What photo works best?

The front of the headstock, straight on, in daylight with the flash off, so the logo and model name are readable. Add the back of the headstock or the neck plate if that is where the serial is.

Can it tell if my guitar is fake?

No. It tells you what the guitar is meant to be from how it looks and what the serial says. A good copy looks the same in a photo, so check the details in our fake-spotting guides before you buy.

Why does the year come from the serial?

The serial follows the maker's published tables, so it dates the guitar far more closely than its looks can. Without a serial you get a range of years from the features in the photo.

What happens when it is not sure?

A person looks at your photo and emails you within a day. On a very busy day you get our best guess instead, marked as one, with tips for a clearer photo.

What happens to my photos?

They are used only to answer you and are deleted after 7 days. Your email address is used to send the answer, and for nothing else unless you tick the box to get setup tips.

Identify my guitar

Send a photo of the headstock. We’ll tell you the model, the year and where it was made.

Questions

What photo works best?: The front of the headstock, straight on, in daylight with the flash off, so the logo and model name are readable. Add the back of the headstock or the neck plate if that is where the serial is.
Can it tell if my guitar is fake?: No. It tells you what the guitar is meant to be from how it looks and what the serial says. A good copy looks the same in a photo, so check the details in our fake-spotting guides before you buy.
Why does the year come from the serial?: The serial follows the maker's published tables, so it dates the guitar far more closely than its looks can. Without a serial you get a range of years from the features in the photo.
What happens when it is not sure?: A person looks at your photo and emails you within a day. On a very busy day you get our best guess instead, marked as one, with tips for a clearer photo.
What happens to my photos?: They are used only to answer you and are deleted after 7 days. Your email address is used to send the answer, and for nothing else unless you tick the box to get setup tips.

More ways to work out what you have

Fender model identification: read the headstock, neck plate and controls.
Guitar pot code dater: the earliest your guitar can be, from the date on its pots.
How to tell if a Fender is fake and how to spot a fake Gibson.