Understanding the Serial Number
Year of Make
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
The first 2 digits signify the year we started building the instrument (Ex. 18 means 2018). Instruments built earlier than December 2015 will have the entire year on the first 4 digits (Ex. 2015 means between Jan to Nov of 2015 while 1512 will mean December of 2015).
Month of Make
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
The next 2 digits signify the month we started building the instrument. For example, 01 means January while 10 means October. This information is not present in instruments made earlier than December 2015 as the first 4 digits were allocated for the Year of Make.
Serial Number
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
The next 4 numbers signify the sequence the instrument entered the production. It is a running number for the entire production year which begins from 1001. For example, if the number is 1100, it means that it is the 100th instrument we built that specific year.
Body Shape
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
The next 2 characters signify the body shape or in some cases a specific model. Below are the current list of shapes available:
RA | Raffles (Small Jumbo) • RO | Rosetta (Dreadnought) • SI | Singa (Medium Jumbo) • TE | Temasek • VE | Vera • VI | Victoria (OM / OOO) • TO | 12th Fret O / Parlor • OO | 12th Fret OO • OM | OM / OOO • DR | Dreadnought • SD | Slope Shoulder Dreadnought • AL | Niibori Alto • BA | Barbero (Flamenco) • BS | Niibori Bass • NO | Nova (Classical) • US | Soprano • UC | Concert • UT | Tenor • SS | Super Soprano • SC | Super Concert • ST | Super Tenor • GL | Guitalele
Back & Sides
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
Following the Body Shape, the next 2 characters signify the Back and Sides. These 2 characters are also used as a suffix for a common name of a specific model. For example, a small jumbo with Indian Rosewood is commonly called as a Raffles IR. Below are the current list of tonewoods we have made through the years.
AB | Australian Blackwood • AW | American Walnut • BO | Bocote • BL | Bloodwood • BR | Brazilian Rosewood • CO | Cocobolo • CY | Spanish Cypress • FM | Flamed Maple • FS | Flamed Sapele • GR | Granadillo • IR | Indian Rosewood • KO | Pacific Koa • LY | Lychee • MB | Malaysian Blackwood • ME | Macassar Ebony • MO | Spalted Mango • MH | Khaya Mahogany • MP | Monkey Pod • MR | Madagascar Rosewood • OV | African Ovangkol • PA | African Padauk • PB | Pernambuco • PH | Purple Heart • SR | Santos Rosewood • SG | Senegal Rosewood • TM | Tasmanian Myrtle • WE | Wenge • ZC | Ziricote • ZW | African Zebrawood • 00 | Special Request
Signature Options
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
After the Back & Sides, the next 3 characters are for Signature Options which are recorded in the following order: C | Florentine Cutaway or V | Beveled Cutaway • S | Soundport • B | Beveled Armrest. As a default, our instruments are built with a CSB – Florentine Cutaway, Soundport & Beveled Armrest – with the exception of the Traditional Series or as when requested.
Nut Width
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
The next number after the string of characters signify the nut width. For ukuleles made earlier than 2017, 2 signifies 36mm. For guitars made earlier than 2018, 4 signifies 45mm nut width. Starting January 2018, all guitars that are still in production will have a 44mm nut width unless specified.Below are the list of nut widths available:
1 | 35mm • 2 | 37mm • 3 | 43mm • 4 | 44mm • 5 | 48mm • 6 | 52mm
Soundboard
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
Next to the Nut Width is the character for the Soundboard. This is left blank for instruments with Sitka Spruce top. Meaning, the code will either end at the nut width unless there are additional options. For example, RAIRCSB3 will have a Sitka Spruce top while a RAIRCSB3A will have an Adirondack Spruce top. Below are the list of soundboards and their assigned characters:
” “ | Sitka Spruce • A | Adirondack Spruce • C | Western Red Cedar • D | Double Top • E | Engelmann Spruce • G | German Spruce • K | Pacific Koa • M | Khaya Mahogany • N | Spalted Mango • O | Port Orford Cedar • P | African Padauk • R | Pacific Redwood • S | Swiss Spruce • 0 | Special Requests
Other Options
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
Whenever applicable, the next 2 characters after the Soundboard are allocated for Other Options. Please take note that in cases wherein the instrument comes with a Sitka Spruce top, the Other Options will come after the nut width as the Sitka Spruce Top has no assigned code. Below are the list of Other Options available:
3 | 3-Piece Back • F | Fanned Fret • H | Slotted Headstock • L | Left Handed • Q | Adirondack Bracing • T | 12-String • U | Advanced Hybrid Bracing • W | Torrefied Wood • Z | Beveled Body Rest • B | Baritone • 6 | 6-String Ukulele • 8 | 8-String Ukulele • 0 | Special Requests
Series
18011014VEMRCSB4AHLX
The last character in the production code signifies the Series of the instrument. This will help you know if the instrument is built with special features and specifications. Below are the list of Series available and their corresponding character:
” “ | Custom Series / Double Top Series / Original Series / Masterclass Series / Island Series • V | Traditional Series • Y | Crossover Series • X | Private Collection / Custom Build
Series Overview
Learn what makes up each Series of our instruments in terms of specifications and understand the stories behind them.
Shapes & Dimensions
Understand how shape “shape” the sound; another consideration, aside from comfort and looks, when selecting your instrument.
All About Wood
Every tonewood has its own charm. Know what kind of sound each wood offers and explore the most ideal wood combination for you.