Martin guitar serial number lookup

Reviewed 2026-10-152 primary sourcesSee sources

Martin numbers its guitars in one running series and publishes the last number used each year. Your guitar was made in the first year whose last number is at or above yours. Little Martins, Backpackers and Mexican-made ukuleles have their own series, so the decoder shows a reading for each line the number fits; pick the one that matches your instrument.

Covers: Martin guitars and Nazareth-made ukuleles in the main serial series (1898–2025), Little Martin (LX) models, Backpackers, and Mexican-made solid wood, HPL and SO ukuleles.

Where to find the serial number

• The model and serial number are stamped on the neck block, which you can see by looking through the sound hole toward the neck.^[2]

Formats Martin publishes

The decoder checks your number against each of these. A number can fit more than one era; the decoder then shows every possible reading.

Main Martin seriesguitars and Nazareth-made ukuleles, 1898–2025

Martin’s list gives the last serial of each year. Numbers 900001–902908 were used on Sigma-Martins in 1981–1982 and are left out.^[1]

Little Martin (LX) seriesLX models, 2005–2025

Only applies if the guitar is a Little Martin (LX model).^[1]

Backpacker seriesBackpacker, 1992–2025

Only applies if the instrument is a Backpacker.^[1]

Solid wood ukulele series (made in Mexico)Solid wood ukuleles, 2010–2025

Only applies to Mexican-made solid wood Martin ukuleles.^[1]

HPL ukulele series (made in Mexico)HPL ukuleles, 2010–2025

Only applies to Mexican-made HPL (high-pressure laminate) Martin ukuleles.^[1]

SO ukulele seriesSO ukuleles, 2000–2010

Only applies to Martin SO ukuleles.^[1]

What Martin says, era by era

Before 1898

Martin guitars made before 1898 have no serial number; Martin says they can only be identified by measurements, appointments and stamps.^[2]

Made in Mexico

Martin builds most guitars in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, but the X Series, Backpacker, Road Series, Dreadnought Junior, PA5 and some ukuleles are made in Mexico.^[2]

Sigma and Goya

Martin didn’t keep serial or specification records for Sigma (1970–2007) or Goya (1980–1993) instruments.^[2]

Worked examples

• 1500000: 2010 ended at 1473461 and 2011 at 1555767, so this number falls in 2011. Illustrative number made up to show the format, not a real instrument.^[1]

What the serial can’t tell you

• The list stops at 2025; a higher number is from 2026 or later.^[1]
• Martin doesn’t appraise instruments or act as a go-between to validate a used guitar; it suggests an independent consultant.^[2]
• Martin says Sigmas and mandolins can’t be dated accurately.^[2]
• Mandolins aren’t decoded here; Martin says they can’t be dated accurately.

Ask Martin

• Martin FAQs: Martin accepts photos through its contact page for instruments made before 1898.^[2]