Gibson Serial Number Decoder Guide
Our summary of the maker official system - not a replacement for it. Serials can be inconsistent, reused, or faked; for valuable instruments confirm with the maker.
Gibson official Serial Number Search page documents 1975-present formats. Examples it gives: the classic 8-digit impressed format reads YDDDYRRR - the year is split around the three day-of-year digits (1st and 5th characters form the year); from July 2005 a 9-digit YDDDYBRRR adds a batch digit; 2014-mid-2019 used a model-year + running number that cannot be dated to a specific day; mid-2019 reverted to the post-2005 scheme. Signature and Custom models often deviate - Gibson asks you to contact service@gibson.com for those.