Yamaha was founded in 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha in Hamamatsu, Japan. Initially, the company produced wind instruments and pianos.
In 1955, Yamaha began producing guitars, starting with the FG180. This acoustic guitar enjoyed great popularity and helped Yamaha establish itself as a leader in the guitar market.
Over the years, Yamaha has released numerous guitar models, such as the SG and Pacifica series.
Where to Find The Serial Number?
The serial number on a Yamaha guitar is usually located on the headstock. On acoustic guitars, look for the serial number in the soundhole.
Japanese Yamaha Serial Number
Tenryu/Wada Factory
From 1946 to 1968, Yamaha used a 5-digit sequential system. However, this system did not indicate the year of production.
From 1969 to 1984, a 6-digit system was used. The first two digits represent the year. The next two digits indicate the month, and the last two digits are the guitar’s serial number.
From 1985 to 1986, a 6-digit serial number was also used, but the month was not indicated. The first two digits represent the year. The last four digits are the serial number.
Custom Shop
From 1966 to 1985, Yamaha used sequential serial numbers from 001 to 1042 for Custom Shop Guitars. Therefore, the year of production can only be determined approximately.
From 1986 to 1990, 5-digit serial numbers were used, consisting of one letter and four digits. The first letter represents the year. The next digit indicates the month. The last three digits are the serial number.
For example: L8818 This would be a guitar manufactured in May 1988, and the 18th guitar manufactured on that date.
*The letter L represents May according to Yamaha’s coding system. See the table below.
Yamaha’s Month Coding System
| Month | Letter |
|---|---|
| January | H |
| February | I |
| March | J |
| April | K |
| May | L |
| June | M |
| July | N |
| August | O |
| September | P |
| October | X |
| November | Y |
| December | Z |
Yamaha’s Year Coding System
| LETTER | YEAR |
|---|---|
| H | 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001, 2011, 2021 |
| I | 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002, 2012, 2022 |
| J | 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, 2013, 2023 |
| K | 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004, 2014, 2024 |
| L | 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015, 2025 |
| M | 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006, 2016 |
| N | 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997, 2007, 2017 |
| O | 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, 2008, 2018 |
| P | 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999, 2009, 2019 |
| Q | 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020 |
From 1991 to 1996, a 6-digit system of two letters, three digits, and one letter was used. The first letter represents the year (according to the coding system). The second letter represents the month. Three digits represent the instrument’s serial number (numbers began with 701). The last letter is the internal factory code.
From 1997 to 2003, a 5-digit system was used. It was the same as the previous 6-digit system, but there was no longer a factory code at the end, and unit numbers began with 001 instead of 701.
Since 2004, a 7-digit system of 3 letters, 3 numbers, and one final letter was used. The first 2 letters represent the year. The third letter represents the month. The 3 digits represent the unit number. The last letter represents the internal factory code.
For example: QPM044C. This guitar was #44, produced in June 2009.
Yamaha’s Year Coding System (since 2004)
| Letter | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1 |
| I | 2 |
| J | 3 |
| K | 4 |
| L | 5 |
| M | 6 |
| N | 7 |
| O | 8 |
| P | 9 |
| Q | 0 |
Music Craft
From 1997 to 1999, Music Craft instruments used the same system as the Custom Shop from 1991 to 1996. However, the serial number began with 501 instead of 701.
From 1999 to 2000, a 5-digit system of 2 letters and 3 numbers was used. The first letter denotes the year. The second letter denotes the month. The three digits are the serial number (always starting with 200).
For example: PL201 was the first guitar produced in May 1999.
Since 2001, a 7-digit system of 3 letters, 3 numbers, and 1 letter has been used. The first two letters denote the year. The third letter denotes the month. The three digits are the serial number. The last letter is the internal factory code.
For example: QPX021B is the 21st guitar released in October 2009.
Taiwanese Yamaha Serial Number
Between 1971 and 2001, guitars made in Taiwan used an eight-digit serial number system. The first digit represents the year. The second and third digits represent the month. The fourth and fifth digits indicate the day of the month. The last three digits are the unit number.
This creates a problem, as the year is represented by only one digit, and it repeats every decade. So, the digit 7 in the serial number could indicate 1977, 1987, or 1997.
For example: 804228013 corresponds to the 13th guitar, produced on April 22, 1978, 1988, or 1998.
At the end of 2001, a new system of three letters and six digits was introduced. The first two letters represent the year. The third letter represents the month. The first two digits represent the day of the month. The last four digits are the unit number.
Indonesian Yamaha Serial Number
From 1990 to 1996, Yamaha’s Indonesian YMMI factory used an eight-digit serial number. The first digit indicated the year. The second and third digits indicated the month. The fourth and fifth digits indicated the day of the month. The last
three digits are the unit number.
For example: 50109155 is the 155th guitar produced at the factory on January 9, 1995.
From 1997 to 1999, a nine-digit system was used. It was the same as the previous system, except that four digits were used for the serial number.
In 2000, the system changed to a ten-digit system. The first two digits now indicated the year. The third and fourth digits indicated the month. The fifth and sixth digits indicated the day of the month. The last
four digits are the unit number.
Since 2001, a new 9-digit coding system has been used, consisting of a 3-letter, 6-digit system. The first 2 letters indicate the year. The third letter is the month. The first 2 digits indicate the day of the month. The last 4 digits are the product number.
For example: HPI170112 is the 112th guitar manufactured on February 17, 2019.