Most Epiphone guitars have a code consisting of both letters and numbers. These codes are used to indicate the factory where the guitar was made, as well as the year it was manufactured.
For example, a code of SI02060234 has both letters and numbers. This tells us that the guitar was made at the Samick factory in Bogor, Indonesia (SI). The first two digits (02) indicate that it was manufactured in 2002.
Epiphone Serial Numbers Made In Japan
Many Epiphone electric guitars have a serial code stamped on the back of the headstock. This multiple-digit serial number includes a lettered code. This can be used to identify the factory it was made in. The code should be stamped into the wood, usually near the edge of the headstock.
As you can see, Epiphone Factory Codes identify the place where your instrument was made. Along with the factory code, the other digits included in the serial number are helpful too. They can tell you the month and year your guitar was produced.
Serial numbers of the Norlin Era, Japan made FT guitars were anything but serial. Best you will be able to do is get to a 2 or 3 year range of possibilities based on description. Label color features are the usual tell tale evidence of an approximate age.
There are basically four distinct formats, also called identifiers, in which order serial numbers occur on Epiphone instruments. For Japanese and refurbished models, which are special cases, see bottom.
Note: The factories identified by the codes above are based on patterns which users have observed. The numbers appear as the 5th and 6th digits in the serial number. This information has not been officially confirmed by Epiphone.
The latest serial number system used by Epiphone has not yet been completely deciphered. The new "F" models are made in China. The new system seems to be just continously running model numbers rather than a dedicated code for year, month, and place of manufacture.
What gives it away is the sticker that goes over the original Epiphone serial number. That white sticker where the original number was is the sticker that MIRC puts on all of their refurbished instruments. The manufacturers they buy from either remove or erase the original serial numbers, and then MIRC puts that sticker where the original serial number would have been. There are plenty of guitars all over the country (but especially in Tennessee) that have been refurbished by MIRC. The repairs can be anything from broken necks and headstock to simple minor finish repairs ... and most of the time they do a very good job. But the value of the instruments go way down from their original value.
Yeah, sorry this never got answered. As far as I know, when there's a strip of tape over the original serial number, that means it's a refurbished guitar, which means there was some flaw in its production, big or small, that was identified at the factory, so the guitar was sold wholesale to a refurbishing company, usually MIRC, who looks it over and tries to fix whatever might need fixing. Their s/n numbering system is completely different from Epiphone's, so that's why you're getting "mixed signals." So that guitar was made in China, but you're unlikely to be able to find out much more about it, other than that's a "refurb."
I have a 570 Blonde made in Japan. The label inside says FT 570 - BL. It's a blue Kalamazoo label with no serial number on it. On the back of the head there is a serial number that states Japan on it. I bought it new in the 70s and have had it ever since. My wife says it's her favorite sounding guitar of all I've had or have.
My EF-500 RAVS has a G serial too. (G0411 etc...) Odd Epi denies any knowledge of it. It's my prized possession. I love it so much I just bought another Masterbilt to go with it, an AJ-45 ME. I keep them in stands in front of my chair and spend the days switching from one to the other. The AJ has an 11 digit number with 23 in the factory code position. At least I hope it's the factory code otherwise mine is like the 2 million 3 hundred thousandth AJ made.
Definitely not a knockoff but Gibson may have ordered some models in small lots. Or maybe that 46 was supposed to be the prefix for a lot and they never bothered individually serializing them. All bets are off with Japan back then. We tend to think of Japanese guitars (like Epiphone at that time) as being built in the "Epiphone factory" when in fact, they were made under contract by the ABC Manufacturing Company or Kyoto Musical Instrument, Geisha Hairpin and Tuna Canning LTD. Gibson orders X amount of this type and has the Epi name put on them.
These serial numbers are often duplicated to other, similar models, too. So, if someone has a number of guitars for sale, and any of the other red flags have been raised, check the serial number of a few of their instruments. If you see any duplicates, walk away immediately.
(Ver. 3.5) The Epiphone serial number decoder currently supports 12 serial number formats from 25 factories. Vintage numbers from 1932 to 1970 are supported. Serial numbers from 70' and 80's era Epiphone guitars made in Japan are not supported. The reason for this is that there is no reliable documentation from this time period. This Module has been updated to work with the newer serial number formats.
I got an Epiphone Acoustic Guitar from my uncle a few years ago, and I would like to know what year it was made, and perhaps find out if it is worth anything. If anyone knows anything about reading serial numbers, or a way for me to find out some info using my serial/model number, I would appreciate it. Thanks
Let's try this one. In a pawn shop, Epiphone Les Paul, pretty light weight, black including back of neck, trapezoid inlays in fretboard, Gibson plastic cover over neck rod, serial number I00021948. The serial number is a transparent stick on lable on the back of the headstock. Any idea where and when this was made?
Epiphone Les Paul, pretty light weight, trapezoid inlays in fretboard, Gibson plastic cover over neck rod, serial number s6019628. The serial number is a transparent stick on lable on the back of the headstock. Any idea where and when this was made?
Ive got an epihpone les paul standard serial # 17030629. I bought it in Canada in mid/late 90s. It has an 'epihpne limited edition' logo printed on the back of the headstock. Im hving trouble dating it and where it was made. I believe the coulor was 'limited' -> its kind of wine red..
this epiphone was made in korea and is single cut away with traditional hockey club headstock. light blue in color with active electronics, i just want to know the make and model and year if anyone can help, please email me at the above address
hi I have a epiphone bass body is strat atyle headstock is gibson lp style[two tuners per side]serial number is 0123171 any info I do not even know what model it is bought it in a pawn shop for 50.00 the guitar is in ex. shape thank you john c
: hi I have a epiphone bass body is strat atyle headstock is gibson lp style[two tuners per side]serial number is 0123171 any info I do not even know what model it is bought it in a pawn shop for 50.00 the guitar is in ex. shape thank you john c
: hi I have a epiphone bass body is strat atyle headstock is gibson lp style[two tuners per side]serial number is 0123171 any info I do not even know what model it is bought it in a pawn shop for 50.00 the a epiphone pr-725 ser# 0280081
: : hi I have a epiphone bass body is strat atyle headstock is gibson lp style[two tuners per side]serial number is 0123171 any info I do not even know what model it is bought it in a pawn shop for 50.00 the a epiphone pr-725 ser# 0280081
I have what I believe to be an early 70's Epiphone in the style of a 335. There is a paper lable on the metal plate where the neck bolts on to the body that reads Epiphone Serial number 239456, Made in Japan. I was told tha is not enough numbers for the Japanese made guitars. Can you help me? Can you tell me when this guitar was made and approximate value? Guitar is in excellent origional condition. Red with dark accents. Thank you, Allan
: I got an Epiphone Acoustic Guitar from my uncle a few years ago, and I would like to know what year it was made, and perhaps find out if it is worth anything. If anyone knows anything about reading serial numbers, or a way for me to find out some info using my serial/model number, I would appreciate it. Thanks
i have an epiphone sunburst acoustic guitar i am trying to find some info on. the label is brown/orange, model# pr-715-asb ,serial# 98715the label says kalamazoo, michigan but also made in japan. i have been looking into this and it seems that some of these details contradict themselves. if any one could tell me what year this is, or basically any info, i would really appreciate it. thanks in advance.
i got a epiphone PR 11204600, and i bougth it in 2001 and the sticker said made in Indonesia, i want to know the year of manufacturing because no decoder fit with my serial, if i take one number the first 1 means was made 1991, i dont think it could stay for 10 years in the store , if i take the two numbers 11 it means 2011 and that its imposible, could anybody helpme?
Records on early Japanese-made Fender instruments are not complete and are therefore not completely definitive for dating purposes. As always, serial numbers should only be used as a guide for dating and should be used in combination with known age-related specifications to help identify the production year of an instrument.
Only numbers For an eleven digit serial number, the encoding is as follows: Example: 11051502060 The first two digits are the last 2 digits of the year. (11) The next two digits represent the month. (05) The 5th and 6th digit represent the factory code.. (15) (See list numbered factory codes) The last 5 digits form the series sequence number. Serial number 11051502060 is the 2060th guitar built in May 2011 at the Qingdao factory in China. (Since 2004 Epiphone guitars have been produced in China) 2ff7e9595c
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