Morris Guitar Serial Numbers 🆕 Essential

For certain export lines and specific mid-80s models like the or higher-end TF series , you may find a letter preceding the numbers.

The most interesting part of the Morris story lives in the early 1970s. During the Japanese "lawsuit era," Morris guitars (made by the Moridaira Corporation) were so impeccably crafted that they rivaled Martin D-28s at a third of the price. Their serial numbers from this period are short—often just 4 to 6 digits—and utterly non-standardized. You might find a "3050" on a neck block and assume it's a low production number. Wrong. In many cases, the first digit indicates the year of the Japanese fiscal year , not the calendar year. A "3" could mean 1973... or late 1972. morris guitar serial numbers

Before checking the serial number, look for these physical clues to narrow down the timeframe: The "Golden Era" (1960s–1970s): For certain export lines and specific mid-80s models

Look for "Luthier Made" or "Hand Made" stamps, which indicate the guitar came from the premium workshop rather than the standard production line. Summary Table: Morris Dating Quick-Reference Likely Serial Format Label/Logo Style 1967–1972 No serial or 4-digit Blue or Round "Moridaira" labels 1973–1979 6-digits (starts with 7) Black/White labels; Martin-style logos 1980–1989 6-digits or Letter prefix "TF" or "Hurricane" branding appears 2001–Now 7+ digits (YYMM...) S-Series for fingerstyle; Hand-Made Premium labels Their serial numbers from this period are short—often