While Active on Geocities
CF30
70819
CF45
70895, 70815, 1 unknown
CF65
60739, 80613, 71124, 60753
W65
60967, 60924, 0213, 41269
CF75
60682, 60965, 60910, 60970
J6500
70302
CF85
71077, 60997, 60901, 60915, 71014
W200
61260
CF95
61250, 80647, 60962, 60770, unknown
J6000
70307, 71290
CF100
71102
860
71229, 70392
CF150
50231, 71123, 80614
WT150
0690, 0427, 51050, 51016
CF347
60545, 0656, 0645, 1 unknown
Electrics – 6 digits
CE222-225
016540, 019835, 012373, 026467,
768905, 1 unknown
Observations that may lead to an answer for the 5 digit serial numbers of the acoustic models…
1st digits in these numbers are 6, 7 and 8 suggesting this may be a year number.
2nd digits in these numbers are 1 and 0 thereby eliminating a year code but maybe this digit is the first of a true sequential number. Also all 4 digit serial numbers start with a 0 leading us to believe that the sequential number hadn’t reached 1000.
The first 3 numbers have several repeats suggesting what??? If you believe that the 2nd digit is actually the 1st digit of the sequential number, then the 1st and 3rd digit may be the year.
I personally believe, The CF30 and CF45 models were added to the Cortley Line in 1978 or maybe a year or two earlier. One reason for this belief is that there are no Cortez models that copy Gallagher or Guild models, nor are there Cortley guitars of these two models with old Cortez model numbers. Moving on ….The CF30 and CF45 guitars listed in the guestbook all begin with 708. This can not be a coincidence. I believe these guitars were manufactured in 1978 or 1977 for the 1978 Catalog.
If we take the 1st and 3rd digit for the date code then there are no later models than 1986 which happens to be when we believe the last Cortley was manufactured.
There are a few numbers than spoil this conclusion…there is a CF150 with a 50231, WT150 with a 51050 and my CF347 with a 60545, and a CF95 with a 61250.