PRS stands for Paul Reed Smith Guitars. The company began building guitars in 1985. A serial number can help you find when your PRS guitar was made.
Most PRS serial numbers start with a year prefix, so the serial number is usually the first place to look when you want to identify the year of manufacture. It can also help you check whether the guitar matches the right model line.
Table of Contents
Where to Find a PRS Serial Number?
Start with the back of the headstock. That is the most common location on PRS guitars. You will usually find the serial number there on set-neck models, S2 models, many basses, and most SE guitars.
If your guitar is an older bolt-on CE, EG, or Swamp Ash Special, check the neck plate on the back of the guitar. Bolt-on PRS basses also use the neck plate.
If your PRS is an acoustic, look at the label inside the soundhole.
How to Read a PRS Serial Number?
Most PRS serial numbers begin with a year prefix. This is the first digit, or two digits, in the serial number. It tells you the production year. After that comes the rest of the serial number, which usually shows the build sequence for that model line.
On older PRS guitars, the year prefix is often one digit. That can create overlap between decades. For example, the number 5 can mean 1985, 1995, or 2005. The number 8 can mean 1988 or 1998.
On newer guitars, PRS switched to two-digit year prefixes, which makes dating much easier. The digits 08 means 2008, the digits 14 means 2014.
Use this chart of common PRS prefixes to determine the year your guitar was made:
| Prefix | Year |
|---|---|
| 5 | 1985, 1995, 2005 |
| 6 | 1986, 1996, 2006 |
| 7 | 1987, 1997, 2007 |
| 8 | 1988, 1998 |
| 9 | 1989, 1999 |
| 0 | 1990, 2000 |
| 1 | 1991, 2001 |
| 2 | 1992, 2002 |
| 3 | 1993, 2003 |
| 4 | 1994, 2004 |
| 08 | 2008 |
| 09 | 2009 |
| 10 | 2010 |
| 11 | 2011 |
| 12 | 2012 |
| 13 | 2013 |
| 14 | 2014 |
| 15 | 2015 |
| 16 | 2016 |
| 17 | 2017 |
| 18 | 2018 |
| 19 | 2019 |
| 20 | 2020 |
| 21 | 2021 |
| 22 | 2022 |
| 23 | 2023 |
| 24 | 2024 |
Here is the basic reading order:
- Read the year prefix;
- Identify the PRS line;
- Read the rest of the serial number using the correct format for that line.
PRS does not use one single format for every guitar. A U.S. set-neck model, an older CE, an SE, and an acoustic can all use different serial number structures after the year prefix.
For example: 5 22876.
The prefix 5 means the guitar could be from 1985, 1995, or 2005. You need use the model type and the serial range to decide which one fits.
PRS Set-Neck Serial Number
Most U.S.-made PRS set-neck guitars have the serial number on the back of the headstock. After the year prefix, the remaining digits show the sequential order of set-neck guitars built.
On older guitars, the year prefix is usually one digit. On newer guitars, it is usually two digits.
The chart below shows the serial number range after the year prefix.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 0001 to 0400 | 1985 |
| 0401 to 1700 | 1986 |
| 1701 to 3500 | 1987 |
| 3501 to 5400 | 1988 |
| 5401 to 7600 | 1989 |
| 7601 to 10100 | 1990 |
| 10101 to 12600 | 1991 |
| 12601 to 15000 | 1992 |
| 15001 to 17900 | 1993 |
| 17901 to 20900 | 1994 |
| 20901 to 24600 | 1995 |
| 24601 to 29500 | 1996 |
| 29501 to 34600 | 1997 |
| 34601 to 39100 | 1998 |
| 39101 to 44499 | 1999 |
| 44500 to 52199 | 2000 |
| 52200 to 62199 | 2001 |
| 62200 to 72353 | 2002 |
| 72354 to 82254 | 2003 |
| 82255 to 92555 | 2004 |
| 92556 to 103103 | 2005 |
| 103104 to 114940 | 2006 |
| 114941 to 132401 | 2007 |
| 132402 to 146419 | 2008 |
| 146420 to 159132 | 2009 |
| 159133 to 170591 | 2010 |
| 170592 to 183862 | 2011 |
| 183863 to 196410 | 2012 |
| 196411 to 206059 | 2013 |
| 206060 to 215491 | 2014 |
| 215492 to 224954 | 2015 |
| 224955 to 236147 | 2016 |
| 236148 to 248633 | 2017 |
| 248634 to 271078 | 2018 |
| 271079 to 298384 | 2019 |
| 298385 to 315748 | 2020 |
| 315749 to 340165 | 2021 |
| 340166 to 354905 | 2022 |
| 354906 to 363798 | 2023 |
| 375043 to 397950 | 2024 |
To date the guitar, first read the year prefix. Then compare the remaining digits to the chart.
Neck Plate PRS Serial Number
Some older PRS guitars have the serial number on the neck plate on the back of the guitar. This system was used on older CE models, EG models, Swamp Ash Special models, and bolt-on PRS basses. The first part is still the year prefix. After that comes the model code. Then comes the sequential number for that model.
That model code is the key:
- A 7 or CE points to a CE model.
- A 5 or EG points to an EG model.
- An 8 or SA points to a Swamp Ash Special.
- A 4 points to a bolt-on PRS bass.
PRS CE Model Serial NUmber 1988 – 2008
Older CE guitars use neck plate serial numbers. Early guitars use the code 7. Later guitars use CE. 1998 is a transition year, so both 7 and CE can appear.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 7 0001 to 0270 | 1988 |
| 7 0271 to 1830 | 1989 |
| 7 1831 to 3200 | 1990 |
| 7 3201 to 4540 | 1991 |
| 7 4541 to 7090 | 1992 |
| 7 7091 to 8820 | 1993 |
| 7 8821 to 10700 | 1994 |
| 7 10701 to 13000 | 1995 |
| 7 13001 to 14680 | 1996 |
| 7 14681 to 17130 | 1997 |
| 7 or CE 17131 to 19580 | 1998 |
| CE 19581 to 20749 | 1999 |
| CE 20750 to 21599 | 2000 |
| CE 21600 to 23199 | 2001 |
| CE 23200 to 25389 | 2002 |
| CE 25390 to 26399 | 2003 |
| CE 26400 to 27900 | 2004 |
| CE 27901 to 29377 | 2005 |
| CE 29378 to 31800 | 2006 |
| CE 31801 to 32783 | 2007 |
| CE 32784 to 33881 | 2008 |
PRS EG Model Serial NUmber 1990 – 1995
EG models also use the neck plate. The code is 5 or EG.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 5 0001 to 0920 | 1990 |
| 5 0921 to 1290 | 1991 |
| 5 1291 to 2070 | 1992 |
| 5 2071 to 2870 | 1993 |
| 5 2871 to 3190 | 1994 |
| 5 3191 to 3300 | 1995 |
PRS Swamp Ash Special Serial NUmber 1997 – 2009
Swamp Ash Special guitars also use the neck plate. Early guitars use 8. Later guitars use SA. The first 200 guitars were given CE serial numbers.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 8 00001 to 00410 | 1997 |
| 8 or SA 00411 to 00760 | 1998 |
| SA 00761 to 00969 | 1999 |
| SA 00970 to 01179 | 2000 |
| SA 01180 to 01399 | 2001 |
| SA 01400 to 01899 | 2002 |
| SA 01900 to 02099 | 2003 |
| SA 02100 to 02287 | 2004 |
| SA 02288 to 02700 | 2005 |
| SA 02701 to 02800 | 2006 |
| SA 02801 to 03055 | 2007 |
| SA 03056 to 03256 | 2008 |
| SA 03257 to 03312 | 2009 |
Bolt-On PRS Bass Serial NUmber 1989 – 1991
Bolt-on PRS basses also use the neck plate. Their model code is 4.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 4 0001 to 0030 | 1989 |
| 4 0031 to 0140 | 1990 |
| 4 0141 to 0200 | 1991 |
Modern U.S. PRS Serial Number
This group mainly includes S2 models and newer CE guitars. In most cases, the serial number is on the back of the headstock.
PRS S2 Serial Number
S2 guitars use their own serial number system. The serial starts with S2, followed by the production number. To date an S2, match the full serial number to the correct range.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| S2000001 to S2003820 | 2013 |
| S2003821 to S2010529 | 2014 |
| S2010530 to S2017390 | 2015 |
| S2017391 to S2023214 | 2016 |
| S2023215 to S2027902 | 2017 |
| S2027903 to S2036779 | 2018 |
| S2036780 to S2043719 | 2019 |
| S2043720 to S2049421 | 2020 |
| S2049422 to S2059387 | 2021 |
| S2059388 to S2065338 | 2022 |
| S2065339 to S2067488 | 2023 |
| S2071820 to S2078569 | 2024 |
PRS CE Serial Number
Newer CE models returned in 2016. These guitars use a simpler modern format. The dating key is the 2-digit year prefix.
Use this chart for CE models from 2016 and later.
| Prefix | Year |
|---|---|
| 16 | 2016 |
| 17 | 2017 |
| 18 | 2018 |
| 19 | 2019 |
| 20 | 2020 |
| 21 | 2021 |
| 22 | 2022 |
| 23 | 2023 |
PRS SE Serial Number
Most PRS SE guitars have the serial number on the back of the headstock. These serial numbers do not follow the same system as U.S.-made PRS guitars. On SE models, the key part is usually the letter prefix at the start of the serial number. That prefix tells you the production year.
A few examples:
- R12345 = 2017 (Korea)
- IC7643 = 2016 (Indonesia)
- U50876 = 2020 (Korea)
- CTIF0842 = 2023 (Indonesia)
Korean PRS SE Serial Number
For Korean-made PRS SE guitars, use this chart.
| Prefix | Year |
|---|---|
| A | 2000 |
| B | 2001 |
| C | 2002 |
| D | 2003 |
| E | 2004 |
| F | 2005 |
| G | 2006 |
| H | 2007 |
| I | 2008 |
| J | 2009 |
| K | 2010 |
| L | 2011 |
| M | 2012 |
| N | 2013 |
| O | 2014 |
| P | 2015 |
| Q | 2016 |
| R | 2017 |
| S | 2018 |
| T | 2019 |
| U | 2020 |
Indonesian PRS SE Serial Number
For Indonesian-made PRS SE guitars, use this chart.
| Prefix | Year |
|---|---|
| IA | 2014 |
| IB | 2015 |
| IC | 2016 |
| ID | 2017 |
| IE | 2018 |
| CTIA | 2018 |
| CTIB | 2019 |
| CTIC | 2020 |
| CTID | 2021 |
| CTIE | 2022 |
| CTIF | 2023 |
| CTIG | 2024 |
PRS Bass Serial Number
PRS basses use more than one serial number system. The format depends on the bass type. The main groups are bolt-on basses, set-neck basses, and later Electric Bass models. The serial number location also changes by model. Bolt-on basses use the neck plate. Set-neck and Electric Bass models use the back of the headstock.
Bolt-On PRS Bass Serial Number
Bolt-on PRS basses use the code 4. The serial number is on the neck plate on the back of the bass. After the year prefix, the code 4 shows that it is a bolt-on bass. Then comes the sequential number. This system was used on bolt-on basses from 1989 to 1991.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 4 0001 to 0030 | 1989 |
| 4 0031 to 0140 | 1990 |
| 4 0141 to 0200 | 1991 |
Set-Neck PRS Bass Serial Number
Set-neck PRS basses use the code 9. The serial number is on the back of the headstock. After the year prefix, the code 9 shows that it is a set-neck bass. Then comes the sequential number. This format was used on bolt-on basses from 1986 to 1991.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 9 0001 to 0230 | 1986/87 |
| 9 0231 to 0350 | 1988 |
| 9 0351 to 0680 | 1989 |
| 9 0681 to 0730 | 1990 |
| 9 0731 to 0800 | 1991 |
PRS Electric Bass Model Serial Number
Later PRS Electric Bass models use the code EB. The serial number is on the back of the headstock. After EB, the remaining digits are the sequential number. This format covers the Electric Bass line from 2000 to 2005.
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| EB 00007 to 00072 | 2000 |
| EB 00073 to 00199 | 2001 |
| EB 00200 to 00422 | 2002 |
| EB 00423 to 00501 | 2003 |
| EB 00502 to 00650 | 2004 |
PRS Acoustic Serial Number
PRS acoustic models were added in 2008. The acoustic serial chart begins with A09, so the published year list starts with 2009. On these guitars, the serial number is on the label inside the soundhole.
U.S. PRS Acoustic Serial Number
Regular PRS acoustic serial numbers begin with A and then a 2-digit year prefix. The remaining digits are the sequential number. Serial number A21 0345 points to 2021. Serial number A23 0128 points to 2023.
Use this chart for regular PRS acoustic serial numbers.
| Prefix | Year |
|---|---|
| A09 | 2009 |
| A10 | 2010 |
| A11 | 2011 |
| A12 | 2012 |
| A13 | 2013 |
| A14 | 2014 |
| A15 | 2015 |
| A16 | 2016 |
| A17 | 2017 |
| A18 | 2018 |
| A19 | 2019 |
| A20 | 2020 |
| A21 | 2021 |
| A22 | 2022 |
| A23 | 2023 |
PRS SE Acoustic Serial Number
SE Acoustic models use a different format. These guitars use a CTC prefix with a final letter that shows the year. The serial number is typically on the back of the headstock. For example, serial number CTCE 1842 points to 2021, serial CTCG 0521 points to 2023.
PRS SE Acoustic guitars were produced at the Cor-Tek Dalian, China factory.
Use this chart for PRS SE Acoustic serial numbers.
| Prefix | Year |
|---|---|
| CTCA | 2017 |
| CTCB | 2018 |
| CTCC | 2019 |
| CTCD | 2020 |
| CTCE | 2021 |
| CTCF | 2022 |
| CTCG | 2023 |