Cort Serial Number Checker -upd-
| Code | Factory Location | |------|------------------| | 3 | Korea (Saehan/Samick era) | | 4 | China (Weilong, early 2000s) | | 5 | Indonesia (PT Cort, current) | | 6 | Vietnam (Limited runs) |
Tells you where the guitar was built. C: Cort Incheon/Daejeon Factory (South Korea) E: Cort Indonesia Factory (Surabaya) N: Cort China Factory
Cort typically uses an 8-to-10-digit format. The first two digits or a leading letter usually indicate the year and factory. Modern Format (2000–Present) The first two numbers represent the year. : Made in 2000 : Made in 2006 : Made in 2023 Letter Prefix (Factory Code)
Cort guitars offer incredible value, and understanding your instrument's history enhances your appreciation. Here is the summary for your : Cort Serial Number Checker -UPD-
= Factory factory batch sequence/production unit number. Example: If your serial number is 050814563 : 05 indicates the year 2005 . 08 indicates the month of August . 14563 indicates the unique unit production number. The Letter Prefix Format (Factory + Date)
Following the factory code, the first two digits represent the year of manufacture, and the next two digits represent the month. 💰 Comprehensive Example: If your headstock reads : IC: Built in the Surabaya, Indonesia factory. 21: Manufactured in the year 2021. 05: Manufactured in May (the 5th month).
On older bolt-on neck electric guitars (especially from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s), the serial number is often stamped directly into the metal plate where the neck meets the body. | Code | Factory Location | |------|------------------| |
: 1 Letter + 9 Digits (e.g., IC240112345 or 1240112345 )
Cort Serial Number Checker: Ultimate Guide to Dating Your Cort Guitar
This is the system used for the vast majority of Cort guitars in circulation and is the most reliable to decode. Example: If your serial number is 050814563 :
Yes. This guide reflects the latest consensus among Cort enthusiasts and official support documentation as of 2026. While a unified instant online check tool remains unavailable, the combination of these formulaic systems (YYMM, YMM, and W.O.) remains the most accurate method for determining the production date of a Cort instrument.
: Early 1970s and 1980s models can be highly inconsistent. Cross-referencing hardware specifications is highly recommended. Factory Code Reference Table
Having said that, communities like host user-compiled databases that can help identify factory codes and production periods. There are also third-party serial number decoders that can help identify dates and factories for instruments built by Cort for other brands, like Ibanez and Squier.
The first step in the lookup process is finding the number itself. While Cort generally uses a consistent system, placement can vary by era and model:
Ensure the physical attributes of the guitar (wood type, pickup configuration, bridge style, finish) match the official catalog specs for that specific model year.


