Dating gretsch electromatic

How to date a Gretsch guitar by serial number?

DATING GRETSCH GUITARS BY REFERENCE OF SERIAL NUMBERS Over the years, Gretsch Company has been owned by various companies that also use their own method of serial numbers and dating. Where to find the serial number On most modern (after 1989) Gretsch guitars you will find it on the back of the headstock.

When did Gretsch start making Synchromatic guitars?

Starting in 1999, Gretsch began producing budget-level Electromatic, Synchromatic and Historic Series guitars in Korea. Unfortunately, these guitars followed no clear numbering system. Worse yet, the serial numbers were put on a simple sticker on the back of the headstock, ensuring that they would be lost immediately.

How can you tell if a Gretsch is a pre-war guitar?

In the early years ( 1939-1945) Gretsch started with handwritten sequential serial numbers ( 001-999 ), written directly on the inside of the guitar. Often these serials are vague or almost illegible or completely erased. If you see at least three hard-to-read numbers, you can be pretty sure that it is a pre-war instrument.

How can I tell if my Gretsch is old or New?

If you have absolutely no idea whether your Gretsch is old or new, a good place to start is the model number. This will give you an approximate idea of the era during which your guitar was manufactured.

How many digits are on a Gretsch serial number?

Nine digits, last three hyphenated, on headstock. 1989 - 2002. Two letter prefix, eight digits, on headstock. 2002 - present. Pre-War: 1939 - 1945 In the early years, Gretsch began with sequential serial numbers, written by hand usually in pencil directly on the inside of the guitar body.

How do I tell what year my Gretsch guitar is?

If you have absolutely no idea whether your Gretsch is old or new, a good place to start is the model number. This will give you an approximate idea of the era during which your guitar was manufactured. Its also one more piece of evidence to pair with the serial number to corroborate the actual year.

When did the Baldwin era Gretsch guitar label come out?

In 1973, the 2nd iteration of the Baldwin era Gretsch label was introduced. These labels were once again a Black and White rectangle, and had “Gretsch Guitars” printed on them, as well as a line for the Baldwin model number and the date coded serial number.

When did Gretsch start making Synchromatic guitars?

Starting in 1999, Gretsch began producing budget-level Electromatic, Synchromatic and Historic Series guitars in Korea. Unfortunately, these guitars followed no clear numbering system. Worse yet, the serial numbers were put on a simple sticker on the back of the headstock, ensuring that they would be lost immediately.

How can I tell what year my Gretsch is?

Overview of Gretsch Production Eras If you have absolutely no idea whether your Gretsch is old or new, a good place to start is the model number. This will give you an approximate idea of the era during which your guitar was manufactured. Its also one more piece of evidence to pair with the serial number to corroborate the actual year.

How do I find the serial number on my Gretsch guitar?

To find the serial number on your Gretsch, start by looking at the headstock. On most modern (post-1989) Gretsch guitars, youll find it on the back of the headstock.

How to tell if a Gretsch is pre-war?

In the early years, Gretsch began with sequential serial numbers, written by hand usually in pencil directly on the inside of the guitar body. As such, many of these serials will be faded, nearly illegible or erased completely. At the very least, if you only see three hard-to-read numbers, you can be fairly confident that its a pre-war instrument.

How old are Gretsch guitars?

By modern, by the way, we mean since 2003, which is when Gretsch serial numbering took its current form. Various other serial numbering systems existed before then that stretch far back into Gretsch history—all the way back to the very earliest Gretsch guitars of the 1930s.