Where to Find the Serial Number on a Godin Guitars Guitar
On virtually all Godin electric, hybrid, and Multiac instruments made after 1993, the serial number is laser-engraved or stamped horizontally on the back of the headstock near the top tuning pegs.
On hollowbody models (5th Avenue) and pre-1993 acoustic builds, the serial number is printed on the factory label visible through the soundhole or F-hole.
Godin Guitars Serial Number Formats & Historical Dating Cheat-Sheet
| Production Era | Serial Format | Decoding Rule / Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 8-Digit Format (c.1993–Present) | YYWWDRRR (8 numeric digits) | First 2 digits = production year (fiscal year begins Aug 1); 3rd-4th digits = production week (01–52); 5th digit = day of week (1=Monday...7=Sunday); last 3 digits = weekly production rank. | 06053168 -> Built in September 2005 (Week 5 of 2006 fiscal year, Wednesday, #168) |
| 1990s 7-Digit Format (c.1990–1999) | YWWDRRR (7 numeric digits) | First digit indicates production year in the 1990s (e.g. 5 = 1995); remaining digits encode week, day, and build rank. | 5042123 -> Built in 1995, Week 4, Tuesday, #123 |
| Modern 12-Digit Format (Late 2000s–Present) | 12 numeric digits (YYXXXXXXXXXX) | Modern ERP production code where the first 2 digits represent the year and the 7th digit indicates QA status (0=first quality, 1=B-stock). | 150420001234 -> Built in 2015, First Quality |
Godin Guitars Hardware Verification & Anti-Counterfeit Audit
3-Step Physical Inspection & Anti-Counterfeit Checklist
On used Multiac instruments, lightly tap each string over the bridge with an amplifier connected. Weak or dead individual piezo crystals require complete saddle replacement.
Inspect the DIN 13-pin jack for bent, recessed, or oxidized pins if purchasing an SA (Synth Access) model to ensure reliable connection with guitar synths.
Godin bolt-on instruments utilize tight neck pocket tolerances with tilt adjustments. Check that the action can be dialed low without bottoming out the bridge saddles.
of second-hand Multiac and LGX inquiries concern RMC or LR Baggs 13-pin polyphonic synth tracking performance and individual piezo saddle outputs.
of tonewoods in Godin instruments (Laurentian basswood, silver leaf maple, cedar) are sustainably harvested within 500 miles of their Quebec facilities.
average 3-year resale value retention, outperforming comparable hybrid acoustic-electrics due to renowned lutherie consistency.
Godin Multiac Consensus: Grand Concert Nylon vs ACS Slim vs Steel Duet
Community Verdict: The Multiac series remains the undisputed industry standard for live nylon-string acoustic amplification. For players utilizing Roland/Boss guitar synths, RMC individual saddle models offer the lowest latency and cleanest polyphonic tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dating & Authenticating Godin Guitars
How do I decode the 8-digit serial number on a Godin guitar?
Godin's standard 8-digit format is YYWWDRRR: the first 2 digits represent the production year (starting August 1st), the 3rd and 4th digits indicate the week of manufacture (01–52), the 5th digit indicates the day of the week (1=Monday ... 7=Sunday), and the last 3 digits represent the weekly production rank (e.g., 06053168 was built in September 2005, on a Wednesday, as the 168th guitar built that week).
Where are Godin guitars manufactured?
Godin guitars are proudly designed and crafted in Quebec, Canada (with primary facilities in Richmond and La Patrie), with select electric instruments undergoing final assembly and setup at Godin's facility in Berlin, New Hampshire, USA.
What does "SA" stand for in Godin model names?
"SA" stands for "Synth Access". Models like the Multiac Nylon SA, ACS SA, and LGXT feature individual RMC piezo saddles paired with an onboard 13-pin DIN output that connects directly to Roland GR-series guitar synthesizers, Axon synth converters, and modern digital guitar processors.
Explore Godin Guitars Market Prices & Buying Advice
Knowing your guitar's build year is the first step in determining its resale value. Read our comprehensive 2026 buying guide and valuation tables to see current market trends for Godin Guitars.
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