- #SEAGULL GUITAR SERIAL NUMBER DATING 12 DIGIT SERIAL NUMBERS#
- #SEAGULL GUITAR SERIAL NUMBER DATING 12 DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER#
- #SEAGULL GUITAR SERIAL NUMBER DATING 12 DIGIT SERIAL#
As they already owned Gibson, this merge brought the two powerful brand names under one umbrella. In 1957, the Chicago Musical Instrument Company (CMI) acquired Epiphone. They grew in popularity and by the 1950’s, became Gibson’s main rival. In the 1930’s, they switched up their business model and began producing high-end guitars, and became the only manufacturer to successfully make the transition.
#SEAGULL GUITAR SERIAL NUMBER DATING 12 DIGIT SERIAL#
Big thanks to the Hamerfanclub forum administrator "cmatthes" for help with this information.To understand the significance of the Epiphone serial number, we first need to look at how their company historyintertwines with that of Gibson.Įpiphone started as a family business in 1873 as a luxury banjo manufacturer.
#SEAGULL GUITAR SERIAL NUMBER DATING 12 DIGIT SERIAL NUMBERS#
Later, Korean, Indonesian and Chinese serial numbers are different and are probably worthless for dating an instrument. The above information applies to USA made Hamers only. All serials used numbers, except for Johnny Ramone's white Sunburst, which had characters in place of numbers. If it lacks one, it was LIKELY either refinished OR stolen and altered. Notes: Every USA Hamer left the factory with a serial number.
#SEAGULL GUITAR SERIAL NUMBER DATING 12 DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER#
Last serial number stamped in New Hartford was "456449", but several of the last few instruments were never completed. Serial numbering sequence by decade (approximate):Ģ000s: 0 50156 - present - SHOULDN'T HAVE "PRESENT", AS HAMER CEASED TO EXIST IN 2014. BY 1988, SERIAL NUMBERS WERE AGAIN IMPRESSED INTO THE WOOD. (This last line isn't correct - the numbers after the date indicator didn't reset every year on January 1st - they just kept rolling in order, and the digit for year changed. Seris a 1980 built guitar and the 1450th built. For example, serial number: 8 0002 was the second guitar built in 1978. The first digit indicates THE LAST DIGIT OF THE year it was built and the final numbers indicating sequentially the order of production. There WAS a space between the first and second digits UNTIL SOME POINT IN 1984.
![seagull guitar serial number dating 12 digit seagull guitar serial number dating 12 digit](https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--8nTXtEPe--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1412615425/kyepvcv7uslm4ybvygiw.jpg)
THESE SERIAL NUMBERS WERE STAMPED IN BLACK INK (Yellow Ink was used for dark/black finishes) ON THE BACK OF THE HEADSTOCK. Starting IN 1977 with the "Sunburst" models, Hamer used a different system using five or six digits for "production" instruments. The "4-DIGIT" numbers ran from 0000 to the early 0700s and were reserved for early Standard models, basses and other custom instruments. "Early Hamer guitars (starting in 1974) employed a 4-digit serial number IMPRESSED INTO THE WOOD on the rear of the headstock. All used numbers, except for Johnny Ramone's white Sunburst, which had characters in place of numbers and possibly, a rare "shop guitar" or two. If it lacks one, it was either refinished, stolen and altered, pulled from a dumpster or stolen from the factory. EVERY USA Hamer left the factory with a serial number. Hope that helps! If I think of anything else, I'll post it here, or check with Serial on the board.ĥ. Doublenecked (and 5-necked) instruments typically received a different, sequential serial number for each neck, but there are exceptions. All used numbers, except for Johnny Ramone's white Sunburst, which had characters in place of numbers.Ħ.
![seagull guitar serial number dating 12 digit seagull guitar serial number dating 12 digit](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2319/0503/files/dean-destroyer11-52615-onside_2048x2048.jpg)
Interesting to note that those two 2008 guitars are about 300 instruments apart, and then there were only another 316 guitars stamped from that point until the Spring, 2014 ending of the brand.ĥ. If you'll check the "For Sale" board here today, there are two 2008 Standards listed, and their serial numbers are #855828 (mid-February, 2008 build) and #856132, from later that year after Crown inlays were temporarily suspended from use under FMIC rule. To my knowledge, the last Hamer serial number stamped in the shop before Hamer USA was permanently closed in 2014, is #456449. I know that this line: " The numbers ran from #0000 to #0680." was something actually posted on the official Hamer USA site some years ago, but the actual end number for the 4-digit scheme ran into the early 0700s (I have a 1984 Standard with a serial of #0703, for example, and have seen later serial # stamps).Ĥ. The later Korean, Indonesian and Chinese serial numbers have absolutely NOTHING to do with date of manufacture, and are totally worthless for dating an import instrument.ģ.
![seagull guitar serial number dating 12 digit seagull guitar serial number dating 12 digit](https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--yBDNT3sM--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1412615456/cc0ep2crrunygqqwj1nq.jpg)
These serial numbering schemes apply to the USA Hamer guitar line only. The scheme that started in 1977 with the Sunburst models was for "production" instruments.Ģ. The 4-digit serials were reserved for the early Standards (until they were pulled from the catalog in the mid-80s), early basses and a number of other custom instruments. The difference between the 4-digit serials and the other number scheme started for "production" instruments in 1977, as that wasn't pointed out.