Martin Guitar Serial Number Lookup
Martin has maintained perfectly sequential serial numbers since 1898, making vintage Martin guitars the easiest to date precisely. Look up any serial number below.
How Martin Serial Numbers Work
Martin is unique among major guitar manufacturers in having maintained a continuous, perfectly sequential serial number system since 1898. Every Martin guitar made since then has received the next number in the sequence — there are no gaps, no batch letters, no overlapping ranges. If you have a Martin serial number, you can determine the exact production year with certainty.
Serial numbers appear as a stamped number inside the body, visible through the soundhole on the paper label, or stamped directly on the neck block. On pre-1930 instruments, the serial may be harder to read.
Martin serial numbers have surpassed 3,000,000 on current production instruments. Pre-war Martins (before 1946) are particularly valuable, especially those with Brazilian rosewood backs and sides, scalloped bracing (standard before 1945), and Adirondack spruce tops.
C.F. Martin & Co. Serial Number Ranges
| Year | Serial Range |
|---|---|
| 1898 | 8349 – 8348 |
| 1898 | 8349 – 8348 |
| 1898 | 8349 – 8348 |
| 1898 | 8349 – 8348 |
| 1898 | 8349 – 8348 |
| 1898 | 8349 – 8348 |
| 1930 | 45317 – 45866 |
| 1930 | 45317 – 45866 |
| 1930 | 45317 – 45866 |
| 1930 | 45317 – 45866 |
| 1930 | 45317 – 45866 |
| 1930 | 45317 – 45866 |
| 1931 | 45867 – 48589 |
| 1931 | 45867 – 48589 |
| 1931 | 45867 – 48589 |
| 1931 | 45867 – 48589 |
| 1931 | 45867 – 48589 |
| 1931 | 45867 – 48589 |
| 1934 | 55085 – 58537 |
| 1934 | 55085 – 58537 |
| 1934 | 55085 – 58537 |
| 1934 | 55085 – 58537 |
| 1934 | 55085 – 58537 |
| 1934 | 55085 – 58537 |
| 1935 | 58538 – 61947 |
| 1935 | 58538 – 61947 |
| 1935 | 58538 – 61947 |
| 1935 | 58538 – 61947 |
| 1935 | 58538 – 61947 |
| 1935 | 58538 – 61947 |
| 1936 | 61948 – 65035 |
| 1936 | 61948 – 65035 |
| 1936 | 61948 – 65035 |
| 1936 | 61948 – 65035 |
| 1936 | 61948 – 65035 |
| 1936 | 61948 – 65035 |
| 1937 | 65036 – 68865 |
| 1937 | 65036 – 68865 |
| 1937 | 65036 – 68865 |
| 1937 | 65036 – 68865 |
| 1937 | 65036 – 68865 |
| 1937 | 65036 – 68865 |
| 1938 | 68866 – 71866 |
| 1938 | 68866 – 71866 |
| 1938 | 68866 – 71866 |
| 1938 | 68866 – 71866 |
| 1938 | 68866 – 71866 |
| 1938 | 68866 – 71866 |
| 1939 | 71867 – 74061 |
| 1939 | 71867 – 74061 |
| 1939 | 71867 – 74061 |
| 1939 | 71867 – 74061 |
| 1939 | 71867 – 74061 |
| 1939 | 71867 – 74061 |
| 1940 | 74062 – 76734 |
| 1940 | 74062 – 76734 |
| 1940 | 74062 – 76734 |
| 1940 | 74062 – 76734 |
| 1940 | 74062 – 76734 |
| 1940 | 74062 – 76734 |
| 1944 | 86724 – 90149 |
| 1944 | 86724 – 90149 |
| 1944 | 86724 – 90149 |
| 1944 | 86724 – 90149 |
| 1944 | 86724 – 90149 |
| 1944 | 86724 – 90149 |
| 1945 | 90150 – 93623 |
| 1945 | 90150 – 93623 |
| 1945 | 90150 – 93623 |
| 1945 | 90150 – 93623 |
| 1945 | 90150 – 93623 |
| 1945 | 90150 – 93623 |
| 1946 | 93624 – 98158 |
| 1946 | 93624 – 98158 |
| 1946 | 93624 – 98158 |
| 1946 | 93624 – 98158 |
| 1946 | 93624 – 98158 |
| 1946 | 93624 – 98158 |
| 1969 | 256004 – 271633 |
| 1969 | 256004 – 271633 |
| 1969 | 256004 – 271633 |
| 1969 | 256004 – 271633 |
| 1969 | 256004 – 271633 |
| 1969 | 256004 – 271633 |
| 1970 | 271634 – 294270 |
| 1970 | 271634 – 294270 |
| 1970 | 271634 – 294270 |
| 1970 | 271634 – 294270 |
| 1970 | 271634 – 294270 |
| 1970 | 271634 – 294270 |
* Ranges are approximate. Serial number dating should be combined with physical inspection and pot code dating for best accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the serial number on a Martin guitar?
The serial number is stamped inside the body on the neck block, visible through the soundhole. On most post-1930 Martins, it also appears on the paper label glued inside the body.
What makes a pre-war Martin valuable?
Pre-war Martins (made before 1946) feature scalloped X-bracing, Adirondack (red) spruce tops, and Brazilian rosewood back and sides — all materials and construction techniques associated with exceptional tone and rarity. Post-war production used non-scalloped bracing and eventually Indian rosewood, which affects both sound and collector value.
When did Martin stop using Brazilian rosewood?
Martin used Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) until 1969. Beginning in 1970, Martin switched to Indian rosewood due to CITES regulations restricting Brazilian rosewood trade. Guitars with serial numbers up to approximately 256,000 (end of 1969) have Brazilian rosewood; those from 1970 (serial 271,634+) have Indian rosewood.