'56 Relic serial #'s How do they work?

[bluesjuke]

I have seen several '56 Relics in my current search for one.
How do the serial numbers work?

I have seen R25xxx, R24xxx, R28xxx & so forth as examples.
What indicates the year of manufacture?

[Camoradi]

The serial numbers are random, with a vague chronological nod towards when the batch of neck plates were made. They are just taken from a big bin. So small numbers are generally early, bigger numbers generally later, but they say nothing at all about the date the guitar was made. Theoretically if neckplate R0001 was overlooked in the bottom of the bin it could still be used one day. This is further complicated by the same numbers being reused for the Time Machine series as were used in the earlier 'Cunetto' finished Relic's.

For dating the guitar you need the COA for the date the build was finished, and the neck and body dates for the date they were made (somewhat earlier than the build date).

[bluesjuke]

Thanks Camoradi!