2005 L5CES and SERIAL NO.

[garybaldy]

In January this year I bought my first L5 - a CES supposedly 2005.
Ofcourse this seems ridiculous and it is but I've never taken any notice of the serial number! I suppose I've just been in awe of the instrument.
The serial no. is 2xx25002 which is not recognised. Not built in 2025 (1st and 5th)!
Here are some pics. If anyone can help, and especially reassure me, I would be eternaly grateful! It's quite difficult to see the hand written 05 next to the printed 20 on the Hutch label but it is there. I can't read the other hand written bit after 'approved '. Thanks

[Bluedawg]

Here's what the Gibson web site says:

Carved Top models (serial number on orange label)
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR indicate the guitar's place in the sequence of carved tops made that day.
NOTE - as of 2000, 1st digit will be a "2"

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Support/Serial-Number-Search

Which makes 2005 a match for that number.

I have a 2008 L5 CES with a 2xxx8zzz serial number.

My 2010 L5 WES has a 1xxx0zzz serial number.

I don't remember what they've done for the 2020 to present serial numbers. There haven't been many archtops, but there have been a few.

[Mick-7]

Here's what the Gibson web site says:

Carved Top models (serial number on orange label)
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR indicate the guitar's place in the sequence of carved tops made that day.
NOTE - as of 2000, 1st digit will be a "2"

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Support/Serial-Number-Search

Coincidentally, the Gibson website gives an example of a carved top 2005 serial number that is almost identical to the serial number of your guitar, but the 2nd & 3rd digits are different. Why are the 2nd and 3rd digits of the serial numbers on your guitar covered up?

Examples:
20045002 was the 2nd carved top stamped on the 4th day of 2005.
91418009 is the 9th carved top produced on the 141st day of 1998.

[garybaldy]

Here's what the Gibson web site says:

Carved Top models (serial number on orange label)
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR indicate the guitar's place in the sequence of carved tops made that day.
NOTE - as of 2000, 1st digit will be a "2"

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Support/Serial-Number-Search

Which makes 2005 a match for that number.

I have a 2008 L5 CES with a 2xxx8zzz serial number.

My 2010 L5 WES has a 1xxx0zzz serial number.

I don't remember what they've done for the 2020 to present serial numbers. There haven't been many archtops, but there have been a few.

Oh thank you. I did know about the first 2 representing 2000. Relieved!!

[garybaldy]

Coincidentally, the Gibson website gives an example of a carved top 2005 serial number that is almost identical to the serial number of your guitar, but the 2nd & 3rd digits are different. Why are the 2nd and 3rd digits of the serial numbers on your guitar covered up?

Examples:
20045002 was the 2nd carved top stamped on the 4th day of 2005.
91418009 is the 9th carved top produced on the 141st day of 1998.

I covered them because I thought that's what people did! Is it something to do with identity theft? IDK. Thanks

[Mick-7]

I covered them because I thought that's what people did! Is it something to do with identity theft? IDK. Thanks

I have seen fraudsters purloin serial numbers from Gibson and Fender guitars to put on their fake copies, so maybe that's it. But toilet paper and band-aids for subterfuge, how could you?! Surprised your guitar would even let you touch it after that!

[garybaldy]

I have seen fraudsters purloin serial numbers from Gibson and Fender guitars to put on their fake copies, so maybe that's it. But toilet paper and band-aids for subterfuge, how could you?! Surprised your guitar would even let you touch it after that!

Haha! It wasn't actually toilet paper but part of a 'top quality' envelope! Anyway at the time I thought it was a Chinese fake!
I'm toying with the idea of starting a new thread "How best to partially cover one's serial number". What do you think?