Serial Number — Korg M1

The M1 is so iconic that counterfeit units are rare, but non-working parts units sometimes get reshelled. A missing or oddly formatted serial sticker can indicate a repair or frankenstein build.

Open the synth. Look for the white ink stamp on the main circuit board. That is your "true" internal serial number. Write it on the back chassis with a silver Sharpie to help the next owner. Korg M1 Serial Number

Korg used a relatively straightforward numeric system for the M1. There are no letters in a standard M1 serial number (unlike the later M1R rackmount, which sometimes starts with a letter). The M1 is so iconic that counterfeit units

Standard Format: A 5, 6, or 7-digit number. Look for the white ink stamp on the main circuit board

Unlike modern synths with complex date codes (YMDD), the M1 uses a relatively simple, albeit inconsistent, system. There are three distinct eras.