The primary serial number systems used by Matsumoku consisted of 6 and 7 digit combinations of all numbers, a variant with single capital letters followed by 6 numbers, and less common 5 digit variants. Serial numbers were either on the back of the top of the headstock (generally concurrent from the introduction of set neck models from the end of 1975) or on the neck attachment plate. A few Electra and Westone bolt on models had headstock numbers with logo neckplates. Stamped headstock numbers were sometimes highlighted with a dark or bright colored stain/paint for contrast. Headstock numbers without highlighting can conversely be highly obscured by the clear coat finish, and are thus difficult to read, but can sometimes be seen using blacklight. A 'MADE IN JAPAN' sticker was typically put on the back of the base of the headstock for set neck models, but these are often missing in current times. Some builds in the '70s also have a two screw neckplate, either blank or engraved with JAPAN and sometimes with a strap button.

Neckplates are typically chromed steel, with some brass/gold plated versions, and some '80s models are matte black enamelled steel (most common on Westone, also e.g. Aria Pro II Interceptor bass, RS Road Warrior). Multiple text and logo changes occurred on neckplates, as shown on the poster. Over the production period, most neckplates are engraved with MADE IN JAPAN (all caps, except Westone with upper/lowercase). Early neckplates from 1965 on have STEEL REINFORCED NECK, overlapped in the late '60s and fully replaced by STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK by 1971. The last three numbers of most serials are believed to represent one of the following: i) production volume of a model to a certain time point, possibly resetting annually or a specific month or upon a major feature change, ii) different models within a line but with different key features, iii) a specific badge name contract, or iv) simply the accruing numbers based on advancing digits of the stamping machine. After Oct. '81 the last four numbers are believed to be production volume. This leaves the 4th number of 7 digit codes and 3rd of some 6 digit codes prior to Oct. 1981 as unknowns, or they are extensions of the feature, contract, or basic stamping machine advancement ideas noted above. Detailed specifics of any inventory and serial number record keeping by Matsumoku are unknown.  Note that the poster does not necessarily reflect that model examples were available over the entire serial range category where displayed, and conversely some models crossover from one category to another. Known changes in design, body construction, and hardware, and available catalog references, are useful for scoping the full range of model dates.

Matsumoku Serial Numbers Detailed Descriptions

(codes used below: U = uppercase letter, D = decade, Y = year, M = month, x = other digit)

Neckplates

1966 to 1971 - 7 digits / Arai, Arai Diamond, Aria, Aria Diamond, Cameo, DIA, Excetro, Fandel, Lyle, Pan, Raven, Stewart, Univox.

Pervasive #s starting with 21 and some examples starting with 22, and very rarely 23.

Most, but not all, include 'STEEL REINFORCED NECK', fewer examples with 'STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK'.

Late 1960s to Mid 1970s - 7 digits / Aria, Aria Diamond. Arita. Apollo, Arbiter, Capri, Commodore, Electra, Epiphone, EROS, EROS MARK II, Gonzales, Granada, Jedson, Kimbara, Luxor, Lyle, Pan, Raven, Shaftesbury, Univox, Ventura, Westminster.

Numerous #s start with 00 or 01 (rarely 02) or 10.

Most but not all 00 and 01(/02) numbers seem to be on non Aria badges.

Many but not all 10 numbers seem to be on Aria examples.

No sequence including months (M) works without conflicts between years or without over weighting of certain months.

The third digit by coincidence or intent may be readable as year (Y) on some but not all examples; 8/9 for 68/69 and 0-7 for 1970-1977.

All examples with 'STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK'.

Early 1970s to 1981 - 6 digits / Aria, Aria Diamond, Austin, Bellwood, Cortley, Cortez, Custom, Electra, Fairmont, Fantom, Granada, JBX, Kimbara, Vantage, Ventura, Westminster.

Numerous #s start with 0 followed by commonly 0 to 5 and less commonly by 6-8 .

No sequencing pattern using dates is apparent.

The second digit by coincidence or intent may be readable as year (Y) on some but not all examples, with 0-8 representing 1970-1978, however many second digits appear to be too low in terms of year.

All examples with 'STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK'.

June 1975 – May 1981 - Capital letter followed by 6 digits / Aria Pro II, D'Agostino, Goya, Greco, Vorg, Westminster, Westone.

UDYxxx Readable dating as  month>decade>year: A - L = Jan. - Dec., 1st & 2nd # = decade & year

All examples with 'MATSUMOKU’

1976 – 6 digits starting with 76 / Aria, Aria Diamond, Aria HB, Aria Pro II, Arita, Axiom, Capri, Cortley, Custom, Gonzales, Goya, Granada, Hoffman, Mann, Sekova, Univox, Vorg, Westminster.

DYM(?)xxx Readable as decade>year, so exactly 1976, with the third # maybe being month.

All examples with 'STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK'.

1977 - 6 digits starting with 70 or 71 / Aria Pro II, Goya, Granada, Kimbara, Vorg, Westminster.

YM(?)M(?)xxx Readable as first digit for year, so exactly 1977, with the second and third #s maybe being month.

All examples with 'STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK'.

Oct. 1981 – Feb.1987 - 7 digits / Aria Pro II, Electra, Electra Phoenix, Electra Westone, Vantage (begins earlier, April 1980),  Westone.   

YMMxxxx Readable as year>month by 2 digits (01-12 for Jan. to Dec.)

Most examples with badge specific logo and all with ‘MADE IN JAPAN’

Headstocks

Dec. 1975 – Nov. 1979 – 6 digits / Aria Pro II, Custom, Goya, Vorg, Westbury.

MMYxxx Readable as month by 2 digits (01-12 for Jan. to Dec.) >year

Dec. 1979 – Sept. 1981 – 6 digits / Aria Pro II, Skylark, Vantage, Westbury, Westone.

YMMxxx Readable as year>month by 2 digits (01-12 for Jan. to Dec.)

Conflicts occur for starting numbers of 106, 107, 108, and 109. These numbers equate to October in each of 1976/77/78/79 and June to Sept. of 1981, respectively. Determining the applicable year for conflicts can be based on design changes, such as headstock shape and logo differences. Catalog cross-reference to production years can also be used for corroboration.      

1977 & 1978 – 5 digits / Aria Pro II: some, not all, 'Limited Edition' & 'Custom Order' models.   

Yxxxx Readable as 1st # 7 = 1977 & 8 = 1978

Oct. 1981 – Feb.1987 - 7 digits / Aria Pro II, Electra, Electra Phoenix, Electra Westone, Epiphone, Vantage, Vox, Westbury, Westone.   

YMMxxxx Readable as year>month by 2 digits (01-12 for Jan. to Dec.)

Supporting Identification Notes

Relationship with Fujigen - Some badges associated with Matsumoku are occasionally seen with a MADE IN JAPAN neckplate (stamped on lower half). This plate is generic to the Fujigen factory, which was approximately 1 km away in the same town. Greco badges can also have a Matsumoku brand on the back of the headstock. Production and parts supply between the companies occurred for some full or partial builds starting in 1967 and lasted until 1976. Badges: Aria, Conrad, DIA, Electra, Granada, Pan, Raven, Westminster, and Ventura. Greco guitars specifically have Matsumoku neckplate serials into 1976. Early Ibanez, Hohn, Hy-Lo, Dega, Recco, SunAce, and Tele-Star examples have also been seen with trapezoid or rectangular Matsumoku style plates (resp. makers TBD for some of these others).

Relationship with Kasuga - Some 1970s Aria badged LP types were maybe made in part or fully by Kasuga. Logo 'K' tuners, blank neckplates, large font TRCs, and some neckplates with MADE IN JAPAN (lower half) may be indicators. Two, or three, bolt on LP types (maple fret board, LS, and maybe LC type) and the Aria PE120 & 130 set necks (1977) are the relevant models. The PE models, however, also exist with Aria marked tuners, which confuses the crossover. In broad terms, ~5 Kasuga builds out of ~250 catalogued Aria electrics, would represent ~2% (or lower %, if noncatalogued included).

Relationship with Teisco Gengakki Hanbai - Excetro badged basses with violin body (ca. 1967/68) have Matsumoku neckplates and paper labels that identify Teisco Gengakki Hanbai, a factory in the same town. The hypothetical relationship was Matsumoku supplying parts to TGH. Other TGH models have neckplates similar to Matsumoku with ID text of "TEISCO GENGAKKI.KK" including Excetro hollow body models (note that these have a spelling mistake, STELL instead of STEEL). Greco 'Shrike' models and Tele-Star models with Matsumoku neckplate variations are also assumed to have a relationship with this factory.

Univox Badge - Univox is uniquely different than most other Matsumoku badges, having multiple different neckplate configurations; 7 versions with STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK, 2 with STEEL REINFORCED NECK, and three other different variations. The common versions of ADJUSTABLE do not have a MADE IN JAPAN (MIJ) stamp and have 5 versions of paired starting numbers (00, 01, 22, 34, 44) with 7 digits total. One ADJUSTABLE version matches the grouping of '7 digits starting with 00...' and one REINFORCED version matches '7 digits starting with 21...', both including a MIJ stamp. Semi common are ADJUSTABLE or REINFORCED with MIJ but no number. A specific plate with ‘MADE IN JAPAN’ on the bottom half (similar to the Fujigen type) occurs on some Fender bass copies. A stylized U plate has JAPAN stamped on the bottom and a 6 digit number on the left with one of 5 starting pairings (00, 01, 02, 03, or 14). A specific model # ID plate is seen on early violin style basses. Set neck 'Limited Edition' LP Junior & Special Dbl. Cutaways have 6 digit headstock #s starting 001 with last 3 digits ranging up to approx. 800.   

Vantage Badge - 1978 to early 1980s Vantage VP-700 & VP-710 have headstock 5 digit #s starting 70 & 71, and VA-800 & VA-810 have 5 digit #s starting 80 & 81, & rarely 82, that don't appear to represent a date pattern. Some 1984 & 1985 Vantage serials can be read as capital letter for month followed by 6 digits with the first # being year (UYxxxxx).  All other models and numbers are covered by the primary systems identified above.

Conrad Badge - Conrad is uniquely different than most other Matsumoku badges, having at least 12 variations of neckplates, 11 of which don't agree with serial number groupings presented on this poster. A high percentage of found Conrads have neckplates with no serial number, for both STEEL REINFORCED NECK and STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK types. Secondly, some plates with STEEL REINFORCED NECK also have no MADE IN JAPAN stamp as well as no serial number. Examples with '7 digits starting with 21...' and '7 digits starting with 00...', exist and might agree with groupings presented here, but most also have no MADE IN JAPAN stamp. Examples that have 7 digits starting with 02 and 07 with MADE IN JAPAN, and 7 digits starting with 32 but no MIJ stamp are also known. Occasionally, MADE IN JAPAN stickers are seen on plates.  

Madeira Badge - Madeira  guitars have a neckplate variation with text unique to Guild, but using the standard Matsumoku font and uppercase lettering style.

No Serial Numbers - Multiple variants (size/shape/text) of neckplates occur with no serial numbers, including variants with no number and no MADE IN JAPAN stamp, found generally on Aria late 1960s models and other badges into the early 1970s. A late example with MADE IN JAPAN only is seen on Aria RS and RSB Standard and Straycat models from the 1980s.

Oddities – Seven small groups of oddities with number types that don’t match an existing group or badge, and three small groups with text based oddities with numbers that do match an existing group, are known. One small group with serial numbers but no badge logo is also known. See the poster for more detail on these.

Korean – The transition to the Samick factory in Korea began one year prior to the Matsumoku factory closing, with Aria Pro II serial numbers beginning in February 1986 as 7 digits = YMMxxxx on neckplates with the MADE IN JAPAN stamp removed.