why are people still posting thinking it's a 2017? That guitar is clearly a 2007. If you can't tell, don't post. 2007.

 

[Peter Mac]

This is a 2017. Having owned a 2007 VOS with S# 9 7451, I can tell you the COA was different to the one you have there which was introduced in 2009. Also the pickups on a 2007 were BB1 and BB2 and were "wired by PS" and do not have a date on them - another feature introduced after 2009, although all the case candy seems identical. Mine came with the Brown/Cream case also.
I am not sure 2007 had that big a production run either...

 

[mudface]

This is a 2017. Having owned a 2007, I can tell you the COA was different to the one you have there which was introduced in 2009. Also the pickups on a 2007 were BB1 and BB2 and were "wired by PS" and do not have a date on them - another feature introduced after 2009.

I have a 2004 with BB1 and BB2 with a date and “wound by” not wired by... on a white sticker and a 2012 with a date and same info on a white sticker....

 

[Peter Mac]

I have a 2004 with BB1 and BB2 with a date and “wound by” not wired by... on a white sticker and a 2012 with a date and same info on a white sticker....

My mistake...I just checked my 2007 pups and they do say 'WOUND BY" instead of "Wired by", also they have ' #1 ' instead of ' BB1 ' and '#2 ' instead of BB2 on the white square sticker and definately no date. This 2007 R9 is on the right side of my profile pic. The left side shows my 50th Anniv 2009 R9 Quilt with a black booklet COA.
Slightly off topic, a friend of mine has a 2007 R8 with S# 8 7450 - one number before mine. Crazy , huh.