The first digit of this style serial number indicates the last digit of the year it was manufactured. Is your serial number ink stamped like the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special above? Gibson used 5 or 6 digit ink stamped serial numbers on Les Paul guitars from 1952 until 1960. Take a look- if your serial number is more than 6 digits then your guitar is no earlier than 1976. It should be on the back of the neck at the top just between and above the tuning machines.
The serial number is one of the first places to start for how to date a Gibson Les Paul guitar. Click the red Contact Me button in the lower right corner of your screen to send me information about your guitar. Need help? I'd be happy to take a look at your guitar. Or if you think your guitar may be a Gibson SG, check out How to date a Gibson SG. If you're looking for help dating a Gibson ES-335, ES-345, or ES-355 then check out How to date a Gibson ES-335 guitar. If you're looking for 'How old is my Gibson Les Paul guitar?' then you've come to the right place.
Never fear! This page is intended to clear up some some of the inconsistencies of dating Gibson guitars. Gibson's serial number scheme changed in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, so a simple serial number lookup isn't often very helpful. How to date Gibson Les Paul guitars is a study of its own.
