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i.d. your Epiphone here -- serial # key, guitardater link + factory codes... a worldwide guide >part 3


Steven Lister

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I've also got the mystery MR factory code on mine - sorry can't post pics at the moment but it has a made in Korea sticker on it, the rest of the serial number says it was manufactured in 09/2001 and number 0334. It is an Epi LP Extreme - White Pearloid top. I've found that all other Epis of this particular finish also have the MR factory code. I read that Epiphone were contacted directly and they said it could be a misprint and it was meant to be MK (Muse, Korea) but I find it difficult to believe that they'd get it wrong on a lot of guitars. It's a mystery!

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so a S followed by a number means its samick made? mines from 2004 epiphone sheraton cant remember where it was made think korea i hope not china but i didnt realise it was a samick?!

 

I doubt it. Are you sure it's a 2004???

 

S = Samick, but Samick went bankrupt in the late 1990s, when they reorganized around 2002, they closed the factory in Korea. All of the current Samicks are made in their Indonesian factory which would be SI for Samick Indonesia. There's no Samick China. Why don't you post the serial # (you can skip the last 4 digits if you're paranoid) and I'll tell you the when & wheres.

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not 100% sure its 2004 but thats when i was given it brand new this is the number on the back

S020612705

 

 

maybe 2002 does this mean indonesian made [confused]

 

The serial # shows it is was made by Samick in Korea in June 2002. Probably one of the last ones out of Korea, I think they had pretty much shut down the Korean factory by the end of 2002. That's why 2004 didn't seem right to me.

 

Actually, Samick started construction of the Indonesian factory in the early 1990s. Like Cort and other Korean corporations, the Korean economy in the 1990s was devastating. Cort also moved their factory to Indonesia, and AFAIK the only guitars Cort still makes in Korea are high end acoustics under their Parkwood brand as well as some acoustics for other companies like Carvin.

 

Samick was purchased in June 2002 and the new management made moves to make the company more profitable. By 2005, Samick was once again profitable.

 

Like all the great Samick Sheratons, your's has the highly desirable 5 piece neck. But here's the bottom line, you have the guitar, you know how good it is, would that change if I told you it was made in Krapsville??? It is what it is, enjoy it.

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Sooooo....if my Casino's s/n = 03121500496 then it was made Dec 2003 in Qingdad (China) the 496th made? If true and I bought it "new" May of 2010 from a local music store, has it just been sitting in a warehouse for 6-1/2 years? Interesting....

 

Denny

 

Nope, can't be. That serial # system only began in 2008.

 

A 2003 serial number would be EE03120001

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Nope, can't be. That serial # system only began in 2008.

 

A 2003 serial number would be EE03120001

 

Is there a way of decifering my serial number? I entered it in the guitar dater. It did not recognize the number but did return the 15 meant the factory is in China. Now I am getting curious as to when it was actually manufactured.

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Is there a way of decifering my serial number? I entered it in the guitar dater. It did not recognize the number but did return the 15 meant the factory is in China. Now I am getting curious as to when it was actually manufactured.

 

15 is the Epiphone factory in QingDao China. What's not right is the 03, it can't be. In 2003, serial numbers began with a letter(s). In 2008, the letters were dropped and replaced with numbers in the 5th & 6th digits. So you're right that 15 means your guitar was made in QingDao China, but it couldn't have been made in 2003. The number you posted conflicts with itself. It's not a legitimate serial number. Are you sure 03 isn't 08??? Can you post a photo???

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15 is the Epiphone factory in QingDao China. What's not right is the 03, it can't be. In 2003, serial numbers began with a letter(s). In 2008, the letters were dropped and replaced with numbers in the 5th & 6th digits. So you're right that 15 means your guitar was made in QingDao China, but it couldn't have been made in 2003. The number you posted conflicts with itself. It's not a legitimate serial number. Are you sure 03 isn't 08??? Can you post a photo???

Couldn't get a good photo. But in the attempt I got a closer look at the number and the first digit could very well be an '8'. Thanks.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Someone Help me,

I want buy a new guitar, but i don't know where was it made. The guy in the store said: The guitar was made in Korea. but i dont believe him. The serial number is 1004302979

 

Year: 10 2010?

Month: 04 April?

Day: 30

 

 

Help please

 

Thank you =)

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Im worried, I purchased a new Epiphone Les Paul Standard guitar from a Gibson/Epiphone dealer. After I brought it home I realized the serial number didn't look right?

 

This is the number on the back of the head stock: 09051505618

 

Is it a fake? Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.

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No worries,

 

at least the serial# is legit....

 

09=year

05=month

15=factorycode for Gibson owned QingDao plant, China

05618=production#

 

The serial#system changed in 2008 from letter-prefix to this

Thank you for the reply, I have also recieved confirmation from Yorkville Music and Epiphone. Looking foward to learning how to play!!

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