Stamped on rear of the peg head, these serials can be three to five numbers and range from 001 in 1935 to 9999 in 1945. Other investigation of the model will need to be used to pinpoint more exact year. Serials begin in 1932 with 5000 and end at 20142 during this period. Look through the F hole inside the instrument for the number. From there, you’ll need to look at pics of other similar models and if possible, decipher pot codes to further narrow down the production year. Please note that below are vague signposts to perhaps get you in the ballpark of when your early Epiphone was made. An example given was the serial US12040364 (don't let the 'US' make you think it's a USA model). Though I can't verify the accuracy, it was posted in the Dean online forums that imports after 2008 follow a pattern with the initial letter or letters identifying the factory, such that: US = Un Sung Korea, Y = Yoojin China, E = World Korea.The following two digits indicate year, then two-digit month, then production number. If you see a seven digit serial number on the back of a Dean guitar, you can be sure that it was produced in United States.ĭean's more affordable line made outside the US may require looking at features and hardware and some knowledge of the line. First two numbers in the sequence are the last two digits of the production year. If you can't find the serial, you may also want to check the pot codes on a Danelectro/Silvertone to at least give you a rough approximation of the year of manufacture.Įvery Dean guitar made in United States comes with a seven digit serial number that is printed on the back of the headstock (some 90s models may be stamped on the fretboard). 5-digit serials are the same, you just disregard the fifth digit.

So 1204 represents a 1964 guitar made in the 12th week of the year. On 4-digit serials, you ignore the 3rd digit, while the fourth digit tells the year. After 1967, it's reversed, so the the first digit represents the year. I will summarize some of the Silvertone serial number basics but for a real deep dive, I suggest going to Doug's serial number page at /serial-numbers-dating.īriefly, for a pre-1967 3-digit serial number the first two digits are the week, while the last digit tells the year, such that serial number 210 indicates a 1960 model made in the 21st week of the year. In doing research on this brand I found the definitive website for Danelectro/Silvertone info at The site is run by Doug Tulloch and he even sells a Danelectro Guitar Guide for you hardcore fans. You can find serial numbers on vintage Danelectro/Silvertone instruments all over the instrument, including back of headstock, neck heel, neck pocket, control cavity and other places. Danelectro/Silvertone (Back to top of page)

Dean guitar serial number lookup