The FON may indicate the year, batch number, and the ranking (order of production within the batch of 40).Prior to serial numbers, the different instruments were identified by the Martin brand which was stamped into the back of the headstock, the upper portion of the back or on the back binding strut visible through the soundhole (the eased blocking reinforcing the center joint between the 2 back pieces).
Many of these unique instruments pop-up today and dont fit any clear category. This implies that a number of ukuleles built in 1930 remained in the factory until being sold in 1932. This would also explain why the occasional pre-1932 Martin guitar appears with a decal. Weve found many exceptions to these numbers but they are an OK guideline to the approximate date of manufacture. On instruments with round sound holes, the label is visible directly inside. The second type of serial numbers used started with an A prefix and ran from 1947 to 1961. There are many exceptions and sometimes letter prefixes were used. The orange labels inside hollow bodied instruments were discontinued in 1970 and replaced by white and orange rectangle labels on the acoustics and small black, purple and white rectangle labels were used on electric models. MADE IN USA were 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. This updated system utilizes an impressed eight digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions. Cort Bass Guitar S Series Numbers WereWhen acoustic production began at the plant built in Bozeman, Montana in 1989, the series numbers were reorganized. Bozeman instruments began using 001-299 designations and, in 1990, Nashville instruments began using 300-999 designations. It should also be noted that the Nashville plant has not reached the 900s since 1977, so these numbers have been reserved for prototypes. However, it has come to light recently that the Kalamazoo plant did not directly switch over to the new 8 digit serialization method in 1977. When the Nashville Gibson plant was opened in 1974, it was decided that the bulk of the production of products would be run in the South; the Kalamazoo plant would produce the higher end (fancier) models in the North. Of course, many of the older guitar builders and craftsmen were still in Kalamazoo; and if they werent ready to change how they built guitars, then they may not have been ready to change how they numbered them Certain guitar models built in the late 1970s can be used to demonstrate the old-style 6 digit serial numbers. So double check the serial numbers on those 1970s L-5s, Super 400s, and Super 5 BJBs. In the earlier years at Gibson, guitars were normally built in batches of 40 instruments. Gibsons Factory Order Numbers were an internal coding that followed the group of instruments through the factory. Thus, the older Gibson guitars may have a serial number and a Factory Order Number.
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