Serial-numbers of ARTWOODS from 1978 to 1983

[chazmo]

telstar,

It appears that your 7-digit serial number has the same format as Wolle's AW-120, but those are the only two we have that appear this way.  These don't seem to match the other 7-digit numbers we have in format, and we probably shouldn't compare with the 8-digit ones, which seem to start with a 9 indicating 1979 (a guess, since the Tama started with an 8, and is likely 1978).

Sorry, we can only guess.

I think Oct. 1980 is the most likely interpretation, but really it's just a guess and we don't have enough info to confirm it.

Best wishes!

[wolle_schmidt]

Hello.

New input for the discussion.

All serials of the collection of Juergen Hufschlag:

"Several times I was asked about the method behind the serial numbers of TAMA guitars. In the internet you will find several discussions in corresponding forums. I do not have the answer but perhaps we will find it working all together.
In the following table I have listet all the model numbers (if I could find one inside the guitar) of my actual little collection. For comparison I have added the supposed production period. I got these figures from a specialist in the Netherlands. Somebody supposed that the first digit will indicate the year of production followed by two digits for the month or the week. I do not see any rule. Few serials have 7 digits, most have 8 digits. Anyway I will be happy about any idea.

Model     Serial number     Year of production
3553            none                  1974
3558            none                  1974-76
3550            5072726             1974
3563            6076543             1974-76
3560            73092162           1974
TG-80          71101019           1977-79
TW-07          80507154           1977-79
TK-51          80507202            1977
TG 80-12      80704059           1977-79
TC-10          80710295            1977-80
TG-120        80811040            1977-79
TG 120/12    80912084            1977-78
TW-09         90103208            1977-78
TK-50         90103251            1977
TG-80         90104052            1977-79
TG-80         90104059            1977-79"

Regards Wolle

[TAMA-FAN]

Hello, Wolle and all the others!

To your last post about the Tama guitars from Jürgen:

My comment: Oooopppsss

Or, as a wise man said- The more I know, what I know, the more I know, what I don´t know..................

I will stay on.

[chazmo]

Well, I'll reiterate my guess about the 8-digit serial numbers.  I think the Tama information helps lead us right into the Artwoods.  It may even be true that there was no overlap in the factory (see below) in that maybe the Tamas ceased and the Artwoods were produced (between January and May of 1979).

Let's leave the Tama 3560 (with 8-digits) off the list as that was presumably much earlier (1974, according to Juergen).  Also, let's add Tama-Fan's TW07 into the mix.

If we look at it that way, then the only anomaly is whether or not the AW-70LT batch could all have been built in November of 1979.  That does not seem right if they really built 120 of them.  Possible, I suppose, though.

Anyway, here's what I've got for 8-digit serial numbers...  First digit, year; second two digits, month.  Seems plausible.

YMMxxxx (guess)
---------
71101019 Tama TG-80
80507154 Tama TW-07 (1977-79)
80507202 Tama TK-51 (1977)
80704059 Tama TG 80-12 (1977-79)
80710295 Tama TC-10 (1977-80)
80811040 Tama TG-120 (1977-79)
80912084 Tama TG 120/12 (1977-78)
81001145 Tama TW07
90103208 Tama TW-09 (1977-78)
90103251 Tama TK-50 (1977)
90104052 Tama TG-80 (1977-79)
90104059 Tama TG-80 (1977-79)
90507021 AW-60
90507269 AW-90
90810100 AW-60
91012032 AW-60DM
91012118 AW-70
91101225 AW-70LT (18th of 120)
91101228 AW-70LT (24th of 120)
91101279 AW-70LT (29th of 120)
91101292 AW-70LT (23rd of 120)
91101300 AW-70LT (105th of 120)

[joopr]

Hi I found another one.
AW70
# 91202049
For sale; € 245 ; The Netherlands

[TAMA-FAN]

Hello,

after I have seen the last listing from chazmo I had another idea:

In this list it seems to be that there is a system of YMMDDxxx. xxx=following number.

Could it be, because this numbers are all branded into the neck, that this is the production-number of the neck???
We all care about the body- the top, the sides, the back, did we ever thought about the neck? May be they all got the same neck - mahogany - with the same shape - and perhaps only a different headstock -laminate and ornament??
And so they built the special guitar just around the neck??
As I say...only an idea...you can beat me if I should be absolutely wrong

And , as longer that I am here, the more angry I am about myself that I haven´t got a few more instruments like this.........

Please apologize my very bad english.

Regards.......Manni

[chazmo]

Excellent joopr,  Keep on the lookout!!!!

That Artwood in the Netherlands looks like an AW-60 to me, not an AW-70.  The headstock is too light-colored, and it looks like the gold-leaf lettering not the mother-of-pearl.  Also, I think that's a satin finish, not gloss.  Interestingly, the pickguard appears to be plastic, and it shouldn't be in either case.  Can you ask the seller for a close-up picture of the label before we add it to the list?

Manni,

Hey, don't be angry about not having many of these.  First of all, they're quite rare.  Secondly, they are still out there, and you can continue to collect them!!!  Nobody but us here even knows or cares about these guitars.  It's a very small market, but you can continue to build your collection.  Sometimes a gem appears!

Best wishes!!!

[wolle_schmidt]

Hello. The ARTWOOD in Netherlands:

The all solid Artwoods in the first serie got wooden pickguards. If you want to change these pickguards you will damage the top because it is under the varnish. The headstock should be laminated with a piece of rosewood. The AW70 got the logo-inlay and the AW60 a logo-waterdecal. I got two AW60 one with a satin and one with a more glossy finish. Maybe it can be one of the laminate Artwoods - AW20 or AW30 - with a change in pickguard.
Look:
http://www.kreativ-lab.de/artwood/images/1979/1979_aw_2_03.jpg
http://www.kreativ-lab.de/artwood/images/1979/1979_aw_2_04.jpg
The AW40 got fingerboards bindings and the AW50 haven't got dot inlays at the fingerboard.
I think the label and the serial-number will help.

Other information for Germany collectors:
Juergen will show his collection in a exhibition this year. I offered him my Artwoods as well.

Hello telstar: Any change for showing your AW160 as well?

[chazmo]

Hi Wolfgang!

Go back a page or two to see Telstar's pictures (maybe you missed them).

Keep us posted on that exhibition that Juergen is putting together; that sounds like fun!  Hey, maybe I should fly over and bring my AW-75 with me!

Make sure some great pictures are taken, Wolfgang!  -- Charlie

[wolle_schmidt]

Hello telstar: Any change for showing your AW160 as well? ... in the exhibtion of Juergen

Regards

[telstar]

Hey Wolle,

sorry, I've been busy playing over eastern.
Yes sure, Juergen can have my 160 for the show.
Just contact me for the details.

Greetz,
Rob

[Ed Morlidge]

           With regards to TAMA guitars.  Model3558 serial #4790045 belongs to me.  I bought this guitar used in Regina Saskatchewan in 1974 and still own it.  I dont think first three digets apply to month and year of manufacture. Hope this helps.

                                                                 Ed Morlidge

[TAMA-FAN]

Hi, Ed.
Welcome to this forum. I think we met in the Tama-forum once before.

As Chazmo told in his post

I'll reiterate my guess about the 8-digit serial numbers.

I think to, the serials are plausible for the younger Tamas that went over to the first Artwoods.

For the older Tamas, I guess, nobody has found a rule for the serials till now.
Why don´t we simply ask "Mr. Tama" himself? (Just a joke)

Wishes from Germany...........Manni

[gemberbier]

           With regards to TAMA guitars.  Model3558 serial #4790045 belongs to me.  I bought this guitar used in Regina Saskatchewan in 1974 and still own it.  I dont think first three digets apply to month and year of manufacture. Hope this helps.

                                                                 Ed Morlidge

If we take the Jürgen Hufschlag collection for a start and try to fit it in:

Model     Serial number     Year of production
3553            none                  1974 ?

3560            73092162           1974 (probably a year of purchase maybe
                                                   manufactured in 1973)

3558            none                  1974-76
3558            4790045              1974?
3550            5072726             1974
3563            6076543             1974-76

TG-80          71101019           1977-79
TW-07         80507154           1977-79
TK-51          80507202            1977
TG 80-12      80704059           1977-79
TC-10          80710295            1977-80
TG-120        80811040            1977-79
TG 120/12    80912084            1977-78
TW-09         90103208            1977-78
TK-50         90103251            1977
TG-80         90104052            1977-79
TG-80         90104059            1977-79"


... No, I don't see it yet...


Ginger

[Ed Morlidge]

             Off the subject of serial numbers, if youare truly interesred in Blue Grass Music and good Blue Grass Gospel  go to  bluegrassradio.org .
         Sorry to go of topic.

           
                                                              Ed


                               If blue grass dont lite your fire then your woods wet.