Important! Serial Number Search Tool and Info

[DrKev]

For all your serial number enquiries, please us the all new and amazing Serial Number Database Search Tool...

Serial Number Database | Ernie Ball Music Man​

Please note that here are still some older Ernie Ball Music Man serial numbers that are not coming up in the database. EBMM are working on fixing that issue, but until then please email customer service directly for information if your serial number does not return a result.

Also note serial numbers from pre-Ernie Ball-era Music Man, OLP, and Sterling by Music Man instruments are not in the system and will not give a result. AXIS EX instruments (Japanese-made Axis instruments with no Axis logo on the headstock) are also not in the database. Please DO NOT email Ernie Ball Music Man customer service asking about those serial numbers.


For pre-EBMM serial numbers, You can check this site for more info on the early Music Man instruments (This site is not run by the Ernie Ball company): musicmanbass.global


If you have any other questions regarding your instrument, please email Music Man Customer Service at:
[email protected]


This old serial number/date-of-birth thread is being locked from further posts but is retained as part of the forum archive. In addition to the online database you also can search for your serial number using the "Search Thread" function above the top post on this page.

 

[DrKev]

Ernie Ball Music Man GUITARS Serial Number History (from 1985 on)

What follows below is from my own research and info from forum member DiBart77. This is a data set with some holes so expect surprises and instruments that don't fit.

Any additional information or corrections are always welcome! Please contact me by private message.

1985 through 1989

5-digit serial number, stamped on back of headstock under the G-string tuner. Format: YYNNN.

First two digits indicate year. The other three digits might be sequential BUT do not assume that, e.g. very low numbers indicate January or February production, they can be much later than that. e.g. 86004 has a May '86 neck date. Dating these instruments is best done via dates written or stamped in the neck pocket or on the neck heel.

These serial numbers usually do not appear in the online database. Many of these serial numbers might also be reused on the EVH and Axis guitars from 1990 through 1997 and will appear in the database as such.

1990 through 1996 - 8xxxx and 9xxxx

From 1990 onward 5-digit serial numbers appear on the bottom of the neck plate between the two lowest screws. There appear to be two concurrent sets of serial numbers at this time, those beginning with 8 and those beginning with 9 (e.g. 8xxxx and 9xxxx). The 8- serial numbers appear to be EVH or Axis guitars. The 9-series are Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Luke, Silhouette and Silhouette Specials, though some EVH and Axis guitars also have 9- numbers while the other 8- number are still in use. In both cases, these numbers are approximately sequential and but only loosely indicate year

80xxx are 1991 or 1992.
81xxx are 1992
82xxx are 1992 or 1993
83xxx are 1993
84xxx are 1993 or 1994
(85xxx might not exist - I have not come across any).
86xxx are 1994 or 1995
87xx and 88xx are 1995, 1996, or 1997

90xxx are 1990
91xxx are 1990 or 1991
92xxx are 1991
93xxx are 1992 or 1993
94xxx are 1993 or 1994
95xxx are 1994
96xxx are 1994 or 1995
97xx and 98xxx are 1996

1997: A-serial numbers

A8xxxx or A9xxxx. These are appear to be limited to limited to A80xxx, and A90xxx, A91xxx, and A92xxx. Expect number overlap with 1990-1992 guitars mentioned above, e.g. 92111 and A92111 are both possible.

1998 - 2022: G-series

G becomes the default prefix for most guitars, starting from G000xx in December 1997 and continuing to G999xx in early 2021. However, there is no hard end/start date for the G and H series which overlap from 2021 into 2023 as the G-series gradually work their way out of the system.

G-serial numbers were used for all models, both regular production, limited editions, Premier Dealer Network (PDN), and Ball Family Reserve (BFR) instruments, and other special dealer limited runs. These serial numbers are thus non-sequential and approximately random. (The commonly told story goes that neck plates are pre-manufactured in large batches, and when a instrument was assembled they take one from the stock, put in on a guitar, and the number on that neck plate is then assigned to that instrument.)

The serial number database is the best way to determine the manufacture date of all instruments from 1998 onwards.

Other prefixes occur concurrent with the G-serial numbers...

Lxxxxx is also used for left-handed instruments.

Fxxxxx for 7-string Petrucci models, and some special dealer limited runs.

Xxxxxx (X+5-digits) on the SUB-1 Guitars (2003-2007) on a sticker at the back of headstock under the low E-string Tuner.


Majesty Guitars: M series (Oct 2016 onwards)

Mxxxxx (6-digit) silk screened under the California logo on the back of the headstock. These appear to be some 5- and 6- digit numbers, possibly running concurrently.


2021 to present: H-, D-, S-, and M- serial numbers

Hxxxxx (5-digit) are now the new default for regular production instruments from about mid-2021 onward, a logical continuation from where the G series ends. There is no hard end/start date for the G and H series which overlap from 2021 and 2023.

Dxxxxx (5-digit) numbers are now used for BFR runs.

Mxxxxxx (6-digit) Majesty guitars, 6-, 7-, and 8-string models. The number is silk screened under the California logo, back of headstock.

Sxxxxx (5-digit) serial number silk screened under the California logo, back of headstock. These are the artists models such as the Tosin Abasi Kaizen, Jason Richardson, Dustin Kensrue, Rabea Massad, Ryan Fluff Bruce, and Stephen Edgerton guitars, which all have a custom logo neck plate with no serial number.



Last updated June 4, 2024 by Kev with info from Jeff D.