Yamaha Serial Number Formats
Letter + digits(1966-present)Factory letter followed by year/month/production digits.
Two letters + digits(1980s-present)Factory code + additional identifier, followed by date and production digits.
Where to Find Your Yamaha Serial Number
- ▶On the label inside acoustic guitars (sound hole)
- ▶On the back of the headstock (electric guitars)
- ▶On the neck plate
Tips
- ▶Yamaha serial number formats have been inconsistent over the years. Check the headstock "Made in" label for the most reliable country identification.
- ▶Japanese Yamaha guitars (H prefix) are the most sought-after.
Spotting Counterfeit Yamaha Guitars
Yamaha counterfeits are less common due to Yamaha's wide price range, but fakes of popular models like the FG series acoustics and Japanese-made electrics do exist.
Serial Number & Origin▼
- ▶Verify the serial number prefix matches a known Yamaha factory. The "Made in" label on the headstock should match.
- ▶Japanese-made Yamahas (H prefix) are the most likely targets for counterfeiting due to their higher value.
Build Quality▼
- ▶Yamaha is known for excellent quality control at all price points. Noticeably poor fit and finish on a claimed Yamaha is unusual and worth investigating.
- ▶Check that the model number on the headstock or label matches the guitar's specifications (pickups, bridge type, fretboard material) from Yamaha's catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Yamaha guitars made?▼
Yamaha makes guitars in Japan (Hamamatsu), Taiwan (Kaohsiung), China (Hangzhou), and Indonesia. Japanese models are the highest tier and include the Handcrafted and L Series acoustics. The factory letter in the serial number indicates the country of origin — "H" for Hamamatsu, "T" for Taiwan.
How do I read a Yamaha serial number?▼
The first letter indicates the factory and country of origin. The following digits encode the year and month of production, but Yamaha's format has changed several times across different decades. Enter your serial above for automatic decoding — our tool covers the major format variations.
Are Red Label Yamaha guitars collectible?▼
Yes. "Red Label" refers to early Japanese Yamaha acoustics (primarily the FG series from 1966-1981) made at the original Hamamatsu factory. These guitars used hand-selected solid woods and were dramatically underpriced for their quality at the time. Original Red Labels with solid spruce tops and mahogany backs are now sought-after collectibles and frequently outperform guitars that cost many times more when new.
Yamaha Links & Resources
Yamaha Gallery
More About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation was founded in 1887 in Hamamatsu, Japan, by Torakusu Yamaha, who began by repairing and then manufacturing reed organs. The company expanded into pianos, then to almost every category of musical instrument, making Yamaha the largest manufacturer of musical instruments in the world. Guitar production began in the 1940s and accelerated through the 1960s as Japanese manufacturing quality rapidly improved.
The FG series acoustic guitar, introduced in 1966, is widely considered Yamaha's most significant contribution to guitar history. Sold at a fraction of the cost of comparable American acoustics, the FG series brought quality steel-string acoustics to players worldwide who could not afford a Martin or Gibson. The FG-180, FG-300, and FG-180-1 are still in circulation and remain respected instruments. The SG electric series from the same era, particularly the SG-5A and SG-7A, found favour with professional players and collectors.
Modern Yamaha guitar production is tiered across multiple factories. The top-tier Handcrafted Series acoustics are made in Yamaha's Japanese facilities in Hamamatsu. Mid-range models are produced in Taiwan and Indonesia, while entry-level guitars come from China. Yamaha's L Series acoustics, with their innovative "ARE" (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement) wood treatment, represent the company's current flagship line and have been widely praised by acoustic guitar reviewers.