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How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:52 pm
by dangayle
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
Re: How to decipher faded neck serial numbers?
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:53 pm
by armensguitars
Serial numbers? Or do you mean neck stamps? If so maybe attach a link or photo.
Re: How to decipher faded neck serial numbers?
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:57 pm
by dangayle
armensguitars wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:53 pm
Serial numbers? Or do you mean neck stamps? If so maybe attach a link or photo.
Yeah, neck stamps. I'll see about attaching a photo when I get to my other computer.
Re: How to decipher faded neck serial numbers?
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:57 pm
by MattK
Illuminating with UV or possibly infrared (and the right camera) is what I'd try.
Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:02 pm
by Highnumbers
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.
Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:23 pm
by Rob
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):
Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:44 am
by dangayle
Rob wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:23 pm
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):
Those image links don't work
Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 2:28 pm
by MattK
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!
Re: How to decipher faded neck stamps?
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:52 pm
by will
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.