Did you know that you can use Epiphone serial numbers to discover the age of your guitar? In this guide, we’ll give you the basics on how it works so that you can learn if you have a vintage gem that’s worth a fortune.

1. Epiphone Banjo Price
2. Gibson Epiphone Masterbuilt Banjo
3. New Epiphone Banjos
4. Gibson Epiphone Guitar Serial Numbers
5. Gibson Epiphone Guitar Value

1. In 1994, Gibson's Centennial year, many instruments have a serial number that begins with '94' for the year, with the remaining 6 digits indicating the ranking number. Gibson USA 2014 to present – These serial numbers cannot be dated to a specific day of the year.
2. Gibson Mastertone Banjos 19 18-194 4. A word about the dating of vintage Gibson banjos. TB-5 Mastertone #8035-10, the 'Roger Smith'. TB-Granada Mastertone #9152-20, the 'Banjo Pete' TB-Granada Mastertone #9152-26, the 'Herbert Reese' TB-Granada Mastertone #9152-57, the 'Selmer Lien'.

Made in China under license by Gibson the Epiphone MB250 'Masterbilt' 5 String Banjo is of reasonable quality. This particular instrument is in near mint condition. It has a bound Mahogany neck, Rosewood finger board with pearloid plastic “hearts & flowers” inlay, Planetary tuners, bound resonator Chromed hardware, Remo head, Grover. Locate the serial number on the back of the guitar's headstock (the top of the neck where the strings are attached). The serial number will generally be nine to 10 digits long, with the first being a letter. Identify the first letter in the serial number. Y = Year of manufacture Six digit serial numbers From 1961 to early 1970, Epiphone used 6-digit serial numbers in the Gibson serial number line. Maybe you have a Gibson banjo, dobro, or a Goldtone amplifier you’re not sure about. Locate the serial number on the back of the guitar's headstock (the top of the neck where the strings are attached).

How To Use Epiphone Serial Numbers To Date Your Guitar

If you have a vintage Epiphone or Gibson guitar, you could be sitting on a gold mine. Many older models have a rich history, and better than that, they could be worth a lot of money.

If you can’t make it to an antique shop with a certified professional who can date your guitar, you can still determine its age by using the Epiphone serial number. That information is extremely helpful if you’re trying to determine its value or if you’re looking to sell your instrument.

In this guide, we’ll give you the basics on how the numbers work and resources to help you determine the age and origin of your guitar.

To understand the significance of the Epiphone serial number, we first need to look at how their company historyintertwines with that of Gibson.

Epiphone started as a family business in 1873 as a luxury banjo manufacturer. In the 1930’s, they switched up their business model and began producing high-end guitars, and became the only manufacturer to successfully make the transition.

They grew in popularity and by the 1950’s, became Gibson’s main rival. In 1957, the Chicago Musical Instrument Company (CMI) acquired Epiphone. As they already owned Gibson, this merge brought the two powerful brand names under one umbrella.

In 1969, a second purchase occurred. Norlin acquired CMI and moved all of the production of Epiphone to Japan and subsequently to Korea.

During each of these transitions, there were also changes made to how the instruments were labeled, which is part of the reason why the serial number identification process is so confusing. For example, after 1969, it’s unlikely your guitar would have a label saying it was made overseas, but you might have a seven-digit serial number that could tell that story.

When trying to date your vintage Epiphone or Gibson instrument, the most accurate way to do it is by decoding the serial number. Because there aren’t any factory ledgers prior to the 1980’s for Epiphone, these stamps will give you the closest approximation to their manufacturing date.

Particularly with older models, the serial number may not be enough to trace the guitar’s origins. Because there is not a single, central database for any of the models manufactured prior to 1977, you have to dig deep into the code to figure out from where and when it originated.

In fact, at Gibson’s customer service line, they report that at least a quarter of the calls they receive daily are from people trying to date their guitar.

If it was manufactured after 1977, the process is easy. If not, they, like the rest of us, refer to Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars to try to begin the process.

Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars

• Used Book in Good Condition
• Carter, Walter (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

A serial number not only confirms the authenticity of your guitar but can impact the value. If, for example, you have a Gibson Explorer that was made from 1958 to 1959, you have one of the few models produced in that period.

In general, rare guitars are worth more money, and that particular model is valued at between $250,000 and $310,000.

Today, it’s simple to use the serial number on your Gibson to date your guitar. If it was manufactured after 1977, the build date is included in the sequence.

The first and fifth number signifies the year it was built, and the second, third, and fourth are the day of the year.

For example, if the first five digits of your eight-digit serial number are 01545, then you know that the guitar was made on the 154th day of the year in 2005.

The sixth number in the modern sequence will tell you the batch, and the last three indicate the rolling production number.

Unfortunately, prior to the system instituted in 1977, the process is anything but simple to decipher.

There are entire books written on how to decipher your Epiphone serial number sequence, but here we will outline the basics of what you need to know based on year ranges that have commonalities.

In the first two years, 1932 and 1933, Epiphone die-stamped the serial number on the inside of the back of their instruments. If you look through the “F” hole on the bass side, you will see it positioned below the label.

Beginning in 1934, they moved the placement directly onto the label itself.

This sequence begins in 1932 with the number 5000, and the last documented serial number in this series is 20142.

When Epiphone launched the Electar line in 1935, they also began using a new system for serial numbers on their electric instruments.

You’ll find them die stamped on the top rear of the peghead, and they are a sequence of between three and five numbers.

They range from 001 in 1935, to 9999 in 1945.

In 1944, there were some shakeups inside of Epiphone which resulted in the creation of a new numbering system. Most significantly, Epi died, and his widow gave up her shares which opened the door to a financial restructuring of the company.

At the same time, the new shareholders decided to change some of their production methods which had a direct impact on their inventory. This, in turn, affected the numbering scheme.

The new serials began at 50,000 in 1944 and ended at 59,999 in 1950.

This is one of the many spans of time where there is a significant amount of grey area around dating the serial number on your instrument.

We know that from 1944 to 1950, the manufacturer introduced a two-digit prefix in front of the actual three-digit production number of all of its electric models. However, there is no data that tells us how many guitars were made each year, which makes it impossible to pinpoint an estimated date the instrument was manufactured.

On these models, you’ll locate the impressed serial number on the back side of the top of the peghead.

In 1951, Epiphone transitioned their electric models to the same five-digit numbering scheme as their acoustic models. Beginning with 60000 in 1951, and ending with the last known New-York made model, the Epi Zephyr, number 69637.

After Epiphone and Gibson merged under the same umbrella, Gibson started following their lead and placing serial numbers on their guitars.

During this time period, they ink stamped the digits on the back of the peghead and used the last number of the year as the first number in the serial sequence on their solid body models.

For example, in 1958, the first digit in the serial number is 8. In 1960, the first number was 0.

Epiphone Banjo Price

From 1958 to 1961, Gibson branded guitars used a different numbering series than Epiphone. You know it’s a Gibson if there is the letter “A” preceding the serial number found on the label of a hollow body model.

Beginning with A1000 in 1958, this series goes to A4999 in 1961.

Gibson Epiphone Masterbuilt Banjo

In 1961, all of the guitars produced that were not part of the A-Series by both Gibson and Epiphone followed the same serial number series.

The manufacturers stamped it on the top backside of the peghead. They also removed text that read “Made in the USA” during this years because some of the components were created overseas.

The sequence begins with serial number 0100 in 1961, and by 1967, the six-digit code emerges. During that year, all started with the number zero, and by 1968 the companies were up to 999999.

New Epiphone Banjos

Notably, from 1966 to 1968, they made an adjustment to differentiate between the low and high-end models. In that span, guitars numbered between 600000 to 600998 were lower quality. Then, in 1969, they changed things up and used the sequence 600000 to 606090 to denote the more expensive, high-end guitars.

There are many variations of serial numbers, and it can sometimes be difficult to decipher the code.

In addition to Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars, which is considered the ultimate reference point for guitar enthusiasts, there are a few additional resources that can help.

In the Gibson forums, their support staff has broken down all of the possibilities for you and tried to help make sense of it. They share the four distinct formats, as well as a full list of factory later and number codes, and special designations found on the Les Paul models.

Gibson Epiphone Guitar Serial Numbers

granted to the Epiphone Banjo Corp. to continue to manufacture banjos, on a royalty basis, embodying the particular features of the William L. Lange patents that were claimed to have been infringed. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You’ll find them die stamped on the top rear of the peghead, and they are a sequence of between three and five numbers. e.g. The serial number letters used by the Terada and Fuji-Gen guitar factories are: Example: J902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123 By submitting this form you are agreeing to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. When supplies ran out, these labels were replaced with a new batch that were printed 'Made in Japan' in the lower right corner. Y/YY= Year of manufacture (Single digit for some 1997 and earlier models) 3. Y = Year of manufacture By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to our Example: F902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123 Epiphone guitars come from different factories in different countries. 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. F/FF= Factory code (No factory designator for some 1993 and earlier models) 2. Terms & Conditions | Registered Trademarks, Gibson Electric Guitar Descriptions from the, Gibson Acoustic Guitar Descriptions from the. Pre-1970 'Union Made' labels are distinguishable from labels used on Japanese intruments by the printed model name of the intrument only. A full line of newly designed acoustic and electric guitars is launched in 1958. The early Japanese blue labels were left over from production at the Kalamazoo factory and were used on Japanese-made instruments until supplies ran out (approximately 1970-1971).
Copyright 2020 Gibson Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. Example: S93021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234 NOTE - Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005.. Example: SI01021234 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 1234 These labels say 'Made in Tawain' in the bottom right corner. Wondering how old your Gibson or Epiphone guitar is? In 2008 models begin to appear without a factory i.d. PPP = Production number. Example: T902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123
With Semi-Hollow models on the label inside the top f-hole and with acoustic guitars on the label inside the sound hole. Privacy Policy | Epiphone stamps each guitar with a serial number, however, which when deciphered can tell a guitarist all he needs to know about the guitar. Locate the serial number on the headstock of the guitar. 1947 to Present. Example: S3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234 In 1960, Epiphone's production moved to the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Example: F21234 = Fuji-gen Japan / 2002 / unit 1234
Where to find the serial number 3042779, Example: 3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234
Epiphone Masterbuilt Banjo Serial Numbers. or find it in explanation about the dating system below.
Example: 38123 = 1993 / ES-930J / unit 123. It consists of a number of digits, often also in advance of one or two letters. 'F' doesn't refer to 'Fine, Korea' - nor to 'Fuji-gen, Japan' - New 'F' models are made in China. From 1943 to 1947, the logo was a thick golden script, known as the banner logo. It is certain that the models with a 6 digit serial number starting with 0 were produced in 1967. Example: SI010212345 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 12345. When Epiphone launched the Electar line in 1935, they also began using a new system for serial numbers on their electric instruments. For this reason, it is not so easy to know where each guitar comes from or when it is made. C = Model code This page was last modified on 20 March 2019, at 011:06. This guide, republished courtesy of Gibson.com, provides information from … Anastasios Stathopoulos born in 1863, was a Greek luthier who started a mandolin and violin company in 1873 in Pellana, Greece. PPP = Production number, Example: 34123 = 1993 / SHERATON / unit 123 The Lincolnwood label was also used for the Tawainese 'Epi' series acoustic guitars from 1979-1980. MM = Month of manufacture This newest serial number system used by Epiphone is not yet completely deciphered. RRRR= Ranking number (may be more or less digits) Example: 3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit …
However, many serial numbers were duplicated during this period, making the exact production year difficult to trace. This serial number system doesn't exactly tell the year - and doesn't tell the month at all. We use cookies to understand how you use our site, give you an awesome experience, and deliver our services. 1. If you want to know the production year of your Epiphone guitar/mandolin, you can decipher it with the serial number decoder, Some models (LG-2, J-45, SJ, select L-50s) included an actual banner reading 'Only a Gibson Is Good Enough' in the middle of the headstock. Y = Year of manufacture In 1957, Epiphone is sold to CMI, Gibson's parent company, for $20,000.00. The Aria Epiphone Japan models that were made by Matsumoku from the early 1970s and ending before 1987 do not have a reliable serial numbering system but can be approximately dated using their Epiphone label colours. Some of the interim blue lables had neither the 'Union Made' nor 'Made in Japan' markings on them. where and when it was built. NOTE: The factories identified by these codes are based on patterns which forum members have observed. letter prefix. This settlement terminates the pending suits which were to have been tried in the Federal Courts May 14, 1929' 1933-1940: Serial Number Range: 8500+ MM= Month of manufacture 4. Maybe you have a Gibson banjo, dobro, or a Goldtone amplifier you’re not sure about. Epiphone Acoustic Guitars – 1944 To 1950 The numbers appear as the 5th and sixth digits in the serial number. The Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards are in a YMMPPP format. Gibson Brands, Inc. respects your right to privacy. For Epiphone serial numbers that begin with a letter(s), this list identifies the factory & country where produced: For some models starting in 2008, if serial begins with numbers. The serial number will generally be nine to 10 digits long, with the first being a letter. This serial number guide will help you to figure it all out. Example: T101234 = Terada Japan / 2010 / unit 1234. Example: 08121520333 = 2008 / December / factory 15 / unit 20333, NOTE: Pre 1994 productions also frequently omitted factory letter codes and appeared as all numbers. Example: R01B0123 = Peerless Korea / 2001 / February / unit 0123. Locate the serial number on the back of the guitar's headstock (the top of the neck where the strings are attached). The block logo debuted after WWII and remains the face of the company.
The sixth number is now a batch number- batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once we stamp 699, the batch number will change to 1. Example: 902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123. These labels say 'Union Made' in the lower left corner and are sometimes hand-stamped with 'Made in Japan' at the bottom. 82765501 means the instrument was produced on Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day. Six digit serial numbers From 1961 to early 1970, Epiphone used 6-digit serial numbers in the Gibson serial number line. Epiphone stamps a serial number on each guitar, after decoding it can tell you They range from 001 in 1935, to 9999 in 1945. Serial numbers starting with '311xxxx' on a golden sticker are 'refurbished' guitars sold by MIRC (Musical Instrument Reclamation Center), Electrics | Archtops | Acoustics | Basses | Bluegrass | Amplifiers | Promotional Guitars, F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models, The Difference Between Zephyr, DeLuxe & Regent, There is no way to tell the year or the month it was made in the MIRC serial, Original serial numbers are usually defaced, Sometimes the word '2nd' is stamped on back of headstock, MIRC specs can often be different from stock specs.

Gibson Epiphone Guitar Value

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