Steven Lister Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 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 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 This list was compiled by contributors to the Gibson/Epi forums and was on this forum but disappeared for reasons unknown. Since several recent posts have inquired about factory codes' date=' I have taken the liberty of re-posting it here (with acknowledgement to Note_Norton and others for keeping it up-to-date and alive).[/quote'] Thanx Steven, Norton and everyone who contributed, this is an invaluable resource, the first thing I asked when I joined was where were my Epi's made, and I'm sure that's a pretty common occurence. Good stuff ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberpunk409 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 And a "J" serial would be from...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 And a "J" serial would be from...? That would indicate "Terada Japan", but I severely doubt they made budget bolt-ons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 And a "J" serial would be from...? I've never had any definitive answer to where mine is from either. You are the first person I've come across around here who also has just a "J" in front of numbers. Mine is an Epi 1997 SG Jr. the # is J97100457. I know it's hard to make out. I have always wanted to know for sure where it's country of origin was as well. Anybody know? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 You are the first person I've come across around here who also has just a "J" in front of numbers.Mine is an Epi 1997 SG Jr. the # is J97100457. I know it's hard to make out. I have always wanted to know for sure where it's country of origin was as well. Anybody know? Is it possible that the "J" stands for Jakarta? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Is it possible that the "J" stands for Jakarta? You know Ron, that's the capital city, and the largest city in Indonesia. I bet you're right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Is it possible that the "J" stands for Jakarta? Good thinking. But despite the amount of people living there' date=' Jakarta hardly knows a a big industrial section. Most factories are in Surabaya or maybe Jogya... Steven, You may want to keep the unconfirmed ones in a seperate section. [b']Unconfirmed[/b] GG EZ G JK J Indonesia? N China Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydpink7 Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 If Gibson/Epiphone has an outline of Guitar ID's, then could that be placed as a sticky? I think people would feel a lot better with the info coming from them and not a 3rd party. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
death Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 i cant find my #'s might they be in the guitar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 If Gibson/Epiphone has an outline of Guitar ID's' date=' then could that be placed as a sticky? I think people would feel a lot better with the info coming from them and not a 3rd party.[/quote'] http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/SerialNumberSearch/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figstrum Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Just trying to keep it in the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydpink7 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/SerialNumberSearch/ I noticed that that link doesn't have the location of where it was manufactured, it just tells you how to read the ID... If a simplified version of this thread was stickied, would it be like the introduction topic. It's not made by epiphone like the rule sticky, but its just making it easier for people to access user submitted content that could otherwise be seen on other sites on the internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Woody Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Bump. And I vote for making it a sticky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I thought GG was China? I think I saw this on a Casino that someone was selling on ebay that was newish and not Unsung/Peerless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figstrum Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Bump. There is a few new guys around that might want to look at this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figstrum Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Well, Im the proud owner of a Epi Honey Les Paul Standard 2008 model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexygibson Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 What I would rather see is Epi post a section on the home page for this information. It shoudn't be very hard to do. Maybe " Shadow " could look into this for us ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figstrum Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 What is this ranking number? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captmidnight Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Lighten up y'all, Duane and sexygibson are doing a fine job I think. Heck before we didn't have anyone we could talk to. If we did something wrong we got booted. I know, think I was one of the 1st to get a weeks vacation on the new forum...lol all I did was post a picture of an old peavey reactor that isn't even made anymore and got booted Hell of a lot better now than back then, ppl can post about any guitar on here and not worry about being banded. Capt ps...keep up the great work you two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Thanks Captain for the kind words. Mr. Lister, I understand your frustration and as I stated earlier the info is great. However, there's certain subject matter I have to get approval from Gibson/Epi to make a sticky. And serial number reference and number of units built is considered proprietary information. At the moment Gibson has an official link in regards to serial number information. And if a customer has a question that particular link will not answer, they should move forward and contact Gibson/Epi Customer Service to receive more individual assistance. Thanks for understanding, and my apologies for not getting back to you in a more expedient fashion regarding your thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Thank you to those who assembled the information in this thread....very helpful. :) B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rholloman Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Many thanks for posting this information. :( With this I found out that my Epiphone BB King Lucille was made in Unsung, Korea in April of 2008. Which makes it newer than I thought. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexygibson Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 This is some great info Stephen. Thanks for all the work that must have went into compiling it. I'm sure that Duane is doing what he can to make sure this info is not lost in the archives and hopefully he will have a solution soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinb Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Hey thanks alot man ive been looking for this for a while now. Peace, Sinful Bane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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