Serial

=Epiphone Serial Number Decoding=

Identifiers

YYMMFFRRRRR
In 2008 models begin to appear without a factory i.d. letter prefix. Example: 08121520333 = 2008 / December / factory 15 / unit 20333
 * YY = Year of manufacture
 * MM = Month of manufature
 * FF = Factory I.D.
 * RRRRR = Ranking number

NOTE: Pre 1994 productions also frequently omitted factory letter codes and appeared as all numbers. e.g. 3042779

FYYMMRRRR
Example: 3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234 Example: S3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234 Example: S93021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234 Example: SI01021234 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 1234 Example: SI010212345 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 12345
 * F/FF = Factory code (No factory designator for some 1993 and earlier models)
 * Y/YY = Year of manufacture (Single digit for some 1997 and earlier models)
 * MM = Month of manufacture
 * RRRR = Ranking number (may be more or less digits)

FYYMRRRR
Example: R01B0123 = Peerless Korea / 2001 / February / unit 0123.
 * F = Factory code
 * YY = Year of manufacture
 * M = Letter code to corresponding month (A = January, B = February, etc.)
 * RRRR = Ranking number

FYYSSSS
Epiphone Elite/Elitist models Example: F21234 = Fuji-gen Japan / 2002 / unit 1234 Example: T101234 = Terada Japan / 2010 / unit 1234
 * F = Factory code (F = Fuji-gen, T = Terada)
 * Y = Single digit year of manufacture (2002-2009)
 * YY = Double digit year of manufacture (2010-Current)
 * SSSS = Sequential ranking number

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)
 * C - Cort (Korea)
 * 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)

FACTORY NUMBER CODES
For some models starting in 2008, if serial begins with 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)
 * 13 = China - factory unknown
 * 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 = Samick factory Indonesia
 * I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia)

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 manufacture MM = Month of manufacture PPP = Production number

The serial number letters used by the Terada and Fuji-Gen guitar factories are: 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
 * J = Terada
 * T = Terada,
 * F = Fuji-Gen
 * No Letter = Fuji-Gen

1987-1997
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 manufacture C = Model code PPP = Production number

Model Codes (C) Example: 34123 = 1993 / SHERATON / unit 123 Example: 38123 = 1993 / ES-930J / unit 123
 * 1 = NVJ
 * 2 = EMPEROR
 * 3 = RIVIERA
 * 4 = SHERATON
 * 5 = CASINO
 * 6 = Limited Edition
 * 7 = EB-2
 * 8 = ES-930J
 * 9 = EMPEROR-J

Refurbished Models


Enlarge

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
 * MIRC specs can often be different from stock specs