Korg M1 Serial Number Jun 2026

While there is no built-in "software menu" to view the serial number, you can perform a by holding the

Serial 012345 suggests a 1988–1989 unit. Serial 198765 suggests a 1992–1993 unit.

The demand was so intense that the production line was moving at an incredible pace. Within just the first two years of production, Korg had manufactured . Serial number 100,000 famously rolled off the production line in November 1990 . This breakneck speed is why you'll find such a wide range of serial numbers across the M1's lifespan.

Unlike Minimoogs or TB-303s, there is no comprehensive public database of M1 serials. Korg didn’t track them by customer, and no single collector has logged the 250,000+ units. However, forums like and ModWiggler have ongoing threads where users post their serial + year of manufacture. Contributing yours helps the community. Korg M1 Serial Number

The serial number of a Korg M1 can be significant for several reasons:

This article focuses on the keyboard, but briefly: The serial numbers usually start with a letter (e.g., A12345 ). The letter denotes the factory of origin.

: Serial number 100,000 was famously manufactured in November 1990 [22]. While there is no built-in "software menu" to

Counterfeit Korg M1s do not exist. The custom PCM chips and physical keybed components were too complex and expensive to replicate in the late '80s.

The most significant distinction in Korg M1 serial numbers is identifying units manufactured .

Ultimate Guide to Korg M1 Serial Numbers: Age, Production & Authentication Within just the first two years of production,

Buyers should verify serial numbers against production databases to avoid "M1-compatible" clones or mislabeled models.

Before you sell your M1, or before you buy a "bargain" listing on Reverb, ask for the serial number. It takes ten seconds to read, but it will save you a decade of headaches.

While the sequential number is the primary identifier, other elements on the serial number sticker can provide valuable context about your specific M1.

These are the earliest "first-run" models. They are highly sought after by collectors but often require internal battery replacements.