How to decipher faded neck stamps?

[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

[armensguitars]

Serial numbers? Or do you mean neck stamps? If so maybe attach a link or photo.

[dangayle]

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.

[MattK]

Illuminating with UV or possibly infrared (and the right camera) is what I'd try.

[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.

[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):

[dangayle]

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

[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!

[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.