STEINBERGER SERIAL NUMBERS

Updated 08/15/05


Because of time & labor constraints we are not actively adding serial numbers to the database at this time.  We do have copies of the old manual Steinberger production logs, and later this year we'll be adding the first few instruments produced each month.  This should give the casual owner the ability to estimate when their instrument was produced.

Gibson again has possession of the original serial number logs.  If you wish to verify the date yours was originally invoiced, please contact Gibson customer support.  We do hope to one day have all the numbers online, but admittedly must spend our hobby time on other more productive things for the site.  Since Gibson has assured us they will answer Steinberger serial number requests, for now that should suffice.

Check the 'News' section for update details.


Original NY made (Brooklyn or Newburgh) L series instruments have up to a 4 digit number.  Later Nashville / post-Newburgh manufactured L's are designated by a 'T' added to the beginning.  These are stamped into the bridge end of the body.  

Bolt-on neck numbers are stamped into the underside of the neck near the heel.  This mark also includes the words "STEINBERGER USA".  The Newburgh stamped numbers start with 'N's, in the case of Nashville models a 'TN'.  Because the necks can be removed from the bolt-on models it's not unusual to see them show up on earlier/later factory units or even custom aftermarket bodies.  We've noted this when known.  The new MusicYo numbers have dropped the letters and start with number '20000'

Prototype numbers run the gamut.  Because most were not destined for retail sale they did not get proper or stamped serial #'s . This does not necessarily diminish their authenticity or collectibility.  The one exception to this are the  "P-" numbered GL's.  Technically they are not prototypes.   They were part of an advanced run of about a hundred instruments that were rushed into production.  Click here to read more about it.

Klein-bodied GK's have two serial numbers: the Steinberger neck number (Nxxxx) and a Klein one on the neck plate.  If the official Steinberger serial number could not be determined we've listed the Klein one instead.  Know that for the first run of Klein's the bodies were shipped to the Newburgh plant and assembled there.  As orders and production demands at Steinberger Sound increased, all assembly for the GK's was handed over to Klein directly and the appropriate parts were shipped there.  For simplicity we list all GK guitars as CA made.  Best guess is maybe about 300 GK's were produced.

Note that the one-piece graphite L series Steinbergers have one numbering scheme, and the bolt-ons another.  Though duplicates do not show on the list, if there's a #485 L2 there also should be a bolt-on with #N0485.  We just don't have a large enough sample to see it occur yet.  It's also possible that later in production the numbers were unique, but initial reports are the two separate serial number schemes were not coordinated.   This would explain why the last L's made were in the T9000 range whereas the graphite neck models were in the TN16000's.

See the Naming Conventions page to determine what the specific model letters and numbers indicate.


Since the list has gotten so big we've now split the pages into two for faster loading: one for the all graphite L's and another for all of the bolt-on models.   The files are very basic HTML; we will be moving to an ASP based searchable database shortly.

All graphite L's     (1060 units listed)
Bolt-on models     (240 units listed)