How to decipher faded neck stamps?
- dangayle
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How to decipher faded neck stamps?
I've seen a number of vintage Jazzmasters with old, faded serial numbers. How do people make them out? I tried adjusting the contrast etc using a photo editor, which is tantalizing, but doesn't seem to go far enough.
EDIT: I meant neck stamps
EDIT: I meant neck stamps
Last edited by dangayle on Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- armensguitars
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Re: How to decipher faded neck serial numbers?
Serial numbers? Or do you mean neck stamps? If so maybe attach a link or photo.
- dangayle
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Re: How to decipher faded neck serial numbers?
Yeah, neck stamps. I'll see about attaching a photo when I get to my other computer.armensguitars wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:53 pmSerial numbers? Or do you mean neck stamps? If so maybe attach a link or photo.
- MattK
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Re: How to decipher faded neck serial numbers?
Illuminating with UV or possibly infrared (and the right camera) is what I'd try.
- Highnumbers
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Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Subscribed.
I have a ‘64 Jazzmaster with a neck stamp that is almost impossible to read, though it’s clearly there.
It seems like the stamp was not very dark at certain times, as if their rubber stamp ran low on ink.
I have a ‘64 Jazzmaster with a neck stamp that is almost impossible to read, though it’s clearly there.
It seems like the stamp was not very dark at certain times, as if their rubber stamp ran low on ink.
- Rob
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Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Even if you can't see it with the naked eye, the camera still has to be able to see it if you're going to get any results from digital solutions. The right camera in the right light makes a world of difference.
Here's the photo of the faded neck stamp on my old Starcaster:
Here's the same photo, with some contrast and color swap using IrfanView (free for non-commercial use):
Here's the photo of the faded neck stamp on my old Starcaster:
Here's the same photo, with some contrast and color swap using IrfanView (free for non-commercial use):
- dangayle
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Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Rob wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:23 pmEven if you can't see it with the naked eye, the camera still has to be able to see it if you're going to get any results from digital solutions. The right camera in the right light makes a world of difference.
Here's the photo of the faded neck stamp on my old Starcaster:
Here's the same photo, with some contrast and color swap using IrfanView (free for non-commercial use):
Those image links don't work
- MattK
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Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
They're fine here. Also here's the red channel from the original photo given a contrast stretch in the mid-highlights. IR would presumably be clearer!
- will
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Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
I've had good luck putting the end of the neck on a scanner to get a very close-up photo.
Then, as other folks are saying, a program like Photoshop or other image editor can be used to fiddle with the levels of different colors until the date becomes more legible.
Then, as other folks are saying, a program like Photoshop or other image editor can be used to fiddle with the levels of different colors until the date becomes more legible.