These do not contain direct date codes. To date these, you must look at the catalog history of the model number. For instance, a Morris W-30 was introduced in the early 70s; a low serial number indicates an early production run within that specific model's lifecycle. Format C: Letter Prefixes (Factory Outsourcing)
: Common in the 1970s and 80s (e.g., 852554 ). The first one or two digits often represent the year. For instance, a number starting with "7" or "75" typically indicates a 1975 build.
If the serial number is missing or unreadable, the can provide a range: morris guitar serial numbers
: Some models have a separate, simpler 6-digit stamp on the neck block (e.g., 062501 ). This is often a direct date: June 25, 2001. Decade-Based Labels :
Letter followed by 5 or 6 digits (e.g., M820145 or T85032 ). Letter Prefixes: M: Typically denotes the main Moridaira (Nagano) factory. These do not contain direct date codes
Handcrafted and high-end models were built in Morris’s own factory in Nagano, Japan. These instruments generally feature highly detailed labels signed by the master builder or Toshio Moridaira himself, with serial numbers stamped cleanly onto the neck block.
Typically used on premium, solid-top models from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Tips for Verifying Your Vintage Morris Guitar Format C: Letter Prefixes (Factory Outsourcing) : Common
A common "reviewers' secret" is that the model number (like W-30 or W-40 ) usually indicated the original price in Japanese Yen (30,000 or 40,000 yen). Higher numbers typically mean better woods and more intricate bindings, like abalone. Where to Find Them Early Rose Morris 1996 - Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum
Here are a few examples of Morris guitar serial numbers and their corresponding information: