DG248 Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Hello All, I am trying to figure out a mystery with a particular Epiphone Acoustic. With help from some very knowledgeable folks, here's what I *think* I know. This is guitar is probably a 1990's PR 350 - made in Japan. The headstock shape, logo, letter script used, diamond shaped fret markers, points to a 1990's PR 350. The Mystery: There is no tag inside the body. No blue or Tan tag. No Serial Number. The biggest mystery: On the bracing inside the body there is black text that appears to be stamped that says "EPIPHONE - KALAMAZOO, MI USA". This does not make any sense for a 1990's MIJ Epiphone. The stamp does not say "Made in Kalamazoo". Here are what I think the possibilities may be...... 1) The stamp is an intentional fake? 2) Some spart parts that were in the Epi plant in K'zoo were shipped to Japan. Maybe some bracing with this stamp was used to make this guitar? (This seems unlikely since Gibson and Epiphone had been moved out of Kalamazoo for a minimum 5 years by the 1990's. 3) Possible prototype guitar? Maybe pre-1990's? 4) An older body - from maybe the 70's with a newer 1990's neck? I really don't know. I was hoping someone here may be able to impart some knowledge to me. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Does it have.a bolt on neck? Just curious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Fitz Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I'm afraid all I can say is it's a pretty nice-looking guitar. Looks a bit like an early 90's Washburn I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 My guess is that the stamp is fake, and intended to lead one to believe it was made in the USA. Residue appears to indicate where the label has been removed. The neck has a scarfed headstock (probably the heel as well, but can't see it). Truss rod cover is standard Gibson, with the bottom cut off to fit. Origin is most likely Korea if made in the mid '80s through the '90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DG248 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Share Posted December 21, 2016 My guess is that the stamp is fake, and intended to lead one to believe it was made in the USA. Residue appears to indicate where the label has been removed. The neck has a scarfed headstock (probably the heel as well, but can't see it). Truss rod cover is standard Gibson, with the bottom cut off to fit. Origin is most likely Korea if made in the mid '80s through the '90s. Thanks - I'm leaning toward fake too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 It is likely fake. ( Never saw it before and it looks amateur.) Imported Epiphones from the early 70s did have labels that referenced Kalamazoo but didn't say made there. But, never heard of a stamp. The stamp itself seems kind of meaningless... Just my 2 cents. QM aka Jazzman Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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