Aug 11, 2017 - For Epiphone serial numbers that begin with a letter(s), this list identifies the factory. F/FN - Fine Guitars (Korea) = non-Japanese models. Gibson Brands Forums: Look up your Epiphone Serial Number - Gibson Brands Forums.
Look at the first number of your serial number if one exists. Through 1987, Aria guitars serial numbers represented the year of manufacturer as either the first one or first two digits of the serial number. For example, a guitar made in 1978 might have the first two digits of 78 or the first digit of 8. Determine whether your guitar's first two digits are 81 or higher.
New serial numbers (No more letters since 2008) [May, 2016 Edit]
New Serial Numbers, without letters
They no longer put letters on the serial number. This is how you 'read' the information of your Epiphone Serial Number.
NOTE: Please!!! READ the information carefully. You can figure it out by yourself (when and where your guitars were made). Try it, is not that hard! Anyway, I'll be glad to help those who can't 'read' their serial numbers properly, but it might take time to reply. Ok? (Cari, Epiphone Les Paul Custom Facebook Group administrator. August 10th, 2012).
Thank you!!!
YYMMFF12345
YY year
MM month
FF factory-code
12345 production#
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
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, probably Samick,)
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia
July, 2012 EDIT:
ANOTHER CODES:
FYYMRRRR
F = factory code (See 'Factory number code' above)
YY = year of manufacture
M = This will be a letter code corresponding to the month (A=January, B=February, etc...).
RRRR = production number
More Letters Information!!!
CZECH REPUBLIC:
B= Bohêmia Musico-Delicia
KOREA:
I= Saein,
U=Unsung,
S=Samick,
P or R=Peerless
CHINA:
DW=DeaWon,
EA=Gibson/QingDao (Acoustic guitar),
EE=Gibson/QingDao (Electric guitar),
MC=Muse,
SJ=SaeJung,
Z=ZaozhuangSaehan,
BW=China
UC=Unsung China
MR = Mirr factory
JAPAN:
Epiphone Guitar Serial Number Lookup
No letter or
F=FujiGen,
J or T=Terada
INDONESIA:
SI=Samick (Bogor factory)
March, 2015 EDIT:
F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models
This newest serial number system used by Epiphone is not yet completely deciphered.
'F' doesn't refer to 'Fine, Korea' - nor to 'Fuji-gen, Japan' - New 'F' models are made in China.
This serial number system doesn't exactly tell the year - and doesn't tell the month at all.
- Beginning with F300000 in late 2009 used on LP Std'59/Std'60/Tribute models
- Continued around F310650~F311050 in spring 2012 on Tribute-Plus models
- Continued around F305000 in 2011
- Continued around F310000 in 2012
- Continued around F317000 in 2013
- Continued around F324000 in 2014
- Continued around F330000 in 2015
1998-Current
The Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards are in a YMMPPP format.
Y = Year of manufactureMM = Month of manufacturePPP = Production number
The serial number letters used by the Terada and Fuji-Gen guitar factories are:
- J = Terada
- T = Terada,
- F = Fuji-Gen
- No Letter = Fuji-Gen
Example: J902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123
Example: T902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123
Example: F902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123
Example: 902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123
1987-1997 SEMI ACOUSTIC MODELS
For Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan semi acoustic models from 1987 to approximately 1997, the serial numbers are in a YCPPP format.They were made by Terada and usually have an Orange Epiphone label.
Y = Year of manufactureC = Model codePPP = Production number
Model Codes (C)
- 1 = NVJ
- 2 = EMPEROR
- 3 = RIVIERA
- 4 = SHERATON
- 5 = CASINO
- 6 = Limited Edition
- 7 = EB-2
- 8 = ES-930J
- 9 = EMPEROR-J
Example: 34123 = 1993 / SHERATON / unit 123
Example: 38123 = 1993 / ES-930J / unit 123
Epiphone Guitar Serial Number Lookup Japan
REFURBISHED Models
MIRC Refurb Label
Serial numbers starting with '311xxxx' on a golden sticker are 'refurbished' guitars sold by MIRC (Musical Instrument Reclamation Center)
- There is no way to tell the year or the month it was made in the MIRC serial
- Original serial numbers are usually defaced
- Original warranty void
- Sometimes the word '2nd' is stamped on back of headstock
- MIRC specs can often be different from stock specs
Epiphone Sg Serial Number Lookup
EDIT: MAY, 2016
Let's take a look at this...
FACTORY LETTER CODES
For Epiphone serial numbers that begin with a letter(s), this list identifies the factory & country where produced:
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Serial Numbers
- B - Bohêmia Musico-Delicia (Czech Republic)
- BW - ____?____ (China)
- CI - Cort (Indonesia)
- DW - DaeWon (China)
- EA - QingDao (China) = Epiphone Acoustic
- ED - Dongbei (China) = Chinese Dongbei means North-east.
- EE - QingDao (China) = Epiphone Electric
- F - Fuji-gen (Japan) = Elite/Elitist models (See: Epiphone Japan Serial Numbers)
- F - Qingdao (China) = Les Paul Standard '59 / '60 / Tribute Models (See: F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models)
- F/FN - Fine Guitars (Korea) = non-Japanese models
- FC - ____?____ (China 2000's) Possibly 'Global Fine Supply Ltd.'
- FC - Fuji-Gen (Japan 1990's)
- H - _______ (China?) Found on a 1995 El Nino
- G/GG - Identified as early modern Masterbilt acoustics (Epiphone says they have no record of G serials)
- GR - Grand Reward (Farida, Guang Dong) China, Seen on some early Masterbilt acoustics
- GP - ____?____ (Korea) found on a BB King Lucille from 2001 (verified by Epiphone Customer Service)
- I - Saein (Korea)
- J - Terada Gakki Seisakusyo (Japan)
- J - Unknown. Possibly Jakarta, Indonesia - Found on a 1997 S-310
- JK - ??? Korea or Indonesia - Found on a 1999 G-310 Junior
- K - Korea Ins. (Korea)
- L - Leader Musical Instrument Co Ltd (Korea)
- MC - Muse (China)
- MR - Mirr factory, China
- N - See: FN
- O - Choice (Korea)
- P/R - Peerless (Korea)
- QG - Qingdao Gibson (China) - Interim designation used prior to 'EA' & 'EE'
- S - Samick (Korea)
- SI - Samick (Bogor, Indonesia)
- SJ - SaeJun (China)
- SK - ???
- SM - Samil (Korea)
- SN - ____?____ (Indonesia)
- T - Terada Gakki Seisakusyo (Japan)
- U - Unsung (Korea)
- UC - Unsung China (China)
- WF - ____?____ (China) found on an Accu Bass Junior from 2001
- X - ____ (China) - Early to mid 1990's serial number label - Verified by Epiphone Customer Service. Seen on 'Epi' brand guitars.
- Y - Korea (seen on a PR775CE)
- Z - Zaozhuang Saehan (China)