O.k. this post should probably be called Godin guitar serial numbers rather than Seagull guitar serial numbers, because it applies to all guitars under the Godin umbrella (Seagull, Art & Lutherie, Simon & Patrick, Norman and La Patrie) but it certainly applies to Seagull guitars.
Get your concentrating hat on because they haven’t made this simple!
What you can Find out from your serial number?
Your Godin serial number will tell you different things depending on the time period. There are 3 distinct time periods for Godin serial numbers.
- Pre-1993
- 1993 to 2007
- 2008 to present
Note: Seagull starts their year on August 1. So if the year is 2005, then it starts August 1 2004 and ends July 31 2005.
Pre-1993
You can’t really tell anything from this serial number. you’ll need to contact Godin and tell them your serial number and they can tell you when the guitar was made.
1993 to 2007
- The year the guitar was made;
- The week of the year it was made;
- The day of the week it was made; and
- The unit number of the guitar
I’ll go into more detail about how you can decipher this in a bit.
2008 to present
- The model number
- Whether your guitar is a factory second or not
- What number of that particular model yours is
I’ll go into more detail about how you can decipher this in a bit.
How to Decode Your Serial Number
Again how you decode your serial number depends on the time period.
Pre-1993
This is simply a matter of contacting Godin, telling them your serial number and asking them about it. There is no secret code in these numbers!
1993 to 2007
O.K. now we get into some secret code?
Between 1993 and 2007 Godin used an 8 digit serial number. This serial number is broken up into 4 different parts.
let’s use an example serial number to illustrate this. We’ll use – 05034148
Digits 1 & 2
The first 2 digits represent the year that the guitar was built. But this is not the calendar year. Godin’s year runs from August 1st to July 31st. So the first 2 digits, technically represent the ‘year ended’.
In our example we have 05 as the first 2 digits.
- 05034148
What this determines is that the guitar was built sometime in the year from August 1st, 2004 and July 31st 2005.
The next 2 digits will narrow this down further.
Digits 3 & 4
Digits 3 & 4 represent the week of the year that the guitar was built. Remember that the Godin year is August 1st to July 31st. So week 1 is the first week of August.
In our example the week is 03.
- 05034148
This means it was built in the 3rd week of the year ended July 31st, 2005. So it was the 3rd week of August 2004.
So the guitar with this serial number was actually built in 2004 even though the first 2 digits are 05. With me so far?
Digit 5
The 5th digit represents the day of the week that the guitar was built, starting from Monday.
1 = Monday
2 = Tuesday
3 = Wednesday
4 = Thursday
5 = Friday
6 = Saturday
7 = Sunday
So in our example we have a 4 so the guitar with this serial number was built on a Thursday.
- 05034148
The last 3 digits
The last 3 digits represents the order in which this guitar was produced in that week.
So, in our example, it was the 148th guitar built that week.
- 05034148
So, overall we can tell that this guitar was the 148th guitar built in the 3rd week of August in 2004 and it was built on a Thursday. So we can work out that it was built on Thursday the 19th of August, 2004.
This a bit complicated but usually people only want to know the year that their guitar was built – so you can work that out a bit easier.
Extra Info
If there’s an “AA” or “AAA” in the serial number this represents the grade of wood. Not all serial numbers have this – I think it’s just for maple top guitars.
If there is an “F” in the serial number, this signifies that the guitar is “B-Stock”.
2008 to present
In late 2007 Godin switched to a 12 digit serial number.
The present system doesn’t actually tell you anything about when the guitar was built, which is a bit of a pain, as working out the year of your guitar is often the only thing people want to know from their serial number.
Anyway, this is what the serial number tells you.
I mean I guess serial numbers are really meant for internal purposes for Seagull and for anti-theft measures but sometimes you want to be able to find out the year of production. I imagine if you were to contact Godin they would have this information.
let’s use another example serial number – 029396000123
First 6 digits
This represents the model of your guitar. You probably already know this but if you’re not sure for whatever reason you can find out.
In our example the first 6 digits are 029396. This is the model number of the Seagull S6 Original.
- 029396000123
If you follow this link to Seagull S6 Original, it will take you to the S6 Original on the Seagull website.
Underneath the title you will see “SKU: 029396”. If you want to find the model number for your guitar go through the models until you find the number that matches your guitar. You should be able to narrow this down reasonably quickly as you should know at least which series your guitar is from.
7th Digit
This digit represents whether this guitar is a “Factory Second” or not.
A “0” represents that it’s not a factory second and a “9” represents a factory second.
Note that a “Factory Second” does not mean that the guitar has a functional defect. Rather that it just has a cosmetic flaw. These guitars are usually priced a little bit lower and if you can find one you should be able to get a good deal on an otherwise perfectly fine guitar.
In our example the guitar is not a factory second.
- 029396000123
The last 5 digits
The last 5 digits represent the number of that particular model built since switching to 12 digit serial numbers.
In our example the serial number represents the 123rd S6 Original built since Godin changed to 12 digit serial numbers.
- 029396000123
So, overall from our example serial number we can tell that the serial number belongs to an S6 Original that is not a factory second, and that it was the 123rd S6 Original to be shipped since Godin began their 12 digit serial number system.
Final Thoughts
This is definitely the most complicated serial number system I have come across so far (I have previous to this written serial number posts explaining Martin’s and Taylor’s serial number systems).
But as I said earlier, it is perhaps the fact that serial numbers are mainly for internal company purposes and for identifying stolen property. But, it would be nice to be able to quickly tell what year your guitar was built from the serial number as well.
This information was compiled from the following (Godin don’t post information about their serial numbers):
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246551
http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/guitar/acapella-42/1312907-
For tracing your Gibson serial number, check out my blog post.
Photo Credits
By Jason (Flickr: Mina & Guitar III) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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Seagull 12 10710 do you have a. Clue what year it is and what it’s worth so I don’t over pay for it?
Hi Danny
Thanks for your message.
That serial number doesn’t seem to match any of the serial number systems here, so it might be pre 1993? I think your best bet is to contact Godin to get the year of that one. I don’t value guitars, so unfortunately I can’t help you in terms of what it’s worth. Sorry I couldn’t be more help!
I HAVE A SEAGULL ACCOUSTIC GUITAR AND ALL I CAN FIND ON IT IS SERIE SERIAL S N2 MODEL4379 HANDMADE INCANADA SOLID WOOD….COULD U TELL ME WWHEN IT WAS MADE AND VALUE TY
Hi DNNA
Thanks for your message.
That doesn’t fit any of the systems that I know of, unfortunately. It could be the case that it’s a pre-1993 model – when they didn’t really have a serial number system that could tell you anything useful. You’re best bet to find out the year of this guitar is to contact Godin guitars and ask them.
Hi, I have 3 seagulls; s-6, meritime and artist studio. The artist has a ‘P’ on the headstock. I have seen it in a few pictures of other artist series. Does it indicate anything in particular?
Thanks, Bob
Hi Robert
I hadn’t ever noticed any models with a “p” on it before. But I looked it up and did find some pictures with that on it. The only thing I can think of is that maybe it’s actually a “b” and indicates that it’s “b stock” (which would indicate a small, aesthetic flaw) – but that’s just a guess.
Hi I have an S(6) and my serial number is 4312149 and the model is stamped (demo) would you have any build date information
Thanks Brian
Hi Brian
Thanks for your message. It doesn’t seem to fit the serial number systems here (being 7 digits), so I’m not sure, unfortunately. Best bet is to contact Godin guitars (the company that manufactures Seagull guitars) and ask them.
Hi Nate,
Just got a Godin guitar today and wanted to find out more about the guitar from its serial number.
The number is 99386698, so the guitar is from March 1999, made on Saturday.
But is it possible that they’ve made nearly 700 guitars per week? Like over 100 guitars per day?
Hi Bart
Thanks for your message.
I’m not sure how many guitars Godin produced in 1999, but, from what I could find out they are producing around 175,000 guitars yearly more recently. If the numbers were similar in 1999 that would be an average of 479 a day – so I’d say certainly at least 100/day in 1999.
So I would say it was the 698th guitar built in the 38th week of the Godin year (which would have started on August 1st 1998 and gone to July 31st, 1999). And since it’s Saturday in the 38th week. By my calculations 38 weeks after August 1st, 1998 would be April 24th – and since the 24th is a Saturday, I would say this guitar was built on April 24th, 1999. But I could have counted wrong and happy to be corrected, there. But certainly over 100 guitars per day very likely in 1999.
Hey Nate,
would like to know the year my Seagull S6 Coastline Folk Cedar was made. the serial # is 032549004793
Hi Brent
Unfortunately Seagull’s serial numbers for guitars built from late 2007 to present don’t tell us anything about when they were built. Your serial number tells you that it’s a S6 Coastline Cedar Folk (which you already know) – the first 6 digits represent this (032549) if you go to the link for this guitar on their website, you will see that number there – http://www.seagullguitars.com/en/products/32-coastline-cedar-folk – “SKU: 032549”.
The 7th digit shows whether or not your guitar was a factory second – in your case the “0” shows that it’s not a second. If it was a factory second that 7th digit would display a “9”.
The final 5 digits represents the number of S6 Coastline Cedar Folk built since they started the 12 digits serial numbers in late 2007. So you’re guitar was the 4793rd S6 Coastline Cedar Folk built since late 2007.
If you could find out how many S6 Coastline Cedar Folks have been built since then, you might be able to roughly determine the year it was built but otherwise this serial number says nothing about the date of build. But I’m sure if you were to contact Godin guitars, they most likely have this information on file, so that would be your best bet.
Hope this helps
I have a Beautiful Godin artisan TC serial#8153, it has 3 siingle coil pick ups, the original pick ups were replaced with rio grande pick ups. What might be the age and value of this guitar?
Hi Dale
Thanks for your message. Unfortunately I don’t value guitars, so I couldn’t say in terms of value. In terms of the serial number, it doesn’t seem to fit in any of the systems that I know if, so quite possibly it’s a pre-1993 guitar. I think they used less digits in their serial numbers then. Best bet is to contact Godin to find out when it was built.
Hi Nate
Can you please send me year of manufacture for Seagull Performer CW Flame Maple Q1,
serial number:032464003437
Best regards from Croatia
Hello. I am really in a quandary. I have what I believe to be a Seagull artist series, cameo ca but I can not find a serial number anywhere on it.
The labels inside the sound hole look authentic. Where can I find the number or did I get a knockoff. The guitar looks exactly like the one on seagull?s web page.
I sent a text to seagull this AM but they have not replied yet.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
I was told by the fellows bought it from that ha bought it about. 10 or so years ago from Elderly in Lansing Mi.
Ps. I looked under the Seagull name where seagull?s web site says the serial number should be for regeristing the unit but the line is just a blank blue line. No numbers.
Hello again. Seagull answered back said the serial number was either on the label on inside of the guitar or on the headstock. I had looked on the headstock several times before and did not see it. Looked again after I was told it should be in one of those two places. Sure enough there it was.
Hi Dale, I have a Godin Seagull S series S6+CW #02283735. It appears to be a cedar front with a darker timber on the sides and bottom. It is a very nice guitar to play however it does not have a pick-up. I know as soon as I get a pick-up put onto it, that would take it away from being an original, however do you have any recommendations for a pick-up. I also take it that this is a discontinued model.
Cheers
Pete
Hi Seagul team,
A friend of mine has an old Seagul (S6) Mahogany with serial number 22362. Was told it was made in 1983?
Questions
1) What year was guitar made?
2) Do you have the specifications of above guitar – ie. wood used for front, side, back, neck, fretboard, etc.
Thank you.
Hi I have a S 6 cedar with a date of
02305556 I can?t find anything on seagulls website . about when guitar was made
Hi
I have a Seagull “Plus Folk” model with serial number 70552. Can anyone tell me anything about the history of this guitar?
Many thanks
Chris
Hi Seagull team,
Mine is a S model , just S (not S6) and the serial number is 4812. Only 4 digits. Do you know what year was it made? I guess 1981-82-83.
Really good guitar, sounds better than my 2000$ Takamine.
Thank you
Hi
I just acquired an older lefty Seagull Acoustic . Model is “Cedar “and serial just says Demo . Cherry back and sides with solid cedar top , mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard . Truss rod is located on head stock . Is it possible to provide me with a year of manufacture ?
Thanks
Randy Currie
I have purchased a seagull silver maple acoustic guitar in 1995 from a guitar store going out of business I can’t find any serial numbers .and have not seen any others like it ?
Hey Ralph.
My only guess is that this is some limited edition offering from the brand or, perhaps, a copy that didn’t quite make the cut for commercial use but somehow ended up in the hands of the guitar store of which you speak. Hang tight in the knowledge that you own an instrument that is altogether uncategorizable!
Hang tight and keep on rockin’!!
Seagull S 6 ORIGINAL SERIAL # 029 396 045 985 Ceder top
What year would that be????
Hey Murray.
Seagull is one of the biggest acoustic guitar manufacturers on the market not to have a webpage or something with which you can search for serial numbers. Thankfully, there are resources like this that can help you to ascertain precisely what you are after: https://acousticguitarcabin.boards.net/thread/1168/seagull-serial-numbers.
Hope this has been of help!!
Dear Seagull
I am the proud owner of an old Seagull guitar serial number 23716. It has a cedar top. Can you please tell me when it was made?
thank you
Larry