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DATE YOUR INSTRUMENT

Folkway’s guide to dating your vintage Gretsch

Dating a Gretsch guitar can be a complex task as Gretsch has used a few different systems over the years, including sequential serial numbers and date-coding. Using the serial number ranges, while helpful, are not completely accurate in pinpointing the year your vintage Gretsch was made. In order to accurately date a Gretsch guitar, especially those built between 1939 and 1965, it is important to use a combination of the serial number, potentiometer codes (when applicable), and overall instrument specs. 

For assistance dating your vintage Gretsch, please reach out to Folkway Music for an expert appraisal. We’d love to help you out! 

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VIDEO WALKTHROUGH

Introducing Our Gretsch Identification Guide

In this video, Nathan provides an overview of what to expect in our Gretsch Identification Guide. He also shares some tips about what other factors you might need to consider when dating your vintage instrument.
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1. The Sequential Period (1939-1965)

Where to find the serial number on a Gretsch guitar: 

Serial numbers can be found in a variety of locations on a vintage Gretsch instrument, depending on the model and era in which it was manufactured. Here is a list of possible locations for the serial number on a vintage Gretsch: 

  • Penciled on the inside of the back, visible through an F hole or soundhole
  • Ink stamped on the inside of the back, visible through an F hole or soundhole
  • On a label inside the body, visible through an F hole or sound hole 
  • On a label inside the body, hidden by a control plate (some electric models)
  • Scratched onto the control cavity plate (some solidbody electrics)
  • Impressed into the top of the headstock or onto the back of the headstock 
  • Engraved in a metal plate nailed to the headstock face 
Metal plaque on a vintage Gretsch guitar that reads 'The Chet Atkins Country Gentleman' text.

Gretsch 6122 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman from 1960

Close-up of a vintage Gretsch Rancher guitar label from 1957 with a blurred background

Gretsch Rancher from 1957

Serial Number Range (Approximate) Production Year(s)
001-1000s 1939 - 1945
2000s 1946 - 1949
4000s - 5000s 1950
001s - 1000s 1951
5000s - 6000s 1952
6000s - 8000s 1953
9000s - 12000s 1954
13000s - 16000s 1955
17000s - 21000s 1956
21000s - 26000s 1957
26000s - 30000s 1958
30000s - 34000s 1959
35000s - 39000s 1960
40000s - 45000s 1961
46000s - 52000s 1962
53000s - 63000s 1963
63000s - 78000s 1964
78000s - 85000s 1965

2. Date Coded Serial Numbers (1965-1981)

In late 1965, Gretsch moved away from their sequential serial number system, adopting a date-code system that appeared in the format M(M)YX(X)(X). It followed a serial number formula that can be deciphered as follows: 

M(M)YX(X)(X)

  • M(M)= month of year (two digits for October “10,” November “11,” and December “12,”)
  • Y = last digit of year
  • X(X)(X) = unit number.

For example: Serial number 96920 on a 1966 Gretsch 6117 Double Anniversary sold by Folkway Music can be read as: 9 = August, 6 = 1966, 920 = the 920th unit built that month.

In the latter part of 1967, after Baldwin’s purchase of Gretsch, “MADE IN USA” was added next to the serial number on the back of the headstock. 

For example: Serial number 596 with a “MADE IN USA” stamp can be read as (5) = May, (9) = 1969, (2) = 2nd unit built that month. 

Beginning in 1973, a hyphen is occasionally placed between the digits indicating the month and year.

For example: Serial number 7-9194 with a “MADE IN USA” stamp on a 1979 Gretsch 7576 Country Club sold by Folkway Music can be read as (7) = July, (9) = 1979, (194) = 194th unit built that month. 
Close-up of a Gretsch Country Gentleman from 1967 (Pre-Baldwin Era) guitar headstock with tuning pegs and a visible serial number.

Gretsch Country Gentleman from 1967 (Pre-Baldwin Era)

Close-up of a red Gretsch Tennessean from 1967 (Baldwin Era) guitar with tuning pegs and serial number '67649'.

Gretsch Tennessean from 1967 (Baldwin Era)

Sources: 

  1. Gretsch Guitars: https://www.gretschguitars.com/support/product-dating

RESOURCES

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