New serial numbers (No more letters since 2008) [May, 2016 Edit]

• Epiphone Serial Numbers Identification
• Gibson Les Paul Serial Number Lookup

To read the serial numbers on Epiphone guitars, you must follow and understand the 'YDDDYRRR' pattern that they use. In these eight-digit numbers, 'Y' represents the production year, 'D' represents the day of the year, and 'R' represents the factory ranking or plant designation number. In most cases.

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:

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

REFURBISHED Models

MIRC Refurb Label

Serial numbers starting with '311xxxx' on a golden sticker are 'refurbished' guitars sold by MIRC (Musical Instrument Reclamation Center)

Epiphone Serial Numbers Identification

• 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

EDIT: MAY, 2016

Gibson Les Paul Serial Number Lookup

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:

• 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)