I need your help guys

[Dave W]

I think these were all built in October of 2012 but stamped as 2013 Model.

Did they have 2012 or 2013 serial numbers?

This brings up an interesting point, considering that Gibson now goes by model year, and that the models are actually introduced at least a couple of months early. If these were stamped as 2013 models but were all built in 2012, wouldn't they really be 2012 production?

Likewise with the EB Bass I bought for Uwe. I don't remember the serial number, Uwe will have to tell us, but I do know it was built in 2012 as a 2013 model.

[the mojo hobo]

They had 2012 serial numbers and were stamped 2013 Model too. Mine was date stamped a couple of days after my birthday, mid October. This one on eBay was stamped on my birthday. The back of the headstock is interesting. The serial number is stamped deep. Made in USA is shallower but readable. 2013 Model is barely legible. Mine is the same. I find it hard to believe it sold for $1399.

[66Atlas]

This got me curious so I checked mine.  Same thing, 2012 serial and the Made in USA and 2013 model are almost illegible. Honestly I don't think I ever noticed them before they're so faint.

[Dave W]

In that case, since Rob wants production years, IMHO everything since Gibson started having model years needs to be rechecked, b/c they were all announced in the fall of the previous year. Was there 2014 production of the 2015 models of the Thunderbird and SG Standard? I don't know, but I suspect there might be. Same with the other models introduced in the past few years.

[the mojo hobo]

- Production years of the (new) EB (2013- ?)

There were 2013 models and 2014 models with the difference being on the 2014 models the output jack was moved from the pickguard to the body edge, the 120th banner at the 12th fret, and different color options. I don't know about dating by serial number though, my 2014 is 140010606.

The 2015 Thunderbird at Sweetwater starts with 1500.

[the mojo hobo]

In that case, since Rob wants production years, IMHO everything since Gibson started having model years needs to be rechecked, b/c they were all announced in the fall of the previous year. Was there 2014 production of the 2015 models of the Thunderbird and SG Standard? I don't know, but I suspect there might be. Same with the other models introduced in the past few years.

I suspect your suspicions are correct. Back on January 6 2014 I started this topic showing a 1400xxxx serial number on a Thunderbird. Since there were only two business days in 2014 before January 6 the bass must have been built in 2013. I think Rob will have some difficulty with the 2014 and later models.

[Chris P.]

I think a Gibson model year is like a school year. So after summer '2017' starts.

[Dave W]

I think a Gibson model year is like a school year. So after summer '2017' starts.

They have been announcing the new model year line anywhere from early October to early November. Last year I think they rushed a few 2016 models earlier than that due to the disastrous sales of the 2015 guitar line.

The question for Rob is when production starts on a new model or an existing model that has had changes from the previous model year. From what has been posted here it's obvious that at least in some cases production starts before the start of the calendar year.

[Grog]

I think a Gibson model year is like a school year. So after summer '2017' starts.

Kind of like wedding anniversaries. The day after your 20th anniversary, you've been married 21 years..........