The serial numbers that are used to date Martin guitars may be found on the neck block of the instrument. If you look inside the soundhole and toward the neck, you’ll see the serial number and model stamped on the neck block, which you can read. Where is the serial number on a Martin acoustic guitar?
Where do I find the serial number on a Martin guitar?
On Martin Guitars the serial number is usually located on the heel of the neck inside the soundhole. So you’ll need to look through the soundhole towards the neck.
Where do I find the serial number on my f-hole Martin?
All f-hole Martin archtops have their serial and model numbers stamped on the inside center of the backstripe, roughly under the shadow of the bridge (and best seen from the bass side “f” hole). The numbers listed here show the LAST serial number produced for that year.
How do you determine the value of a Martin guitar?
To ascertain a guitar’s value and authenticity, look at the serial number. The company started branding guitars with a serial number in 1898. The serial numbers begin with 8001, as the company estimated that they already had 8,000 guitars prior to 1898 in their portfolio. Martin guitar serial numbers will have between 4 and 7 serial numbers.
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What do the numbers mean on Martin guitars?
Martin started building guitars in 1833, and by 1898, they were using a standardized system to number their instruments by body shape and style. The first letters or numbers indicate the body shape (0, 00, OM, D, etc.) that are followed by a style number (15, 18, 28, 45, etc.), and separated by a dash.
How do I know what Martin I have?
Serial Numbers Used To Date Martin Guitars are found on the neck block. Looking inside the soundhole and toward the neck you will find the serial number and model stamped on the neck block. The model number is above, the serial number is below it.
How do I identify an acoustic guitar Martin?
Martin Guitars have been designated by a model name stamped on the neck block inside the guitar, such as "00-17" or "D-28".
What does the CF stand for in CF Martin?
Martin & Company (often referred to as Martin) is an American guitar manufacturer established in 1833, by Christian Frederick Martin. It is highly respected for its acoustic guitars and is a leading manufacturer of flat top guitars.
What year is my Martin serial number?
The number in the left-side column is the year, and the number following the year is the last serial number used in that given year. Serial number 8349 for example, would be the first guitar built in 1899.
How do you authenticate a Martin guitar?
Martin guitars have rounded off corners with the bridge saddle fitting tight, a counterfeit model will have sharp edges which have been crudely cut. The bridge plate of an authentic Martin has a solid piece of wood right underneath the bridge.
Can you look up guitar serial numbers?
You can look up a serial number either in Gruhn's Guide or run the number in the manufacturer's database. The serial number itself will give you date information and the database will have a description of the guitar so you can check the specs of the guitar in question.
What does 000 mean in Martin guitars?
Auditorium000 = Auditorium. The 14-fret version introduced 1934 (see below.) 0000 = Grand Auditorium aka size M. Introduced in 1977 as a flattop guitar that uses the body shape from Martin's Size F archtop Jazz guitar from the 1930s.
What does the D stand for in Martin guitars?
In the example above, it's a “D” which stands for Dreadnought and that indicates the size and shape of the guitar All of our prefixes, in order from smallest to largest, are: LX = Little Martin. DJr = Dreadnought Junior. 0 = Concert. 00 = Grand Concert.
What does HD stand for in Martin guitars?
HerringboneOriginally all 28 Series guitars had Herringbone inlays. The H in HD actually stands for Herringbone. Originally the herringbone binding was taken off of the D-28 as a cost saving measure to keep the guitar affordable to everyday players.
What does GPC stand for in Martin guitars?
The Grand Performance Cutaway (GPC) sports a satin finish all the way around, from the top, back, and sides to the modern C-shaped neck. With no binding, a single-ring rosette, vintage-style tuners, and unadorned styling, the GPC is a plain Jane that does not call too much attention to itself.
Where Do I Find the Serial Number?
On Martin Guitars the serial number is usually located on the heel of the neck inside the soundhole. So you?ll need to look through the soundhole towards the neck.
Once You?ve found Your Serial Number
Once you?ve found your serial number check out the table below. This shows all of the serial numbers of Martin?s guitars since 1898!
What is a Martin serial number?
Martin serial numbers are on all guitars which have a production date after 1989. The system is valid for all flat-top and arched models. It doesn’t apply to ukeleles or mandolins. Martin guitar serial numbers can indicate the time of the guitar production. It can provide information on the guitar’s build, materials, ...
How many serial numbers are there on a Martin guitar?
Martin guitar serial numbers will have between 4 and 7 serial numbers. The most common Martin serial numbers will have 6 digits due to an influx in manufacturing quantities in the 1960s and 1970s. Serial numbers are on the neck block inside the sound hole, on the back of the head-stock, or on the neck joint. Let’s see more details depending on the ...
What year did Martin stop stamping on guitars?
The company also began to include the model number directly above the serial number. Stamping on the head-stock officially stopped in 1935 . The famous D-45 guitars appear in this decade and start at the 53177 serial number. Used Martin guitars from this group are often the most valuable and sought-after by collectors.
What is Martin guitar?
Martin guitars are widely considered to be some of the greatest instruments in existence. While the brand has produced diverse types of guitars since their infancy in 1833, their steel string flat-top guitars are the most sought-after. Known for their rich sound and superb build, many Martin guitars are high-ticket collectible items.
How to tell if a Martin guitar is authentic?
The company has a detailed logging system that dates back well over 100 years. With a clear serial number, you can trace the guitar’s history, understand its production, and get the information you need to spot a fake. Images: 1, 2.
Where are Martin guitars made?
Most Martin guitars come from the company factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The exceptions to this are modern guitars from the X, Backpacker, Road, Dreadnought Junior, and 9A5 series, which come from the company plant in Mexico.
Is Martin guitar a collectible?
Known for their rich sound and superb build, many Martin guitars are high-ticket collectible items. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with cheap replicas that capitalize off the Martin name. This is why you have to pay attention to the Martin guitar serial numbers. Furthermore, the company has created many different guitars with similar designs ...
Why is the serial number on a Martin guitar 8000?
Martin guitar serial numbers start at 8000 in 1898 because Martin estimated they made 8000 instruments before 1898. Model Numbers stamped above the Serial Number starting in 1930. Starting in October 1930, Martin also stamped the model number just above the serial number. Martin model numbers are straight forward too.
What is the serial number of a 1944 D-18?
Right: The model and serial numbers, as seen through the sound hole of this 1944 D-18, serial number 90067 . Notice the “1” in the “18” does somewhat look like a “2”. This confuses a lot of people who think their style 18 guitar is a style 28.
Does Martin have a serial number?
Martin produced all guitar serial number sequentially. These serial number apply to all Martin guitars, flat top and arch top. It does not apply to ukes (except for the first year, they do not have a serial number). Does not apply to Martin mandolins either (they have their own serial number system).
Where Is The Serial Number On A Martin Guitar?
Is there a way to find the serial number of my guitar?? There will be a model designation and a serial number etched on the neck block of a Martin Guitar. You can see where this is etched by looking in the soundhole to the neck.
Do All Martin Guitars Have Serial Numbers?
A Martin guitar with a production date after 1989 will have a serial number. All flat-top and arched models can be supported by the system. The ukulele or mandolin are exempt from this rule. It is possible to determine the production time of a Martin guitar by looking at its serial number.
How Do You Read A Martin Serial Number?
In the left-hand column, the year is the year in which the serial number was used, and in the following column, the serial number in that year is the last serial number. As an example, Serial number 8349 would be the first serial number to be used in a guitar since 1899.
How Can You Tell If A Martin Guitar Is Real?
The forgery guitar has a crudely cut bridge with sharp edges, as opposed to Martin’s round corners and tight bridge saddle. Additionally, the bridge saddle slot on the guitar is ill-fitting. There is a solid piece of wood under the bridge of a Martin.
How Do I Identify My Martin Guitar?
There will be a model designation and a serial number etched on the neck block of a Martin Guitar. You can see where this is etched by looking in the soundhole to the neck.
How Do You Tell The Age Of A Martin Guitar?
On the neck block of Martin guitars, you will find serial numbers used to date them. The serial number and model are stamped on the neck block when you look inside the soundhole and toward the neck.
Can You Look Up A Guitar By Serial Number?
It is easy to validate a guitar by checking its serial number. It is possible to find serial numbers either in Gruhn’s Guide or in the manufacturer’s database.
