All Martin guitars since 1898 (except solidbody electrics from the 1970s, basses, and tiples) are numbered in consecutive order. Ukuleles do not have serial numbers. Mandolins use a different serial number system than guitars. Martin guitar serial numbers start at 8000 in 1898 because Martin estimated they made 8000 instruments before 1898. Starting in October 1930, Martin also stamped the model number just above the serial number.
Martin model numbers are straight forward too.The first set of characters are the body size. Next there is a "-". The last set of numbers are the ornamention style. For example, "OO-28" stamped above the serial number tells use the body is "OO" size (14 5/16" wide for a 14 fret model, 14 1/8" wide for a 12 fret model), and the ornamention style is "28" (rosewood body, ice cream cone style neck).
Left: The model and serial numbers, as seen through the sound hole on the neck block of this 1950 D-28.
Prior to October 1930, the model is NOT stamped on the neck block (you have to figure it out yourself!).
Right: The model and serial numbers, as seen through the sound hole of this 1944 D-18, serial number 90067.
Notice the "1" in the "18" does somewhat look like a "2". This confuses a lot of people who think their style 18 guitar is a style 28.
Also the "D" is sometimes confused for an "0".
On round hole martin guitars, the serial and model numbers are stamped on the neck block inside the instrument.
The number can be seen by looking inside the sound hole. Look at an angle towards the neck.
All f-hole Martin archtops have their serial and model numbers stamped on the inside center of the backstripe,
roughly under the shadow of the bridge (and best seen from the bass side "f" hole).
The numbers listed here show the LAST serial number produced for that year.
Martin produced all guitar serial number sequentially. These serial number apply to all Martin guitars, flat top and arch top.
It does not apply to ukes (except for the first year, they do not have a serial number).
Does not apply to Martin mandolins either (they have their own serial number system).
*Does not include serial numbers 900001 to 902908. These numbers were used on Sigma-Martins back in 1981-1982.
*Ukuleles made in Nazareth follow the same serialization system as non-LX/Backpacker guitars. Ukuleles made in Navojoa can be found in Solid Wood, HPL, and SO Ukuleles sections.
439xx to 44362: October 1930 first time both the body size & style number stamped on neckblock above the serial number (exact serial number change unknown). 57305 = T frets first used and T bar first used (1934) 59044-61181 = Martin stamp in back of peghead discontinued (1935) 72740 = Change in nut width on 14-fret models from 1 3/4" to 1 11/16" (late 1939) on all non-slotted peghead models. Style 17 models with 14-fret body may have changed earlier. 80585 = Ebony neck reinforcement started to be implemented during WW2 (1942) 83107 = Last pre-WW2 style 45 guitar (1942). 89926 = According to Martin, this is the approximate last scalloped braced guitar made (late 1944). Though some models have been seen after this number with scalloped braces, and before this number with tapered braces. (For example #90014 appears to be the last D28 with scalloped braces, and D-28 #88112 had tapered braces.) 90021 = Snowflakes on D28 discontinued (1944). This is an approximate serial#. 98223 = Last style 28 guitar made with Herringbone trim (early 1947). 99992-100240 = Last style 28 guitars made with a "zipper back" center seam (mid 1947). 197207 = Bridge pin holes moved back 1/16" (1964). 200601 = short saddle bridge (1965). 205251 = 102C Grover machines on all "D" guitars (1965). 211040 = Boltaron bindings on D-28 and D-35 (1966). 212100 = Boltaron bindings on D-18 (1966). 213775 = Boltaron rosettes (1966). 215253 = New tape strips on sides (1966). 216736 = Bridge pin holes moved to center (1966). 217215 = Tortoise guards discontinued (1966). 220467 = Last hand stamped serial/model numbers (1967). 224079 = Kluson K324 tuners on all style 18 models (1967). 226969 = Grover v100 tuners on all 0,00,000 models (1967). 228246 = Square truss rod bar on D models (1967). 235586 = Rosewood bridgeplates on all guitars (1968). 242454 = Larger rosewood bridgeplates on all guitars (1969). 254497 = Last style 28 guitar made with Brazilian rosewood (late 1969). 254498 = East Indian rosewood introduced (1969, a model D-21). 255717 = First D-41 model with Indian Roseood. 256366 = First D-45 model with Indian Rosewood. 350287 = Plastic saddles on D-18 models (1975). 355357 = Plastic saddles on D-28 models (1975). 360970-365831 = Rosewood vertical sidestrips (1975). 370976 = Micarta nuts and saddles (1975). 447004 = Self-adhesive pickguard trial (1984). 447501 = Last glued-down pickguard in regular production (1984). 453181 = Adjustable truss rods gradually implemented (1985). 478093 = Maple bridgeplates on all guitars (1988). 737277 = Last HD-28LSV with an Adirondack top (2000). Sitka spruce was used in regular production thereafter.
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