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Examples of Ibanez serial numbers on back of headstock Red copyright sprite

Ibanez serial numbers are unique identifiers placed on instruments sold under the Ibanez brand. Ibanez guitars have used serial numbers since the mid 1970s.

The first serial numbers on Ibanez acoustic guitars appeared in October 1974[1] Serial numbers on solid body guitars came a bit later with the first appearing on the neck plate of bolt-on neck models around August 1975. The practice wasn't fully adopted on set-neck guitars until sometime in 1976.

The serial numbers are generally a character string containing letters and numbers, although some are purely numeric. Serial numbers can be useful in determining the age of a guitar as well as in which country and by which builder it was produced.

Unfortunately, there is no single unified format used for Ibanez serial numbers. Ibanez guitar production is outsourced to several companies and facilities through the world and the numbering schemes are different in each region and/or factory. The information on this page is culled from several sources both on-line and off-line and represents a distillation of the available information. It applies primarily to electric guitars, but some information may also be applicable to acoustics.

Serial numbers on Ibanez guitars can generally be found in one of several locations:

  1. On the back of the headstock either on a sticker or painted/printed on the headstock itself,
  2. Stamped on the neck plate (the metal plate at the joint between the neck and the body), or
  3. Printed, written or stamped on the label inside a hollow body or acoustic guitar, or
  4. Stamped on the fretboard past the last fret, or
  5. Stamped on the neck block inside an acoustic guitar.

The first step in deciphering the serial number is determining the country or facility in which the guitar was produced. In most cases the country of origin is provided in the same location as the serial number. In cases where you have a serial numbe r but not a country of origin, the origin can sometimes be deduced from the serial number, although in this case it's very helpful if you have at least a rough idea of the date of manufacture.

Serial numbers by country of origin[]

Japan[]

November 2004–present, FujiGen, "F" + 7 digits[]

Eight characters
F YY #####
single letter (F) 2-digit number 5-digit number
Example: F1418872 (May 2014)
  • F = manufactured by FujiGen Gakki in Nagano
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 08=2008)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year
Number also indicates month of manufacture, with the sequence incrementing to the next multiple of 3,000 each month, as follows:
  • 00001–02999 = November
  • 03000–05999 = December
  • 06000–08999 = January
  • 09000–11999 = February
  • 12000–14999 = March
  • 15000–17999 = April
  • 18000–20999 = May
  • 21000–23999 = June
  • 24000–26999 = July
  • 27000–29999 = August
  • 30000–32999 = September
  • 33000 and up = October

It's unclear whether this numbering convention is rigidly enforced, that is, each month actually starts out with the number prescribed above, or if this is just a way to estimate the production month. What is known is that this rubric is used by Ibanez to set the production date for warranty claims.

Note: as of November 2004, the serial number represents not necessarily the year the instrument was produced but rather the model year to which the instrument belongs. It has long been Ibanez's practice to begin production for the subsequent model year in November (or even late October), but the serial numbering change that was implemented in November 2004 acknowledged and formalized this practice.


1997–October 2004, FujiGen, "F" + 7 digits[]

Eight characters
F YY #####
single letter (F) 2-digit number 5-digit number
Example: F9914244 (March 1999)
  • F = manufactured by FujiGen Gakki in Nagano
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 08=2008)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year
Number also indicates month of manufacture, with the sequence incrementing to the next multiple of 5,000 each month, as follows:
  • 00001–05000 = January
  • 05001–10000 = February
  • 10001–15000 = March
  • 15001–20000 = April
  • 20001–25000 = May
  • 25001–30000 = June
  • 30001–35000 = July
  • 35001–40000 = August
  • 40001–45000 = September
  • 45001–50000 = October
  • 50001–55000 = November
  • 55001–60000 = December

It's unclear whether this numbering convention is rigidly enforced, that is, each month actually starts out with the number prescribed above, or if this is just a way to estimate the production month. What is known is that this rubric is used by Ibanez to set the production date for warranty claims.


2005–present, Sugi, "A-L" + 5 digits[]

Six characters
M YY # ##
single letter (A–L) 2-digit number 1-digit number 2-digit number
Example:
  • M = letter indicating month of manufacture: A=January...L=December
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 07=2009)
  • # = indicates the model (2=PGMFRM1, 5=UV77RE, others are unclear/unknown)[2]
  • ## = consecutive production number for the month

Note that there is opportunity for confusion with some of the other schemes listed here with regards to the initial letters F and I, however, this format is the only one which has just six characters. It is believed that all Japanese-made models with this serial number format are produced by Sugi Musical Instruments Ltd.

Sugi produces only a handful of high-end models for Ibanez. These include a few special Signature models and some J Customs.

These serial numbers are either hand-printed on the back of the headstock (often in Sterling silver or gold ink or paint) or stamped on the fretboard beyond the last fret or sometimes both.


2016–2017, IGDC, "IG" + 6 digits[]

Eight characters
IG YY MM ##
"IG" 2-digit number 2-digit number 2-digit number
Example: IG161102[3]
  • IG = indicates production at the Ibanez Guitar Development Center
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 16=2016)
  • MM = two digits indicating month of manufacture
  • ## = consecutive production number for the month

These serial numbers were hand-lettered on the back of the headstock.


2001–2004, J. Custom (FujiGen), 5 digits[]

Five digits
Y M ###
1-digit number 1-digit number 2-digit number
Example:
  • Y = last digit of year (e.g. 1=2001)
  • M = month of manufacture: 1=January...9=October (not sure about Nov/Dec)
  • ### = consecutive production number for the month

These serial numbers are stamped on the back of the headstock.<br.> Note that this presents a best guess as to how these serial numbers should be interpreted. This has not been confirmed.

J. Customs produced by FujiGen after 2004 are given typical FujiGen serial numbers.


1994–98; "H" + 6 digits[]

Seven characters
H YY ####
H 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example: H960003 (3rd example produced in 1996)
  • H = manufactured by Terada Musical Instrument Co., Ltd. near Nagano (1994–1998 only), (it's believed that the H stands for the first name of Terada's CEO Haruo Terada)
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 94=1994)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the year

Serial numbers in this format are typically stamped or printed on the back of the headstock.

Terada production used a single digit to represent the year prior to 1994 (see next entry).


1986–1996; Letter (e.g. "F, H, or I") + 6 digits[]

Seven characters
F, H, or I Y #####
single letter (F, H, or I) single number 5-digit number
Example: F204157 (January 1992)
  • First character is the factory code:
  • F = manufactured by FujiGen Gakki in Nagano (1987–1996)
  • H = manufactured by Terada Musical Instrument Co., Ltd. near Nagano (1986–1991 only), (it's believed that the H stands for the first name of Terada's CEO Haruo Terada)
  • I = manufactured by Iida Gakki (also sometimes listed as Ida Gakki) in Nagoya (1988–1992 only)
  • Y = last digit of year: 7=1987 through 6=1996
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year (see notes below)
For FujiGen ("F") serial numbers, numbering indicates month of manufacture, with the sequence incrementing to the next multiple of 3,600 each month[4], as follows:
  • 00001–03600 = January
  • 03601–07200 = February
  • 07201–10800 = March
  • 10801–14400 = April
  • 14401–18000 = May
  • 18001–21600 = June
  • 21601–25200 = July
  • 25201–28800 = August
  • 28801–32400 = September
  • 32401–36000 = October
  • 36001–39600 = November
  • 39601–43200 = December
It's unclear whether this FujiGen numbering convention is rigidly enforced — that is, each month actually starts out with the number prescribed above — or if this is just a way to estimate the production month. What is known is that this rubric is used by Ibanez to set the production date for warranty claims.
For Terada ("H") serial numbers, the production sequence doesn't reset each year. Instead it starts at 0 when production for Ibanez began in mid-1986 and continues from there.

Serial numbers in this format are either stamped on the neck plate, on printed on the back of the headstock or on a decal attached in that location.

Confusion around 1987 FujiGen serial numbers

Models produced through 1988 (and perhaps into 1989) have serial numbers starting with "F7" which would normally indicate production in 1987. It seems that FujiGen or Ibanez produced an overstock of these "F7" serial number stickers and so just continued to use them through 1988.

One can perhaps make a reasonable guess as to whether a model with an F7 serial number was actually produced in 1987 or 1988 based on the production sequence (the last five digits of the serial number). Any production sequences above 43,200 may be assumed to be 1988 models, although this rule of thumb doesn't appear to always hold true.

In some cases a determination as to whether a guitar was actually produced as an 1987 or 1988 model can be inferred based on the finish (color) of the guitar, as some finishes are limited to certain years.

Very few (if any) serial numbers starting with "F8" have ever been spotted.

Signature model exceptions

Different serial numbering schemes were used for Signature models, including models for Joe Pass, Lee Ritenour, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. These exceptions are detailed below.


1975–1988; Letter (A–L) + 6 digits[]

Seven characters
M YY ####
single letter (A–L) 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example: B840230 (February 1980)
  • M = letter indicating month of manufacture: A=January...L=December
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 85=1985)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

Numbers from this era/format can be found stamped on the rear of headstocks (in the case set-neck or AANJ construction), on neck joint plates or on labels inside hollow-body guitars.

Most Ibanez models with this serial number format were made by FujiGen Gakki. Exceptions are the Ibanez Blazer models which were made by Dyna Gakki and the Axstar by Ibanez models AX40, AX45, AX48, AXB50, AXB60, AXB65, AX70, AX75 which were made by Chushin Gakki (the flagship Axstar AXB1000 bass was made by FujiGen Gakki).

It is also believed that 'Terada Musical Instrument Co., Ltd. of Japan also made some guitars for Ibanez during this period.' It's thought that 'these would be mostly hollow-body guitars, but may also included some solid-body Artist series models.' There is no proof whatsoever for either of these assumptions. It's most likely that this is a big misunderstanding caused by an over generalization in the database of the "Guitar Dater Project" website, which is not able to assign the right factory to a vintage Ibanez guitar based on its serial number. The false information this website generates has been propogated in numerous advertisements of sellers of vintage Ibanez guitars. There is no proof whatsoever of any solid body Ibanez guitar produced by Terada. On the contrary: the fact that the production of solid body Ibanez Artist guitars shifted to Iida Gakki 1987, while hollow-body and semi-hollow Artist guitars became Artstar labels with H serial numbers, shows that the original production before 1987 came all from the FujiGen Gakki factory, which was experiencing capacity problems during that time period caused by their commitment to produce guitars for Fender Japan. If Terada had produced AR models already, they would have continued doing so. The AR and AS models shared the same necks under the Artist flag. Splitting the production up from a situation in which they were already both made in the Terada factory wouldn't be efficient, so it is highly unlikely that pre-1987 AR and AS models were ever made there.

The fact that the production of prestige models like the AS200 returned to FujiGen says enough.

This format was mostly abandoned after 1986 in favor of the format described immediately above, but a few examples of instruments using this older format were seen as late as early 1988.[5]



Korea[]

Ibanez sourced guitars from Korea from 1987 through 2008.

2000–2008; 9 or 10 characters[]

Nine or ten characters
X or XX YY MM ####
1 or 2 letters (see values below) 2-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Examples: C02074108 (July 2002, Cort); CP03129418 (December 2003, CP)

First one or two alphabetic characters are the manufacturer/factory code, as follows:

  • C = manufactured by Cort Guitars in Incheon or Daejon
  • S (post-1995) = manufactured by Saehan Guitar Technology, a subdivision of Zaozhuang Saehan Music Co., Ltd. (of China), now known as Sunghan Music; electrics only
  • SQ = manufactured by Saehan Guitar Technology, a subdivision of Zaozhuang Saehan Music Co., Ltd. (of China), now known as Sunghan Music; acoustics only
  • Y = manufactured by Yoojin Industrial Co., Ltd. at either Yangju factory (acoustics) or Guangju factory (electrics)
  • A = manufactured by Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd. in Incheon
  • CP = manufactured by ???; some speculation is that CP stands for Cort Plant or that models with this designation were made by a partnership of Cort and Peerless or perhaps even that it indicates production at Cort's Indonesian plant which is known as Cort PT (although this last possibility seems highly unlikely since the instruments are marked as "Made in Korea"). (2003–2008)
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 95=1995)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

1995–1999; 8 or 9 characters[]

Eight or nine characters
X or XX Y MM ####
1 or 2 letters (see values below) 1-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example: C8094519 (September 1998, Cort)

First one or two alphabetic characters are the manufacturer/factory code, as follows:

  • C = manufactured by Cort Guitars in Incheon or Daejon
  • S (1990–1995; see year code) = manufactured by Samick Musical Instruments Co., Ltd.
  • S (post-1995) = manufactured by Saehan Guitar Technology, a subdivision of Zaozhuang Saehan Music Co., Ltd. (of China), now known as Sunghan Music; electrics only
  • SQ = manufactured by Saehan Guitar Technology, a subdivision of Zaozhuang Saehan Music Co., Ltd. (of China), now known as Sunghan Music; acoustics only
  • Y = manufactured by Yoojin Industrial Co., Ltd. at either Yangju factory (acoustics) or Guangju factory (electrics)
  • A = manufactured by Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd. in Incheon
  • Y = final digits of year: 6=1996 through 9=1999
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

1987–1995; 7 characters[]

Seven or eight characters
X Y #####
1 letter (see values below) 1-digit number 5-digit number
Examples: P713503 (1987, Peerless); C422807 (1994, Cort)

First one or two alphabetic characters are the manufacturer/factory code, as follows:

  • C = manufactured by Cort Guitars in Incheon or Daejon (1991–1995)
  • P = manufactured by Peerless Korea Co., Ltd. (owned by Iida Gakki of Japan) in Pusan (1987–1991?)
  • Y = manufactured by Yoojin Industrial Co., Ltd. at either Yangju factory (acoustics) or Guangju factory (electrics)
  • A = manufactured by Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd. in Incheon
  • Y = final digits of year: 7=1987 through 5=1995
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the month

Sung-Eum Co. production; "E" + 7 digits[]

Eight characters
E Y MM ####
1 letter (E) 1-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example:
  • E = manufactured by Sung-Eum Music Co., Ltd. in Yangju
  • Y = final digit of year (e.g. 9=1999)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

World Co. production; "W" + 6 digits (1999–2008)[]

Seven characters
W M Y ####
1 letter (W) 1 alphanumeric character 1-digit number 4-digit number
Examples: W842827 (August 2004)
WZ01928 (December 2000)
  • W = manufactured by the World Musical Instrument Co. in Incheon
  • M = alphanumeric representing the month (1=January...9=September, X=October, Y=November, Z=December)
  • Y = final digit of the year (9=1999 through 8=2008)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

Samick production; "S" + 7 digits (1990–1995)[]

Seven characters
S Y MM ####
1 letter (S) 1-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example: S4081012 (August 1994)

"KR" + 9 digits (2004–2006)[]

Eleven characters
KR YY MM #####
2 letters (KR) 2-digit number 2-digit number 5-digit number
Example:
  • KR = manufactured by ???
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 05=2005)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year (or month?)

6-digit numeric (1995–1996)[]

Cort took over production of some models (e.g. the AS80 and AS120) from Samick sometime in 1995. This early Cort production was given 6-digit serial numbers which were hand-written on the label attached to the inside of the guitar.

At some point presumably production levels approached 1,000 units/ month and they transitioned to a seven digit format.

Six numeric digits
Y MM ###
1-digit number 2-digit number 3-digit number
Example:
  • Y = final digit of the year (5=1995 through 6=1996)
  • MM = month of production
  • ### = consecutive production number for the month

7-digit numeric (1996–2003)[]

Some Korean Ibanez serial numbers are purely numeric with no alphabetic characters. According to Jim Donahue these guitars were manufactured in the Cort factory, in which he had the supervision. Because they had no date stamps available when they started, the serials numbers of Artstar models in this factory were written by hand. These handwritten serial numbers are hard to decipher. The production of these Artstar models at the Cort factory was discontinued in 2003.

Seven numeric digits
Y MM ####
1-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example:
  • Y = final digit of the year (6=1996 through 3=2003)
  • MM = month of production
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

8-digit numeric (1997–2008)[]

Some Korean Ibanez serial numbers are purely numeric with no alphabetic characters. It's unclear which supplier or factory manufactured these models.

Eight numeric digits
YY ######
2-digit number 6-digit number
Example:
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 02=2002)
  • ###### = consecutive production number for the year
  • No known identifier for the month

10-digit numeric[]

Some Korean Ibanez serial numbers are purely numeric with no alphabetic characters. It's unclear which supplier or factory manufactured these models. These 10-digit serial numbers likely apply to acoustic models.

Ten numeric digits
YY MM ######
2-digit number 2-digit number 6-digit number
Example:
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 92=1992)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • ###### = consecutive production number for the year


Japan/ Korea[]

For a few years in the mid-90's Ibanez produced guitars with content from both Korea and Japan.

"FC" + 7-digits[]

Nine characters
FC Y MM ####
2 letters (FC) 1-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Examples: RG380F FC5111062 (November 1995)
  • FC = manufactured by FujiGen in Japan and Cort in South Korea
  • Y = final digits of year: 5=1995 through 6=1996
  • MM = two-digit month
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

This category includes several lower end guitar models in the RX and RG series as well as a number of ATK series bass models. It is believed that the necks of these instruments were produced in Japan by FujiGen while the bodies were made by Cort in South Korea. In addition to the serial number stamp, the back of the headstock often has a sticker proclaiming "Made in Japan".



Indonesia[]

Production of Ibanez guitars in Indonesia began in 1997.

2001–present, ten characters[]

Ten characters
X YY MM #####
1 letter (I, K or J) 2-digit number 2-digit number 5-digit number
Example: I120426682 (April 2012)

First character is the factory code:

  • I = manufactured by Cort Guitars' (a.k.a. Cor-Tek) Indonesian plant
  • K = manufactured by Kwo Hsaio Co., Ltd.
  • J = manufactured by Sejung
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 85=1985)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year

Cort production (1997–2000); I + 7 digits[]

Eight characters
I Y MM ####
1 letter (I) 1-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example:
  • I = manufactured by Cort Guitars' (a.k.a. Cor-Tek) Indonesian plant
  • Y = final digits of year (7=1997 through 0=2000)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

"PR" prefix (2004–2007); PR + 9 digits[]

Eleven characters
PR Y MM ####
2 letters (PR) 2-digit number 2-digit number 5-digit number
Example:

First character is the factory code:

  • PR = manufactured by ??? - Peerless Korea Co., Ltd???
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 85=1985)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year

Premium factory (11/2011–2015); six characters[]

Six characters
M #### Y
single letter 4-digit number single letter
Example: H0089E (August 2014)
  • M = letter indicating month of manufacture: A=January...L=December (2012 forward; for guitars produced in 2010–2011 the first character has no known significance)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month
  • Y = letter indicating year of manufacture: B=2011, C=2012, D=2013, E=2014, F=2015)

This numbering convention was discontinued after 2015. Since then instruments in the Premium line have received standard Indonesian serial numbers.


Premium factory (2010–11/2011); six characters[]

Six characters
##### Y
5-digit number single letter
Example: 03701B (2011)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year
  • Y = letter indicating year of manufacture: A=2010, B=2011)

China[]

Production of Ibanez guitars in China began in 1999.

J + 9-digits (2004–2012)[]

Ten characters
J YY MM #####
1 letter (J) 2-digit number 2-digit number 5-digit number
Example: J081150322 (November 2008)
  • J = manufactured by ???; possibly Sejung Musical Instrument Manufacturing in Qingdao (acquired by Parson's Music in 2012)
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 05=2005)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year

S + 8-digits (2002–present)[]

Nine characters
S YY MM ####
1 letter (S) 2-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example: S13120602 (December 2013)
  • S = manufactured by ???
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 05=2005)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

GS + 9-digits (2007–present)[]

Eleven characters
GS YY MM #####
2 letters (GS) 2-digit number 2-digit number 5-digit number
Example: GS140406094 (April 2014)
  • GS = manufactured by ???; some speculation is that GS merely stands for GIO Series
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 05=2005)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year

GS + 2-digits + "U" + 5-digts (2008–2009)[]

Eleven characters
GS YY "U" ######
2 letters (GS) 2-digit number 1 letter ("U") 6-digit number
Example: GS09U085810 (2009)
  • GS = manufactured by ???; some speculation is that GS merely stands for GIO Series
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 05=2005)
  • U = it's not known what this letter "U" represents
  • ###### = consecutive production number for the year

This is a variation of the previous style with a letter "U" after the year and month and then with just a six digit production number.


SS + 8-digits (c. 2010–present)[]

Ten characters
SS YY MM ####
2 letters (SS) 2-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example:
  • SS = manufactured by ???
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 05=2005)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

A + 8-digits (c. 2005–present)[]

Nine characters
A YY MM ####
1 letter (A) 2-digit number 2-digit number 4-digit number
Example:
  • A = manufactured by ???
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 05=2005)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

M + 6-digits (2006?–2011?)[]

Seven characters
M Y #####
1 letter (M) 1-digit number 5-digit number
  • M = manufactured by ???
  • Y = last digit of year (e.g. 6=2006, 1=2011)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year

4L + 9-digits (20??–20??)[]

Eleven characters
4L YY MM #####
2 characters (4L) 2-digit number 2-digit number 5-digit number
Example: 4L141000813 (October 2014)
  • 4L = manufacturer/ facility code (unknown)
  • YY = last two digits of year (e.g. 14=2014)
  • MM = month represented as two digits (01=January...12=December)
  • ##### = consecutive production number for the year (or month?)

Z + six characters (1999–2006) Yeou Chern[]

Seven characters
Z M Y ####
1 letter (Z) 1-digit number 1 alphanumeric character 4-digit number
Example:
  • Z = manufactured by Yeou Chern Enterprises Instrument Co. Ltd. in Guangdong
  • M = alphanumeric representing the month (1=January...9=September, X=October, Y=November, Z=December)
  • Y = final digit of the year (9=1999 through 8=2008)
  • #### = consecutive production number for the month

9-digit numeric (2005–present)[]

Some Chinese Ibanez serial numbers are purely numeric with no alphabetic characters. It's unclear which supplier or factory manufactured these models.

Nine numeric digits
#########
9-digit number
Example:
  • ######### = consecutive production number with no known dating significance

Serial number exceptions[]

Lee Ritenour signature models[]

The Lee Ritenour signature LR10 (1982–1986) employs a serial numbering strategy that differs from the typical FujiGen production at that time.

Seven characters
L Y PPPP Y
1 letter (L) 1-digit number 4-digit number 1-digit number
Example: L808472 is the 847th guitar made in 1982
  • L = Lee Ritenour model
  • Y = the production year is split between the first and last digits
  • PPPP = production sequence number for the year

This format overlaps with the standard FujiGen format, leading many to use the FujiGen format to try to parse these serial numbers. All of the LR10 serials start with either "L80" or "L81" which leads many to the incorrect assumption that their guitars were made in December of 1980 or 1981.[6]


Joe Pass signature models[]

The Joe Pass signature JP20 production between 1982 and 1986 employs a serial numbering strategy that differs from the typical FujiGen production at that time.

Seven characters
J Y PPPP Y
1 letter (J) 1-digit number 4-digit number 1-digit number
Example: J800493 is the 49th guitar made in 1983
  • J = Joe Pass model
  • Y = the production year is split between the first and last digits
  • PPPP = production sequence number for the year

This format overlaps with the standard FujiGen format, leading many to use the FujiGen format to try to parse these serial numbers. All of the JP20 serials during 1982 through 1986 start with "J80" which leads many to believe these guitars were produced in October 1980.[7] Starting sometime in mid-1986 production of the JP20 moved to Terada. The serial numbers of these later JP20s fit the standard format used for Ibanez guitars produced by Terada.


JEM/UV models with square heels (non-AANJ)[]

Steve Vai signature models (known as the JEM and Universe series) produced in Japan have neck plates stamped with a 7 digit serial number with an "F" followed by 6 numeric digits. The first two digits represent the year of production and the final four digits are the production sequence of JEM or UV models within that year.[2]

Other JEM neck plates have a six digit number starting with a 9 (e.g. 907255). With these the final five digits represent the sequential production number of all MIJ JEMs. Similarly Universe models have plates stamped with a six digit number starting with a 0. Similarly this number represents the sequential Universe MIJ production number.[4]

These models can sometimes also have headstock serial numbers; in these cases the headstock number is considered the "true" serial number.[2]


Joe Satriani signature models[]

Guitars in the JS series made in Japan have plates with a 6-digit numeric serial number which indicates the sequential number of JS production.[4] These plates provide no other indication of the year of production. The early versions of these JS number plates (starting from around 1990) have a "J" prefixing the number, but the character was dropped some around J002700. The first 15 J number plates were set aside, with J000001 being used for a 1993 model which is currently in the Hoshino USA collection.[2]

As with the JEM models, more recent JS models have headstock serial numbers in addition to the neck joint plate number.[2]


1987–88 FujiGen serial numbers[]

See also the previous note regarding F7XXXXX headstock serial numbers which indicate 1987 production but actually appeared on 1988 and perhaps some 1989 models.

Sources[]

  1. List of Ibanez acoustic guitar serial numbers, compiled by user gemberbier, Ibanez Collectors World forum, updated May 3, 2017
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Harris, Rich. Dating Your Ibanez on IbanezRules.com (dealer website), archived August 2017.
  3. RGCTM1 production photo
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Serial Number Recognition for Ibanez Electric Guitar; Fritz Katoh (Hoshino employee); September 11, 1995
  5. exS1988AR4000AV, Our ARs (Artist registry), archived January 2021
  6. [1]LR10 Registry/ Knowledgebase; Ibanez Collectors World (enthusiast forum); October 19, 2020
  7. [2]JP20 Registry/ Knowledgebase; Ibanez Collectors World (enthusiast forum); October 21, 2020
Attention DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this article is a distillation of information from a variety of disparate sources, some of which are unverified. Some of the information is speculative and this is marked as such in the text.
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