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Hi all. I finished my first build (a Stew Mac 000 kit) which I labeled #1. I've started a second guitar which I've labeled #2. My has asked me to build her an appalachian dulcimer. My question is should I call this #3 (for my third instrument) or #1 (for my first dulcimer)? I realize this is not the biggest problem I will face, I'm just curious if there is a standard or if it is just a personal choice? Thanks for your thoughts.

Ben

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- Ben Pak
North Wales, Pa.

Sign and date it on an hand written label of parchment.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I just went sequentially but did not count my first 2 because they were kits.

I was thinking of changing to a system where I increment by 25 each time........... Had I done this right off the bat I would be on #400 now...... Just kidding of course........

My first build was just this year. I numbered it #002.

People started to ask me why?
Answer, because #1 was this bowed psaltery that I built in 1978, and that's what it says on the label.



I am now working on #007. But they are not all the same type of instrument. So... yes, I am numbering instruments sequentially as the keel gets laid. It keeps thing simple!

Rod

This is what I was thinking as well. Since I am fairly new to instument building, I wasn't sure if there was some convention or not. Thank you all for your insights.

Ben

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- Ben Pak
North Wales, Pa.

i forgot to write anything inside my first. no name. no date. no number.

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sweat the small stuff.

So I take it that the real issue is how to serial # an instrument and should you keep various instruments in separate serial 3 logs.

First if you are selling your work keeping a formal log is more than necessary to track ownership and warranty issues.

I have a log for each body size of guitar I build. The first 2 digits in my serial #s are letters describing the body size. (OM, SJ. MJ, DR, CL). The next digit also letters describe build series (S= Standard series. C= Custom series) then the year built and the production number for that year.

Example:
SJ-C-2008-004= Small Jumbo-Custom-built in 2008-forth guitar produced that year

I would be easy to separate your guitars from other instruments in a similar but simpler way just by adding a letter of series of letters to you existing serial number system.

Ben, if it was good enough for C F Martin & Co. to number instruments sequentially, then its good enough for me.

By the way, my instruments have just the number on them, but my records have a suffix, e.g.

001-bs (bowed psaltery)
002-std sop uke (standard soprano uke)
003-violin
etc.

Rod

Michael, looks like a real good system - I'm a strong believer in using numbers that can actually tell you something (although I might be inclined to use -804). Question, 4th guitar finished?? or started (ie assigned at beginning) that year.

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Dave
Milton, ON

Hesh,
I think there are a few newer builders who have used that accelerated serial numbering technique.
I was amazed to see one of them claiming guitar numbers that had increased by 150 in a matter of
only two years. I've always used a one by one serial numbering system with the exception of a period
when I used the date of completion as a serial number. I went back to the original one digit increments,
but maintained count through the date period.

I'm working in the mid to late 400's right now and hope to break 500 in the spring of 2009.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

As I assign the SN# at the time I start.

Again...this comes down to my lack of discipline in documenting what I do. I have built well over 20 instruments, but have not serial #ed any of them. But they can all be authenitcated by looking inside. I always print my name backwards on the top. I also write the month and year the box was closed up and the location built(backwards)...I have built in a couple of different cities now. Even though I have built commissions, mostly based on hand shake deals, I am still mostly a hobbyist. If and when I have the good fortune to be a full time builder, I will force the disciplinary requirements it takes to document.
david

I have no aspirations on becoming a professional Luthier which is probably a good thing when you consider my skills. I have put labels in 3 instruments so far and have numbered them 1, 2, and 3. The instruments are a tenor and soprano ukuleles and a D size guitar. My plans are to continue sequentially regardless of the instrument. But the previous advice on numbering and tracking sounds spot on if you plan on building a lot or plan on going pro.

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.