Cryptical1 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I recently purchased an older Epiphone Casino. It's natural with a bigsby which I don't believe was original. The serial number is 145578, the label is brown (or orange) and there is a single number 3 stamped on the back of the headstock. The "3" is not going in the normal direction of most serial numbers on guitars, its going vertical instead of horizontal and is centered at the top of the headstock. I've heard of seconds, but could this possibly be a 3rd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 ...could this possibly be a 3rd? Weird! Any noticeable flaws? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockabillybob Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I've had good success dating Epiphones with this link. Guitar Dater Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 there aren't "3rd's". there should be a serial number on the f-hole label Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkJB Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Similar stamp on an Epi LP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cryptical1 Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 I've had no luck with any of the guitar dating websites. I've tried several. This post was a "last ditch" attempt to try and figure it out. Like I said, the serial number is only six digits with no letters (145578). There are absolutely no flaws on this guitar. It plays amazingly well and looks fantastic. The finish is more of a caramel than "natural" and it sounds fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 how about some more pics of the guitar and the serial number? someone may be able to tell more by seeing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoshark Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Probably best to send a pic of label and guitar. I looked at wiki and your numbers didnt quite click. Japanaese made epis on the early models tend to go by labels to pin down years. starting with blue and ending with orange. Your 2nd and third numbers typically refer to month so that doesn't fit with your serial number. The pics you send would really help, since there were models being made in both Korea and Japan in starting around 83". I know for refurbished there should have been a sticker serial number that is always the same(wiki) and it starts with a number 3. I believe both Japan and Korea had short periods where there was no factory letter code at the beginning of the serial number. there are some pretty sharp guys here that have info but the pics would be the way to go. Inside label and Headstock tell a lot sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cryptical1 Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 Here are some pics. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L8_4thesh0w Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 That guitar looks like the one John Lennon played and the Peace Symbol probably wasn't applied on too many. Your best bet might be to email Epi Customer Service and see if they can provide any info. Nice guitar... good look checking into it. Σß Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkJB Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 The stamp on the headstock and the sticker over the original serial number suggest it is a manufacturer refinish. When there is a finish flaw Epiphone sell the guitar to a company who strip them, refinish them and then sell them on. Perfectly good guitars and yours has that lovely non standard honey colour as a bonus. They are normally stamped "used" from what I can tell, but some have "2nd", some "B" - I can find a couple that seem to have "3". Ps. Is that a bit of Birdseye in the top? Nice! Also is the peace symbol on top or under the Poly? If under then it has had a refinish at some point (which adds more weight to the above) I note that it was labeled in the factory as a "Natural" model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 ...the sticker over the original serial number suggest it is a manufacturer refinish. Yep, dead giveaway. I guess it was a "3rd." Apparently the refurbisher did a good job on it, though. Looks like a nice casino now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 cool guitar there indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burchster Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 If you pull that sticker off you might be able to date it...usual the refurbished scratches out the last two or three numbers though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 The headstock logo font on your Casino began being commonly used by Epiphone in 2010. If I were to hazard a guess, it would be that this guitar was made in China, and the white serial number sticker over the original label clearly identifies it as a refurbished instrument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burchster Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Looks like a Korean label though...Korea and Indonesia still use those orange labels where China uses a brown tan colored one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Looks like a Korean label though...Korea and Indonesia still use those orange labels where China uses a brown tan colored one. Interesting. Can't say I ever noticed a change in the label color on Chinese Casinos, but yes, it could just as easily be from another pacific rim country. Bottom line is, it's a basic Casino that's been refurbished & slightly modified by a previous owner. A hollowbody with P90s is a wonderful combination, so just play it and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cryptical1 Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 OK, first I want to thank you all for the replies to this thread. I was away for the holiday and couldn't answer any questions. First, the sticker is on the outside of the finish. Second, the person I purchased it from had it for over 9 years. I love the guitar. The non-standard finish is really nice and yes, there is some cool birds eye in there. I even like the nylon saddles in the bridge... It truly is a nice guitar. Again, thanks for the information. You all have been a big help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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