ESP OLD SERIALS REVEALED!!!

Updated
ESP OLD SERIALS REVEALED!!!

EUREKA!!! 

Hi guys! I've a great news...

After years and years of interrogatives on how it works, after looking lot of serials, I think I've understand how works the old format of serial numbers (before the introduction of the new system in 2000). If this is true I think I'm really helpfull for a lot of people here...

But I want the flag of "discoverer" of this!

Before year 2000 - 8 DIGITS stamped on the back of the headstock, I think the meaning is:

DDMMYNNN
DD = day of the month (01 to 31)
MM = month (01 to 12)
Y = last digit of the year (ex: 1992 = 2)
NNN = production number (000 to 999) (I really don't know if there's another subdivision here)

NOTE: year "7" can mean 1987 or 1997, "8" can mean 1988 or 1998...etc...you have to look at the model in production that year
EXAMPLE: the code of my MX-250 25023072 means the manufacturing date is 25.02.1993 and it was the 72nd guitar producted

 

For now all the guitars I've checked are right with this meaning...Let me know what you think about!!!

 

I also invite you to visit my website, 

http://www.GuitarsCollector.com

the ESP serial number section is here:

https://www.guitarscollector.com/esp-serial-numbers.html

Pushead

On that guitar, the E stands for made in the ESP custom shop. When they introduced the E-II line and consolidated their custom shops into the Tokyo factory, ESP branded guitars all get the E prefix.

Andrew W.

Thanks mate. And I just happened to find an older post where Esp themselves explain the serial number conundrum. And it seems they are adding a number at the end of the serial to determine where these gtrs are made. Whoa, getting confusing this stuff with the serials...

GuitarsCollector

another time....always written here.

http://www.guitarscollector.com/esp-serial-numbers.html

Andrew W.

I found a custom shop (according to Digimart) where the serial has "EC" followed by four numbers, haven't seen this combination around, any ideas??

https://www.digimart.net/cat01/shop1484/DS04003562/

GuitarsCollector

Never seen before...

ps. pay attention at Digimart...you can find a lot of frauders and fake guitars...

Andrew W.

Oh didn't know.. There are also many problems there?? hmm..

bratsvt

what about serial number with only 5 numbers? my guitar was made before 2000

GuitarsCollector

where is the serial? please send me pics.

ps. look also at this section:

http://www.guitarscollector.com/esp-serial-numbers.html

Reuben G.

So the serial on my EXP (bolt on MX) is 5 numbers, 29368, what would that be? As far as I know the bolt on model was only produced around 1998, but I'd like to know for sure

Michael B.

Got one for you.  I just bought a 5 string fretless ESP - seems to be Horizon 5 series.  I used to play a Horizon 5 four string back in the 90s but stupidly sold it.  Been dying to find another.  Here's the thing: the serial is six numbers stamped into the back of the headstock (715201).  Made in Japan.  I don't see anything in the old serials post about six digits....

Michael B.

Bought in North Hollywood and I was told that it had belonged to someone very high up in ESP...  reputable bass shop, been there for ages and does a lot of work with touring musicians, not sure if the pedigree is true, I didn't really care, but maybe that could be part of the anomaly of a six digit serial?  No idea.

GuitarsCollector

1995

sometimes first or first2 digirs are missing.

also the font is characteristic of that year.

Michael B.

Dude, you're the best.  Thanks so much.  

Michael B.

Does that read as Jan 7, 1995, the 201st guitar of that year?  That can't be right...

GuitarsCollector
Michael B. wrote:

Does that read as Jan 7, 1995, the 201st guitar of that year?  That can't be right...

WHY?

mehegama

so do you think that for a 6 digit serial the 2 first digits are missing for some reason? in mine it seems like the first 5 digits are clamped together and the last one which is 1 is a bit further on the right and in a very different font than the one above. It s carved on the wood not stamped (unfinished neck) To my knowledge is from 86.

Goldilox

Thanks SO much GuitarsCollector! This has actually helped me discover from which year my Akira Takasaki Random Star is exactly! It's produced on 3 March 1987 and it was the 2nd guitar produced! Which makes this guitar an extremely rare specimen I suppose! Thanks a lot. Much appreciated.

mehegama

Could please help me with my Horizon Deluxe form 86? it has 6 digits on the back of the headstock, which case you do not address: 120601

Bone

Esp 400 series

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