Serial number I.D.

[the hurricane]

Hey guys, new here, but not to Ibanez guitars. Still have a RG 770 from the early 80's and got rid of a Talman a while back. Looking to buy a AW 120 CE, serial number 311303524. Any body know if anything in this serial number denotes anything about the guitar? Looks like a violin finish, but the guy describes it as mahogany finish. Any info would be appreciated----The Hurricane

[justjeff]

If you follow standard Ibanez serial number logic you guitar was made in the 13th month of 1932 and it was the 3524th one made, I hope this helps.

[the hurricane]

I understand this to mean that Ibanez serilal numbers are assigned hapharzardly, without much thought as to what they are put on. Thanlks! I have only owned two of these guitars and did not pay much attention to the serial numbers.

[Juha T]

You may get an idea if you read threads

http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/index.php?topic=3297.0

http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/index.php?topic=9030.0

and many other threads about serial numbers, also in this section, Acoustic Guitars.

 

Juha

[TAMA-FAN]

Hi, Hurricane,

just take a look into the search function. You will find a few post about the serials.

Your´s could also be: 198(3) Nov.(11) the 30th (30) and the 3.524th at this month.

But I am not really sure. 

Oh, Juha was faster than me..........

[gemberbier]

If you follow standard Ibanez serial number logic you guitar was made in the 13th month of 1932 and it was the 3524th one made, I hope this helps.

Very funny, Jeff.

311303524 is a 9 digit number.
So, it's a more recent guitar.
Wait, I see there's an AW120CE-RDV (Resonant Dark Violin) in my acoustics catalogue of 2004 on page 8.
So this one might be from 2003.
I don't see them make 303524 acoustic guitars per annum, and certainly not Artwoods.
So it is possible that ONE ONE THREE stands for something else.
It could be the day of the year (like on Gibson guitars) for instance.


Ginger

[JohnS]

Hurricane:

It's no secret that Ibanez's serial numbering can be inscrutable. It's not because they are haphazard, but a by-product of using so many different manufacturing facilities. I'm sure there is someone at Hoshino that knows exactly how to decipher the newer serial numbers.

The AW120 CE is a recent guitar, so I would assume that the first 3 stands for 2003. But there are no AW120s in the 2003 acoustic catalog. They do show up in the 2004 catalog. It could be that your's was made in late 2003 to 2004 specs. Anyway, it's a solid Englemann spruce top, mahogany top and sides, Ibanez B-band SquealRepeal pickup, Ibanez AEQ SSR Shape Shifter pre-amp and Gold Grover tuners with brown buttons.

[the hurricane]

Thanks folks. JohnS, you hit the proverbial nail on the head. From the photos that is exactly what it looks like. Anyway, the guy had it on Ebay and no one bid on it, but I figured it was worth the $ 199 I paid for it. Got it in the last forty seconds. But thank you all again. I appreciate the  response.

[gemberbier]

$199.- for an AW120CE is a steal.
You have several features in this Artwood guitar that cost extra compared to cheaper models:
a solid Engelman spruce top, a cutaway, a good pre-amp.

I think you did well.


Ginger

[the hurricane]

Thanks Ginger. I wanted one since they came out with the violin finish. I just lucked up on this one. I thought it was a good deal too.

[the hurricane]

Got this guitar in today. It is a aw 120 cerdv, just as I thought. And wow ! sounds better than I thought  it would.  Did not have a fresh 9 volt, but will get one tomorrow. I can't wait to hear it through my amp. Oh, no scratches, no visible fret wear, smmooooth tuners, and an excellent midrange sound, a little more on the high side than I would have thought for a dreadnaught. Still an excellent sound though. Probably the best $199 I ever spent on a guitar.

[gemberbier]

T.Y.S.


Ginger

[Legend inmyown mind]

new guy alert !!!
Hi guys,
I have an old v300 I was reading the posts on the serial numbers, and still cant match mine. 8000337. another mystery number perhaps? maybe I`m just dense.
ty
kh

ps anyone have a pic of the 105 sm. I saw one the other day at the music store and sure do like it.Was telling my wife about it and wanted to improve my position with a picture.

[gemberbier]

Was this serial # on the label or on the heel block?

For now I put your V300 in the list just above the Ragtimes.
The serial doesn't really fit in, indeed.



Ginger

[Juha T]

Legend, do you mean this 105