Understanding Godin Guitar Serial Numbers: A Guide to Dating and Identification Godin Guitars
, a renowned family-owned Canadian manufacturer based in Québec, uses several serial number systems that reveal details about an instrument's production date and batch . Because Godin also produces brands like Seagull, Norman, Art & Lutherie, and Simon & Patrick
, these rules generally apply across their entire family of instruments. 1. Locating the Serial Number
The location of the serial number on a Godin instrument has changed over time: Pre-1993 Models
: Typically found on a paper label visible through the sound hole (for acoustics). Post-1993 Models : Usually engraved or stamped on the back of the headstock 2. Decoding the 8-Digit System (Standard Date System)
This system was the standard for years and is the most informative for dating an instrument. Godin’s production year uniquely begins on August 1st Production Year = 2006 Model Year (Starts Aug 1, 2005) Production Week = 5th week of the production year (Sept 2005) Day of the Week = Wednesday (1=Mon, 2=Tue, etc.) Weekly Rank = 168th guitar built that week 3. Decoding the 12-Digit System (Modern System)
Introduced around late 2007, this system moved away from encoding a specific production date and instead focused on model codes and shipment rankings. Digits 1-6 Product Code for the specific model (e.g., for an S6 Cedar Original). : Indicates quality status. A means it is a standard unit, while a denotes a "factory second" (an instrument with a minor cosmetic flaw). Digits 8-12 Production Rank
for that specific model since the switch to the 12-digit system. 4. Special Considerations and Oddities
To look up your Godin guitar's production date, you first need to identify the format of your serial number, as the decoding method depends on when the guitar was built. Most modern Godin guitars use an 8-digit system that follows a specific formula based on a production year starting on August 1st. Identifying Serial Number Formats
8-Digit Serial (Post-1993): This is the most common format found on the back of the headstock for electrics or on the sound hole label for older acoustics.
Digits 1–2: Production Year (e.g., "06" is the 2006 model year, which starts August 1, 2005). Digits 3–4: Production Week (Week 01 starts August 1st). Digit 5: Day of the Week (1 = Monday, 2 = Tuesday, etc.).
Digits 6–8: Weekly Production Rank (the sequence number of that guitar for that week).
12-Digit Serial (Late 2007–Present): Primarily used for acoustics under the Godin family brands (Seagull, Norman, etc.). These often do not contain date information and instead use product codes and sequential shipping numbers. Digits 1–6: Product code for the specific model. godin guitar serial number lookup
Digit 7: Quality indicator (0 = first quality; 9 = factory second with cosmetic flaws).
Digits 8–12: Consecutive unit number since the 12-digit system began.
7-Digit Serial (1990s): Only the first digit indicates the production year.
6 Digits or Fewer (Pre-1990s): There is no consistent public formula for these. You must email Godin directly for a manual lookup. Where to Find the Serial Number
Electric Guitars: Typically engraved behind the headstock (post-1993).
Acoustic Guitars: Stamped on the sound hole label for older models or on the neck block (looking up through the sound hole toward the neck) for others.
B-Series (Norman): Models built between 1980 and 1988 often have a "B" prefix. Summary Table for 8-Digit Deciding Serial Position Example (06053168) First 2 Digits Production Year 06 = 2006 Model Year 3rd & 4th Digits Production Week 05 = 5th week since Aug 1st (Sept) 5th Digit Production Day 3 = Wednesday Last 3 Digits Weekly Rank 168 = 168th guitar that week
For a definitive spec sheet or if your number doesn't fit these patterns, reviewers and owners on VGuitar Forums and Facebook recommend contacting the manufacturer directly at info@godinguitars.com. What is the serial number you are trying to decode?
Deciphering a Godin guitar serial number typically requires identifying which of several systems was used during its production. While newer 12-digit numbers are less transparent, older 8-digit versions follow a highly specific pattern . 8-Digit Serial Numbers (Most Common Post-1993)
Used for Godin and its sub-brands (Seagull, Norman, Art & Lutherie, Simon & Patrick, LaPatrie), this system reveals the exact production day . Digits 1-2 (Year): The production year .
Digits 3-4 (Week): The week of the production year (starting August 1st) .
Digit 5 (Day): The day of that week (e.g., 1 = Monday, 3 = Wednesday) . Understanding Godin Guitar Serial Numbers: A Guide to
Digits 6-8 (Rank): The unit number built during that week .
Important: Godin's "production year" begins on August 1st . For example, a serial starting with 0605 was built in September 2005 (the 5th week of the 2006 model year) . Other Serial Number Formats
12 Digits: Introduced around late 2007, these numbers generally do not provide an easily decodable date . They typically include model codes and sequential shipping numbers .
7 Digits (1990s): Only the first digit indicates the production year .
6 Digits or Fewer: These are from early production periods and often require contacting Godin Customer Support directly for lookup . Where to Find the Serial Number Post-1993 Guitars: Engraved on the back of the headstock . Pre-1993 Guitars: Stamped on the soundhole label .
Acoustic Models: Sometimes located on the neck block inside the soundhole .
For definitive specs or to verify 12-digit codes, you can email your serial number to info@godinguitars.com to receive a full specification sheet . Decoding Godin Guitar Serial Numbers - Facebook
Understanding Godin Guitar Serial Numbers: A Comprehensive Guide
Identifying the production history of a Godin guitar—including those under sub-brands like Seagull, Norman, Art & Lutherie, Simon & Patrick, and La Patrie—requires understanding several distinct serial number systems used over the decades. 1. The Modern 8-Digit System (Post-1993/1995 to 2007)
This is the most common system found on Godin instruments produced during the late 90s and early 2000s. These serial numbers are typically engraved on the back of the headstock. Format: YYWWDRRR YY (First 2 Digits):
The "production year." Importantly, Godin's production year begins on August 1st
A serial beginning with "05" could be built in late 2004 (August–December) or early 2005 (January–July). WW (3rd and 4th Digits): The production week (01 to 52). D (5th Digit): The day of the week (1 = Monday, 2 = Tuesday, etc.). RRR (Last 3 Digits): Let’s perform a hypothetical Godin guitar serial number
The weekly production rank (the number of the unit built that week). 2. The 12-Digit System (Late 2007 to Present)
Around late 2007, Godin transitioned to a 12-digit format. This change coincided with structural shifts in some models, such as moving from bolt-on to set necks. Format: PPPPPP Y RRRRR Digits 1–6: Product model code.
Quality indicator. A '9' often indicates a "factory second" with a minor cosmetic flaw, while a '0' is standard. Digits 8–12:
The production rank (e.g., the 1,528th unit of that specific model produced). 3. Early and Vintage Systems (Pre-1993)
Dating older Godin guitars is more complex as the company used several shorter schemes. Godin guitar serial number date
I’m unable to perform a live serial number lookup for a specific Godin guitar (e.g., pull up the exact date or model for a number you provide) because I don’t have direct access to Godin’s internal factory databases. However, I can give you a complete, practical review of how Godin serial numbers work, how to interpret them yourself, and how to get an official lookup.
Let’s perform a hypothetical Godin guitar serial number lookup for a reader named Alex.
Let’s break down 09 325 678:
| Digits | Meaning | Example |
|--------|---------|---------|
| 1–2 | Year of manufacture | 09 = 2009 |
| 3–5 | Day of the year (Julian calendar) | 325 = November 21st |
| 6–8 | Production number for that day | 678 = 678th instrument built that day |
✅ So
09325678= November 21, 2009, 678th guitar made that day.
Performing a Godin guitar serial number lookup is not as simple as typing into a web form, but it is absolutely possible—and often more accurate—using the Julian decoding method or direct contact with Godin.
Once you decode yours, you’ll know exactly when your guitar was born. That’s a pretty cool thing to know about a handcrafted instrument.
Have a Godin serial you can’t crack? Drop it in the comments below (no personal info), and I’ll help you decode it.
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