Gibson Guitars Serial Number Lookup: Dating Your SG Guitar

As a guitar enthusiast, you may be searching for ways to date your Gibson SG guitar. The process can seem daunting, especially with the complexity of Gibson's serial number system. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to identify and date your four- or five-digit serial number SG guitars.

First, let's start with the basics. You can find the serial number lookup tool on Gibson's official website. From there, follow these simple steps:

1. Locate the serial number: Find the serial number on the back of the headstock.

2. Check if it's four or five digits: If your serial number is four digits long, it falls within the 1960-1964 range.

For SG guitars with no 'MADE IN USA' stamp, things get a bit more challenging. These serial numbers are style-specific and not necessarily consecutive, repeating throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Pre-1975 SG serial numbers are notoriously difficult to use for dating Gibson guitars.

To make matters easier, we recommend combining your serial number lookup with other aspects of dating the SG guitar. You can consult Tony Bacon's books on vintage guitars or The SG Guitar Book: 50 Years of Gibson's Stylish Solid Guitar for more information.

If you're curious about how much a Gibson guitar collector might value your vintage Gibson SG, feel free to send us pictures and we'll be happy to check it out. We're always on the hunt for nice examples of Gibson SG guitars, with my favorite models being those from 1959 onwards.

In conclusion, dating a Gibson SG guitar requires patience and attention to detail. By combining your serial number lookup with other identifying features, you can pinpoint the year of manufacture. Whether you're looking for information on how to date a Gibson ES-335 or want to learn more about Gibson's solid body electric guitars, we're here to help.

Gibson's SG line has been in continuous production since 1959 and has become a huge commercial success. As a result, there are many resources available for guitar enthusiasts looking to learn more about their vintage instruments. By following these steps and consulting the recommended resources, you'll be able to date your Gibson SG guitar with ease.

So why wait? Start dating your SG guitar today!

Gibson guitars serial number lookup