Where to Find the Serial Number on a Rickenbacker Guitar
Stamped directly into the polished steel jackplate surrounding the standard mono and Rick-O-Sound stereo output jacks.
Because jackplates can be swapped, collectors verify authenticity via the 7-digit CTS pot codes (format: 137YYWW) soldered inside the electronics cavity.
On early 1950s Rickenbacker lap steels and early combo guitars, serial numbers were stamped on the bridge plate or tailpiece.
Rickenbacker Serial Number Formats & Historical Dating Cheat-Sheet
| Production Era | Serial Format | Decoding Rule / Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Two-Letter Jackplate Code (Oct 1960–Dec 1986) | Letter 1 (Year A–Z) + Letter 2 (Month A–L) + digits | The golden vintage system. First letter encodes the year (A=1961, B=1962, through Z=1986). Second letter encodes the month (A=Jan through L=Dec). | EB124 -> May 1965 (Beatles / British Invasion Era) |
| Month Letter + Year Digit Code (1987–1996) | Letter (Month A–L) + Digit (Year 0–9) + sequence | With Z exhausted in 1986, the format flipped: First letter represents month (A–L), second digit represents year (0=1987 to 9=1996). | C2456 -> March 1989 |
| Shifted Month Code Transition (1997–1998) | Letter (Month M–Y) + Digit (Year 0–1) + sequence | Month letters jumped to M–Y (skipping O). Year 0=1997, 1=1998. | M0123 -> January 1997 |
| Modern 7-Digit Year & Week Code (1999–Present) | YY (Year) + WW (Week 01–52) + sequence | First two digits decode the production year (e.g. 04=2004, 21=2021). Next two digits decode the calendar production week. | 0423145 -> Week 23 of 2004 |
GuitarPrice Collector Intelligence & Dating Analytics
Highest among US mass-market builders, propelled by strict zero-overseas-outsourcing and tightly controlled factory output.
of inspected vintage 4001/360 guitars have had their jackplates replaced due to jack wear or replacement "XX" plates.
of pre-1985 4001 models show stripped adjustment nuts or fingerboard separation caused by incorrect truss rod tensioning.
Bass Player Consensus: Vintage 4001 (1961-1984) vs Modern 4003 (1985-Present)
Source: GuitarPrice Instrument Authentication & Player Index · n=1,420 bassist votes (TalkBass & Rickenbacker Forum audit)
Praised for the ultra-slim 1970s neck carve, unbuffered Horseshoe/toaster pickup bite, and Paul McCartney / Chris Squire prog sound.
Favored for modern push-pull vintage tone circuits, standard dual truss rods, and round-wound string compatibility without neck warping.
3-Step Counterfeit & Modification Verification Checklist
Jackplates are easily unscrewed and swapped. Always open the pickguard and inspect the CTS pot codes (format: 137YYWW). The pot year and week must precede or match the jackplate date.
If the serial number begins with "XX", it is a replacement jackplate supplied by Rickenbacker in the 1980s/90s with no dating significance.
Inspect the cast tailpiece where the bridge saddles sit. Early 3-hole tailpieces frequently suffer from "tailpiece lift" pulling up from the body under string tension.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dating & Authenticating Rickenbacker
Where is the serial number located on a Rickenbacker guitar or bass?
Rickenbacker serial numbers are stamped onto the metal jackplate around the output jacks on the side of the body.
Are any Rickenbacker guitars made overseas?
No. Rickenbacker is unique among major American guitar manufacturers in having never outsourced production overseas. Every authentic Rickenbacker has been 100% handcrafted in California (Los Angeles and Santa Ana) since 1931.
What does an "XX" serial number on a Rickenbacker jackplate mean?
Jackplates stamped with "XX" were factory replacement parts sold by Rickenbacker in the 1980s and 1990s. They do not encode the guitar's manufacturing date. In this case, you must date the guitar using the CTS potentiometer codes in the control cavity.
Explore Rickenbacker 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 Rickenbacker.