Serial # ? - Tributes Started in 2002 or 2003?

[sailri]

Someone recently posted a question about what year their Tribute was made, and the answer was that the clue was in the first four digits of the serial.

SO:
Since the Tributes came out originally in 2003 (right???)

What would the manufacturing date on the L-2000 on eBay with serial number 02112169 be? A prototype? Or did production really begin in November of 2002 for a 2003 launch?

Thanks,
Bill

[Ken Baker]

Hey, Sailri...

That bass was manufactured in November of 2002 and is serialized by the number "2169". I don't know what the "2169 " refers to other than to say that it would be unique to that instrument. It is highly unlikely that it would be a prototype, as G&L doesn't cut those loose to the general public and they're many times NOT serialized. Think regular production done as a ramp-up to the 2003 release.

From my post over at BABP:

Craig Dewey, the webmaster at GuitarsByLeo, posted this serial number info for Tribute instruments:

Originally Posted by Webmaster Craig

Hi All,

A while back someone asked how to find the build date their Tribute. I said I would try and find out. Thanks to Darth (Dave) I now have that information.

The Serial number is coded in the following manner:

yymmxxxxx

yy: year

mm: month

xxxxx: serial number produced in the month, 'mm'

For example:

The Tribute S-500 with serial number 05017857 was built January 2005.

Hope this helps,

--Craig (co-webmaster)

He went on to say that the same basic basic format is used for both Korean and Indonesian Tributes. YYMMnnnn for Korean instruments and YYMMnnnnn for Indonesian instruments.

Thanks, Craig!

Ken...

[sailri]

BUT!
That same site says in their FAQ
"What is the new Tribute series which G&L announced in 2003?"

SO:
My question remains.
If they didn't announce the Tribute series until 2003, when did they actually start making them?

Did they really make them for at least two months before they announced them? 2000 of them? Really?

Does anyone know for sure?
Bill

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by sailri

SO:
My question remains.
If they didn't announce the Tribute series until 2003, when did they actually start making them?

I don't know, but I will try to find out.

Did they really make them for at least two months before they announced them? 2000 of them? Really

It is quite likely that they did start a manufacturing run well in advance of the announcement. It makes sense, really. Lead times can be considerable in any manufacturing industry and G&L had to get a slot in a large OEM's calendar. Plus, they wanted plenty of instruments available to fill initial dealer orders.

It's hard to say if 2000 is a real number, as the serialization can be started anywhere. Kind of like starting a new checking account at a bank and starting your check numbers at, say, 732.

Ken...

[sailri]

Thanks Ken.

Can't you just see it, 15 years from now, when the Tributes with the Deluxe Finishes are commanding $3500 dollar prices - pulling out the old "2002 L-2000 prototype" line and getting an extra $1000 for it?

No, I can't either.

But it would be nice to know what month and year they really did start in, and what the serial number run began with. I thought mine was one of the first 900 (030909xx) but now, maybe not.

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by sailri

Can't you just see it, 15 years from now, when the Tributes with the Deluxe Finishes are commanding $3500 dollar prices - pulling out the old "2002 L-2000 prototype" line and getting an extra $1000 for it?

No, I can't either.

That would be nice, huh? But as you say; it ain't gonna happen.

But it would be nice to know what month and year they really did start in, and what the serial number run began with. I thought mine was one of the first 900 (030909xx) but now, maybe not.

No promises that I can get the info you're after, but we'll see.

Ken...