"Solidbody Serial Numbers, 1954 to September 1959. 
Number example: #(#)C#### 
Number is stamped on the jackplate or bridge. 
Numeral(s) before letter designate model: 4=400 or 425, 6=600, 65=650, 8=800. 
Letter (represented by "C" in above example) is type of instrument: C=combo (guitar), B=bass, M=mandolin, V=3/4 size. 
First numeral after letter is year. 
Last 3 numerals are number series. 
Each model has its own series. 
Example: 65C7123 = 1957 Combo 650, 4C6123 = 1956 Combo 400. 
Exceptions: 
Model 450 have 4C####A configuration. 
3/4 size models have V###, V#### or ####A thru Oct 1960, first numeral is still last digit of year. 
Basses have B#### configuration. 
Mandolins have M### configuration. 
Some examples have #C## configuration. Dateable by serial number. 
Solidbody (except 3/4 sizes) Serial Numbers, Sept 1959 to Oct 1960. 
Number configuration: #(#)A###. 
Only 3 numerals after letter. Numbers do not contain date information. " 
As you can see,the number you found on the bridge, 4C189, fits the Sept. 1959 to Oct. 1960 configuration.Statistics: Posted by Spud1950 — Wed Jun 29, 2011 5:43 pm
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