2021 Heritage H 530 - Seial Number Decoding

[CVS]

I am considering buying a Heritage H530 - looking at both new and used versions right now. On one of the used guitars listed as a 2021 the serial number inside the body of the guitar is shown as 1250311 or maybe it is 12S0311 (was handwritten) - How can I determine the year of manufacture? Thanks for your help.

[TalismanRich]

The serial numbering system had changed in recent years.

Standard Collection:
1 (identifier) YY (year) XXXX (numerical ID)

Custom Shop:
HC1 (identifier) YY (year) XXXX (numerical ID)

For example, a serial number of 1219876 or HC1214567 would mean that your guitar was built in 2021.

The old scheme used letters to designate the year and day of manufacture.

 

HANDWRITTEN SERIAL NUMBERS

These Heritage guitars have a serial number that begins with a letter (e.g. D12345).  Numbers following the letter is the # of day to Dec 31.   Jan 1 would be 365,   Dec 1 would be 030.   The system was discontinued.
Letter on Serial #:  B   Year Built: 1985

D -  1987

AA - 2010

AP - 2025

So a Serial # of Q23501 should be the Tue, May 9, 2000,  130th day of 2000, and the first number assigned that day.   I don't know if Leap Years messed up the numbering system.  It might have been Mon, May 8 since there were 366 days in year 2000

 

[CVS]

Thank you so much for your response. I asked the seller a few questions and was not really satisfied with the answers, especially given he had a "no returns" policy.

So I pulled the trigger on a new Heritage Standard II H530 - should arrive tomorrow.  Will post some pics soon.

[DetroitBlues]

11 hours ago, CVS said:

Thank you so much for your response. I asked the seller a few questions and was not really satisfied with the answers, especially given he had a "no returns" policy.

So I pulled the trigger on a new Heritage Standard II H530 - should arrive tomorrow.  Will post some pics soon.

Congratulations!  Sellers need to know their gear.  If they don't and has some "no return" policy, that definitely raises some red flags.  You'll pay a bit more for new, but you'll have some piece of mind now.