Les Paul serial number help

[Razor]

Ok, I just bought a Les Paul Standard on eBay, and thought I would check the serial number before I left feedback. I know it's too late to call Gibson, so I'll just send them an e-mail. I found the serial number information on their website, but the only thing that makes sense to me is the year. I'm sure I'm being my typical thick headed self, but I just don't get how they come up with the month and day. I understand how they do the plant numbering, but they lose me when they say Nashville numbering is 500-999 and then the next paragraph starts out talking about this

The numbers 001-499 show Kalamazoo production, 500-999 show Nashville production. The Kalamazoo numbers were discontinued in 1984.

When acoustic production began at the plant built in Bozeman, Montana (in 1989), the series' numbers were reorganized. Bozeman instruments began using 001-299 designations and, in 1990, Nashville instruments began using 300-999 designations. It should also be noted that the Nashville plant has not reached the 900s since 1977, so these numbers have been reserved for prototypes. Examples:

Does that mean in 1990 Nashville went back to using the serial numbers from 300-900 again for electrics?

Of course I'm a classic pessimist, and don't want to leave feedback until I know for sure I have a legit Les Paul.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.

[jacksoncsplayer]

1-800-4GIBSON (1-800-444-2766) 24 hour support line for Gibby. They'll give you the info you need. Hope you figure it out man.

[DonP]

If you posted the serial number it would help.

The format of older serial numbers like yours is

ydddyzzz

so,

01234567 would be the 567th guitar stamped on the 123 day of 2004.

The exception to the rule is 1994. Gibson did a stupid because they called it an anniversary year. For that year:

yydddzzz

94123567 would be the 567th guitar stamped on the 123rd day in 1994.

I say "stamped" because it's not the day the guitar was finished, just the day that the neck was stamped with the serial number.

I really don't worry about the last three numbers. Also, on newer Gibsons those three numbers are now four numbers. I think the change was around 2006.

[Razor]

Thanks Don! I would have never thought Gibson customer support would be 24/7, thanks for that info jacksoncsplayer.

The serial number is 011144xx.

[DonP]

So it's the 4xxth guitar stamped on the 111 day of 2004.

[Razor]

Now I understand. Thanks a lot for your help Don!