Just like most products in the world, guitars are usually marked with a serial number of sorts.
Serial number J0321D is the 321th guitar of October 2013, from the Premium Line. Unknown where it was manufactured. Manufacture China (1999-2006) Letter Z + 6 digits or Letter Z + Letter + 5 digits Example: Z190234 The letter Z stands for produced by Yeou Chern Enterprises Instrument Co. In Guangdong.
They have been used for decades to diagnose when and where the guitar was manufactured.
- 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.
- A seven-digit serial number beginning with six, for example, indicates 1996; a seven-digit number beginning with seven denotes 1997; an eight-digit number beginning with 98 denotes 1998, etc. A “KC” prefix was introduced on Korean-made instruments in 1997, designating instrument made in.
This allows you to properly determine the value of a guitar and its real age. It is a similar case with Dean guitars.
Now, like most other guitar manufacturers, Dean has two categories of guitars that they offer. You have the more affordable models which are made somewhere in Asia, and then you have guitars which are made in United States. Naturally, the latter offer a higher level of quality, and hence come with a more expensive price tag.
Today we are going to take a look at Dean guitar serial number, and what you can find out using this information.
Guitar Overview
Determining the origin and value of American made Dean guitars is actually quite easy. Every Dean guitar made in United States comes with a seven digit serial number that is printed on the back of the headstock.
First two numbers in the sequence will tell you when your guitar was produced, while the following numbers represent the serial number of the instrument itself. The origin of these guitars is not marked anywhere on the instrument, but it’s pretty easy to determine which factory it came from. If you see a seven digit serial number on the back of a Dean guitar, you can be sure that it was produced in United States.
Now lets talk about Dean’s more affordable line of models that is manufactured abroad. These guitars also come with a serial number of sorts, however these serial numbers are completely different and they follow a different nomenclature. One of the main differences is the fact that these serial numbers don’t indicate the year of production.
Instead, they just tell you which batch that guitar is from while the country of origin is usually written underneath. In order to figure out the production year of an import Dean guitar, you will need to look at all of its features and elements. This requires a more extensive knowledge of their hardware, and is the only way you can figure out when it was made.
Unfortunately, this is a gray area of sorts for many models. Dean used a variety of hardware, including pickups, on numerous guitars.
Sometimes the a same model would feature one set of hardware, while other times it would sport a completely different setup. This is why you need to know exactly what kind of configuration they used for a certain year in order to properly determine the year when these guitars were made.
To summarize
If you were wondering about Dean guitar serial number, and how to use that information to your advantage, hopefully this short article gave you some useful insight.
Knowing how to read the serial number on these guitars can make a big difference if you’re shopping for a used one. It will allow you to fact check the sellers claims with more certainty.
BUILT FOR SPEED
ALL NEW EXILE
For low tunings and high shred-ability.
The Exile is a beast in tonal flexibility and ease of play.
Dean Guitars Serial Number Lookup
FEATURED VIDEO
Take a moment to watch this video of Dean’s own Josh Maloney test drive the Dean Thoroughbred Select Quilt Top in Ocean Burst. The Dean Thoroughbred is the workhorse single cut in our line-up, and not to be missed!
Pat’s Picks
Watch Dean’s own Pat Baker put the ALL-NEW Dean USA Kerry King V through it’s paces. Super high-end guitar meet a super guitarist! Radical looks aside, we’ve engineered a masterpiece. Watch and listen!
The World’s Finest Guitars
DEAN GUITARS is committed to producing the finest guitars in the world. Dean electric guitars, acoustic guitars, basses and other musical instruments are builtfollowing the highest standards in the industry.
Just like most products in the world, guitars are usually marked with a serial number of sorts.
Serial number J0321D is the 321th guitar of October 2013, from the Premium Line. Unknown where it was manufactured. Manufacture China (1999-2006) Letter Z + 6 digits or Letter Z + Letter + 5 digits Example: Z190234 The letter Z stands for produced by Yeou Chern Enterprises Instrument Co. In Guangdong.
They have been used for decades to diagnose when and where the guitar was manufactured.
- 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.
- A seven-digit serial number beginning with six, for example, indicates 1996; a seven-digit number beginning with seven denotes 1997; an eight-digit number beginning with 98 denotes 1998, etc. A “KC” prefix was introduced on Korean-made instruments in 1997, designating instrument made in.
This allows you to properly determine the value of a guitar and its real age. It is a similar case with Dean guitars.
Now, like most other guitar manufacturers, Dean has two categories of guitars that they offer. You have the more affordable models which are made somewhere in Asia, and then you have guitars which are made in United States. Naturally, the latter offer a higher level of quality, and hence come with a more expensive price tag.
Today we are going to take a look at Dean guitar serial number, and what you can find out using this information.
Guitar Overview
Determining the origin and value of American made Dean guitars is actually quite easy. Every Dean guitar made in United States comes with a seven digit serial number that is printed on the back of the headstock.
First two numbers in the sequence will tell you when your guitar was produced, while the following numbers represent the serial number of the instrument itself. The origin of these guitars is not marked anywhere on the instrument, but it’s pretty easy to determine which factory it came from. If you see a seven digit serial number on the back of a Dean guitar, you can be sure that it was produced in United States.
Now lets talk about Dean’s more affordable line of models that is manufactured abroad. These guitars also come with a serial number of sorts, however these serial numbers are completely different and they follow a different nomenclature. One of the main differences is the fact that these serial numbers don’t indicate the year of production.
Instead, they just tell you which batch that guitar is from while the country of origin is usually written underneath. In order to figure out the production year of an import Dean guitar, you will need to look at all of its features and elements. This requires a more extensive knowledge of their hardware, and is the only way you can figure out when it was made.
Unfortunately, this is a gray area of sorts for many models. Dean used a variety of hardware, including pickups, on numerous guitars.
Sometimes the a same model would feature one set of hardware, while other times it would sport a completely different setup. This is why you need to know exactly what kind of configuration they used for a certain year in order to properly determine the year when these guitars were made.
To summarize
If you were wondering about Dean guitar serial number, and how to use that information to your advantage, hopefully this short article gave you some useful insight.
Knowing how to read the serial number on these guitars can make a big difference if you’re shopping for a used one. It will allow you to fact check the sellers claims with more certainty.
BUILT FOR SPEED
ALL NEW EXILE
For low tunings and high shred-ability.
The Exile is a beast in tonal flexibility and ease of play.
Dean Guitars Serial Number Lookup
FEATURED VIDEO
Take a moment to watch this video of Dean’s own Josh Maloney test drive the Dean Thoroughbred Select Quilt Top in Ocean Burst. The Dean Thoroughbred is the workhorse single cut in our line-up, and not to be missed!
Pat’s Picks
Watch Dean’s own Pat Baker put the ALL-NEW Dean USA Kerry King V through it’s paces. Super high-end guitar meet a super guitarist! Radical looks aside, we’ve engineered a masterpiece. Watch and listen!
The World’s Finest Guitars
DEAN GUITARS is committed to producing the finest guitars in the world. Dean electric guitars, acoustic guitars, basses and other musical instruments are builtfollowing the highest standards in the industry.
From beginners to the most influential artists in the world, our instruments are the #1 choice for guitarists around the globe. From beginner guitars, high-quality affordable import guitars, as well as the best USA built guitars in the biz. Dean Guitars makes a GUITAR THAT IS FOR YOU.
Dean Guitars is not just a brand, it’s a music lifestyle. Based in Tampa, FL. the Dean USA Custom Factory is one of the best in the business. Our employees are passionate, working musicians and we are proud to be independently owned and operated.
Dean Guitars’ mission is to continue making “The World’s Finest Guitars” and being the most accessible, coolest guitar company in the world to work with. Dean Guitars rock like none other!!
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Dean Guitar Serial Number – Figuring Out The History Of Your Guitar
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