- Yamaha Acoustic Guitar Serial Numbers
- Yamaha Guitar Amp Serial Numbers Lookup
- Yamaha Bass Serial Numbers
Dating SG’s by serial number
Like the CE and EG models the serial number is located on the neck plate on the back of the guitar. The following number determines the model: 8 or SA for the Swamp Ash Special, then the sequential number for that particular model. the first 200 Swamp Ash Specials were given a CE serial number. Designed to complement THR Head, the THRC112 and THRC212 cabinets feature unique cosmetics and configurations designed to get the most out of your amp. With 18mm plywood construction, a closed back design and premium Eminence drivers, the THR cabinets are road-ready enclosures designed to fit in a mix as well as they fit in your living room. Where to find the serial/chassis number On older models, the serial number is punched on the right side of the chassis. More recent models are have a sticker. If you want to know the production year of Fender amplifier, you can decipher it with the serial number decoder.
The “History of Yamaha Guitars“, a good but far from complete book on Yamaha guitars, gives the following serial number chart for SG’s (and SX) guitars:
Yamaha Acoustic Guitar Serial Numbers
Made in Japan, 1966-1984. For SG series.
Year Serial Number Sequence
1966 0398-3951
1967 3952-7433
1968 7434-10844
1969 10645-12331
1970 12332-13492
1971 13493-15121
1972 15122-18058
1973 18059-23745
1974 23746-36150
1975 36151-38104
1976
38105-39943 (SG-175, SX-125)
1001-1390 (SG1000)
1001-1126 (SG2000)
1977
001391-002365 (SG1000)
001251-002610 (SG2000)
1978
002366-003110 (SG1000)
002611-003760 (SG2000)
1979
003111-004445 (SG1000)
003761-005088 (SG2000)
1980 (through July)
004446-005329 (SG1000)
005081-005375 (SG2000)
1980 (through December)
013001-024215
1981 025410-059618
1982 059620-096639
1983 096640-126845
1984 (through July) 126846-146196
Based on my own information a few comments have to be made:
Yamaha Guitar Amp Serial Numbers Lookup
Yamaha Bass Serial Numbers
Some (perhaps even many) very early “modern” SG’s (1500, 2000 etc) have a serial number that doesn’t match the system above. They have the 1976 SG175 type 5 digit number.
Now the good part. History of Yamaha Guitars states that this numbering system is valid for SG and SX guitars. But also my SF guitars and my SC guitars (all 70’ies) match the above numbering system. I don’t know for sure but it looks like these guitars can be dated by the chart above too. Luckely these guitars normaly also have a pickup number that makes them datable.