A Martin serial number helps you date an instrument. Standard Martin guitars follow a long sequential system, which makes dating them much easier than with many other brands.
Table of Contents
Where to Find Martin Serial Number
On a Martin guitar, the serial number is usually etched on the neck block inside the body. You can see it by looking through the soundhole toward the neck.
On post 1930 guitars, you will usually find both the serial number and the model designation on the neck block.
On pre 1930 guitars, Martin usually stamped only the serial number there. Some later special editions, signature models, and limited runs may also have an interior label, but the neck block is still the main place to check.
On Martin mandolins, the serial number is typically stamped inside the instrument on the back strip or the neck block. The easiest way to see it is through the soundhole.
On serialized Martin ukuleles, the serial number is usually etched on the neck block inside the body. You can check it through the soundhole toward the neck.
Martin Guitar Serial Number Decoder
Enter the serial number and click the Check button. The decoder will show the production year of your Martin guitar.
If the decoder gives no result, use the manual guide below.
Martin Guitar Serial Number Guide
Standard Martin guitars use one long sequential serial number system. That is why Martin guitars are usually much easier to date than many other brands. The main task here is to find the range containing your serial number and match it with the year of manufacture.
Martin Guitar Serial Number 1898-1928
Martin began adding serial numbers to its guitars in 1898. The serial numbers start at 8001. The usual explanation is that the company had already built about 8000 instruments before regular numbering began.
The first Martin line was built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. In the early years, production was still small. For example, in 1900, about 400 instruments were produced. By the late 1920s, the company was already moving several thousand numbers a year.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 8001 to 8348 | 1898 |
| 8349 to 8716 | 1899 |
| 8717 to 9128 | 1900 |
| 9129 to 9310 | 1901 |
| 9311 to 9528 | 1902 |
| 9529 to 9810 | 1903 |
| 9811 to 9988 | 1904 |
| 9989 to 10120 | 1905 |
| 10121 to 10329 | 1906 |
| 10330 to 10727 | 1907 |
| 10728 to 10883 | 1908 |
| 10884 to 11018 | 1909 |
| 11019 to 11203 | 1910 |
| 11204 to 11413 | 1911 |
| 11414 to 11565 | 1912 |
| 11566 to 11821 | 1913 |
| 11822 to 12047 | 1914 |
| 12048 to 12209 | 1915 |
| 12210 to 12390 | 1916 |
| 12391 to 12988 | 1917 |
| 12989 to 13450 | 1918 |
| 13451 to 14512 | 1919 |
| 14513 to 15848 | 1920 |
| 15849 to 16758 | 1921 |
| 16759 to 17839 | 1922 |
| 17840 to 19891 | 1923 |
| 19892 to 22008 | 1924 |
| 22009 to 24116 | 1925 |
| 24117 to 28689 | 1926 |
| 28690 to 34435 | 1927 |
| 34436 to 37568 | 1928 |
Martin Guitar Serial Number 1929-1942
Martin calls the late 1920s-1942 its Golden Era. The Great Depression of 1929 had a profound impact on the company. To get out of the crisis, innovations were needed. This was the time when the company introduced some of its most important guitar designs and set the pattern for the modern flat-top steel-string acoustic guitar. The 14-fret Orchestra Model appeared at the end of the 1920s, and in 1934 the 14-fret Dreadnought became the new standard.
Original Martin OM guitars, produced between 1929-1931, are extremely rare and command high prices.
Starting in October 1930, Martin began stamping the model name above the serial number on the neck block, which makes later guitars from this period easier to identify.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 37569 to 40843 | 1929 |
| 40844 to 45317 | 1930 |
| 45318 to 49589 | 1931 |
| 49590 to 52590 | 1932 |
| 52591 to 55084 | 1933 |
| 55085 to 58679 | 1934 |
| 58680 to 61947 | 1935 |
| 61948 to 65176 | 1936 |
| 65177 to 68865 | 1937 |
| 68866 to 71866 | 1938 |
| 71867 to 74061 | 1939 |
| 74062 to 76734 | 1940 |
| 76735 to 80013 | 1941 |
| 80014 to 83107 | 1942 |
Martin Guitar Serial Number 1943-1989
By 1942, the war was already affecting Martin production. Wartime shortages and the need to simplify work forced the company to drop some labor-heavy models and features. After the war, production grew much faster.
In 1969, Martin stopped using Brazilian rosewood in standard production and moved to East Indian rosewood.
This affects guitar valuations. For example, in the mid-1960s, the D-28 and D-35 models with Brazilian rosewood backs were introduced. These guitars are still in high demand on the vintage guitar market, with prices ranging from $50,000. The same early 1970s models with Indian rosewood backs and sides no longer have the same value and sell for no more than $2,500.
In 1979, Martin opened its Custom Shop.
The numbering range from 900001 to 902908 was used on Sigma-Martin guitars in 1981 and 1982, so these numbers are not included in the standard Martin guitar naming chart.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 83108 to 86724 | 1943 |
| 86725 to 90149 | 1944 |
| 90150 to 93623 | 1945 |
| 93624 to 98158 | 1946 |
| 98159 to 103468 | 1947 |
| 103469 to 108269 | 1948 |
| 108270 to 112961 | 1949 |
| 112962 to 117961 | 1950 |
| 117962 to 122799 | 1951 |
| 122800 to 128436 | 1952 |
| 128437 to 134501 | 1953 |
| 134502 to 141345 | 1954 |
| 141346 to 147328 | 1955 |
| 147329 to 153225 | 1956 |
| 153226 to 159061 | 1957 |
| 159062 to 165576 | 1958 |
| 165577 to 171047 | 1959 |
| 171048 to 175689 | 1960 |
| 175690 to 181297 | 1961 |
| 181298 to 187384 | 1962 |
| 187385 to 193327 | 1963 |
| 193328 to 199626 | 1964 |
| 199627 to 207030 | 1965 |
| 207031 to 217215 | 1966 |
| 217216 to 230095 | 1967 |
| 230096 to 241925 | 1968 |
| 241926 to 256003 | 1969 |
| 256004 to 271633 | 1970 |
| 271634 to 294270 | 1971 |
| 294271 to 313302 | 1972 |
| 313303 to 333873 | 1973 |
| 333874 to 353387 | 1974 |
| 353388 to 371828 | 1975 |
| 371829 to 388800 | 1976 |
| 388801 to 399625 | 1977 |
| 399626 to 407800 | 1978 |
| 407801 to 419900 | 1979 |
| 419901 to 430300 | 1980 |
| 430301 to 436474 | 1981 |
| 436475 to 439627 | 1982 |
| 439628 to 446101 | 1983 |
| 446102 to 453300 | 1984 |
| 453301 to 460575 | 1985 |
| 460576 to 468175 | 1986 |
| 468176 to 476216 | 1987 |
| 476217 to 483952 | 1988 |
| 483953 to 493279 | 1989 |
Modern Martin Guitar Serial Number Since 1990
In 1990, Martin produced its 500000th guitar, and in 2004, its millionth. This guitar is entirely handcrafted and adorned with over 40 ruby and diamond inlays. Its value is estimated at approximately $1 million.
At the same time, Martin began thinking about releasing more affordable instruments. In 1993, the company introduced its first guitar, the D1 series, with laminated wood sides. They later released the even more affordable DX series, which uses HPL laminates and laminated Durabond necks.
In the early 1990s the company began making some guitar lines in Mexico. Backpacker production in Navojoa began in 1992, and the X Series arrived in 1999. That means the serial number still gives you the year, but it does not tell you by itself whether the guitar was made in Nazareth or Mexico. That depends on the model line. Today, the Mexico-made Martin guitar lines include X Series, Backpacker Series, Road Series, Dreadnought Junior, and PA5 models.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 493280 to 503309 | 1990 |
| 503310 to 512487 | 1991 |
| 512488 to 522655 | 1992 |
| 522656 to 535223 | 1993 |
| 535224 to 551696 | 1994 |
| 551697 to 570434 | 1995 |
| 570435 to 592930 | 1996 |
| 592931 to 624799 | 1997 |
| 624800 to 668796 | 1998 |
| 668797 to 724077 | 1999 |
| 724078 to 780500 | 2000 |
| 780501 to 845644 | 2001 |
| 845645 to 900000 | 2002 |
| 902909 to 916759 | 2002 |
| 916760 to 978706 | 2003 |
| 978707 to 1042558 | 2004 |
| 1042559 to 1115862 | 2005 |
| 1115863 to 1197799 | 2006 |
| 1197800 to 1268091 | 2007 |
| 1268092 to 1337042 | 2008 |
| 1337043 to 1406715 | 2009 |
| 1406716 to 1473461 | 2010 |
| 1473462 to 1555767 | 2011 |
| 1555768 to 1656742 | 2012 |
| 1656743 to 1755536 | 2013 |
| 1755537 to 1857399 | 2014 |
| 1857400 to 1972129 | 2015 |
| 1972130 to 2076795 | 2016 |
| 2076796 to 2161732 | 2017 |
| 2161733 to 2258889 | 2018 |
| 2258890 to 2366880 | 2019 |
| 2366881 to 2454224 | 2020 |
| 2454225 to 2576415 | 2021 |
| 2576416 to 2711440 | 2022 |
| 2711441 to 2829083 | 2023 |
| 2829084 to 2935987 | 2024 |
| 2935988 to 3043480 | 2025 |
Martin Solid-Body Electric Guitar Serial Number
In 1979, Martin introduced the E Series line of solidbody electric guitars. The first models were the E-18, EM-18 guitars and the EB-18 bass. In 1981, Martin added the carved-top E-28 and EB-28 bass. Production lasted only a few years, and the company had ended the line by 1983.
Martin solidbody electric guitars have their own four-digit serial number system. However, there is no reliable data on the serial numbers of the E-28 and EB-28 bass guitars. The chat below shows the serial numbers for the E-18, EM-18 guitars and the EB-18 bass.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 1000 to 1099 | 1978 |
| 1100 to 2831 | 1979 |
| 2832 to 3645 | 1980 |
Martin Travel Guitars Serial Number
Little Martin and Martin Backpacker guitars have their own separate serial number charts, so they should always be checked apart from the standard Martin guitar line.
The Little Martin is Martin‘s compact LX line. It was built as a small, easy to carry guitar for practice, travel, and everyday playing.
The Backpacker is Martin‘s purpose-built travel guitar. It has a very slim body shape and was designed to be lightweight and easy to carry. Martin began Backpacker guitar production in 1992.
Little Martin Serial Number
Use this chart for Little Martin LX models.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 to 41279 | 2005 |
| 41280 to 54016 | 2006 |
| 54017 to 69850 | 2007 |
| 69851 to 85266 | 2008 |
| 85267 to 98332 | 2009 |
| 98333 to 115197 | 2010 |
| 115198 to 129934 | 2011 |
| 129935 to 145612 | 2012 |
| 145613 to 172822 | 2013 |
| 172823 to 205052 | 2014 |
| 205053 to 236580 | 2015 |
| 236581 to 263886 | 2016 |
| 263887 to 284726 | 2017 |
| 284727 to 319828 | 2018 |
| 319829 to 344677 | 2019 |
| 344678 to 361282 | 2020 |
| 361283 to 388199 | 2021 |
| 388200 to 406762 | 2022 |
| 406763 to 417282 | 2023 |
| 417283 to 429400 | 2024 |
Martin Backpacker Serial Number
Use this chart for Martin Backpacker guitars.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 to 178146 | 1992 to 2006 |
| 178147 to 188539 | 2007 |
| 188540 to 195761 | 2008 |
| 195762 to 203818 | 2009 |
| 203819 to 211612 | 2010 |
| 211613 to 220586 | 2011 |
| 220587 to 229812 | 2012 |
| 229813 to 239535 | 2013 |
| 239536 to 249963 | 2014 |
| 249964 to 260267 | 2015 |
| 260268 to 267880 | 2016 |
| 267881 to 274525 | 2017 |
| 274526 to 280524 | 2018 |
| 280525 to 288018 | 2019 |
| 288019 to 293493 | 2020 |
| 293494 to 298351 | 2021 |
| 298352 to 303162 | 2022 |
| 303163 to 307434 | 2023 |
| 307435 to 310826 | 2024 |
Martin Ukulele Serial Number
Martin is one of the most important names in ukulele history. The company began making soprano ukuleles in 1915, concert ukuleles in 1925, and tenor ukuleles in 1929. That is why older Martin ukuleles are important for collectibility and value.
On a Martin ukulele, the serial number is etched on the neck block inside the body. Look through the soundhole toward the neck.
Ukuleles made in the USA (Nazareth) use the same serial number system as regular Martin guitars. To find serial numbers for these instruments, use the charts above.
Ukuleles made in Mexico (Navojoa) use their own serial number system. To find these serial numbers, see the charts below. Among the models that were produced in Mexico are the 0XK, S1, T1 K, C1K and T1 Uke StreetMaster.
Martin SO Ukulele Serial Number
Use this chart for Mexico made Martin SO ukuleles.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 to 9972 | 2000 to 2006 |
| 9973 to 10910 | 2007 |
| 10911 to 11724 | 2008 |
| 11725 to 12570 | 2009 |
| 12571 to 12922 | 2010 |
Martin Solid Wood Ukulele Serial Number
Use this chart for Mexico made Martin Solid Wood ukuleles.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 to 1282 | 2010 |
| 1283 to 3607 | 2011 |
| 3608 to 6702 | 2012 |
| 6703 to 9266 | 2013 |
| 9267 to 10829 | 2014 |
| 10830 to 13298 | 2015 |
| 13299 to 15594 | 2016 |
| 15595 to 17465 | 2017 |
| 17466 to 19924 | 2018 |
| 19925 to 22337 | 2019 |
| 22338 to 24189 | 2020 |
| 24190 to 27497 | 2021 |
| 27498 to 32393 | 2022 |
| 32394 to 34983 | 2023 |
| 34984 to 37638 | 2024 |
Martin HPL Ukulele Serial Number
Use this chart for Mexico made Martin HPL ukuleles.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 to 1672 | 2010 |
| 1673 to 2403 | 2011 |
| 2404 to 2967 | 2012 |
| 2968 to 3382 | 2013 |
| 3383 to 4322 | 2014 |
| 4323 to 4833 | 2015 |
| 4834 to 5616 | 2016 |
| 5617 to 6207 | 2017 |
| 6208 to 6517 | 2018 |
| 6518 to 6682 | 2019 |
| 6683 | 2020 |
| 6684 to 7874 | 2021 |
| 7875 to 8876 | 2022 |
| 8877 to 10793 | 2023 |
| 10794 to 12583 | 2024 |
Martin Mandolin Serial Number
Martin mandolins were an important early part of the company’s history. On a Martin mandolin, the serial number is usually stamped inside the instrument.
Martin mandolin serial numbers use a different system from Martin guitars for most of their history.
On a Martin mandolin, the serial number is usually stamped inside the instrument. The usual places to check are the neck block or the back strip, visible through the soundhole.
Early Martin Mandolin Serial Number 1895-1942
Martin began using serial numbers on mandolins in 1895. During the war years, from 1943 to 1945, the Martin company did not produce mandolins, and production resumed in 1946.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 to 23 | 1895 |
| 24 to 112 | 1896 |
| 113 to 153 | 1897 |
| 154 to 359 | 1898 |
| 360 to 577 | 1899 |
| 578 to 800 | 1900 |
| 801 to 881 | 1901 |
| 882 to 1171 | 1902 |
| 1172 to 1348 | 1903 |
| 1349 to 1507 | 1904 |
| 1508 to 1669 | 1905 |
| 1670 to 2026 | 1906 |
| 2027 to 2357 | 1907 |
| 2358 to 2510 | 1908 |
| 2511 to 2786 | 1909 |
| 2787 to 3098 | 1910 |
| 3099 to 3431 | 1911 |
| 3432 to 3847 | 1912 |
| 3848 to 4162 | 1913 |
| 4163 to 4462 | 1914 |
| 4463 to 4767 | 1915 |
| 4768 to 5007 | 1916 |
| 5008 to 5752 | 1917 |
| 5753 to 6370 | 1918 |
| 6371 to 7237 | 1919 |
| 7238 to 8761 | 1920 |
| 8762 to 9627 | 1921 |
| 9628 to 10245 | 1922 |
| 10246 to 11020 | 1923 |
| 11021 to 11809 | 1924 |
| 11810 to 12520 | 1925 |
| 12521 to 13359 | 1926 |
| 13360 to 13833 | 1927 |
| 13834 to 14170 | 1928 |
| 14171 to 14630 | 1929 |
| 14631 to 14892 | 1930 |
| 14893 to 15290 | 1931 |
| 15291 to 15476 | 1932 |
| 15477 to 15528 | 1933 |
| 15529 to 15729 | 1934 |
| 15730 to 15887 | 1935 |
| 15888 to 16156 | 1936 |
| 16157 to 16437 | 1937 |
| 16438 to 16580 | 1938 |
| 16581 to 16747 | 1939 |
| 16748 to 16957 | 1940 |
| 16958 to 17263 | 1941 |
| 17264 to 17405 | 1942 |
Postwar Martin Mandolin Serial Number 1946-1990
After the break, Martin mandolin production resumed in 1946 and continued until 1990. Mandolin production during these years was significantly less than guitar production.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 17406 to 17641 | 1946 |
| 17642 to 18303 | 1947 |
| 18304 to 19078 | 1948 |
| 19079 to 19559 | 1949 |
| 19560 to 20065 | 1950 |
| 20066 to 20496 | 1951 |
| 20497 to 20902 | 1952 |
| 20903 to 21452 | 1953 |
| 21453 to 21952 | 1954 |
| 21953 to 22254 | 1955 |
| 22255 to 22629 | 1956 |
| 22630 to 22985 | 1957 |
| 22986 to 23111 | 1958 |
| 23112 to 23262 | 1959 |
| 23263 to 23512 | 1960 |
| 23513 to 23663 | 1961 |
| 23664 to 23938 | 1962 |
| 23939 to 24139 | 1963 |
| 24140 to 24339 | 1964 |
| 24340 to 24439 | 1965 |
| 24440 to 24564 | 1966 |
| 24565 to 24639 | 1967 |
| 24640 to 24839 | 1968 |
| 24840 to 24989 | 1969 |
| 24990 to 25039 | 1970 |
| 25040 to 25139 | 1971 |
| 25140 to 25239 | 1972 |
| 25240 to 25339 | 1973 |
| 25340 to 25679 | 1974 |
| 25680 to 25895 | 1975 |
| 25896 to 26070 | 1976 |
| 259996 to 260020 | 1976 |
| 26071 to 26101 | 1977 |
| 26102 to 26112 | 1979 |
| 26113 to 26156 | 1980 |
| 26157 to 26215 | 1981 |
| 26216 to 26225 | 1982 |
| 26226 to 26247 | 1983 |
| 26248 to 26254 | 1984 |
| 26255 to 26263 | 1985 |
| 26264 to 26273 | 1986 |
| 26274 to 26279 | 1987 |
| 26280 to 26281 | 1988 |
| 26282 to 26283 | 1989 |
| 26284 to 26291 | 1990 |
Martin Mandolin Serial Number 1991-1993
In 1991, Martin began using one serial number set for guitars and mandolins.
| Serial Number Range | Year |
|---|---|
| 503310 to 512487 | 1991 |
| 512488 to 522655 | 1992 |
| 522656 to 535223 | 1993 |
From 1994 to 2002, Martin mandolins were custom order only. Martin ended mandolin production in 2002.