What's Next?

Now that you've decoded your Takamine guitar, here are the best places to continue:

• Acoustic Guitar Setup Guide — Step-by-step acoustic setup
• Acoustic Best Strings — Top string recommendations for acoustic
• Setup Specs Lookup — Find factory specs by year and model
• My Gear Garage — Track your collection and maintenance schedule

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Takamine Serial Number Lookup: Decode Your Guitar Instantly

Takamine has been building world-class acoustic guitars in Sakashita, Japan since 1959. Whether you own a flagship Pro Series from Japan or a budget-friendly G-Series, the Takamine serial number lookup tool above decodes your instrument in seconds. Enter your serial number and get production year, factory location, and country — all free, with no sign-up required.

Our decoder covers all Takamine guitars from 1962 to present, including Japanese-made Pro Series and China-made G-Series models. If you're buying used, authenticating a vintage find, or simply curious about your guitar's history, read on for the complete guide.

Own another guitar? We also have free serial number decoders for Fender, Squier, Gibson, Epiphone, Ibanez, PRS, Yamaha, Taylor, Martin, Jackson, Charvel, Gretsch, ESP and Schecter.

Photo by Luca Liew on Unsplash

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Part 1: Where Is My Takamine Serial Number?

Before you can lookup your Takamine, you need to find the number. Location varies by series and era.

• Japanese Pro Series (1999-present): On the label inside the soundhole, visible through the sound opening.
• Japanese Pro Series (1998 and older): On the heel block, visible by looking deep into the soundhole.
• G-Series (China): Base of neck inside soundhole (sticker or stamped).
• Vintage (pre-1993): Varies — may be stamped on neck block or printed on label inside body.

Pro tip: Use a flashlight and angle it inside the soundhole. The label is typically on the back brace or the inside of the back panel. On older guitars, the serial may be stamped (not printed) on the neck block.

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Part 2: 8-Digit Format (1962–Present) — YYMMXXXX

The most common Takamine format is 8 digits. But there's a critical distinction: the first two digits can mean actual year (export market) or years since 1962 (Japanese domestic / post-2012 universal).

How to Tell Them Apart

First 2 Digits	Interpretation	Example
62–99	Actual year 1962–1999 (Export)	75 = 1975
00–12	Actual year 2000–2012 (Export)	08 = 2008
13–37	Years since 1962 = 1975–1999 (Japanese domestic)	45 = 1962+45 = 2007
38–50	Years since 1962 = 2000–2012 (Japanese domestic)	45 = 2007
51+	Years since 1962 = 2013+ (All markets post-2012)	60 = 2022

The Format Explained

Position	Digits	Meaning
1–2	YY	Year (see table above)
3–4	MM	Month (01–12)
5–8	XXXX	Sequential production number for that month

Worked Examples

• 08040781: Year = 2008 (export), Month = 04 (April), Unit = 781 → April 2008, Sakashita, Japan
• 45061234: Year = 1962+45 = 2007 (Japanese domestic), Month = 06 (June), Unit = 1234 → June 2007, Sakashita, Japan
• 51010999: Year = 1962+51 = 2013 (post-2012 universal), Month = 01 (January), Unit = 999 → January 2013, Sakashita, Japan
• 75061234: Year = 1975 (export vintage), Month = 06 (June), Unit = 1234 → June 1975, Sakashita, Japan

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Part 3: G-Series China Format — CC Prefix (2015–Present)

Takamine's G-Series (budget line) is made in China and uses a CC prefix.

The Format

Pattern	Meaning
CC	Country code for China
YY	2-digit year (actual)
MM	Month (01–12)
XXXXX	5-digit production sequence

Example

• CC150904411: CC = China, Year = 2015, Month = 09 (September), Unit = 04411 → September 2015, China G-Series

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Part 4: G-Series TC Prefix (2020–Present) — Undocumented

Some newer G-Series guitars use a TC prefix. The format is not officially documented, but observed serials suggest:

• TC + YY + MM + DD + XX or similar pattern
• Example: TC20124581 may indicate 2020, December, with production ranking

Note: This format is speculative. The decoder provides approximate year only.

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Part 5: Vintage Letter Prefix (1968–1981)

Early Takamine guitars used a single letter prefix followed by 3–5 digits.

Letter	Era
A	1968–1970
B	1970–1972
C	1972–1974
D	1974–1976
E	1976–1978
F	1978–1980
G	1980–1981

Example

• A123: Letter prefix "A" → 1968–1970, Sakashita, Japan
• C4567: Letter prefix "C" → 1972–1974, Sakashita, Japan

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Part 6: Vintage Sequential Numbers (1966–1993)

Before the 8-digit system, Takamine used simple sequential numbering. Match your serial to the range table below.

Standard Sequential Ranges

Serial Range	Year
006–319	1966
320–999	1967
1000–9999	1968
10000–99999	1971
100000–106999	1972
107000–120000	1973
120001–139000	1974
139001–167000	1975
167001–186000	1976
186001–203000	1980
214001–263000	1983
263001–291000	1984
291001–302000	1985
302001–303000	1986
303001–331000	1987
331001–356000	1988
356001–367000	1989
367001–382000	1990
382001–392000	1991
392001–420000	1992
420001–430000	1993

Adamas Sequential Ranges (Separate Numbering)

Takamine's premium Adamas models used a completely separate serial numbering system starting in 1977.

Serial Range	Year
0077–0099	1977
0100–0608	1978
0609–1058	1979
1059–1670	1980
1671–2668	1981
2669–3242	1982
3243–3859	1983
3860–4109	1984
4110–4251	1985
4252–4283	1986
4284–4427	1987
4428–4696	1988
4697–4974	1989
4975–5541	1990
5542–6278	1991
6279–7088	1992
7089–8159	1993
8160–9778	1994
9779–11213	1995
11214–12448	1996
12449–13020	1997
13021–14623	1998
14624–16136	1999
16137–17393	2000
17394–18961	2001
18962–20040	2002
20041–20802	2003
20803–21085	2004
21086–21514	2005
21515–22211	2006
22212–22522	2007
22523–22878	2008
22879–23155	2009
23156–23402	2010
23403–23591	2011
23592–23763	2012
23764–23845	2013

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Part 7: Takamine Factory Locations

Sakashita, Nakatsugawa, Japan — The Original Factory

Takamine's primary factory since 1959. Located in the Gifu Prefecture, this is where all Japanese Pro Series guitars are built. The factory is known for its skilled luthiers and traditional craftsmanship methods combined with modern CNC technology.

China — G-Series Factory

Takamine opened G-Series production in China in the mid-2010s to offer more affordable options. G-Series guitars use the CC and TC prefix serial formats and are built to Takamine's specifications but with more cost-effective materials and construction.

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Part 8: Era-by-Era Changes

1960s–1970s: The Founding Era

• Serials: Sequential 3–6 digit, letter prefixes (A–G)
• Key Models: Early classical and steel-string acoustics
• Production: ~37 guitars (1966) to ~1,200+ (1970s)
• Notable: Founded by Mass Hirade and friends in Sakashita, Japan

1980s: Growth and Export

• Serials: Sequential 6-digit (continued)
• Key Models: Lawsuit-era models, early dreadnoughts
• Production: ~1,000–3,000 per year
• Notable: Began significant export to USA and Europe

1990s: The 8-Digit Era Begins

• Serials: 8-digit YYMMXXXX format introduced
• Key Models: EF series, early cutaway models
• Production: ~10,000–30,000 per year
• Notable: Pro Series brand established

2000s–2010s: Pro Series Dominance

• Serials: 8-digit continues; G-Series introduced
• Key Models: P1DC, EF341SC, EN10C-12
• Production: ~50,000–80,000 per year
• Notable: Became one of the top acoustic brands globally

2020s–Present

• Serials: 8-digit (years-since-1962 for all markets); CC/TC prefixes for G-Series
• Key Models: Modern Pro Series, Thinline models
• Production: ~80,000–120,000 per year (combined)
• Notable: Continued innovation in acoustic-electric technology

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Summary: Quick Reference Table

Format	Pattern	Era	Example
8-digit (export)	YYMMXXXX	1962–2012	08040781 = April 2008
8-digit (domestic/universal)	YYMMXXXX	1962–present	51010999 = Jan 2013
CC prefix	CCYYMMXXXXX	2015+	CC150904411 = Sept 2015
TC prefix	TC + digits	2020+	TC20124581 = ~2020
Letter prefix	A–G + 3–5 digits	1968–1981	A123 = 1968–1970
Sequential	3–6 digits	1966–1993	500 = 1967
Adamas sequential	2–4 digits	1977–2013	0100 = 1978