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Serial numbers with 9, 10, or 11 digits are decoded differently


10-Digit Serial Numbers

Our current 10-digit serial numbering format that started in November of 2009 identifies where the guitar was built, the start date, and the assigned number of the guitar on that day's production schedule. For example, the serial number for the first guitar built in the El Cajon (USA) factory on July 6, 2014 is 1107064001. See the explanation below:

1107064001 First digit indicates where it was made. (1 = El Cajon, California, USA; 2 = Tecate, Baja California, Mexico)

1107064001 2nd & 7th digits indicate the two-digit year - '14 (2014)

1107064001 3rd & 4th digits indicate the two-digit month - 07 (July)

1107064001 5th & 6th digits indicate the day - 06 (the 6th)

1107064001 Last three numbers indicate the guitar's position in that day's production sequence.


9-Digit Serial Numbers

From 1993 until the end of 1999, each Taylor guitar featured a nine-digit serial number that pinpoints when work began on that guitar, along with its series and production position. See the explanation for serial number 980311301 below:

980311301 First two digits indicate the year - 98 (1998)

980311301 3rd & 4th digits indicate the two-digit month - 03 (March)

980311301 5th & 6th digit indicate the day - 11 (the 11th)

980311301 7th digit is a series code number - 0 for 300 or 400 Series, 1 for 500 through Presentation Series, 2 for 200 Series, 3 for a Baby or Big Baby (through 2002), 4 for a Big Baby (2004-2009), 5 for a T5, 7 for Nylon Series, 8 for 100 Series, and 9 for SolidBody Series. This example is number 3, a Baby.

980311301 Last two digits indicate the guitar's position in that day's production sequence.


11-Digit Serial Numbers

January 2000 - October 2009, the serial number expanded from 9 to 11 digits to accommodate the four-digit year designation. Other than the first four digits noting the year, it's decoded the same as the 9-digit serial numbers. See the explanation for serial number 20070311301 below:

20070311301 First four digits indicate the year - 2007

20070311301 5th & 6th digits indicate the two-digit month - 03 (March)

20070311301 7th & 8th digits indicate the day - 11 (the 11th)

20070311301 9th digit is a series code number - 0 for 300 or 400 Series, 1 for 500 through Presentation Series, 2 for 200 Series, 3 for a Baby or Big Baby (through 2002), 4 for a Big Baby (2004-2009), 5 for T5, 6 for T3, 7 for Nylon Series, 8 for 100 Series, and 9 for SolidBody Series. This example is number 3, a Baby.

20070311301 Last two digits indicate the guitar's position in that day's production sequence.

The two oldest verified serial numbers are 00109 and 10109. Record keeping in the early days was spotty and it's uncertain which guitar is actually the first one, but these two were built within the first few months of Taylor Guitars production.


For models older than 1993, please refer to the chart below.

SERIAL NUMBERSYEAR
[No serial numbers]1974
00108 and 10109 to 101461975
20147 to 203151976
30316 to 450

Switched from 5-digit to 3-digit serial number mid-year.
 
1977


 
451 to 9001978
901 to 13001979
1301 to 14001980
1401 to 16701981
1671 to 19511982
1952 to 24451983
2446 to 32061984
3207 to 38881985
3889 to 47781986
4779 to 59811987
5982 to 78311988
7832 to 100701989
10071 to 124971990
12498 to 152491991
15250 to 179471992



4-Digit Serial Numbers

When the 410 was introduced in 1991, it was given a unique serial numbering. The serial number has a "4-" plus three or four more digits like this: 4-1068. This system was only used for two years, with 001-1121 covering 1991 and 1122-3152 covering 1992.

Customer Service

United States and Canada

1-800-943-6782

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST

Our El Cajon, California and Amsterdam, the Netherlands Factory Service Center staff can help with any service, maintenance or repair questions concerning Taylor guitars.

Europe

+31 (0)20 667 6033

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CET)