The CBS era. After CBS purchased Fender for $13 million in 1965, they prioritized volume over craftsmanship — introducing the larger headstock, heavier polyester finishes, and the three-bolt neck. Quality is generally considered lower than pre-CBS production.
Decode Fender serial numbers →A Kalamazoo-made Epiphone — essentially a Gibson guitar with a different headstock, built side by side on the same production line. John Lennon famously played a Kalamazoo-made Casino. These are highly collectible.
Decode Epiphone serial numbers →Martin hit 10,000 guitars per year for the first time in 1965 after moving to their new Sycamore Street factory in 1964. Brazilian rosewood was still standard.
Decode Martin serial numbers →A "Red Label" Yamaha from the original Hamamatsu factory. These hand-selected solid-wood guitars were dramatically underpriced for their quality, undercutting Martin and Gibson. They are now highly collectible.
Decode Yamaha serial numbers →Built at Yamaha's Hamamatsu custom workshop, which has operated continuously since 1966. These are individually handmade by master luthiers — the same shop that produced the original Red Labels.
Decode Yamaha serial numbers →A Brooklyn-era Gretsch from the golden age. The 6120, White Falcon, and Country Gentleman were all born here. Eddie Cochran, Duane Eddy, and Chet Atkins were all playing Gretsch. These are the most valuable and collectible Gretsch instruments.
Decode Gretsch serial numbers →Features the original "Toaster Top" pickup, designed by F.C. Hall in 1957 and named for its resemblance to a chrome toaster. This single-coil pickup defined the British Invasion jangle tone and remains one of the most sought-after vintage pickups.
Decode Rickenbacker serial numbers →Built at Rickenbacker's Santa Ana, California factory, where they've been for over 60 years. Rickenbacker has never outsourced production — every instrument is built by roughly 60 employees producing only 8,000–12,000 guitars per year.
Decode Rickenbacker serial numbers →A Hoboken-era Guild, built in the old Neumann Leathers building on Newark Street. Key luthiers "The Three Amigos" — Gilbert Diaz, Carlo Greco, and Fred Augusto — shaped Guild's sound for over 25 years. These are rare and highly prized.
Decode Guild serial numbers →Built at Guild's legendary Westerly, Rhode Island factory — widely considered their golden age. While competitors suffered quality dips in the '70s and '80s, Westerly production maintained consistently high standards for 35 years.
Decode Guild serial numbers →Among the earliest Ovations. Founder Charles Kaman was an aerodynamicist who once turned down an offer to play guitar in Tommy Dorsey's orchestra to pursue helicopters. He used aerospace engineers — not luthiers — to design the first Ovation, applying helicopter rotor blade materials science to guitar construction.
Decode Ovation serial numbers →Among the earliest Takamines. The company was founded after Typhoon Vera devastated the region and relocated to Sakashita, renaming itself after nearby Mount Takamine in 1962.
Decode Takamine serial numbers →Is your guitar from 1966?
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