Serial Number - what does it really mean?

[lhrocker]

I did some searches and didn't really find anything so I figured I would post this question. On the regular USA guitars, the serial number is stamped into the headstock with the date, year and production number. Now when is this SN actually put on the guitar? Has the number already been picked for the guitar before production has started on it? Does it go on right after the neck has been carved or glued on the body? Probably right before the finish process?

What I'm getting at is whether the date gives the true indication of when the guitar has started being built, is stamped on the day it's ready to be finished or what. This could be confusing because the dates probably don't mean when it went out the door cause it could be weeks between the time the SN is stamped and is ready for sale.

Just a thought...

 

[Satch0922]

Here is your answer (btw...Google is your friend)

What You Need to Know About Gibson Serial Numbers

 

[Mr. Snappy]

I believe they are done at the time the neck is manufactured.

 

[Satch0922]

I believe they are done at the time the neck is manufactured.

 

[lhrocker]

So then the serial number is just the date/batch that the neck happened to get stamped and not a true indication of a finished guitar? And that would make the true birth date of the guitar, the date that is written on the Gibson warranty/quality checklist, which is a few weeks away from the SN date.

 

[Boleskinehouse]

Some say that it's a super secret code that tells you how many sluts it will attract in its lifetime.

 

[kirs]

I recently got a Les Paul that was stamped 12/23/2009 but finished at the end of January 2010 per the QC checklist. The serial number is just when the neck was made.

 

[qwank]

the serial number is the date of conception, and the date on the card is the day it was born.

 

[Rafał]

I have always tough it was just the way the tree grows - with lots of serial numbers. Didn't SN date tell you when did your wood has been planted? And don't necks grow as branches on the guitarwood?

And is this guy the one that makes Serial Numbers that disappear after the finish is put on the GTarre (Read: Guitar)?

 

[android13]

the serial number is the date of conception, and the date on the card is the day it was born.

+1 Analogy, makes everything clear.

 

[Bloody rocker]

Some say that it's a super secret code that tells you how many sluts it will attract in its lifetime.

Oh man!