Early models only have a Ditson stamp, later models have both the Ditson and Martin stamps.

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Martin Guitar Lookup Serial Numbers Start

Martin guitar serial numbers start at 8000 in 1898 because Martin estimated they made 8000 instruments before 1898.

Martin Guitar Lookup Serial Number Starting In

Model Numbers stamped above the Serial Number starting in 1930.

Starting in October 1930, Martin also stamped the model number just above the serial number.

Next there is a -.

The last set of numbers are the ornamention style.

For example, OO-28 stamped above the serial number tells use the body is OO size (14 516 wide for a 14 fret model, 14 18 wide for a 12 fret model), and the ornamention style is 28 (rosewood body, ice cream cone style neck).

Left: The model and serial numbers, as seen through the sound hole on the neck block of this 1950 D-28.

Right: The model and serial numbers, as seen through the sound hole of this 1944 D-18, serial number 90067.

This confuses a lot of people who think their style 18 guitar is a style 28.

On round hole martin guitars, the serial and model numbers are stamped on the neck block inside the instrument.

All f-hole Martin archtops have their serial and model numbers stamped on the inside center of the backstripe, roughly under the shadow of the bridge (and best seen from the bass side f hole).

The numbers listed here show the LAST serial number produced for that year.

These serial number apply to all Martin guitars, flat top and arch top.

It does not apply to ukes (except for the first year, they do not have a serial number).

Style 17 models with 14-fret body may have changed earlier.

Ebony neck reinforcement started to be implemented during WW2 (1942) 83107 Last pre-WW2 style 45 guitar (1942).

According to Martin, this is the approximate last scalloped braced guitar made (late 1944).

For example 90014 appears to be the last D28 with scalloped braces, and D-28 88112 had tapered braces.) 90021 Snowflakes on D28 discontinued (1944).

Since 1900, Martin did make guitars, mandolins and ukes for other brands and guitar studios.

Just because your guitar looks like a Martin, doesnt mean it is.

Even if your instrument is one of the brands listed below, that does NOT mean it was necessarily made by Martin either Just keep that in mind.

Belltone: fifteen guitars, ten mandolins and twelve Style 3k ukes were made for Belltone.

Bitting Special: Martin made some mandolins for this Bethlehem, PA teacher in 1916 to 1919.

Ditson: in 1917 to 1919, and 1923 to 1930, Martin made some guitars for the Ditson company in Boston.

Martin Guitar Serial Number Lookup