numbers

[sunburst]

Those of you builders that put serial numbers in your instruments; do you use the same series of numbers for all your mandolin family instruments?

Martin used the same numbers for guitars and ukes, I'm not sure about mandolins.
I've got seperate numbers for guitars, mandolins, banjos, etc.

I'm trying to decide how to number the OM that I have started.
What do you think, is it another mandolin or is it another instrument?

[Dale Ludewig]

John, I just continued the same number series when I made two mandolas last year. I'm hoping to start building guitars again soon and expect that I'll use a different series on those. It's a good question. I'm interested in other builders' answers too.

[Chris Baird]

I use a different number series for each model.

[Michael Lewis]

When I started making instruments each model of instrument had it's own series. Aafter a few years it got really confusing for some reason or other, so I started one numbering system for all my instruments, except for the D'Angelico instruments which have their own numbering system. This works much better for me.

[GD Armstrong]

I used to use different systems, one for guitars, one for mando family, one for banjos and another for dulcimers but like Michael says it got confusing so I now just use the date the box is glued up as a serial number.

GD

[oldwave maker]

Hello. my name is bill and I have been an instrument buildaholic for 15 years. my 366 are consecutive so I'll know when to stop! includes a dozen fiddles, half dozen flattop guitars, half dozen electric basses, some electric guitars, electric upright basses, archtop guitars, a banjo, all mandofamilia including half dozen lefties, 10 stringers, a 12 stringer, a mandocello, and even 1 dulcimer with mimbres indian design pig soundholes. this guirolin doesnt have strings so its not in the system:

[soccerdr]

Hey Bill,

Welcome to the Board. Just read about you in Bluegrass Unlimited. Great article. Great mandolins.

Sully