Please Read Full Description Before Ordering

The "Logo Decal Inlay PAF" at the very end of title are just key words that are of similar interest that help this unusual listing to be found. 

Attention!!!! The speed of mail shipped from Boston can sometimes be unpredictable.

I offer 3 different shipping options at checkout.

- free usps untracked economy shipping

- usps first class package (comes with tracking)

- usps priority flat rate envelope (comes with tracking)

If you need this for an upcoming business deadline, present, etc., usps priority is best and usps tracked first class is the next best. The free usps untracked economy shipping option usually takes around a week (+/- a day or 2) and it’s what most customers use when ordering these from me because it saves them from having to pay extra for tracking. It uses the same route as regular usps first class and it's usually just as reliable and works out fine, but it does have the potential for unpredictability, so just keep that in mind.


If there's ever a problem of any kind, please contact me with a regular message.  I’ll get back to you as soon as I can and I will always fix it and make it right.  Thanks



Serial Number Ink Stamp for 1950s (1953-1961) Gibson 
 
If you’re looking for a budget way to restore the number on your guitar after a headstock repair or refinish, this might be for you. (When possible, I recommend trying to salvage the original number)

You will get one NEW "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-0" ink stamp strip and piece of double sided tape (shown in photo #2).  If you need two or more stamp strips (for serial numbers that have multiples of the same digit), I have a discount above.  If one of the options says out of stock, just send me a message and I'll change it for you. 3 stamp strips are usually the most anyone ever needs. The chances of a number having more than 3 of the same digits are kind of slim, but if you do need more than 3, message me.

Also, some folks were asking for the "R" for custom shop reissues, so I added an R option, if you need it.

The acrylic stamping block shown in the photos is for example and is not included. (For a stamp block, you can use a piece of acrylic/plastic, piece of scrap wood, whatever).
 

How to use 
- Cut the digits out with a fresh rectangular razor blade.  Cutting with downward pressure like a guillotine seems to work best.
- Lay the double sided tape down on your stamp block
- Stick your digits to the strip of double sided tape and you are ready to stamp. Tweezers will make mounting/adjusting the digits on the tape easier.


The 50s headstock serial number stamp was done with a solvent ink. I believe the ink number was under a very thin layer of the lacquer clear coat, but it's hard to tell.  Whether you do it under or over, it pretty much looks the same


For Ink

I've been working on a custom made ink to offer here, but it's not quite ready yet.


In the meantime, StazOn is a decent ink and it'll get the job done. It comes with a stamp pad and it can be bought at a craft store.


Black Ink

StazOn Jet Black Multi-Surface Solvent Ink  

StazOn Piano Black Pigment Solvent Ink  (piano black is slightly more opaque than jet black) 


White Ink

StazOn Snowflake Pigment Solvent Ink  (they also have a Cotton White that should work)


Many vintage serial numbers were crooked, off-center, misaligned, smudged, under inked, over inked, etc.  So, it won’t matter if you screw up a little bit, it'll still look authentic.


It does take a little practice getting your hand to apply the perfect amount of pressure and takes some time to cut out the digits, but it should be a fun little project for you. I recommend practicing stamping on lacquer coated scrap wood. If you plan to add lacquer on top of your ink number, practice that on scrap wood too.

Thanks