Steven Lister
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Posts posted by Steven Lister
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1st -- Congratulations Epiphone community -- your I.D. needs are now better served.
2nd -- thanks duane v for taking members' input seriously and making it happen!
Animalfarm is right and to that fact I have already suggested to duane that an automatic redirect be placed on the old thread to keep searchers out there from being lost in cyberspace or linking to a thread that will very soon be outdated (if not already, hah, ha). Hopefully either that or the move will preserve the link and take people to the right cyberaddress. Hey, what do I know about computer geekery goo... 12 bar blues still has me all tangled up... in a good way.
You're all in good hands now with paruwi6172 at the helm.
Me? Well as many of you already know...
...hitting all the BLUE NOTES baaaby..., I'm still playing on
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hope' date=' steven has done some savings on this[/quote']
What the....?
I go on the road for a few weeks , take a quick check in from a remote computer, and find the place a wreck!!!
Anybody else wish that Gibson/Epi would just bite the bullet already and switch to a php (or pcp or whatever it is) bulletin board server? Since we keep losing valuable info every couple of months anyway then the argument that we would lose too much info in the switch is really a moot one, right?
Anyway --- paruwi6172, I do have a backup copy of the factory codes thread but it is on disc back home so is out of my reach for awhile. It seems the most relevent update was your input on the four number codes, so if you PM me those I will update on-the-fly.
Cheers to everyone from the road.
Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm still playing on:-"
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First' date=' thanks for the serial number info. I guess my Chinese Dot Deluxe is actually made in Korea.[/quote']
Curious to know the details leading to your conclusion. Is it a 2008--> model? What made you say "Chinese"? Were there stickers on it indicating made in China? What serial code points to Korea?
If there is an error in the data sheet, then I want to see it corrected. Appreciate your contribution.
BTW I compiled/posted this data here from multiple sources to put it all in one place b/c I think it's important for everyone to have access to the info. But I'm a musician not a bookkeeper (nor a scoundrel) so if Ricochet or anyone else wants to take over I'll happily exit the scene.
WELCOME to the forum Jimbotime!
Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-"
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TO everyone: Epiphone is in the process of changing serial # format. If any of you has information to confirm the new number 22 and 23 locations and/or to add to or correct our data list in any way, then please contribute by posting or by a PM to me. This topic information belongs to everybody -- working together we can keep it the most accurate source available.
Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-"
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My MIK Riviera is SN 080522XXXX' date=' which would suggest that 22 is also a Korean plant.[/quote']I wanna add the 23 for Indonesia made guitars
I've seen some Epis at the local dealer' date=' all models made in Indonesia had xxxx[b']23[/b].......
Let's put out the call for seconds to your motions ---
-- ANYONE ELSE out there who can confirm 22 as Korea and 23 as Indonesia? PM me or post to confirm.
Thanks for your input fellas..., that's how our member database is kept at the cutting edge of info. lol
Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-"
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bump for g6120 (and other newcomers)
WELCOME all to the Epiphone forum.
Train kept a-rollin'...
Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaaby..., I'm going to play on:-"
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Vintage Epiphone information site link ---> vintage/collector site
Information about pre-Gibson era and early post-Gibson Epiphones that may be of interest to collectors and curious minds.
Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-"
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I cant seem to find any info on my Epi Les Paul Special II...
Serial number is very strange compared to the info provided and the website lookup.
AC05050143
I cant find the AC plant info anywhere! where was this made or is it a fake?
AC was used as a finish code in the model # at one time by Epiphone – to signify an aged cherry finish. No prior report of it as a factory serial code (best guess would be that the C = China).
Is your guitar new? Reports trickle through that Epi is re-vamping its serial # codes on new models.
Epi won’t confirm/deny.. Your best bet is to contact Epiphone directly and ask. Don't just presume you may have a fake (there aren't many). Report back here any official word and I’ll add it to our little database to help the next guy/gal.
WELCOME to the forum LPwanabe89 and best of luck!
Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-"
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last update = 27 May 2011
Important notice !
Guitardater doesn't recognize the serial# system Epiphone is using since mid 2008 !
Non prefix serial# doesn't work!
Chinese made guitars with F 31xxxx like the "1959" model or the 1960/2010 tribute models
don't work either, or are falsely rated as FujiGen, Japan made instuments.
To find the i.d. of your 1993 or most later models Epiphone either:
1. Use the "keys" and factory letter/number identifiers below -- note that for guitars made prior to 1993, the serial # assigned does not reveal the date or factory where made -- or you can,
2. use the guitar dater project ---disclaimer: the guitardater project does not keep serial # log files of Epiphone products, it is simply a decoder program that uses the same codes keys as below to decifer the number entered by a user and as such it cannot verify the authenticity of any Epiphone guitar
link to the ---> guitar dater project website
if the link fails, then copy/paste into your address bar ---> http://www.guitardat...g/epiphone.aspx
the four serial # code keys
YYMMFFRRRRR -- new model codes, no letter prefix
Beginning 2008-09 models are appearing w/o a letter prefix to i.d. the factory. Based on what is reported so far, it appears that the serial code may be:
YY = first two digits = year of manufacture
MM = second two digits = month of manufature
FF = third two digits = factory i.d. where made -- the factory code #s identified so far are shown in red print below
RRRRR = remaining digits = ranking number
-- example 08121520333 was made in December 2008, factory 15, 2 unknown significance, 0333 unit produced
[NOTE - pre 1993-94 productions also frequently omitted factory letter codes and appeared as all numbers e.g. 023849354 -- these are Asian made (Korea, Japan, Indonesia) but again the exact factory origin is not usually available from guitardater project or other sources.]
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 made in Feb. 2002 from the Samick Korea factory, unit 1234.
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 made in April 2003 at the Peerless Korea factory, unit 0263.
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 ranking number
Example - T41234 is a 2004 Elitist model made at the Terada factory, production rank 1234th unit.
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)
DW DaeWon (China)
EA QingDao (China) = Epiphone Acoustic
ED is from their Epiphone Dongbei factory. The Chinese Dongbei means North-east.
EE QingDao (China) = Epiphone Electric
F Fujigen (Japan) = Elite/Elitist models
F/FN Fine Guitars (Korea) = non-Elite/Elitist models
GG (two identified -- Epiphone says it has no record of using GG -- may have slipped through system or are 3rds)
I Saein (Korea)
J Indonesia (Jakarta ?) -- note: one Elitist model made in Japan has been reported having a J letter code
K Korea Ins. (Korea)
L ____?____ (Korea)
MC Muse (China)
MR = Mirr factory, China
N--> see FN
O Choice (Korea)
P/R Peerless (Korea)
S Samick (Korea)
SI Samick (Bogor, Indonesia)
SJ SaeJun (China)
SM Samil (Korea)
SN ____?____ (Indonesia)
T Terada Gakki Seisakusyo (Japan)
U Unsung (Korea)
UC Unsung China (China)
Z Zaozhuang Saehan (China)
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 500
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)[/i]
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia)
Member paruwi6172 is now keeping this thread current through your input and PMs to him.
This list was compiled by contributors to the Gibson/Epi forums and is updated with new information that can be confirmed from multiple sources.
This is an attempt to get "control" about the first post,
as suggested by Steven Lister and in agreement with Duane
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i.d. your Epiphone here -- serial # key, guitardater link + factory codes... a worldwide guide >part 3
in Epiphone Electrics
Posted
philpm
from page 1: note that for guitars made prior to 1993, the serial # assigned does not reveal the date or factory where made
General wisdom is that serial #s pre-93 were not coded and that no records were kept of what guitar = what production factory. This was due to the outsourcing of production to many different makers after the Michigan production shutdown. Only Epi knows for sure. You can try contacting Epi directly with what you already know about year made, serial, etc. and see what they reply. Best of luck.
WELCOME to the forum!
Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaaby..., I'm still playing on:-"