Where to Find the Serial Number on a Washburn Guitars Guitar
On all Washburn acoustic guitars (D-Series, Heritage, Comfort), the model and serial number are printed on the internal soundhole oval label.
For Nuno N4, Parallaxe, and USA Custom models, the serial number is stamped or laser-etched onto the back of the headstock or back of neck heel.
Older 1980s Matsumoku and Korean bolt-on models feature serial numbers stamped directly onto the chrome 4-bolt neck plate.
Washburn Guitars Serial Number Formats & Historical Dating Cheat-Sheet
| Production Era | Serial Format | Decoding Rule / Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA Custom Shop / Signature (1988–Present) | USA / US + YY + Sequence (e.g. USA950412) | Instruments built at the Washburn USA Custom Shop in Mundelein / Chicago, Illinois feature a prominent USA prefix followed by the 2-digit year code. | USA950412 -> USA Custom Shop, 1995 production |
| Nuno Bettencourt N4 6-Digit Format (1991–Present) | YYMMNN (e.g. 940315) | Famous Nuno Bettencourt signature N4 guitars use a 6-digit stamp where the first 2 digits represent the manufacturing year and next 2 indicate month. | 940315 -> Handbuilt N4 from March 1994 |
| Standard Import 8/9-Digit Format (1990s–Present) | YYMMNNNN / YYMMNNNNN (e.g. 19041234) | Modern standard acoustics and electrics from Indonesia, China, and Korea encode year in the first two digits and month in digits 3-4. | 19041234 -> Built April 2019, unit #1234 |
| Letter-Prefix Factory Import System (1988–2000s) | Prefix + YY + Sequence (e.g. S9405123, CC081234) | S/SC indicates Samick Korea/Indonesia; CC indicates Cort; N indicates World Musical Instruments Korea. | S9405123 -> Built at Samick Korea in 1994 |
| Vintage Japanese Yamaki / Matsumoku (1978–1987) | 6-7 digits starting with 7 or 8 (e.g. 801234) | Golden era Japanese acoustics and Wing-series electrics built by Yamaki and Matsumoku use single-digit year prefix codes. | 801234 -> Handcrafted in Japan, 1980 |
Frequently Asked Questions: Dating & Authenticating Washburn Guitars
Where can I find the serial number on a Washburn acoustic?
On Washburn acoustic guitars, the serial number is printed on the rectangular or oval paper label affixed to the back wood inside the soundhole, directly beneath the model number.
How do I tell if my Washburn Nuno N4 is USA-made or an import?
True USA Custom Shop N4s have "Washburn USA" stamped on the reverse headstock, Stephens Extended Cutaway neck joint, Davies or Chicago neck shape, and a 6-digit (YYMMNN) or USA-prefixed serial number. Imports (N2, N1) have standard bolt-on neck plates and letter-prefix serials.
What do the factory letter prefixes mean on Washburn serials?
S indicates Samick (Korea/Indonesia), CC indicates Cort Indonesia, N indicates World Musical Instruments Korea, and CW indicates certified Asian partner facilities.
Explore Washburn 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 Washburn Guitars.