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Last Modified: June 22, 2022
Before 1972, Nisshin Onpa does not seem to have used serial numbers on their Maxon pickups.
1- Maxon pickup serial numbers from 1972 to 1977
- According to data from NisshinOnpa:
The serial number of the Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) pickups are composed of 5 digits from 1972 to 1977.
The serial number : ABCDD
- A: production line code (1: prototype line, the other numbers are the production line numbers).
- B: year of manufacture (i.e. 1977 was shown as « 7 »)
- C: month, 1=Jan… 9=Sep., 0(zero)=Oct., X=Nov., .(dot)=Dec.
- DD= day of the month (01 to 31)
| Note: if A is 1 (prototype line), B is the year code and CDD are not disclosed. |
Note: The information provided is sourced from an email by NisshinOnpa. However, there appears to be confusion regarding 5-digit serial numbers starting with ‘1’. While NisshinOnpa suggests that the first digit ‘1’ signifies a rare prototype pickup, in reality, these serial numbers are not uncommon. In my experience, all of my Maxon pickups bearing 5-digit S/N begin with the number ‘1’. Moreover, it seems that the subsequent numbers might indicate the year, month, and day of production.
It’s plausible that NisshinOnpa referred to a different serial format starting with ‘1’. Some discussions mention a 2-digit serial number exclusively, but I cannot verify this information.
For visual references, click on the photos below to enlarge them ↓
2- Maxon pickup serial numbers from 1978 to 1981
The serial number of the Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) pickups from 1978 to 1981 are composed of 6 digits.
The serial number : ABCCDD
- A: production line code (1: prototype line, the other numbers are the production line numbers).
- B: year of manufacture (i.e. 1977 was shown as « 7 »)
- CC: month, 01=Jan… 09=Sep., 10=Oct., 11=Nov., 12=Dec.
- DD= day of the month (01 to 31)
| Note: if A is 1 (prototype line), B is the year code and CCDD are not disclosed. |
Note: The above data comes from an email from NisshinOnpa. However, there is certainly confusion regarding 6-digit serial numbers starting with 1. Indeed, NisshinOnpa mentions that the first digit 1 designates a rare prototype pickup but in fact, these serial numbers are not rare at all.
It’s therefore possible that NisshinOnpa had another serial format starting with 1. Some people talk about a 2-digit serial number only but I cannot confirm this information.
Click on the photos below to enlarge them ↓
Nisshin Onpa – Maxon pickup magnets:
- Alnico 8: U-1000
- Alnico 3: Dry Z
- Alnico 5: U-2000,U-4000
- Alnico 8: U-3000
- Ferrite: U-1000 and UD (starting at the end of 1979)
At late 1981, Fujigen bought the entire Maxon Pickup Division from Nisshin Onpa: patents, know-how, equipment, etc. From early 1982, the pickups which equipped the Greco and other brands made by Fujigen were manufactured by Fujigen themselve.
- Many thanks to my friend Luc Froger who gave us a lot of pics of Maxon pickups with serials starting with 1, 2 and 3.
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