Under the paint

[Greentail]

Hey, 

my Hamer S Stevens is refin.

is it possible to find under the paint the digits, the serial number ? How do it ?

thanks

[Stike]

If the original finish was stripped before the refin then no. 

You can try carefully sanding the back of the headstock to see if the the original finish is still there. 

Use something like a flat pencil eraser as a sanding block and not your fingertips otherwise you’ll creat low spots. 

[Stike]

I forgot to add-I’m pretty sure all the SS models got ink stamped serial #s over the color/under the clear so if it was stripped the serial is gone. If it is a guitar where the serial is actual stamped into the wood then you might be able to still make it out if there wasn’t too much sanding during the stripping process. 

[murkat]

and or, remove a tuner, see if there is any other paint, or do a scrape, sand where the tuner sits (?)

[Greentail]

I don’t see any color under ...but under the Light, perhaps I see stamped Numbers. Thanks

[bubs_42]

No they were INKED, but if that is what you mean, then maybe. Prepare for the worse and hope for the best. I wish I remembered the link to the BCR Greg thread when found that serial # under the brushed on paint during a repair. It happens, I guess not very often. 

[crunchee]

If all else fails, check with a black light.  It can't hurt.

[Studio Custom]

On 6/17/2018 at 2:06 PM, bubs_42 said:

No they were INKED

Most were stamped, because most Stevens were made after the transition to stamping.