jaleonard Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hi all, I'm new to the forum having just recently bought a Sheraton II lefty VS - generally very pleased with it and already happy with my decision. I know the serial number threads has been done to death, but I have one that doesn't seem to match any of the classifications.....at least I could do with some knowledge on it; I'm new to Epiphone and archtops as well so will probably spend some time on this very forum mining the knowledge on here. Anyhow, the serial number is either; 1(one)07001266 or, I07001266 My first question being, is that a 1 or an I? The label calls the guitar a Sheration II (as in WWII, doubleya doubleya eye eye), so when the numbers didn't show anything up I went down that route, but even using that method the numbers don't follow the standard YYMMFFPPPP. Where I am at with it is that the current Chinese models coming out of China (which I'm pretty sure it was made)might have reverted to the old Gibson sequencing; to my understanding this was (is?) YDDDYBBBB (B being, lets say, Batch). This puts my guitar at the 70th day of the year 2010, unit number 1266, (the 7th day would be 007 I presume, which could actually be quite cool to have a secret agent Epi, however, I digress). So, is this possible? I can't make any other combo work. A fake? It is Gibsons factory apparently so it could make sense they revert to their own sequence? Just a theory. Does anyone else have similar numbering out there? Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarryKirsch Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Mine has an 11-digit S/N that starts with the number 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon S. Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Email pics of the guitar and serial number to us at service@gibson.com and we'll be happy to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burchster Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 What color is the label orange or brown? Sounds like you got Korean model. Is the serial on the label or stamped on the headstock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaleonard Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 What color is the label orange or brown? Sounds like you got Korean model. Is the serial on the label or stamped on the headstock? I've sent the details to customer service, but here is a pic of the label. No stamp on the headstock, but what looks like an outline of a removed sticker; and then the label inside the main body. I'm just curious to trace the providence, although it won't effect the way it plays, which for me it is playing great. Thanks for the reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burchster Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 with the tag color and the neck all signs point toward it being Korean some pics of the whole guitar would also help either way it looks beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaleonard Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 Sorry, I'm new to all things Epiphone, but I suppose we've all been at the other end - the orange label suggests Korean and they are brown labels now, is that right? I had got to the point of considering it Korean with the 'I' prefixed code and the 5 piece neck, but then had heard the Chinese models are being made with a 5 piece neck now so that muddied the waters again. Also, even with the letter prefix code the numbers don't neatly unfold a YYMMFF, with the month showing at 00. I'm still scratching my head, and am looking forward to what the service center comes back with. Some more pics.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Also, even with the letter prefix code the numbers don't neatly unfold a YYMMFF, with the month showing at 00.... I'm still scratching my head.... Yes, that "00" in the month position makes the epi dater come back "unrecognized." But if you change that to "01", then it's recognizable as made in Saein Plant, Korea/China, "January" 2007. They add that a new Saein factory was opened in Gaomi City, China in 2001, where I'm betting your Sherry was made in '07. (The central Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd. is apparently still located in the Namdong Industrial Complex in Incheon, Korea.) There's either a reason they used a 00 month (like, they were made at the end of 06, but they were slated for 07? Or maybe something to do with its leftiness?) or somebody set up the serial number printer wrong or some other "accident." Whatever, I'd say that makes it a 'special' guitar. And it looks it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaleonard Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 Yep, probably the strongest clue yet Cougar, thanks- I had considered that the 00 was some type of start to end of year anomaly or a slip of the old finger on the typewriter. I feel 'special' enough being branded left handed and having to scour the world for a decent guitar without now having a 'special'guitar No, it is a lovely thing and hey a 00 model, licence to kill.(I'll need to practice some more, just a hobbyist for now) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 definitely an "I" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaleonard Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 This from Gibson Monday morning (30th/03)(it has taken me this long to get to it after celebrating Australia's cricket world cup win ;) "Thanks for sending the pictures. The serial number is “I07001266”. The pictures and serial number are consistent with a left hand Epiphone Sheraton II model in Vintage Sunburst finish, made in Korea in 2007. Thanks again, and I hope this helps!!" So, confirming what the trail had started to lead to, and very quick reply from customer service. Thanks to those who posted, although I am still slightly puzzled by the 00 in the month position and suspect that is going to niggle away at me until I can trace the answer to that. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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