To find the production date of your Martin guitar is relatively easy because Martin simply used serial numbers in sequence starting from 1898, except for their electric solid-body guitars. Therefore, Martin guitar serial number can accurately indicate its production date.
To check the production year of your Martin guitar, you can use the serial number Decoder or check it manually in the database provided below.
Table of Contents
Where to Find Martin Guitar Serial Number?
By peering into the sound hole of the guitar towards the neck, one can observe that both the model and serial numbers are imprinted on the neck block. The model number is located above the serial number.
Martin Guitar Serial Number Decoder
Enter your serial number into the form below, click the “Check” button, and the decoder will show you the year your Martin guitar was manufactured and the country in which it was made.
Martin Guitar Serial Number List
Since the 19th century, Martin has made one of the best flat-top acoustic guitars. All Martin Guitars have been numbered in sequential order since 1898. Except for the electric models. Because Martin had estimated that in 1898 around 8000 instruments had been built, the series numbering starts in 1898 with 8000.
Martin Guitar Serial Number Database Since 1898.
| Serial Numbers | Year |
|---|---|
| 8001 – 8349 | 1898 |
| 8350 – 8716 | 1899 |
| 8717 – 9128 | 1900 |
| 9129 – 9310 | 1901 |
| 9311 – 9528 | 1902 |
| 9529 – 9810 | 1903 |
| 9811 – 9988 | 1904 |
| 9989 – 10120 | 1905 |
| 10121 – 10329 | 1906 |
| 10330 – 10727 | 1907 |
| 10728 – 10883 | 1908 |
| 10884 – 11018 | 1909 |
| 11019 – 11203 | 1910 |
| 11204 – 11413 | 1911 |
| 11414 – 11565 | 1912 |
| 11566 – 11821 | 1913 |
| 11822 – 12047 | 1914 |
| 12048 – 12209 | 1915 |
| 12210 – 12390 | 1916 |
| 12391 – 12988 | 1917 |
| 12989 – 13450 | 1918 |
| 13451 – 14512 | 1919 |
| 14513 – 15484 | 1920 |
| 15485 – 16758 | 1921 |
| 16759 – 17839 | 1922 |
| 17840 – 19891 | 1923 |
| 19892 – 22008 | 1924 |
| 22009 – 24116 | 1925 |
| 24117 – 28689 | 1926 |
| 28690 – 34435 | 1927 |
| 34436 – 37568 | 1928 |
| 37569 – 40843 | 1929 |
| 40844 – 45317 | 1930 |
| 45318 – 49589 | 1931 |
| 49590 – 52590 | 1932 |
| 52591 – 55084 | 1933 |
| 55085 – 58679 | 1934 |
| 58680 – 61947 | 1935 |
| 61948 – 65176 | 1936 |
| 65177 – 68865 | 1937 |
| 68866 – 71866 | 1938 |
| 71867 – 74061 | 1939 |
| 74062 – 76734 | 1940 |
| 76735 – 80013 | 1941 |
| 80014 – 83107 | 1942 |
| 83108 – 86724 | 1943 |
| 86725 – 90149 | 1944 |
| 90150 – 93623 | 1945 |
| 93624 – 98158 | 1946 |
| 98159 – 103468 | 1947 |
| 103469 – 108269 | 1948 |
| 108270 – 112961 | 1949 |
| 112962 – 117961 | 1950 |
| 117962 – 122799 | 1951 |
| 122800 – 128436 | 1952 |
| 128437 – 134501 | 1953 |
| 134502 – 141345 | 1954 |
| 141346 – 147328 | 1955 |
| 147329 – 153225 | 1956 |
| 153226 – 159061 | 1957 |
| 159062 – 165576 | 1958 |
| 165577 – 171047 | 1959 |
| 171048 – 175689 | 1960 |
| 175690 – 181297 | 1961 |
| 181298 – 187384 | 1962 |
| 187385 – 193327 | 1963 |
| 193328 – 199626 | 1964 |
| 199627 – 207030 | 1965 |
| 207031 – 217215 | 1966 |
| 217216 – 230095 | 1967 |
| 230096 – 241925 | 1968 |
| 241926 – 256003 | 1969 |
| 256004 – 271633 | 1970 |
| 271634 – 294270 | 1971 |
| 294271 – 313302 | 1972 |
| 313303 – 333873 | 1973 |
| 333873 – 353387 | 1974 |
| 353388 – 371828 | 1975 |
| 371829 – 388800 | 1976 |
| 388801 – 399625 | 1977 |
| 4399626 – 407800 | 1978 |
| 407801 – 419900 | 1979 |
| 419901 – 430300 | 1980 |
| 430301 – 436474 | 1981 |
| 436475 – 439627 | 1982 |
| 439628 – 446101 | 1983 |
| 446102 – 4533000 | 1984 |
| 453301 – 460575 | 1985 |
| 460576 – 468175 | 1986 |
| 468176 – 476216 | 1987 |
| 476217 – 483952 | 1988 |
| 483953 – 493279 | 1989 |
| 493280 – 503309 | 1990 |
| 503310 – 512487 | 1991 |
| 512488 – 522655 | 1992 |
| 522656 – 535223 | 1993 |
| 535224 – 551696 | 1994 |
| 551697 – 570434 | 1995 |
| 570435 – 592930 | 1996 |
| 592931 – 624799 | 1997 |
| 624800 – 668796 | 1998 |
| 668797 – 724077 | 1999 |
| 724078 – 780500 | 2000 |
| 780501 – 845644 | 2001 |
| 845645 – 916759 | 2002 |
| 916760 – 978706 | 2003 |
| 978707 – 1042558 | 2004 |
| 1042559 – 1115862 | 2005 |
| 1115863 – 1197799 | 2006 |
| 1197800 – 1268091 | 2007 |
| 1268092 – 1337042 | 2008 |
| 1337043 – 1406715 | 2009 |
| 1406716 – 1473461 | 2010 |
| 1473462 – 1555767 | 2011 |
| 1555768 – 1656742 | 2012 |
| 1656743 – 1755536 | 2013 |
| 1755537 – 1857399 | 2014 |
| 1857400 – 1972129 | 2015 |
| 1972130 – 2076795 | 2016 |
| 2076796 – 2161732 | 2017 |
| 2161733 – 2258889 | 2018 |
| 2258890 – 2366880 | 2019 |
| 2366881 – 293493 | 2020 |
| 293494 – 2576415 | 2021 |
| 2576416 – 2711440 | 2022 |
| 2711441 – 2829083 | 2023 |
| 2829084 – ……. | 2024 |
Martin serial number Database for E-18, EM-18, EB-18 Guitar models.
An exception to the order set of serial numbers and production year is the electric solid body guitars E-18, EM-18, and EB-18 bass, produced from 1978 to mid-1980.
| Serial Numbers | Year |
|---|---|
| 1000 – 1099 | 1978 |
| 1100 – 2831 | 1979 |
| 2832 – 3645 | 1980 |
Little Martin (LX) Guitars Database.
| Serial Numbers | Year |
|---|---|
| last number 41279 | 2005 |
| 41280 – 54016 | 2006 |
| 540167- 69850 | 2007 |
| 69851 – 85266 | 2008 |
| 85267 – 98332 | 2009 |
| 98333 – 115197 | 2010 |
| 115198 – 129934 | 2011 |
| 129935 – 145612 | 2012 |
| 145613 – 172822 | 2013 |
| 172823 – 205052 | 2014 |
| 205053 – 236580 | 2015 |
| 236581 – 263886 | 2016 |
| 263887 – 284726 | 2017 |
| 284727 – 319828 | 2018 |
| 319829 – 344677 | 2019 |
| 344678 – 361282 | 2020 |
Martin Backpacker Guitars Database.
| Serial Numbers | Year |
|---|---|
| last number 178146 | 1992-2006 |
| 178147 – 188539 | 2007 |
| 188540 – 195761 | 2008 |
| 195762 – 203818 | 2009 |
| 203819 – 211612 | 2010 |
| 211613 – 220586 | 2011 |
| 220587 – 229812 | 2012 |
| 229813 – 239535 | 2013 |
| 239536 – 249963 | 2014 |
| 249964 – 260267 | 2015 |
| 260268 – 267880 | 2016 |
| 267881 – 274525 | 2017 |
| 274526 – 280524 | 2018 |
| 280525 – 288018 | 2019 |
| 288019 – 293493 | 2020 |
Where to Find Martin Mandolin Serial Number?
Martin mandolin serial number can typically be found stamped on the inside of the instrument, either on the back strip or the neck block. You can spot them by peering through the sound hole.
Finding the production date of the Martin mandolin is relatively easy because C.F. Martin just used serial numbers sequentially starting in 1895. Thus, the serial number of your Martin mandolin can, in most cases, indicate the exact year it was made.
To check the production year of your mandolin, you can use the serial number decoder and refer to the manual checklist provided below.
Martin Mandolin Serial Number Decoder
Enter the serial number below, click the “Check” button and this lookup tool will show you the year when your mandolin was made and the country where it came from.
Martin Mandolin Serial Number Checklist
For Martin mandolins was used a different serial number system than for guitars. Only from 1991 to 1993 are the serial numbers of the mandolins from the same set used for guitars. From 1994 to 2002 mandolins were only made to order, after which Martin stopped the production of mandolins in 2002.
Martin mandolin serial number Chart
| Serial Number | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 – 23 | 1895 |
| 24 – 112 | 1896 |
| 113 – 153 | 1897 |
| 154 – 359 | 1898 |
| 360 – 577 | 1899 |
| 578 – 800 | 1900 |
| 801 – 881 | 1901 |
| 882 – 1171 | 1902 |
| 1172 – 1348 | 1903 |
| 1349 – 1507 | 1904 |
| 1508 – 1669 | 1905 |
| 1670 – 2026 | 1906 |
| 2027 – 2357 | 1907 |
| 2358 – 2510 | 1908 |
| 2511 – 2786 | 1909 |
| 2788 – 3098 | 1910 |
| 3099 – 3431 | 1911 |
| 3431 – 3847 | 1912 |
| 3848 – 4162 | 1913 |
| 4163 – 4462 | 1914 |
| 4463 – 4767 | 1915 |
| 4768 – 5007 | 1916 |
| 5008 – 5752 | 1917 |
| 5753 – 6370 | 1918 |
| 6371 – 7237 | 1919 |
| 2738 – 8761 | 1920 |
| 8762 – 9627 | 1921 |
| 9628- 10245 | 1922 |
| 10246 – 11020 | 1923 |
| 11021 – 11809 | 1924 |
| 11810 – 12520 | 1925 |
| 12521 – 13359 | 1926 |
| 13360 – 13833 | 1927 |
| 13834 – 14170 | 1928 |
| 14171 – 14630 | 1929 |
| 14631 – 14892 | 1930 |
| 14893 – 15290 | 1931 |
| 15291 – 15476 | 1932 |
| 15477 – 15528 | 1933 |
| 15529 – 15729 | 1934 |
| 15730 – 15887 | 1935 |
| 15888 – 16156 | 1936 |
| 16157 – 16437 | 1937 |
| 16438 – 16580 | 1938 |
16581 – 16747 | 1939 |
| 16748 – 16957 | 1940 |
| 16958 – 17263 | 1941 |
| 17264 – 17405 | 1942 |
| 17406 – 17641 | 1946 |
| 17642 – 18303 | 1947 |
| 18304 – 19078 | 1948 |
| 19079 – 19559 | 1949 |
| 19560 – 20065 | 1950 |
| 20066 – 20496 | 1951 |
| 20497 – 20902 | 1952 |
| 20903 – 21452 | 1953 |
| 21453 – 21952 | 1954 |
| 21953 – 22254 | 1955 |
| 22255 – 22629 | 1956 |
| 22630 – 22985 | 1957 |
| 22986 – 23111 | 1958 |
| 23112 – 23262 | 1959 |
| 23263 – 23512 | 1960 |
| 23513 – 23663 | 1961 |
| 23664 – 23938 | 1962 |
| 23939 – 24139 | 1963 |
| 24140 – 24339 | 1964 |
| 24340 – 24439 | 1965 |
| 24440 – 24564 | 1966 |
| 24565 – 24639 | 1967 |
| 24640 – 24839 | 1968 |
| 24840 – 24989 | 1969 |
| 24990 – 25039 | 1970 |
| 25040 – 25139 | 1971 |
| 25140 – 25239 | 1972 |
| 25240 – 25339 | 1973 |
| 25340 – 25679 | 1974 |
| 25680 – 25895 | 1975 |
| 25896 – 26070 | 1976 |
| 26071 – 26101 | 1977 |
| 26102 – 26112 | 1979 |
| 26113 – 26156 | 1980 |
| 26157 – 26215 | 1981 |
| 26216 – 26225 | 1982 |
| 26226 – 26247 | 1983 |
| 26248 – 26254 | 1984 |
| 26255 – 26263 | 1985 |
| 26264 – 26273 | 1986 |
| 26274 – 26279 | 1987 |
| 26280 – 26281 | 1988 |
| 26282 – 26283 | 1989 |
| 26284 – 26291 | 1990 |
| 26292 – 26297 | 1991 |
| 259996 – 260020 | 1976 |
| 509122 – 533213 | 1991 – 1993 |
Martin Guitars History
Martin Guitars is one of the oldest and most respected guitar manufacturers in the world and has been making instruments since 1833. The company was founded by Christian Frederick Martin, a German immigrant who settled in the United States in the early 19th century.
Martin began his career as an apprentice to a cabinet maker in Germany, where he learned the skills necessary to build instruments. When he arrived in the United States, he started making guitars in his home in New York City.
In 1839, Martin moved his business to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where it remains to this day. The move was prompted by a need for better materials, as the hardwoods available in New York were not suitable for guitar construction.
Martin quickly established a reputation for building high-quality instruments, and by the mid-19th century, his guitars were in high demand.
In 1852, he introduced a new style of guitar that would become the company’s signature instrument: “the dreadnought.”
The dreadnought was a larger, louder guitar than any that had come before, and it quickly became popular among musicians of all genres. Martin continued to innovate in the years that followed, introducing new models and refining his designs.
In the early 20th century, Martin Guitars became a favorite of country and blues musicians, and the company continued to grow. During World War II, Martin ceased guitar production in order to focus on producing goods for the war effort.
After the war, Martin resumed guitar production and continued to innovate. In the 1960s, the company introduced a new line of guitars designed for the emerging folk and rock music scenes.
Today, Martin continues to produce high-quality instruments that are highly sought after by musicians around the world. The company’s guitars are known for their impeccable craftsmanship, beautiful tone, and timeless design.
Martin has also been a leader in sustainable forestry practices, working to ensure that the materials used in their instruments are responsibly sourced. The company’s commitment to quality and sustainability has helped it maintain its position as one of the most respected guitar makers in the world.
Martin guitars have always held a special place in my heart. Their craftsmanship and classic design give them an almost timeless quality. I remember the first time I played one – it was like discovering a hidden gem. The sound was rich and resonant, with a depth that you don’t often find. Having at least one is a must-have!