Serial number dating / Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker serial number lookup
Find the year a Rickenbacker was built, read from Rickenbacker’s own numbering scheme.
Can't read a digit? Type ? in its place. Looked-up serials are kept, never tied to you. How it works
Type the serial or code from the instrument. We read it as you type.
Cross-check with a pot code
The number stamped on a potentiometer inside the guitar. It dates the part, not the whole instrument.
Example Rickenbacker serials and how they read
Made-up serials in each of Rickenbacker’s formats, read by the dater above.
| Serial | Reads as | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 0312345 | 2003 | Seven-digit YYWW (late 1998 on) |
| ZB1234 | Feb 1986 | 1961-1986 two-letter code |
| L31234 | Dec 1990 | 1987-1996 month-letter + year digit |
| V12345 | 1998 | 1997-1998 month-letter |
| B8123 | 1958 | 1957-1960 4000 bass (B prefix) |
| 4C7123 | 1957 | 1954-1960 Combo solidbody |
How Rickenbacker serials date
- Seven-digit YYWW (late 1998 on)
- 1997-1998 month-letter
- 1987-1996 month-letter + year digit
- 1961-1986 two-letter code
- 1957-1960 4000 bass (B prefix)
- 1957-1960 student models (V prefix)
- 1954-1960 Combo solidbody
More on Rickenbacker serial numbers
Where to find the serial
From 1961 stamped on the chrome jack plate: a two-character date code plus the production number. Also the bridge or neck plate.
How sure is it
Every result carries its confidence. Treat the year as a strong guide, not proof: a serial can be replaced, a neck and body can be from different years, and reissues copy old numbering. For anything that matters, confirm the year against the neck date, the pot codes and Rickenbacker's serial decoder.
Other brands
This is one of many brands the serial number dater covers.