Gibson Memphis Serial Numbers

[McCarthy]

I’ve researched online and cannot figure these out!!

Does anyone know how the historic Memphis reissue serial numbers work? I have a 1961 RI ES-335 that has a custom shop certificate and a Memphis orange label sticker, both with a 5-digit serial (also on back of headstock).

Any help greatly appreciated, cheers.

MC

 

[wmachine]

I’ve researched online and cannot figure these out!!

Does anyone know how the historic Memphis reissue serial numbers work? I have a 1961 RI ES-335 that has a custom shop certificate and a Memphis orange label sticker, both with a 5-digit serial (also on back of headstock).

Any help greatly appreciated, cheers.

MC

"What you get" somewhat depends on what year you have. I suspect yours is prior to about 2014? 2010 maybe? A shot of your COA would help. I also suspect your COA says "Custom", not "Custom Shop". A deceptive practice by Gibson, they reference "Custom" for some models for a few years misleading everyone that it is a Custom Shop model. There was never a Custom Shop in Memphis. More specifically but not clearly stated by Gibson, those were "Custom Shop Series" models made in Memphis.

The serial number question is an entirely different situation. Most of the reissues came with 5 digit serial numbers. And some of the higher end models like the '59 reissues came with an "A" prefix. This was all done to, what Gibson claims, be more historically correct. Whatever. It does help identify it as a reissue if you don't have any paperwork.

 

[McCarthy]

Hey, thank you. I was told that it’s a 2018 model but not sure about that. Attached a pic of the orange label and the COA, thanks for your insights. The case is a Costa Rican-made lifton RI case if that helps.

MC

 

[McCarthy]

 

[mdubya]

Does it have a packing list?

 

[McCarthy]

No, it may have at one point but I got it second hand and it just came with the COA and the case keys.

 

[wmachine]

Hey, thank you. I was told that it’s a 2018 model but not sure about that. Attached a pic of the orange label and the COA, thanks for your insights. The case is a Costa Rican-made lifton RI case if that helps.

MC

Note that your COA simply says "Gibson". That is not a Custom or Custom Shop COA. Most, if not all, Memhis guitars came with COAs. Either "Gibson" like yours or "Gibson Memphis" like this one:

Custom Shop models usually come with COAs like this:

 

[McCarthy]

Yes, you’re right - I should have said COA instead of custom shop certificate.

I am just trying to figure out these serial numbers...

 

[zhivago]

It's a bummer you are missing the checklist, as that is where I got the year for my Memphis ES-345.

Check The Gear Page...maybe someone over there will know or has posted a thread about it before, as there are many Memphis ES owners there.

 

[wmachine]

Yes, you’re right - I should have said COA instead of custom shop certificate.

I am just trying to figure out these serial numbers...

There is nothing more to figure out. They used sequential 5 digit s/ns on some of the reissues.

 

[bp-plickner]

Memphis ES-335 Check list dated 9/2/15. Serial No. 51542

 

[Tollywood]

Memphis ES-335 Check list dated 9/2/15. Serial No. 51542View attachment 30504

I love the color.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Similar topic - I have a Memphis ES Les Paul coming and I understand it is a 2014, but the last 3 digits are 712. All I could find is that it was the 712th top put together that day? Seems miles too high.
Any idea how these numbers work?
I found YDDDY then the 3 digits but 700 in a day? I suggest no?

 

[Tollywood]

Similar topic - I have a Memphis ES Les Paul coming and I understand it is a 2014, but the last 3 digits are 712. All I could find is that it was the 712th top put together that day? Seems miles too high.
Any idea how these numbers work?
I found YDDDY then the 3 digits but 700 in a day? I suggest no?

Maybe it’s 712 made by that date for the whole year so far?

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Maybe it’s 712 made by that date for the whole year so far?

Ahhh that makes way more sense than how I interpreted what I read. Thanks, totally can see that.

 

[Tollywood]

Ahhh that makes way more sense than how I interpreted what I read. Thanks, totally can see that.

I should admit that I am guessing, though.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

I should admit that I am guessing, though.

Gotta be that.

This is from Gibson.

"Example: A-38005 is the 5th '63 ES-335 Reissue produced in 1998.
Carved Top models (serial number on orange label)
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year

RRR indicate the guitar's place in the sequence of carved tops made that day.

NOTE - as of 2000, 1st digit will be a "2""

That's the part that threw me.

This is what it says for CS, which makes more sense.

RRRR indicates the guitar's place in the sequence of production

 

[Wilko]

Gotta be that.

This is from Gibson.

"Example: A-38005 is the 5th '63 ES-335 Reissue produced in 1998.
Carved Top models (serial number on orange label)
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year

RRR indicate the guitar's place in the sequence of carved tops made that day.

NOTE - as of 2000, 1st digit will be a "2""

That's the part that threw me.

This is what it says for CS, which makes more sense.

RRRR indicates the guitar's place in the sequence of production

That doesn't really apply to the old OP here. 50634.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

That doesn't really apply to the old OP here. 50634.

No. Was my issue and sorta related as I said. Rather than starting a new thread, which I guess i could have.

 

[Wilko]

No. Was my issue and sorta related as I said. Rather than starting a new thread, which I guess i could have.

Sorry, I missed that part.