Initially, PRS serial numbers were imprinted with ink on the headstock. Every PRS guitar possesses a serial number that begins with a prefix indicating the year of production.
This prefix comprises one or two digits that correspond to the year of manufacture and is used across all models.
Table of Contents
How to Find PRS Serial Number?
The location of the serial number on PRS guitar varies depending on the model, with some having it hand-painted or printed on the headstock, while others feature it printed on the neck plate.
Prefix for PRS Year Code
The serial numbers on all Paul Reed Smith guitars and basses start with a prefix indicating the year. This one or two-digit prefix stands for the last digit (s) of the production year and applies to all models below.
PREFIX Chart
| Prefix | Year |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1990 or 2000 |
| 1 | 1991 or 2001 |
| 2 | 1992 or 2002 |
| 3 | 1993 or 2003 |
| 4 | 1994 or 2004 |
| 5 | 1985, 1995, or 2005 |
| 6 | 1986, 1996, or 2006 |
| 7 | 1987, 1997, or 2007 |
| 8 | 1988 or 1998 |
| 9 | 1989 or 1999 |
| 08 | 2008 |
| 09 | 2009 |
| 10 | 2010 |
| 11 | 2011 |
| 12 | 2012 |
| 13 | 2013 |
| 14 | 2014 |
| 15 | 2015 |
| 16 | 2016 |
| 17 | 2017 |
| 18 | 2018 |
| 19 | 2019 |
PRS Set-Neck Serial Number
The serial number of a set-neck model is located on the back of the guitar’s headstock. After the year prefix, the remaining numbers indicate the sequential order of that year.
Serial numbers SET-NECK Chart
| Searial No. | Year |
|---|---|
| 0001 – 0400 | 1985 |
| 0401 – 1700 | 1986 |
| 1701 – 3500 | 1987 |
| 3501 – 5400 | 1988 |
| 5401 – 7600 | 1989 |
| 5401 – 7600 | 1990 |
| 10101 – 12600 | 1991 |
| 12601 – 15000 | 1992 |
| 15001 – 17900 | 1993 |
| 20901 – 24600 | 1995 |
| 24601 – 29500 | 1996 |
| 29501 – 34600 | 1997 |
| 34601 – 39100 | 1998 |
| 159133 – 170591 | 1998 |
| 39101 – 44499 | 1999 |
| 44500 – 52199 | 2000 |
| 52200 – 62199 | 2001 |
| 62200 – 72353 | 2002 |
| 72354 – 82254 | 2003 |
| 82255 – 92555 | 2004 |
| 92556 – 103103 | 2005 |
| 103104 – 114940 | 2006 |
| 114941 – 132401 | 2007 |
| 132402 – 146419 | 2008 |
| 146420 – 159132 | 2009 |
| 17901 – 20900 | 2010 |
| 170592 – 183862 | 2011 |
| 183863 – 196410 | 2012 |
| 183863 – 196410 | 2013 |
| 206060 – 215491 | 2014 |
| 215492 – 224954 | 2015 |
| 224955 – 236147 | 2016 |
| 236148 – 246650 | 2017 |
| 246651 – 257655 | 2018 |
CE Models Serial Number
The serial number is located on the neck plate on the back of the guitar. After the number for the year follows a 7 or CE prefix, concerning the CE model, then sequential number.
Serial NumberS CE Chart
| Prefix | Serial No. | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0001 – 0270 | 1988 |
| 7 | 0271 – 1830 | 1989 |
| 7 | 1831 – 3200 | 1990 |
| 7 | 3201 – 4540 | 1991 |
| 7 | 4541 – 7090 | 1992 |
| 7 | 7091 – 8820 | 1993 |
| 7 | 8821 – 10700 | 1994 |
| 7 | 10701 – 13000 | 1995 |
| 7 | 13001 – 14680 | 1996 |
| 7 | 14681 – 17130 | 1997 |
| 7 or CE | 17131 – 19580 | 1998 |
| CE | 19581 – 20749 | 1999 |
| CE | 20750 – 21599 | 2000 |
| CE | 21600 – 23199 | 2001 |
| CE | 23200 – 25389 | 2002 |
| CE | 25390 – 26399 | 2003 |
| CE | 26400 – 27900 | 2004 |
| CE | 27901 – 29377 | 2005 |
| CE | 29378 – 31800 | 2006 |
| CE | 31801 – 32783 | 2007 |
| CE | 32784 – 33881 | 2008 |
EG Models Serial Number
The year of manufacture for the EG models is determined in the same way as for the CE models. Just like the CE models, the serial number is located on the neck plate at the back of the guitar.
The next number, after the year number, determines the model (5 or EC) for the EG models and then the sequential order of that year.
Serial NumberS EG Chart
| Prefix | Searial No. | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0001 – 0920 | 1990 |
| 5 | 0921 – 1290 | 1991 |
| 5 | 1291 – 2070 | 1992 |
| 5 | 2071 – 2870 | 1993 |
| 5 | 2871 – 3190 | 1994 |
| 5 | 3191 – 3300 | 1995 |
S2 Model Serial Number
The serial number of an S2-Series model is located on the back of the guitar’s headstock. After the prefix of the year, the remaining digits indicate the sequential order of the set neck models built.
Serial NumberS S2 Chart
| Searial No. | Year |
|---|---|
| S2000001 – S2003820 | 2013 |
| S2003821 – S2010529 | 2014 |
| S2010530 – S2017390 | 2015 |
| S2017391 – S2023391 | 2016 |
Swamp Ash Special Serial Number
The serial numbers are located on the neck plate on the back of the guitar. The year of manufacture is determined in the same way for the Swamp Ash Special as for the CE and EC.
The next number, after the year number, determines the model (8 or SA) for the SA models and then the sequential order of that year.
Serial NumberS SWAMP ASH SPECIAL Chart
| Prefix | Searial No. | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 00001 – 00410 | 1997 |
| 8 or SA | 00411 – 00760 | 1998 |
| SA | 00761 – 00969 | 1999 |
| SA | 00970 – 01179 | 2000 |
| SA | 01180 – 01399 | 2001 |
| SA | 01400 – 01899 | 2002 |
| SA | 01900 – 02099 | 2003 |
| SA | 02100 – 02287 | 2004 |
| SA | 02288 – 02700 | 2005 |
| SA | 02701 – 02800 | 2006 |
| SA | 02801 – 03055 | 2007 |
| SA | 03056 – 03256 | 2008 |
| SA | 03257 – 03312 | 2009 |
Bolt-On Bass Serial Number
The serial number is located on the neck plate at the back of the bass. After the prefix of the year, these models have the code number 4, which indicates a bolt-on neck bass.
The following digits are the production order for that year.
Serial Numbers BOLT-ON BASS Chart
| Prefix | Searial No. | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0001 – 0030 | 1989 |
| 4 | 0031 – 0140 | 1990 |
| 4 | 0141 – 0200 | 1991 |
Set-Neck Bass Serial Number
The serial numbers will be located on the back of the headstock. After the prefix of the year, these models have the code number 9, which indicates a set-neck model bass.
The following digits are the production order for that year.
Serial Numbers SET-NECK BASS chart
| Prefix | Searial No. | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 0001 – 0230 | 1986/87 |
| 9 | 0231 – 0350 | 1988 |
| 9 | 0351 – 0680 | 1989 |
| 9 | 0681 – 0730 | 1990 |
| 9 | 0731 – 0800 | 1991 |
Electric Bass Serial Number
The serial number will be located on the back of the headstock. After the prefix of the year, these models have the letter code EB, which indicates Electric Bass.
The following digits are the production order for that year.
Serial Numbers BASS Chart
| Prefix | Searial No. | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EB | 00007 – 00072 | 2000 |
| EB | 00073 – 00199 | 2001 |
| EB | 00200 – 00422 | 2002 |
| EB | 00423 – 00501 | 2003 |
| EB | 00502 – 00650 | 2004 |
SE Model Serial Number
The serial number on SE models will be located on the back of the headstock. The year of construction for SE guitars can be determined by a letter prefix before the series of digits.
Serial Number SE Chart
| Letter | 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 |
| V | 2021 |
| W | 2022 |
| X | 2023 |
| Y | 2024 |
| Z | 2025 |
In addition to manufacturing in the Stevensville factory, USA is also in Asia-produced guitars for PRS.
Most guitars with a year letter are produced by World Musical Instruments in Korea. However, SE models are also made for PRS in China and Indonesia.
These guitars have a 3-letter code for the letter of the production year.
CTC = Cort China CTI = Cort Indonesia.
PRS History
Paul Reed Smith, the founder of PRS Guitars, started building guitars as a hobby in college. After graduating, he continued to refine his craft and eventually founded PRS in 1985.
At first, PRS only produced a small number of custom guitars each year, but the quality of these instruments quickly gained attention from professional musicians.
PRS are known for their attention to detail in every aspect of construction, from the selection of woods to the hand-wiring of electronics. In addition to their meticulous craftsmanship, PRS guitars also have a distinctive look. The bird inlays on the fretboard have become an iconic symbol of the brand.
One of the key influences on PRS guitars has been the Gibson Les Paul. Smith was fascinated by the Les Paul’s sustain and rich tone, and he worked to incorporate those elements into his own designs. At the same time, Smith also drew inspiration from Fender’s Stratocaster, and he sought to combine the tonal characteristics of both instruments in his own guitars.
Over the years, PRS has expanded its lineup to include a wide range of models, from the classic Custom 24 to the hollowbody Archtop. In addition to electric guitars, PRS also produces acoustic guitars, basses, and amplifiers.
In 1995, PRS moved to a new factory in Stevensville, Maryland, where it continues to operate today. The company has also partnered with Cort Industries in South Korea to produce the more affordable SE series of guitars, which are also manufactured in Indonesia.
Despite its growth and success, PRS remains committed to its core values of quality and craftsmanship. Each guitar is still made by hand, with great care and attention to detail, and the company continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in guitar design and construction.
PRS guitars – it was love at first sight. When I first saw them in a catalog, I was captivated by the carved archtop made from flamed maple. The craftsmanship and intricate details amazed me. But years later, when I finally had the chance to hold one, I was a bit disappointed with the comfort. The archtop just wasn’t for me; it felt like a knife in my skinny hands. Though the sound and design still inspire me, I must admit the guitar wasn’t a perfect fit for me.