Old Epiphone Acoustic

[Dallastx]

Model number 6830e SN 07746 Made in Kalamazoo at the Gibson plant in 1961.

 

 

My wife was asking what it's worth? Doing an estate sale. The guitar is in great shape but no case.

[RaysEpiphone]

I think any where between $50-$450 (US). Depending on what some one wanted it for and how much they have (are willing to) spend.

[cunningham26]

The 6830 was made in Japan around 1970-71. The blue label should say Kalamazoo but also Made in Japan in the bottom right. Then again, it might not

 

 

Unfortunately they arent really collectable, maybe about $50-100? It's kind of one of those things where it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it in your area depending on the particular condition of it.

[zombywoof]

Your Epiphone was built at the Matsumoku factory in Japan probably in 1971. I think it is basically a re-badged Aria. The guitar later became the FT-150.

[Dallastx]

Not mine. thanks for your help.

[TommyK]

Made in 1961? Not a chance.

 

This is the 6830 which places production EXACTLY in 1971, late in the year. The fancy 'fleur de lis', plastic tuner buttons confirms this. If it has an "E" suffix, I surmise it was added to keep the EPiphone line distinct from other Aria offerings... but that's just a guess. It did not meat 'electrified'.

 

In early 1971, the nomenclature changed to the FT series. Dating of which is a guess at best 1971 - 1975, if a blue label. The FTs had metal tuner buttons. Very early one blue "Union Made" labels were shipped to Matsumoku. They were supposed to line out the "Union Made", then rubber stamp "Made in Japan" I've seen one which was missed. Also, the black marker in has faded on some labels, revealing the "Union Made" underneath. Some sellers have razored or just ripped off the bottom corners to hide the guitars lineage. Don't be fooled. Whatever your blue label says, it was made in Japan. A clone of the blue label was eventually printed without the "Union Made" in the lower left, and the "Made in Japan" printed in the lower right.

 

 

It has a bolt on neck (Adjustable), it's the equivalent of the FT150. Top of the flat top line that year. The 1971 catalog listed it for $125.00, plus $15.00 for paperboard case. Currently worth $100 - $200, depending on condition and your local market. If the neck block is loose, subtract $100.00. Add to that the value of the case. If it's the OEM paperboard case, it has very little value, other than a shipping container. They weren't that durable, few have survived.

[zombywoof]

Not mine. thanks for your help.

 

 

TommyK speaketh the truth. I think you based the 1961 date on Gibson rather Epiphone serial numbers.

[TommyK]

TommyK speaketh the truth. I think you based the 1961 date on Gibson rather Epiphone serial numbers.

Serial numbers on the Matsumoku production are meaningless. The serial numbers were anything but serial. No one has been able to offer an explantion of the 'system' of serializing, if there was a 'system' at all. The only ones you can nail down are the 6xxx models as they were in production for a very short time.

 

If they sported a blue 'Union Made' label (which they weren't), edited or not, figure early 1972.

 

The blue label continued until about 1975, when the tan colored 'Lincolnwood' label took over, until about 1979/80, when the FT series was replaced with the PR series.