Through much of the company's history, Gretsch guitars were numbered sequentially and/or chronologically, so serial numbers (in addition to the features on the guitar) can give a very accurate idea of when the guitar was made.
That said, there are several tricks to successfully dating your Gretsch guitar. First, note that specs may or may not match up to a particular year, as there was considerable overlap. Second, remember that the specs on that particular guitar may have changed. Bridges, in particular, are often swapped.
It's also worth noting that Gretsch used several different serial number systems through the years, and you need to make sure you're looking at the right one. This is particularly tricky in the mid '60s, when some serial numbers may belong to more than one numbering system.
One last thing to remember is that Gretsch years are similar to model years for cars. They made some guitars early to unveil at the big trade shows and tried to be ready to fill orders immediately, so those guitars would have an earlier-than-expected build date.
On the other hand, some less popular models may have sat on the shelf for years before being sold as new. Technically, they are new, since they've never been sold, but the build date could predate the sales date by a substantial amount.
In other words, try not to obsess over this stuff too much.
Early (sequential) serial numbers
Gretsch began numbering it's guitars sequentially in 1939, beginning with the better models. They started, sensibly enough, at 001, just writing the number inside the back. After the war that method continued, but some guitars had the serial number embossed on the headstock. With the advent of labels in the late '40s, the serial number is usually found on the label, which is usually visible through the soundhole on hollowbody models. On solidbodies, it's usually inside the control cavity.
Guitars were usually made in batches of 100, and specification changes can be tied to serial numbers with considerable accuracy (see Charting the Changes).
Be aware that these numbers — while considered by most authorities to be accurate — may be substantially off. The coded serial number style began in February or March 1965. (Numbers are consecutive, but all number/year matches are approximate)
1965 to 1972 serial numbers
(Most numbers are on the back or top of the headstock, and "Made in USA" is stamped next to the number starting in June 1967).
The first digit or first 2 digits = month (1-12).
The next digit = last digit of the year (1965 to 1972: 5,6,7,8,9,0,1,2).
The remaining digits = number of individual instrument, probably.
For example, 27136 should be February (2), 1967 (7) and the 1376th instrument made that year.
1972 to 1981 serial numbers
A hyphenated number was embossed into the back of headstock.
The digits before hyphen = month (1-12).
The first digit after hyphen = last digit of year. (i.e., 1974
would be 4)
Last 3 digits = number of the instrument.
For example, 3-8094 would be March (3), 1978 (8) and the 94th guitar made that month.
Modern (Pre-Fender) serial numbers
Serial numbers have six numbers, with a three digit suffix.
The first two digits are the year of manufacture.
The next digit is the month.
The next three digits are the model number, without the 6 at the beginning.
The final numbers are the sequential order of the model made during the lifespan of the model (not that year).
For example, 946119-976 would be a June 1994 Tennessee Rose, the 976th made.
- 94 is the year 19"94"
- 6 is the month "6" = June
- 119 is the model 6"119"
Lower numbers will always appear on earlier guitars, higher numbers on later guitars. Remember that 2000 and 2001 guitars will, of course, not begin with a 9. Also, on guitars built in October, November or December, the third AND fourth digits denote the month.
Modern (Post-Fender) serial numbers
When Fender took over production in January 2003 the serial number scheme changed again. Serial number JT03074463, for example, breaks down as:
- J: Japan
- T: Terada factory
- 03: 2003
- 07: July Production
- 4463: 4,463rd guitar built in 2003 (all models combined)
Specific models are no longer designated within the serial number. (Thanks to Mike Lewis of Fender for detailing the current numbering system.)