Question Serial number database tool: Build code explanation

[headcrash]

Hi forumites,
where can I find an explanation of the build codes, which the serial number tool spits out?

 

[jayjayjay]

There are various posts on the forums describing it - search around. I don't know that there's (yet) a single post/thread that compiles them all together, though.

 

[headcrash]

Thanks jayjayjay, I was hoping for a real "decoder", especially concerning the color codes.
Do you know or someone else, which color is the code "21"?

 

[headcrash]

No one any ideas concerning the color codes?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

The codes are as follows:


Body (model) - Color - Neck & fretboard (and headstock) - Pickguard (and pickup color on some models) - Case type - Hardware color

Color code 21 was for "Candy Red"

 

[headcrash]

Thanks a lot Pete !!
Is there an online source where to look up the color codes?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Thanks a lot Pete !!
Is there an online source where to look up the color codes?

Not at this point, I have some old catalogs and price sheets that I reference. I have also used the "wayback machine" to look at the early versions of the Ernie Ball website and pull color names and build codes where available.

The colors number in the hundreds, and EB has within the past 3 years moved to a 3-digit color code. Some color codes have been all numbers, some all letters, and they are now a combination of both, and sometimes they make sense while other times they do not (at least on the surface).

Some examples :
01 Black
02 White
21 Candy Red (Candy apple red is different)
09 Mystic Dream
DD Martini Olive Green (Dargie Delight 1)
BH Kinetic Blue (makes sense, right?)
J3 Blue Honu (JP Majesty color #3)
BD is Hydrospace (original working name was Blue Dream)
CA1 is quilt Diablo Blue
CA2 is flame Diablo Blue
CA3 is opaque Diablo Blue

With all of the exclusive and limited runs the number of color codes has exploded, and without an EB database dump there's no real way to compile a list - plus the list is always growing as added added all the time for BFR, one-offs, etc.

 

[jayjayjay]

Looks like you've already got one started!

Folks could provide the serial numbers of their instruments for looking up the build codes, as well as scraping the archive. Some online shops list the serial numbers of instruments on sale, as well. Alternatively, if someone didn't want to give the s/n they could look it up and provide the build code along w/ the color the EBMM tool spits out.

Obviously it wouldn't be complete - to say nothing of instruments built before EBMM started using/publishing build codes - but over time it could become fairly comprehensive.

 

[dave1812]

Here are the Build Codes for my EBMMs

JP7 Honey Roasted PDN (Piezo/Dot Inlays/Matching Headstock)
971-CH-PM-00-CS-LE

JP6 Emerald Green Sparkle PDN (No Piezo/Shield Inlays/Matching Headstock)
960-ES-26-00-CS-CR

JP6 Neptune Blue PDN (Piezo/Dot Inlays/No Matching Headstock)
961-NB-R2-00-CS-CR

JP6 Starry Night PDN (Piezo/No Inlays/No Matching Headstock)
961-SN-RB-00-CS-CR

Bongo 5HH Vintage Tobacco Burst PDN
162-AA-M2-01-CS-CR

 

[headcrash]

Here are mine (three):

350-35-11-00
Axis Sport HH Hardtail
-> for this guitar the database to does not spit out more, so the following is provided by me:
Burnt Apple no pickguard maple neck maple fretboard matching headstock



310-53-11-00-CS-CR
Axis Super Sport HH Hardtail Translucent Gold
Maple Neck Maple Fretboard Matching Headstock


My Axis Sport HSS hardtail transparent red black pickguard Maple Neck Maple fretboard non-matching headstock is from 1997 and there is no build code

 

[nikwik]

I started work on a spreadsheet for build codes by trawling through the serial number database a few years back and the attached PDF is as far as I got - posted this on my Facebook Axis group last week as it happens.

Hi forumites,
where can I find an explanation of the build codes, which the serial number tool spits out?

 

[nikwik]

Here are mine (three):

350-35-11-00
Axis Sport HH Hardtail
-> for this guitar the database to does not spit out more, so the following is provided by me:
Burnt Apple no pickguard maple neck maple fretboard matching headstock



310-53-11-00-CS-CR
Axis Super Sport HH Hardtail Translucent Gold
Maple Neck Maple Fretboard Matching Headstock


My Axis Sport HSS hardtail transparent red black pickguard Maple Neck Maple fretboard non-matching headstock is from 1997 and there is no build code

Build codes may also be on a sticker underneath the pickups - at least thats were it was on my Sport.

 

[Bodefosho]

Thanks for that PDF of build codes. I can fill in one blank: color code 18 is solid red. That's based on my build code of 301-18-11-00-CS-CR.

 

[anto]

sorry, i'm new italian member, is possibile to decipher this build code:

911-LC-20-00-B2-CR

thanks to everybody will be able to help me.

p.s. serial number G66518

 

[PinkPanther]

You should hold this model

911= Model: Music Man Luke I (reissue) -
LC= Color: Pearl Candy (was in the original Red Pearl)
20= Neck: (Birds Eye) Maple [=10] + Fretboard: Rosewood [=10] -
00= Pickguard: No -
B2= Case: "Old" Style -
CR= Hardware: Chrome

built on December 27th, 2012

in your hands. Have fun!

 

[anto]

You should hold this model

911= Model: Music Man Luke I (reissue) -
LC= Color: Pearl Candy (was in the original Red Pearl)
20= Neck: (Birds Eye) Maple [=10] + Fretboard: Rosewood [=10] -
00= Pickguard: No -
B2= Case: "Old" Style -
CR= Hardware: Chrome

built on December 27th, 2012

in your hands. Have fun!

thanks a lot !!!!!!!!!

 

[Mace13]

Hi,

Any help deciphering this bill would be awesome. It is Luke 3 from early 2022:

983-D2-RD-00-CS-CR

Thanks so much!

 

[GWDavis28]

Hi,

Any help deciphering this bill would be awesome. It is Luke 3 from early 2022:

983-D2-RD-00-CS-CR

Thanks so much!

Did you look up the serial number?

Glenn |B)

 

[MusicMan_Luke]

In my case :

G17018 :
Build on September 27th, 2001
915 : Luke II
33 : Blue Dawn
21 : Birds eye maple neck rosewood fretboard
00 : No pickguard
CS : Hardshell case
CR : Chrome hardware

F04507 :
Build on July 26th, 2001
971 : JP7
09 : Mystic Dream
26 : Birds eye maple neck rosewood fretboard
00 : No pickguard
CS : Hardshell case
CR : Chrome hardware

G34623 :
Build on December 27th, 2006
901 : Morse Y2D
QS : Purple sunset quilted maple top
21 : Birds eye maple neck rosewood fretboard
16 : Clear morse pickguard
CS : Hardshell case
CR : Chrome hardware

Am I right ?

 

[Mace13]

Did you look up the serial number?

Glenn |B)

Yes, that is where the build info came from. I’m curious if this guitar is a standard model or a custom build. Music Man hasn’t replied to an email. Is there a web archive of Vault guitars from years’ past?

Thanks