Jan 6, 2018 - Samick Musical Instruments Co., Ltd is a South Korean musical instrument manufacturer. Founded 1958, it is one of the world's largest musical. The serial number as engraved on the “metal plate” where the neck attaches to the body is simply #0107. The metal plate excludes the letters “VA.” The # sign then the number- #0107. This information should clear up any questions about the Valley Arts serial numbers and establish the dates of some of the early guitars.

Also see and for help determining when your guitar was made (particularly helpful if there is no serial number). Note: Any guitar with a serial number with the prefix 'SI' is Indonesian-made.

Note #2: Guitars with no serial number were produced at many different times. Samick branded models did not start using serials until around 1987. Also, the Indonesian factory did not use serials from it's opening in 1992 until around 2000. However, there were also some Korean Artist Series Strats made around 1995-1996 with no serial numbers, and many Korean-made Japanese Market models had no serial numbers as well. Contents [] Electrics Earliest known serial number, June 1984 (production number faded away).

Samick first started using serial numbers on Hondos and other contract brands in 1984 (their home brand models did not use serials until ~1987), using the following format: YMMPPPP Y = Year M = Month P = Production Number Example: 8030768 = 768th guitar made in March of 1988In 1988, occasionally the format was YYMMPPPPP because of high production volume. Example: 880510504 = 10,504th guitar made in May of 1988Many guitars made around 1985 have a serial number with the format: 120PPPP or 110PPPP Example: 1201387The significance of this format is unknown.

It is commonly found on models, among others. These serial numbers are easily recognized as a white sticker with a black border, usually found on the back of the headstock or the heel of the neck. Being a sticker, many are ripped off or wear off over the years. If this is the case, the only other way to date your guitar is by looking for a date ink-stamped on the side of the original box switch. August 31, 1987 However, as 1990 approached, the use of one digit for the year presented the issue of repeat serial numbers. Around this time, the serial numbers became a bit unpredictable, as they were figuring out a new system. The 'S' prefix also first appeared at this time.

YYMMPPPP SYYMMPPPP Example: 90080084 = 84th guitar made in August of 1990Another format found around this time (possibly only for international models): Sl YYPPPPP 1991 SAT-650 serial Semi-Hollow models (at this time) use a different format, and the serial is found on the label inside the top f-hole. YYPPPP(P) Example: 902703 = 2,703rd semi-hollow guitar made in 1990Bolt-neck models started having the serial number engraved into the neckplate in 1987.

They kept the same format, so the decade is determined by the style of neck plate. (Note: The new design did not appear until May 1990) 1980's. 1994, production number 10,904 At the turn of the millennium, bolt-neck models kept the same format and neckplate style, so these guitars must be dated by their logo style and other features.

Around 1992 (although some examples have been found with stickers as late as 1993), all set neck models switched to a silk-screened serial number on the back of the headstock with an 'S' prefix: SYYPPPPP Example: S9207374 = 7,374th (set neck?) guitar made in 1992While contract builds always included the prefix, it wasn't always used on Samick brand guitars. By the end of 1993, the month (M) returned to the format, and by 1994, the year was shortened to one digit: SYMMPPPP Example: S4030482 = 482nd guitar made March 1994Finally, by at least May 1997, the year returned to two digits: SYYMMPPPP Example: S97040076 = 76th guitar made April 1997 SPG uses the prefix 'KS' (Korea, SPG) on models, with the format: KSYYMMPPPP Example: KS14070456 = 456th guitar made July 2014On models, the following format is used: KSGYYPPPPPCurrent SPG-built models use the prefix 'US' with the same format. Before mid-2013, they used the 'KS' prefix.