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Serial Number Chart [message #11377]

Tue, 07 July 2009 20:13

LesS
Messages: 478
Registered: December 2002

Senior Member

You can use this chart to estimate when your Kustom amp was made. Note this chart is only for amp heads or combos (K- serial numbers) - it is not for speakers.
(For speakers just add about 45000 to your SN and then use this chart.)

Kustom Amplifier Serial Number Chart - not for speaker S.N.'s

Tuck-and-Roll

S.N. range ... Estimated Production Date
Frankenstein era - 1965 to June 1967 (starting with SN 2001)
02001 03000 1965
03001 07000 1966

K200A series era - July 1967 to April 1968 (starting with SN 15xxx)
07001 20300 1967

K200 A to B series transition period- April 1968 to June 1968 (starting with SN 238xx)
K200B series era (before combos) - June 1968 to Sept 1969 (starting with SN 258xx)
20301 26300 Jan - Jun 1968
26301 32100 Jul - Dec 1968
32101 36200 Jan - Mar 1969
36201 40300 Apr - Jun 1969
40301 44800 Jul - Sep 1969

K200B series / K100/K25 Combo era - Sept 1969 to June 1970 (starting with SN 444xx) (also, ~Nov 69 Kustom starting putting SN's on spkr cabs)
44801 48900 Oct - Dec 1969
48901 53050 Jan - Mar 1970
53051 57200 Apr - Jun 1970

K200B series / K150/K50 Combo era - July 1970 to July 1971 (starting with SN 570xx)
57201 61300 Jul - Sep 1970
61301 65300 Oct - Dec 1970
65301 72400 Jan - Jun 1971

Slant Face amp era (before SS combos) - Aug 1971 to June 1972 (starting with SN 735xx)
72401 79700 Jul - Dec 1971
79701 86600 Jan - Jun 1972

Slant Face Amp and SS combo era - July 1972 to Jan 1974 (starting with SN 87xxx)
86601 95925 Jul - Dec 1972
95926 100400 Jan - Mar 1973
100401 104900 Apr - Jun 1973
104901 111700 Jul - Dec 1973

Tolex with silver face era - Feb 1974 to June 1976 (starting with SN 112xxx)
111701 113900 Jan - Mar 1974
113901 116750 Apr - Jun 1974
116751 122500 Jul - Dec 1974
122501 128250 Jan - Jun 1975
128251 134000 Jul - Dec 1975

Tolex silver face to black face transition period- June 1976 to ~Nov 1976 (starting with SN 140xx)
134001 153400 Jan - Dec 1976
(153401 – 169400 no record)

Tolex with black face era - Nov 1976 to 1980 (starting with SN 169xxx)
169401 190500 Jan - Dec 1977
190501 209000 Jan - Dec 1978
209001 227000 Jan - Dec 1979
227001 245000 Jan - Dec 1980

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #11382 is a reply to message #11377]

Tue, 07 July 2009 23:37

LesS
Messages: 478
Registered: December 2002

Senior Member

If anyone wants the exact production date of your Kustom amp, please let me know the following info:
Required
1) Serial number
2) Model number
3) Production code on top front frame of amp chassis - it is hard to read so please give me the different versions of what you think it says if you are not sure.
4) Color
Optional (these can be used to verify that the production date is reasonable.)
5) Transformer date code
6) Pot codes - all of them, as the most recent date is the most important.
7) Date codes of any other parts that are more recent than the transformer or pot codes.
I can identify about 80% of the production dates.
-Les S

[Updated on: Wed, 08 July 2009 08:57]

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #17056 is a reply to message #11382]

Sat, 05 May 2012 19:25

cpblues
Messages: 1
Registered: May 2012

Junior Member

Hi, Les. I just bought the Kustom Amp below at a Guitar Center in Kansas City. It was a one owner and is in great condition and sound. Just want to confirm this was manufactured in the Fall of 1969. Also, any chance a spec sheet or manual could be found online for this model?

I am thrilled to have found this amp in such great condition. I had a Kustom 200 Bass amp in 1970 that I wished I had never sold. I feel like I got a piece of my youth back today. Sorry to ramble.

Thanks for your time.

Chuck

1) serial number - 46233
2) Model number - K1000-8 - (Kustom 100)
4) Color - Black

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #17057 is a reply to message #11382]

Sun, 06 May 2012 10:37

centipedefarmer
Messages: 22
Registered: November 2010
Location: Des Moines, IA

Junior Member

centipedefarmer@gmail.com

Awesome! Thanks Les!

1. 19508
2. K200A-1
3. 21 33 33 24 K725
4. Charcoal
5. 43001 1005734 (guessing that the transformer is the big black box, these are the numbers stamped on the side of it Embarassed

Embarassed

)

[Updated on: Sun, 06 May 2012 10:40]

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #17060 is a reply to message #11377]

Mon, 07 May 2012 07:09

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

The transformer places the amps birth at the 34rd week of 1967.

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #17115 is a reply to message #11377]

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:34

RobbieNuke
Messages: 66
Registered: October 2006
Location: Baltimore

Member

Thanks for posting this info! I have two Kustom rigs and had mis-dated them both! My K200B-1 w/ 3x15 cabinet (which I thought was 1970) turned out to be a 1969. My 1G+1H cabinet (which I thought was a 1972) turned out to be a 1973.

My K250-1 I knew was a 1972 because the inspection sticker inside had that date along with the component date codes.

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #17116 is a reply to message #17060]

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:36

centipedefarmer
Messages: 22
Registered: November 2010
Location: Des Moines, IA

Junior Member

centipedefarmer@gmail.com

stevem wrote on Mon, 07 May 2012 07:09

The transformer places the amps birth at the 34rd week of 1967.

Thanks!

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #18329 is a reply to message #11377]

Wed, 06 March 2013 13:06

oddeddie
Messages: 7
Registered: February 2013
Location: Portland Oregon

Junior Member

Nice!!!!
I have a Kustom Lead V guitar amp
Model - VL
Serial# 149801
#s above mfg plate - 200-0490-00

1976??

Thanx!!!!!!!!!!!

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #18332 is a reply to message #11377]

Wed, 06 March 2013 16:28

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Your amp was made when Kustom had already been sold off to Baldwin piano`s corp, but they stiil made a good quaity great sounding amp as all they basically did was stuff Kustoms great designs into different shape chassis and cabinets!

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #27825 is a reply to message #11382]

Fri, 14 August 2020 15:45

Raweagle
Messages: 2
Registered: August 2020

Junior Member

Head:
1) 76883
2) K250-4
3) 58/43/41/52/51/46/20 or 58/43/141/52/57/46/20
4) Black Pleated
________________
Speaker Cab:
1) S-34312
2) 4-12 G
3) Black Pleated

Any info as to dates and if the speaker cab is the one that sold with the head or someone just paired them up along the way
Is greatly appreciated. I also have the 4 button foot switch.
Thank You, Mike

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #27826 is a reply to message #11382]

Fri, 14 August 2020 16:12

Raweagle
Messages: 2
Registered: August 2020

Junior Member

Head:
1) 76883
2) K250-4
3) 58/43/41/52/51/46/20 or 58/43/141/52/57/46/20
4) Black Pleated
________________
Speaker Cab:
1) S-34312
2) 4-12 G
3) Black Pleated

Any info as to dates and if the speaker cab is the one that sold with the head or someone just paired them up along the way
Is greatly appreciated. I also have the 4 button foot switch.
Thank You, Mike

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #27851 is a reply to message #27826]

Mon, 24 August 2020 18:09

JDinPA17603
Messages: 69
Registered: May 2018
Location: Lancaster, PA

Member

The serial #'s place the pieces in the July-Dec of 71 time frame.
The 4x12 cab was an option listed in the catalog.
If you go into the literature section and pull up the info on the 150/250/500 in the next to last frame on the left you will see your unit.

Old Us Navy Vietnam Vet
Playing for my own enjoyment and irritation of the neighbors.

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #27965 is a reply to message #11377]

Fri, 22 January 2021 04:12

Jo Nathan
Messages: 4
Registered: January 2021

Junior Member

Hello everyone. Super excited to find this great website. My Dad played Kustom gear in the late 60s and early 70s. He passed away last January so I started collecting some Kustom gear to honor him. I would love to know the year each of my pieces were made. Thank you for your time.

1) SN: 4742
2) I didn't see a model number. It's a 4x12 vertical (PA?) tower.
3) Production code... NA?
4) Black naugahyde

1) SN: 3615
2) I didn't see a model number. It's a 4x12 vertical (PA?) tower.
3) Production code... NA?
4) Black naugahyde

1) SN: 66554
2) 2-15 B
3) Production code... NA?
4) Black naugahyde

One of the speakers inside the 2x15 says 137 7349 as well as 038-0024-00. I'm assuming CTS? I'd love to luck out and get Altecs, but I doubt it. Smile

Smile

1) SN: 74964
2) K250-1
3) Production code... I don't know how to open up the amp. Although I am getting my friend who works on vintage amps to install a grounded cable and make sure everything is working properly. I noticed the first input on the lower channel is a good bit lower in volume than the other 3.
4) Black naugahyde

I'm thinking the 2x15 is from early 1971 and the head is from late 1971 (total coincidence btw. I bought one in Louisiana and one in Minnesota), but please confirm. Thank you again for your time and knowledge.

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #27966 is a reply to message #11377]

Fri, 22 January 2021 11:33

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Hello!
You have replied to this string which answers most of the questions you ask about but for your questions in regards to the K250 head.

The the introduction of the metal face heads in 71 they reverted back to having two inputs on each channel of differing gain levels as opposed to tone on the earlier amps.

Also in 1972 with these amps Kustom added more gain to PC 5066 which is the channel without the selectone feature.
This simple mod involves changing out 3 resistors and 1 signal cap.

All K150 and 250 amps made after 11-5-71 will already have this mod.

If your amp was made after this date then you might want to remove the 4 10/32 screws from the bottom, slide the amp out the back and then remove the lid from the top of the amp which it should still have unless someone was in there already.

Once in there you will find the boards get interconnected by plug in cables.
You should unplug these and get some electromotive spray cleaner from a auto parts store and give both ends a good shot and then plug and unplug them a few times and you might find that' your low volume issue will go away.

If your 250 has no serial number plate on it's rear then you can date it by the numbers stamped on its power transformer, or on the control pots on its circuit boards, or even on its two big power supply filter cans on the floor of the chassis as all of these have date codes on them.

If you need more help, then reply back.

Also note that until you make 5 post I will have to approve them first before they go up to the board.
If you want make 4 more post in a row that just say test and I will delete them all at once and then you will be set!

[Updated on: Fri, 22 January 2021 11:45]

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #27976 is a reply to message #27966]

Thu, 04 February 2021 00:38

Jo Nathan
Messages: 4
Registered: January 2021

Junior Member

Was your reply for me? Because it doesn't really address any of my questions about the dates. They certainly aren't answered in previous replies either.

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #27977 is a reply to message #27966]

Thu, 04 February 2021 00:43

Jo Nathan
Messages: 4
Registered: January 2021

Junior Member

Im simply seeking confirmation on the age of my Kustom gear. I read the charts. But we are talking about 50+ year old gear. The thread literally says "If anyone wants the exact production date of your Kustom amp, please let me know the following info..." so I wanted to double check. That's all. Thanks. I've been on several social media forums telling everyone who didn't know about you guys to head over here. Increase the Kustom collector fam.

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #27978 is a reply to message #11377]

Thu, 04 February 2021 12:08

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Your k250 was made between aug 71-jun 72.

Both of your speaker columns where made in 1970.

You 2-15" cab was made in 73.

[Updated on: Thu, 04 February 2021 12:09]

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #28007 is a reply to message #11382]

Tue, 09 February 2021 09:54

jammy5152
Messages: 62
Registered: May 2018
Location: Georgia

Member

Les S
i am looking for a Push/Pull Potentiometer for a Kustom 50-2 amplifier which activates the Tremelo and Vibrato via footswitch
Mine has a broken shaft and missing knob for this amp..Pull up a picture via website Images and you can see this Pot on the right side
Its a 500K Pot with 3amp/120volt on back of Pot...Do you have part number this?

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #28068 is a reply to message #11377]

Tue, 02 March 2021 04:06

Cody UNO
Messages: 35
Registered: February 2021

Member

Hey,
I got two 4x12 vertical PA cabs in cascade as part of a package deal. The K200 head has serial number 22450, which should make it from 1969 according to the chart on here.

However, I can't read the serial numbers on either cab. They have "Kustom BY ROSS, INC" on the badges, which is different than any of my other Kustom stuff. Any rough idea when these might have been built?

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #28069 is a reply to message #11377]

Tue, 02 March 2021 04:08

Cody UNO
Messages: 35
Registered: February 2021

Member

I also picked up a nice charcoal zodiac 2x15. The head with it has serial number 39940 so it is from 1969. Instead of the typical Kustom badge on the rear of the cabinet with the serial number, there is a small circular silver piece that reads "1611." It looks like it was bolted on, but I have never seen one of those before. Did someone just attach a tag instead of the actual serial number? LOL.

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #28072 is a reply to message #11377]

Wed, 03 March 2021 05:54

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

What do you mean by " cant read the serial numbers"?

If there all scratched out then that's a sign that you have bought stolen gear!

If you want to date them then the production date on the speakers will need to be looked at.

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #28484 is a reply to message #11377]

Fri, 01 April 2022 09:23

RobS
Messages: 1
Registered: April 2022

Junior Member

Hi Les S, I would like to know the production date of my 1960's Kustom amp:

SN: 41549
Model: K-100-2
Production Code: 576G922 4:0 or S76G922 4:0
Color: Blue Sparkle
Transformer Date Code: 019-7002-01

It doesn't look like anyone has been inside this amp, ever.

Thank you!

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Re: Serial Number Chart [message #28485 is a reply to message #11377]

Fri, 01 April 2022 10:32

stevem
Messages: 4775
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

That would be a very early 1970.

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