Epiphone Serial Numbers
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.
| History in short. Epiphone was an independent brand from 1924 to 1957. Since May 10, 1957, Epiphone is part of Gibson and is going to make more and more Gibson models. At the beginning of 1970 the production under license from Gibson moved from the US to Japan. From 1983 there is also produced in Korea and then in 1995 also in Indonesia. In 2004, Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao, China for the production of Epiphone guitars. Although the vast production of Epiphone guitars takes place in these countries, some more exclusive models are still being made in the US. Serial numbers The stamped serial number can consist of a series of numbers, or letter(s) and numbers. 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) Five digit serial numbers. Five digits with a space after the first digit and custom shop on the back of the headstock, applied from 1990 to 1999. The first digit is the last digit of the production year, the following four digits are the serial number. Five digits no space after the first digit were used from 1951 to 1956 for both acoustic and electric models. Six digit serial numbers From 1961 to early 1970, Epiphone used 6-digit serial numbers in the Gibson serial number line. However, many serial numbers were duplicated during this period, making the exact production year difficult to trace. It is certain that the models with a 6 digit serial number starting with 0 were produced in 1967. Seven digit serial numbers do not have a factory code, here is the first digit the last year of the decade. The 2nd and 3rd numbers represent the month. These were manufactured in Korea by Samick between 1984 and 1995. Eight and nine digit serial numbers without a factory code. These were used respectively from 1990 and 1988 and also manufactured by Samick in Korea. Letter(s) and numbers One letter five digits The letter indicates the factory code and the first digit is the last digit of the year (since 2002). The factory code can be an F or a T here. (See list Factory code letter) Example: Serial number T32222 is the 2222th guitar of 2003 built in the factory of Terada Gakki Seisakusyo, Japan. One letter six digits The letter indicates the factory code and the first and second digit are the last two digits of the year. Example: Serial number Z051234 is the 1234th guitar built in 2005 at the Zaozhuang Saehan factory in China. Two letters five digits The letters indicate the factory code and the first digit is the last digit of the year. Example: Serial number CI21234 is the 1234th guitar built in 2002 at the Cort, Indonesia factory. One letter seven digits The letter indicates the factory code and the first digit is the last digit of the year. The 3rd and 4th digits represent the month. The last 4 digits form the series sequence number. Because the year is only represented by 1 digit, guitars with this coding from the 80s, 90s or a decade of 2000. (depending on the factory code) Example: Serial number S6031234 is the 1234th guitar built in 1986, 1996 or 2006 at the Samick factory in Korea. Two letters six digits The letter indicates the factory code and the next two digits are the last two digits of the year. The second letter (third character) stands for the month. (A = January, B = February, etc.) The last 4 digits form the series sequence number Example: Serial number R04E0123 is the 123st guitar of May 2004, built in the Peerless factory, Korea. One letter eight digits The letter indicates the factory code, the next two digits are the last two digits of the year. The 3rd and 4th digits represent the month. The last 4 digits form the series sequence number. Example: C99040233 is the 233rd guitar of April 1999, built in the Cort factory, Korea. (This coding method was used until 2010) Two letters seven digits The letter indicates the factory code, the next two digits are the last two digits of the year. The second letter (third character) stands for the month. (A = January, B = February, etc.) The last 5 digits form the series sequence number. Example: S07C00122 is the 122th guitar of May 2004, built at the Samick factory in Korea. (This coding method was used until 2010) Two letters eight digits The 2 letters indicate the factory code, the next two digits are the last two digits of the year. The 5th and 6th figures represent the month. The last 4 digits form the series sequence number. Example: SI02060234 is the 234th guitar of June 2002, built at the Samick factory in Cileungsi near Bogor, Indonesia. Two letter nine digits This coding is the same as the coding of Two letter eight digits with the difference that here is 5 digits for it sequence number are used Japan The acoustic guitars from Epiphone, which were manufactured by Matsumoku in Japan from 1970 to 1987, are not reliable serial numbering system, but can be approximately dated by color and inscription from the Epiphone label. Blue label 1970-1975 The first blue labels that were used were leftover labels from the Kalamazoo factory. In the bottom left corner of these labels is printed 'Union Made' and stamped, 'Made in Japan'. Until supplies ran out, they were used from 1970 until the beginning of 1971. Some of these first labels do not include Made in Japan or Union Made. After supplies ran out, new blue labels were used where in the lower right corner 'Made in Japan' is printed. Brown or white 'Lincolnwood' label 1976-1979 The Lincolnwood label was also used for the acoustic guitars of the Taiwanese 'Ep' series from 1979-1980. These labels in the bottom right corner say, 'Made in Taiwan'. From 1980 to 1987 a mottled label was used. China In 2004 Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao, China, which produces Epiphone guitars. No labels have been used here, but stickers with 'Made in China' are glued to the neck of the guitars. |
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New serial numbers (No more letters since 2008) [May, 2016 Edit]
New Serial Numbers, without letters
They no longer put letters on the serial number. This is how you 'read' the information of your Epiphone Serial Number.
NOTE: Please!!! READ the information carefully. You can figure it out by yourself (when and where your guitars were made). Try it, is not that hard! Anyway, I'll be glad to help those who can't 'read' their serial numbers properly, but it might take time to reply. Ok? (Cari, Epiphone Les Paul Custom Facebook Group administrator. August 10th, 2012).
Thank you!!!
YYMMFF12345
YY year
MM month
FF factory-code
12345 production#
FACTORY NUMBER CODES -- for some models starting in 2008, if serial # begins w/numbers
[NOTE: The factories identified by these codes are based on patterns which forum members have observed. The numbers appear as the 5th and sixth digits in the serial number.]
11 = MIC sticker on a '08 Masterbuilt
12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
15 = Qingdao (China) -- electric
16 = Qingdao (China) -- acoustic
17 = China - factory unknown MIC sticker on a J160E
18 = China - factory unknown found on one 2009 model bass
20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
21 = Unsung, Korea
22 = ??? Korea (factory still unknown)
23 = ??? Indonesia (factory still unknown, probably Samick,)
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia
July, 2012 EDIT:
ANOTHER CODES:
FYYMRRRR
F = factory code (See 'Factory number code' above)
YY = year of manufacture
M = This will be a letter code corresponding to the month (A=January, B=February, etc...).
RRRR = production number
More Letters Information!!!
CZECH REPUBLIC:
B= Bohêmia Musico-Delicia
KOREA:
I= Saein,
U=Unsung,
S=Samick,
P or R=Peerless
CHINA:
DW=DeaWon,
EA=Gibson/QingDao (Acoustic guitar),
EE=Gibson/QingDao (Electric guitar),
MC=Muse,
SJ=SaeJung,
Z=ZaozhuangSaehan,
BW=China
UC=Unsung China
MR = Mirr factory
JAPAN:
No letter or
F=FujiGen,
J or T=Terada
INDONESIA:
SI=Samick (Bogor factory)
March, 2015 EDIT:
F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models
How To Read Epiphone Serial Numbers
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 F310650~F311050 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
1998-Current
The Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards are in a YMMPPP format.
Y = Year of manufactureMM = Month of manufacturePPP = 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 SEMI ACOUSTIC MODELS
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.
Y = Year of manufactureC = Model codePPP = Production number
Model Codes (C)
- 1 = NVJ
- 2 = EMPEROR
- 3 = RIVIERA
- 4 = SHERATON
- 5 = CASINO
- 6 = Limited Edition
- 7 = EB-2
- 8 = ES-930J
- 9 = EMPEROR-J
Example: 34123 = 1993 / SHERATON / unit 123
Example: 38123 = 1993 / ES-930J / unit 123
REFURBISHED Models
MIRC Refurb Label
Serial numbers starting with '311xxxx' on a golden sticker are 'refurbished' guitars sold by MIRC (Musical Instrument Reclamation Center)
- There is no way to tell the year or the month it was made in the MIRC serial
- Original serial numbers are usually defaced
- Original warranty void
- Sometimes the word '2nd' is stamped on back of headstock
- MIRC specs can often be different from stock specs
EDIT: MAY, 2016
Let's take a look at this...
FACTORY LETTER CODES
For Epiphone serial numbers that begin with a letter(s), this list identifies the factory & country where produced:
- B - Bohêmia Musico-Delicia (Czech Republic)
- BW - ____?____ (China)
- CI - Cort (Indonesia)
- DW - DaeWon (China)
- EA - QingDao (China) = Epiphone Acoustic
- ED - Dongbei (China) = Chinese Dongbei means North-east.
- EE - QingDao (China) = Epiphone Electric
- F - Fuji-gen (Japan) = Elite/Elitist models (See: Epiphone Japan Serial Numbers)
- F - Qingdao (China) = Les Paul Standard '59 / '60 / Tribute Models (See: F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models)
- F/FN - Fine Guitars (Korea) = non-Japanese models
- FC - ____?____ (China 2000's) Possibly 'Global Fine Supply Ltd.'
- FC - Fuji-Gen (Japan 1990's)
- H - _______ (China?) Found on a 1995 El Nino
- G/GG - Identified as early modern Masterbilt acoustics (Epiphone says they have no record of G serials)
- GR - Grand Reward (Farida, Guang Dong) China, Seen on some early Masterbilt acoustics
- GP - ____?____ (Korea) found on a BB King Lucille from 2001 (verified by Epiphone Customer Service)
- I - Saein (Korea)
- J - Terada Gakki Seisakusyo (Japan)
- J - Unknown. Possibly Jakarta, Indonesia - Found on a 1997 S-310
- JK - ??? Korea or Indonesia - Found on a 1999 G-310 Junior
- K - Korea Ins. (Korea)
- L - Leader Musical Instrument Co Ltd (Korea)
- MC - Muse (China)
- MR - Mirr factory, China
- N - See: FN
- O - Choice (Korea)
- P/R - Peerless (Korea)
- QG - Qingdao Gibson (China) - Interim designation used prior to 'EA' & 'EE'
- S - Samick (Korea)
- SI - Samick (Bogor, Indonesia)
- SJ - SaeJun (China)
- SK - ???
- SM - Samil (Korea)
- SN - ____?____ (Indonesia)
- T - Terada Gakki Seisakusyo (Japan)
- U - Unsung (Korea)
- UC - Unsung China (China)
- WF - ____?____ (China) found on an Accu Bass Junior from 2001
- X - ____ (China) - Early to mid 1990's serial number label - Verified by Epiphone Customer Service. Seen on 'Epi' brand guitars.
- Y - Korea (seen on a PR775CE)
- Z - Zaozhuang Saehan (China)