Ernie Ball Music Man

Ernie Ball Music Man uses a relatively simple sequential numbering system, but the serial itself doesn't cleanly encode the year. Dating EB Music Man instruments is best done via EB's official Serial Number Database — the decoder here recognizes the format and then points users to the canonical lookup.

Sources 1 Manufacturer 2 Communitys view all

Decode a Ernie Ball Music Man serial

Quick pick

Find your shape, jump to the format

B + 6 digits B-prefix (mid-1980s+) primary e.g. B027100 1986+
5 digits 5-digit 8xxxx / 9xxxx (1985+) primary e.g. 85123 1985+
F + 5 digits F-prefix e.g. F12345 Varies

Supported formats

B-prefix (mid-1980s+)

1986+

Example B027100 Try it →

B + 6-digit serial. Introduced with the Ernie Ball era (1984+). Date via the EB database.

5-digit 8xxxx / 9xxxx (1985+)

1985+

Example 85123 Try it →

5-digit serial starting with 8 or 9. 8xxxx = EVH / Axis guitars (later also others). 9xxxx = Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Luke, Silhouette, Silhouette Specials. Date via the EB database.

1 less common variant

F-prefix

Varies

Example F12345 Try it →

F + 5-digit serial. Seen on various EB models; date via the EB database.

Where to find your serial

Music Man serial locations changed over time. 1985-1989 serials are stamped on the back of the headstock under the G-string tuner. 1990+ moved to the neckplate. The most accurate build date is hand-written in the neck pocket or on the neck heel.

Back of headstock (1985-1989)

Under the G-string tuner. Early Ernie Ball era.
Neckplate (1990+)

Bottom of the neckplate between the two lowest screws. Post-1998 often imprinted into the metal.
Bridge plate (early 1990s)

Some early-1990s instruments had the serial on the bridge plate.
Neck pocket / neck heel (authoritative date)

The most accurate build date is hand-written here. Requires neck removal.

Sources

Note on source quality: Music Man serials don't encode the year reliably. The most accurate build date is written in the neck pocket or on the neck heel. Use EB's official database or email customer service for a definitive answer.

Ernie Ball Music Man — Serial Number Database (official) Manufacturer

EB's official database — the authoritative way to date an Ernie Ball Music Man instrument.
Ernie Ball Forums — Serial Number Search Tool and Info Community

Official Ernie Ball forum thread with decoding notes and serial-location guidance.
Music Man Bass Global — Serials Pre-EB Sting Ray Community

Deep-dive community reference for pre-EB era (Leo Fender-era Music Man) serials.

Every format rule on this page traces back to at least one of the sources above. If you spot an error or have an additional authoritative source, see the methodology.