Understanding Cort serial numbers is essential for dating your instrument, though it's important to note that a serial number alone cannot identify a specific model . Cort guitars are primarily manufactured in South Korea , often under their parent company, Cor-Tek. Cort Guitars Quick Dating Guide
For most modern Cort guitars (mid-1990s to present), the first two digits represent the year of manufacture. Cort Guitars Standard Format: YY (First 2 digits): Year (e.g., "05" = 2005). MM (Next 2 digits): Month (e.g., "05" = May). Unit production number. Legacy Formats (Pre-mid-90s):
Serial numbers from this era were often randomly generated and do not follow a set dating pattern. Some 1970s and 80s models used stickers beginning with the prefix Cort Guitars Location of the Serial Number General FAQ - Cort Guitars
To check a Cort serial number, look for it on the back of the headstock, the neck plate, or inside the soundhole of acoustic models. While there is no official "search engine" for these numbers, they follow consistent patterns that reveal the instrument's age. Standard Serial Number Formats
For most modern Cort instruments (post-mid-1990s), the serial number is a direct indicator of the production date:
Year of Manufacture: The first two digits (or sometimes the first two after a letter prefix) indicate the year. Example: 06XXXXXX was made in 2006. Example: US17XXXXXX was made in 2017.
Month of Manufacture: If the serial number has a four-digit start, the third and fourth digits often represent the month. Example: 0010XXXX was produced in October 2000. Vintage & Non-Standard Numbers
Pre-Mid-1990s: Serial numbers from this era were often randomly generated and do not follow the standard dating format.
"WO" Prefixes: For some Korean-made models with a "WO" prefix, community research suggests the last two digits may actually denote the year. Cort Serial Number Checker -UPD-
Model Identification: You generally cannot identify the specific model (e.g., CR250 vs. G250) from the serial number alone. You must look for the model name printed elsewhere on the instrument or match its physical features (pickups, body shape) against Cort's archives. Where to Find the Number General FAQ - Cort Guitars
Cort guitar serial numbers typically indicate the year of manufacture with the first two digits, such as '06' for 2006 or '15' for 2015. These numbers are commonly found on the back of the headstock for electric models or on internal labels for acoustic models, often with the next two digits representing the production month. For more details, visit the Cort Guitars website.
To identify the age and origin of your Cort guitar, you must decode the alphanumeric string usually found on the back of the headstock . Cort serial numbers primarily identify the production year rather than specific model names. Cort Guitars 🔍 Locating the Serial Number Check these common spots on your instrument: Back of the Headstock : Most common location for modern Cort guitars. Neck Plate
: Stamped on the metal plate where the neck meets the body on bolt-on models. Soundhole Label : For acoustic guitars, look inside the body at the label. Ernie Ball Music Man 🛠️ How to Decode the Number
Cort typically uses an 8-to-10-digit format. The first two digits or a leading letter usually indicate the year and factory. Modern Format (2000–Present) The first two numbers represent the year. : Made in 2000 : Made in 2006 : Made in 2023 Letter Prefix (Factory Code)
If your serial starts with a letter, it identifies the specific manufacturing facility: : Cort (Korea) : Ibanez/Cort (Indonesia) : North (China) ⚠️ Important Limitations Model Identification
: You cannot identify a specific model (e.g., "G250" vs. "X-100") by the serial number alone. Website Listings official Cort website
only lists current production models; discontinued or "spot" models will not appear. Verification Understanding Cort serial numbers is essential for dating
: If you need to confirm authenticity or find a schematic, contact an authorized Cort dealer or the distributor in your country. Cort Guitars
: If your guitar is from the 1980s or early 90s, the numbering system was less consistent. Look for "Made in Korea" stamps to confirm the era. If you can share the first 4 characters
Deciphering a Cort serial number is one of the most effective ways to date your instrument and identify its origin. While Cort is a massive manufacturer—producing guitars for brands like Ibanez, Fender, and PRS—their own serial number formats have evolved several times since the late 1970s. Quick Guide to Cort Serial Numbers (Mid-1990s–Present)
For most modern Cort instruments, the serial number follows a date-coded system where the first two or four digits reveal the production year. Format: YYMMXXXX or YYYYMMXXXX
YY or YYYY: The year of manufacture (e.g., "06" or "2006" for 2006). MM: The month of manufacture (e.g., "10" for October). XXXX: The sequential production number for that month.
Example: A serial number beginning with "0612" indicates the guitar was made in December 2006. Historical and Factory Variations
Depending on the era and the factory, you may see different prefix letters or formats: Format Type Decade/Era Identification Details "W.O." Sticker 1970s–1980s
Early models often used a sticker prefix "W.O." on the headstock. Numeric (1st digit) Example: K9701234 = Korea, 1997
A single first digit often indicated the year (e.g., "5" for 1995). "C" Prefix Often signifies Cor-Tek (Cort) Korean production. "IC" Prefix Indicates Indonesia, Cor-Tek factory. Important Tips for Identification Ibanez Rules DATE YOUR IBANEZ
Format A (1990s Korean): K + 2-digit year + 5-digit number
K9701234 = Korea, 1997.Format B (Early 2000s Chinese/Indonesian): Letter + 4-digit year + 4-digit number
C20051234 – ambiguous: could be China 2005 or Cort 2005.Format C (Custom shop / Limited runs): CS + YY + XXX – extremely rare.
⚠️ Pre-2010 serials often cannot be decoded to month; only year and factory are possible.
Pattern: CCYYMMXXXXX or CCYYMMXXXX
CC = Factory code (see table below)YY = Last two digits of yearMM = Month (01–12)XXXXX = Sequential production numberExample: C210512345
C = China (Factory code)21 = 202105 = May12345 = Unit numberFactory codes (updated 2024): | Code | Factory Location | Years Active | |------|--------------------------------|--------------------| | C | China (Guangzhou) | 2008–present | | I | Indonesia (Surabaya) | 2015–present | | V | Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) | 2018–present | | K | Korea (Incheon) – Cort own plant| 1990–2007, 2019+ | | S | Korea (Samick plant) | 1990s only | | P | Indonesia (PT. Cort) | 2005–2014 |