When did Vintage start using serial numbers

Jono111 · September 2023

I picked up a black Vintage v100 which has been in storage since new. The seller thinks it was around 20 years old but there is no serial number on it. Any ideas when Vintage started putting serial numbers on their guitars. ( I don't think it has been rubbed off)

Kittyfrisk · September 2023

Good luck with finding any hard & fast answers

The matter has been raised here before https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/42529/dating-jhs-vintage-brand-guitars-model-numbers-etc/p1

Ddigger · September 2023

I can't remember all the details, but I think the first 3 things to look at at are:
- the shape of the single cut. They had to modify it after a lawsuit from Gibson. Not sure exactly when that was.
- the shape and colour of the truss rod cover. Older ones had three screws, usually black, but some are cream.
- shape of the heel. The most recent ones have a different, distinctive shape.

Jono111 · September 2023

Thanks, it's a lost cause then, was wondering what the pickups are, they are quite nice Wilkinsons, P90 size

Jono111 · September 2023

Ddigger said:

I can't remember all the details, but I think the first 3 things to look at at are:
- the shape of the single cut. They had to modify it after a lawsuit from Gibson. Not sure exactly when that was.
- the shape and colour of the truss rod cover. Older ones had three screws, usually black, but some are cream.
- shape of the heel. The most recent ones have a different, distinctive shape.

Truss rod cover is 3 screw triangular plain black

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[URL=https://imageshack.com/i/pm05MpLjj][IMG]https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/150x100q70/922/05MpLj.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Kittyfrisk · September 2023

^ Serial numbers notwithstanding, Wilkinson pickups, hardware are all pretty good. Enjoy your guitar.

Alterlifeson · September 2023

Earlier Vintages had the serial on a sticker on the back of the headstock. I know I peeled mine off years ago and subsequently lost it.

YellowLedBetterMan · September 2023

I have an older Vintage V100 and a newer one with P90s. The old one has a battered sticker with a semi legible serial number on it, and a squared off neck heel. The newer one has the serial stamped and has a rounded heel.

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When did Vintage start using serial numbers

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