Menu
Is the serial # on a white sticker near the end of the headstock? I.e., possibly a 'used' or '2nd' if that is the case.
Although, I've seen Sheratons from the 80's with stickers instead of stamps. I believe they are from the Samick Korea plant. Or is # actually stamped on the headstock? Because the newer epis are coming from China with no letters.
A number beginning with 10 would be a 2010. But I don't believe that is the case here, because of the 'Gibson' on the TRC.
That's my 2 cents.There's some some real knowledgeable folks on epi's over at the epi forum who could probably tell for sure.
Gibson les paul guitar serial information The easiest way to find the year of manufacture of a particular Gibson guitar is to reference the instrument's serial number of factory order number. In the 1970s, Gibson standardized the serial number system that is still in use today. The typically eight-digit serial numbers on Gibson guitars are stamped on the backside of the headstock. The first and the fifth number combined show the year that the instrument was made.
The second, third, and fourth numbers show on which day of that year the instrument was made. The sixth number represents the location where the instrument was made, and the last two digits show the 'production run' number.
From 1975-1977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock, this should be an 8 digit number that can be dated by the 1st and 2nd digits as follows:. 99 = 1975. 00= 1976. 06 = 1977 In 1977, Gibson introduced the serialization method that we primarily use to this day at Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, and the Gibson Custom facility in Memphis, TN. The serial number will be an 8 digit number impressed into the back of the headstock with 'MADE IN USA' below. The pattern is as follows: YDDDYRRR YY is the production year DDD is the day of the year RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number. Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production.
Ranking numbers 500-999 continued to indicate Nashville production through 1989. Since 1989, all Gibson acoustics are built in Bozeman, MT and all Gibson electrics are built in Nashville or Memphis.
Ranking numbers for Bozeman start each day at 001 and the electrics may start as low as the 300s. Examples: 70108276 means the instrument was produced on Jan. 10, 1978, in Kalamazoo and was the 276th instrument stamped that day. 82765501 means the instrument was produced on Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day. NOTE - Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005.
The sixth number is now a batch number- batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once we stamp 699, the batch number will change to 1. The first 5 numbers remain the same, the last 3 numbers will remain the same. The only difference is the addition of this batch indicator. There are always exceptions to these rules, the two listed below are worth noting: Les Paul Classic: This model features an ink stamped serial number with no 'MADE IN USA' (just as we used on the original 1952-1960 Les Pauls). Most will be 5 to 6 digits in length, but the earliest examples feature 4 digit serial numbers. There should be a space after the 1st digit with the 4 and 5 digit serial numbers, and no space with the 6 digit numbers. The 1st digit indicates the year of manufacture for the 4 & 5 digit serial numbers, these were used from 1989-1999.
The 1st and 2nd indicate the year of manufacture for the 6 digit serial numbers which we've been using since 2000. Examples - 9 xxx = 1989 (4 digit number beginning with '9' used only in 1989) 0 xxxx = 1990 9 xxxx = 1999 00xxxx = 2000 05xxxx = 2005 Those beginning with '94': In 1994, Gibson's Centennial year, many instruments have a serial number that begins with '94' for the year, with the remaining 6 digits indicating the ranking number. Epiphone Guitars Serial Information Most regular production models since ca. Many '80s and early '90s serial numbers may follow a similar scheme, but may not include a factory ID code.
FYYMMRRRR F= Factory code (this can be 2 letters as well) YY= year of manufacture (this can also be just 1 digit for '90s models) MM= month of manufacture R= ranking number (may be more or less digits, not necessarily indicative of total units produced) Example - S02021234 was issued in Feb. Another code used on some current Epiphone models FYYMRRRR F= Factory code YY=Year of manufacture M= This will be a letter code corresponding to the month (A=January, B=February, etc.) RRRR= ranking number Example - R03D0263 was issued in April 2003. Epiphone Elite/Elitist models FYSSSS F= Factory Code (this code will be an 'F' or 'T') Y= Year of manufacture (2 = 2002, 3 = 2003, etc.) SSSS= Sequential Serial Number Example - T41234 is a 2004 Elitist model.
Part II - F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models This newest serial number system used by Epiphone is not yet completely deciphered. 'F' doesn't refer to 'Fine, Korea' - nor to 'Fuji-gen, Japan' - New 'F' models are made in China. This serial number system doesn't exactly tell the year - and doesn't tell the month at all. Beginning with F300000 in late 2009 used on LP Std'59/Std'60/Tribute models. Continued around F310650F311050 in spring 2012 on Tribute-Plus models.
Continued around F305000 in 2011. Continued around F310000 in 2012.
Continued around F317000 in 2013. Continued around F324000 in 2014. Continued around F330000 in 2015. Continued around F340000 in 2018 - Epiphone Japan Serial Numbers 1998-Current The Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards are in a YMMPPP format.
Y = Year of manufacture MM = Month of manufacture PPP = Production number The serial number letters used by the Terada and Fuji-Gen guitar factories are:. J = Terada. T = Terada,. F = Fuji-Gen. No Letter = Fuji-Gen Example: J902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123 Example: T902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123 Example: F902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123 Example: 902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123 1987-1997 For Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan semi acoustic models from 1987 to approximately 1997, the serial numbers are in a YCPPP format. They were made by Terada and usually have an Orange Epiphone label.
Epiphone Serial Numbers The Epiphone company was established in 1928 in New York City. Named after the companys president Epaminondas Stathopoulo, Epiphone was known in the 20's for a line of highly ornamental banjos. Epiphone started making electric guitars in the 1930's, and are probably best known for its archtops. Conn company bought Epiphone in 1953 and moved production to Philadelphia. The Stathopoulo family bought the company back in 1955 but by 1957 the company had been acquired by CMI. CMI started shipping Gibson Epiphones from Kalamazoo in 1959. Norlin purchased CMI in 1969, and arranged the production of Epiphones in Japan and later Korea.
Vintage Guitars Info - Epiphone vintage guitar collecting general info Vintage Guitars Info's Vintage Epiphone Guitars. General Information and Specs. Epiphone vintage guitars general info and collecting. Private vintage guitar collector.
Pictures, history for epiphone vintage guitars. 1965 Epiphone Sheraton (Route 66 Guitars).: Archtop (full depth) Hollowbody Guitar Models. Thinline (Gibson-made) Hollowbody Guitar Models:. Flat top Guitar Models:. Solidbody (Gibson-made) Electric Guitar Models:.
Introduction: Epiphone was a family business established in 1873 as 'the House of Stathopoulo' by Anastasios Stathopoulo, a greek violin maker. Ediabas. In 1923 they incorporated and at this time made mostly high quality and fancy banjos. In 1928 the name was changed to 'Epiphone' after Epi Stathopoulo, president of the company and one of the founder's sons. In the 1930's, the company changed its emphasis to guitars.
Epiphone was the only banjo company to successfully switch to guitar production. 1954 Epiphone catalog with a blond Emperor Zephyr Regent. In 1952/1953 the C.G. Conn Company's (a band instrument manufacturer) Orphie got Epiphone distribution rights moved. Now most guitar production went to Philidelphia (although the labels still said New York).
This was done partially as a 'strike break' move, as New York Epiphone workers were in conflict with the Stathopoulio family. The Stathopoulo family regained control again in 1955, but few if any instruments were made in 1956 and 1957. The Chicago Musical Instrument company (CMI), which owned, bought Epiphone in 1957. When CMI purchased Epiphone, they got all of Epiphone's current stock of parts including bodies, necks, pickups, etc.
Gibson used these 'New Yorker' parts in conjuction with their own parts when making Epiphones from 1958 to 1961. By 1961 Gibson has used up all the original New York-made Epiphone parts, and then used Gibson parts made in Kalamazoo. Instruments from 1958 to 1969 are commonly referred to as 'Gibson/Epiphones'.
When Norlin purchased CMI (Gibson) in 1969, all Epiphone production was moved to Japan. Later, productions was moved to Korea. Many of the imported instruments bear a label with Gibson's Kalamazoo address and no mention of Japan or Korea, which can be misleading.
However, these import instruments have model numbers that do not correspond with Kalamazoo made Epiphone model numbers listed below. Also the serial number is usually 7 digits or longer (unlike U.S. Made Epi's with a 6 digit or less serial number). In addition to the Zephyr and Zephyr Regent models, Epiphone applied the two terms to other models to signify electric or cutaway:. Zephyr = electric. Regent = cutaway. Contruction and Value.
File recovery freeware. High-end acoustic archtop Epiphones are constructed of high quality, solid woods. Electric archtop Epiphones are made from laminated woods. Because of this, electric archtop Epiphones are much less desirable, and are worth considerably less than fully acoustic archtop models. Pre-1937 Epiphones are of very high quality and are generally much scarcer than later models. They have a smaller body and less modern neck feel than later models, and are less collectable.
The most collectable models are those made from 1937 when body sizes were increased, up to the end of New York productions (1956). Most desirable are the professional grade models on which the company built its reputation: Emperor, DeLuxe, Broadway and Triumph. These models, along with Gibsons, are considered by most to be the best vintage factory-made archtop guitars produced. Mid-range and low-end models are generally regarded as student model instruments.
Electric Archtop Epiphones. New York-made electric archtops are interesting but generally are not as collectable as equivalent acoustic models. Acoustic models are solid carved top and back whereas electrics are plywood.
In addition, the electronics on New York Epiphones are not as sonically good as compared to Gibson of the same period or to the later Gibson-made Epiphones. Therefore, New York electric archtop Epiphones are worth considerably less than Gibsons of the same period. 1940 Epiphone ad: 'For those who prefer blonds' Early Gibson Epiphones with New York pickups are of interest to collectors. Most hollowbody Epiphone electrics bring less than the equivalent Gibson models. Double cutaway thinbody electrics are the most highly sought after electric archtop models. The Emperor (single cutaway) is the rarest of the thinlines (66 made). The Sheraton, especially the early version with blond finish, is also very collectable.
Sheratons with New York pickups are worth the most, but not for sound. The Riviera, though equal in playability and sound, is not nearly as collectable. The Casino is collectable only because John Lennon played one. It may seem like a contridiction in terms: New York pickups are sonically inferior to Gibson pickups, but models fitted with New York pickups from 1958 to 1960 are worth more than post-1960 models fitted with better Gibson pickups. These Epiphone models made from 1958 to 1960 like the Sheraton and Coronet are much more collectable (and valuable) with New York pickups, even though everyone agrees the later models sound much better fitted with Gibson pickups. Solidbody Electric Epiphones.
Epiphone Serial Numbers Decoder
Solidbody electric Epiphones with New York pickups are interesting to collectors, but not for their sound. Later solidbody models with mini- humbucking pickups bring less money than Gibson equivalents with standard humbucking pickups. None are especially valuable, although Epiphone workmanship and playability is equivalent to Gibson of the same period. Epiphone Model Numbers, 1953 to 1981 Model numbers date from Epiphone's ownership by Conn in 1953 until Gibson moved Epiphone production to Japan in 1970. Letters preceding model number: E=electric archtop, A=acoustic archtop, FT=flattop, SB=solidbody, EB=electric bass or banjo, EC=classical, EM=mandolin, BV=bass violin. Letters after model number: D=double cutaway, N=natural finish, T=thinbody, V=vibrato, MV=maestro vibrola, C=cherry or cutaway, E=electric.