RobinTheHood Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 From enlarging the photo, it looks like a three-screw TRC, and the TRC has no 'e' logo. Instead, it appears to be carrying the vertical Gibson logo. These traits again are common to the Korean-Samick Sheratons, and also the Peerless, Saein, and Unsung Korean-Epiphones from that era. Once again I will reiterate the fact that the bridge tells the tale. It is an early model "harmonica" bridge. These pre-date Peerless, UnSung, Saein and any other OEM factories that Epiphone began to use after 1992 (beginning 1993), when Jim Rosenberg took over as CEO. From the mid 1980's through 1992, Samick was the only Korean manufacturer of Epiphones. Unless you are trying to determine whether a solid body asian Epiphone is Japanese or not, the truss rod cover is the least reliable source to base any conclusions on. Some of the Japanese archtops had three screws and whether it is blank or not really means nothing. Being inscribed with the word "Gibson" only tells you that it was made from the early 1990's through the early 2000's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 Once again I will reiterate the fact that the bridge tells the tale. It is an early model "harmonica" bridge. These pre-date Peerless, UnSung, Saein and any other OEM factories that Epiphone began to use after 1992 (beginning 1993), when Jim Rosenberg took over as CEO. From the mid 1980's through 1992, Samick was the only Korean manufacturer of Epiphones. Unless you are trying to determine whether a solid body asian Epiphone is Japanese or not, the truss rod cover is the least reliable source to base any conclusions on. Some of the Japanese archtops had three screws and whether it is blank or not really means nothing. Being inscribed with the word "Gibson" only tells you that it was made from the early 1990's through the early 2000's. Gosh, stay away for a few days & look what happens. Honestly, you didn't have to reiterate. Your last sentence is the exact point I was trying to make. Yes, I'm aware that the bridge is a clear tell-tale factor regarding the guitar's origin, but I wanted to also point out another item that makes this guitar have more in common with Korean-made Epiphones than it does with Japanese-made Epiphones. The OP clearly wants this guitar to be a Japanese Epiphone, but it most certainly is not. Btw, to sample the finest non-USA Sheratons ever made, get your hands on one of the AIUSA (Assembled in USA) Sheratons. I feel very fortunate to own one, and it is an amazing instrument. The body was made by Terada in Japan, and then shipped to Nashville for installation of all-Gibson hardware, and final assembly. These were first released in 2000 as the John Lee Hooker USA-series model. Along with the John Lennon AIUSA Casino, the build quality is simply superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yogi_Sizzle Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 Gosh, stay away for a few days & look what happens. Honestly, you didn't have to reiterate. Your last sentence is the exact point I was trying to make. Yes, I'm aware that the bridge is a clear tell-tale factor regarding the guitar's origin, but I wanted to also point out another item that makes this guitar have more in common with Korean-made Epiphones than it does with Japanese-made Epiphones. The OP clearly wants this guitar to be a Japanese Epiphone, but it most certainly is not. Btw, to sample the finest non-USA Sheratons ever made, get your hands on one of the AIUSA (Assembled in USA) Sheratons. I feel very fortunate to own one, and it is an amazing instrument. The body was made by Terada in Japan, and then shipped to Nashville for installation of all-Gibson hardware, and final assembly. These were first released in 2000 as the John Lee Hooker USA-series model. Along with the John Lennon AIUSA Casino, the build quality is simply superb. I know others have already answered that the guitar in question is not a MIJ, but is a late 80s to early 90s MIK. I have 3 Sheratons, a 62 RI, a 83 MIJ Sheraton, and an AIUSA Sheraton. There are lots of details that differentiate the older MIJ versions from the MIK/MIC versions and even later MIJ. AIUSA, 83 MIJ, 62 RI headstocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Yogi - A lovely group indeed! And just so folks will know, there were two versions of the AIUSA Sheraton. Yours has a stoptail, and the other like mine has a Frequenstor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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