Serial Number Question

[JM2112]

Can any of you knowledgeable folks shed some light on dating a Gibson LP with serial number 731###. It's an ink stamp serial.

Since this does not fall into the range of the ink stamps used in 75-77, I'm starting to think this just might be a 50's vintage LP.

 

[chasenblues]

Pics.?

 

[JM2112]

I wish I had some, I certainly would have posted them. I just found out it has a "Made in USA" underneath the serial too, which likely means it's not a 50's vintage.

 

[69 Goldtop]

1970-72

 

[chasenblues]

I just found out it has a "Made in USA" underneath the serial too, which likely means it's not a 50's vintage.

"Made in USA" would be post 1970,

Gibson LP with serial number 731###. It's an ink stamp serial. Since this does not fall into the range of the ink stamps used in 75-77.

How serial #'s were applied during that time frame.

1975-1977: During the period from 1975 to 1977, Gibson used a transfer that had eight-digit numbers. The first two indicate the year (99=1975,00=1976 and 06=1977), the following six digits are in the 100000 to 200000 range. MADE IN USA was also included on the transfer and some
models had LIMITED EDITION also applied. A few bolt-on neck instruments
had a date ink stamped on the heel area.
NUMBER YEAR
99XXXXXX 1975
00XXXXXX 1976
06XXXXXX 1977

 

[JM2112]

"Made in USA" would be post 1970,



How serial #'s were applied during that time frame.

Yeah, I know the scheme for the mid-70's decals, but this one did not fall into any of these categories.

I finally have more info on the guitar: Volute, mahogany neck, ABR-1, waffle back tuners, witch hat knobs, and most of all PAF stickers on the pick up base plates (lucky sucker!!!).

So, certainly not a 50's LP, I missed the volute mention early in my conversation with this person, so my bad!!!

Certainly an early 70's LP, unfortunately solder is over the pot codes, so the pot codes are not readable.

 

[chasenblues]

Waffle backs.? Claiming its some kind/version of a "Custom"?

 

[JM2112]

Waffle backs.? Claiming its some kind/version of a "Custom"?

It is a Custom, but the current owner is not the original owner. He's trying to find out more information about the guitar, and I'm just trying to help him out.

 

[dodger916]

1970-72

+1. From the third page of this: http://archive.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonSERIALNUMBERS.pdf

"In 1970, the words "MADE IN USA" was impressed into the back of instrument headstocks (though a few instruments from the 1950s also had MADE IN USA impressed into their headstocks as well).
Year(s) Approximate Series Manufacture
1970, 1971, and 1972 100000s, 600000s, 700000s, 900000s
1973 000001s, 100000s, 200000s, 800000s and a few “A” + 6 digit numbers
1974 and 1975 100000s, 200000s, 300000s, 400000s,500000s, 600000s, 800000s
and a few A-B-C-D-E-F + 6 digit numbers"

Between 70 and 72 according to the above-linked document, as 69 Goldtop noted.

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

with an ink stamp???

1970-72

+1. From the third page of this: http://archive.gibson.com/Files/down...IALNUMBERS.pdf

"In 1970, the words "MADE IN USA" was impressed into the back of instrument headstocks (though a few instruments from the 1950s also had MADE IN USA impressed into their headstocks as well).
Year(s) Approximate Series Manufacture
1970, 1971, and 1972 100000s, 600000s, 700000s, 900000s
1973 000001s, 100000s, 200000s, 800000s and a few “A” + 6 digit numbers
1974 and 1975 100000s, 200000s, 300000s, 400000s,500000s, 600000s, 800000s
and a few A-B-C-D-E-F + 6 digit numbers"

Between 70 and 72 according to the above-linked document, as 69 Goldtop noted.

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

sorry double post.....

 

[kakerlak]

+1. From the third page of this: http://archive.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonSERIALNUMBERS.pdf

"In 1970, the words "MADE IN USA" was impressed into the back of instrument headstocks (though a few instruments from the 1950s also had MADE IN USA impressed into their headstocks as well).

Maybe they were stamped for export? The ink-stamped S/N and "PAF stickers" make me wonder if this is a 1957 model. I'd have thought the "Made in USA" precluded that possibility.

[EDIT] Forgot you said it had a volute. NM on the '50s part...

 

[JM2112]

Maybe they were stamped for export? The ink-stamped S/N and "PAF stickers" make me wonder if this is a 1957 model. I'd have thought the "Made in USA" precluded that possibility.

[EDIT] Forgot you said it had a volute. NM on the '50s part...

I was wondering the same until I finally got some more information about the guitar. I did overlook that it had a volute when I made the initial post, so that means no later than 1970. Hate it when I do stuff like that...