Factory seconds

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

As I've been inspecting my guitars' serial numbers, I noticed that my 1997 X170T has two or three indistinct impressions, possibly numbers, about a quarter inch below the serial number. I'm wondering what it could be. Although I can't see any flaws on the guitar, I suspect it might be a second but I can't remember what they put on their guitars to indicate a second, or where they put it. Does anybody know?

 

[hideglue]

Hi Darryl,

Could there possibly be nine indentations?

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

That must be it. A failed attempt to stamp Made in USA. Did they stamp that under the serial numbers on 90s guitars?

By the way, that's quite a tachometer you have there.

 

[hideglue]

Tach? Jeez, all this time I thought it was a VU meter (?)

Anyway, yes, MADE IN USA was stamped below the S/N at that time. Sometimes the letters/numbers were not struck hard enough, so the finish coats ultimately "buried" the shallow imprint.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Sometimes the letters/numbers were not struck hard enough, so the finish coats ultimately "buried" the shallow imprint.

Mystery solved. Thanks.

Tach? Jeez, all this time I thought it was a VU meter

Don't you meter your tachos?