Rickenbacker Guitar Serial Number Lookup/Decoder
Our decoders are constantly being updated
Current as of Mar/2026
Founded in 1931 by Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp in Los Angeles, Rickenbacker is the pioneer of the electric guitar industry, producing the first commercially successful electric guitars (the "Frying Pan" lap steel). Known for their jangly tone and distinctive cresting wave body shape, Rickenbacker guitars became iconic through artists like The Beatles, The Byrds, and Tom Petty. All Rickenbacker instruments are still handcrafted in Santa Ana, California, USA.
(How to decode a Rickenbacker serial #)
Rickenbacker Serial Number Lookup/Decoder FAQs
Where can I find the Rickenbacker serial number?
Most Rickenbacker guitars list the serial number on the back of the headstock. Some acoustics place it inside the soundhole on a paper label, and older instruments may use a neck plate or stamped marking. If you cannot find it, check the headstock back and the neck joint first.
What can this Rickenbacker serial number lookup/decoder tell me?
It typically identifies the production year, factory or plant code, and country of origin. Some serial formats also hint at model lines or production sequence, but that varies by era.
Why won't my Rickenbacker serial number decode?
Serial formats change over time, and limited runs or custom shop instruments can deviate from standard patterns. Try removing spaces or hyphens, and if it still fails, reach out so we can review it and improve the decoder.
Note: Rickenbacker serial number formats have changed multiple times over the decades. Modern instruments (1999-present) use a YYWWNNN format. Earlier eras use letter codes for year and month. Pre-1954 serial numbers are not reliably datable. If you try a serial number and the decoder is not able to decode it, please contact us and let us know so we can check the number and fix the decoder. Thank you!