- Where can I find the serial number of my guitar? A Martin Guitar will have the model designation and the serial number etched on the neck block. Look in the soundhole toward the.
- .1976 Serial numbers 220 were also used. Begins using one set of serial numbers for guitars & mandolins. 1994-2002 Mandolins are custom order only.
- MARTIN: Serial# Year:. During the 1970′s, the 3rd and 4th digit of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture. 1972 – 127 – 127 – 127 – 127 – 127 – 127 – 127 – 127 – 00102143.
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There is really little to add against the already established lists. The most common serial list would be from Horn-u-copia which you can check out for a full list , or the Rob Stewart list. (Both are credited for the below information).
Both seem to be close in comparison with each other. Note - Martin Indiana Trumpets do not follow this established list. If you have a lacquered instrument with a Chieftan Head and a diagonal wave design from my research these start at around 1958. To make matters more confusing there is the IBICO (Indiana Band Instrument Company) instruments which also do not follow this list and started in the 1930's. It is common for people to think their horn is much earlier than it is in fact.
The list below is a revised edition that deals with a smaller range with my own comments and additions. (They do not have the Indiana serials on their either)
Martin began producing instruments in 1833. Prior to serial numbers, the different instruments were identified by the Martin brand which was stamped into the back of the headstock, the upper portion of the back or on the back binding strut visible through the soundhole (the eased blocking reinforcing the center joint between the 2 back pieces). Decode martin serial numbers. The Guitardater Project cannot verify the authenticity of ANY Guitar, this site is simply meant as a tool to satisfy the curiosity of guitar enthusiasts.
People commonly ask - what's the best year for Martins?
I would offer an opinion that there are very few 'bad' years prior to 1959. All the horns I have played or owned have their own unique characteristics. If I had to narrow the range down some of the best horns I have seen and played sit between 125,000 and 145,000 which is the Martin Handcraft Imperial/Handcraft Committee cross-over period and also includes the Martin Handcraft Standard US models.
Hornucopia List 1930 to 1964
Martin Handcraft Symphony, Troubadour, Dansant and Standard models
- 1930 95500
- 1931 100400
- 1932 105400
- 1933 107600
Martin Handcraft Imperials start around the 109,XXX to 110,XXX range
- 1934 110000
- 1935 113000
- 1936 117200
- 1937 119400
Martin Handcraft Imperial - Art Deco Style
- 1938 125400
- 1939 129500
Martin Handcraft Committees (Late 1939 into 1940)
Martin Serial Numbers
(This is debatable - does anyone have an earlier HC Serial number?? Mr. Botti's horns are 1939 (his newer one) and his original is actually 1940's according to both lists in case anyone wanted to bring that up. The earliest serial I have seen is 131,XXX which is 1939/40)
- 1940 132900
- 1941 136500
- 1942 140200
Martin Handcraft Standard US Models - Handcraft Committees phased out somewhere around 1943
Martin Serial Numbers Mexico
- 1943-44 142100
- 1945 143600
Martin Committee & Deluxe Committees come in around 1945
- 1946 154300
- 1947 161500
- 1948 165300
Martin Imperial Trumpets and Indiana's start somewhere around here
- 1949 170400
- 1950 172200
- 1951 175100
- 1952 179300
- 1953 183100
- 1954 187600
- 1955 193700
- 1956 194200
- 1957 201800
- 1958 203900
Martin Custom Committees start to show up around this date
- 1959 205400
- 1960 209100
- 1961 211700
- 1962 214000
- 1963 218800
- 1964 700000
Rob Stewart in Arcadia, CA List 1930 to 1964
Of the two lists I think this one seems more accurate in my opinion. Please refer to the above for comments on models etc.
O jane ja meri bahon me aa. 1930 98324
1931 101622
1932 105096
1933 106546
1934 108301
1935 111253
1936 116551
1937 118038
1938 126998
1939 132070
1940 136040
1941 140199
1942 144455
1943 145322
1944 000000
1945 145352
1946 154289
1947 161520
1948 165326
1949 170395
1950 172215
1951 175140
1952 179317
1953 183125
1954 187614
1955 193747
1956 194213
1957 201809
1958 203917
1959 205377
1960 209089
1961 211675
1962 213999
1963 218855
1964 700000
All Martin guitars since 1898 (except solidbody electrics from the 1970s, basses, and tiples) are numbered in consecutive order. Ukuleles do not have serial numbers. Mandolins use a different serial number system than guitars. 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. The first set of characters are the body size. Next there is a “-“. The last set of numbers are the ornamention style.
For example, “OO-28” stamped above the martin guitar serial number tells use the body is “OO” size (14 5/16″ wide for a 14 fret model, 14 1/8″ wide for a 12 fret model), and the ornamention style is “28” (rosewood body, ice cream cone style neck).
Left: The model and serial numbers, as seen through the sound hole on the neck block of this 1950 D-28. Prior to October 1930, the model is NOT stamped on the neck block (you have to figure it out yourself!).
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. Also the “D” is sometimes confused for an “0”.
3ds max 2010 full. On round hole martin guitars, the serial and model numbers are stamped on the neck block inside the instrument. The number can be seen by looking inside the sound hole. Look at an angle towards the neck. 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).
Martin Serial Numbers 2018
The numbers listed here show the LAST serial number produced for that year. 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).
Important Serial Number Milestones.
- 439xx to 44362: October 1930 first time both the body size & style number stamped on neckblock above the serial number (exact serial number change unknown).
- 57305 = T frets first used and T bar first used (1934)
- 59044-61181 = Martin stamp in back of peghead discontinued (1935)
- 72740 = Change in nut width on 14-fret models from 1 3/4″ to 1 11/16″ (late 1939) on all non-slotted peghead models. Style 17 models with 14-fret body may have changed earlier.
- 80585 = Ebony neck reinforcement started to be implemented during WW2 (1942)
- 83107 = Last pre-WW2 style 45 guitar (1942).
- 89926 = According to Martin, this is the approximate last scalloped braced guitar made (late 1944). Though some models have been seen after this number with scalloped braces, and before this number with tapered braces. (For example #90014 appears to be the last D28 with scalloped braces, and D-28 #88112 had tapered braces.)
- 90021 = Snowflakes on D28 discontinued (1944). This is an approximate serial#.
- 98223 = Last style 28 guitar made with Herringbone trim (early 1947).
- 99992-100240 = Last style 28 guitars made with a “zipper back” center seam (mid 1947).
- 197207 = Bridge pin holes moved back 1/16″ (1964).
- 200601 = short saddle bridge (1965).
- 205251 = 102C Grover machines on all “D” guitars (1965).
- 211040 = Boltaron bindings on D-28 and D-35 (1966).
- 212100 = Boltaron bindings on D-18 (1966).
- 213775 = Boltaron rosettes (1966).
- 215253 = New tape strips on sides (1966).
- 216736 = Bridge pin holes moved to center (1966).
- 217215 = Tortoise guards discontinued (1966).
- 220467 = Last hand stamped serial/model numbers (1967).
- 224079 = Kluson K324 tuners on all style 18 models (1967).
- 226969 = Grover v100 tuners on all 0,00,000 models (1967).
- 228246 = Square truss rod bar on D models (1967).
- 235586 = Rosewood bridgeplates on all guitars (1968).
- 242454 = Larger rosewood bridgeplates on all guitars (1969).
- 254497 = Last style 28 guitar made with Brazilian rosewood (late 1969).
- 254498 = East Indian rosewood introduced (1969, a model D-21).
- 255717 = First D-41 model with Indian Roseood.
- 256366 = First D-45 model with Indian Rosewood.
- 350287 = Plastic saddles on D-18 models (1975).
- 355357 = Plastic saddles on D-28 models (1975).
- 360970-365831 = Rosewood vertical sidestrips (1975).
- 370976 = Micarta nuts and saddles (1975).
- 447004 = Self-adhesive pickguard trial (1984).
- 447501 = Last glued-down pickguard in regular production (1984).
- 453181 = Adjustable truss rods gradually implemented (1985).
- 478093 = Maple bridgeplates on all guitars (1988).
- 737277 = Last HD-28LSV with an Adirondack top (2000). Sitka spruce was used in regular production thereafter.
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