Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

[Pete Galati]

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx

A friend mentioned getting a used Epi Les Paul. Seemed like a good price. I would have jumped on the deal.

He said he thought it was a '91, because the serial number started with 91. I was thinking, Gibson are the 1st & 5th numbers, and the 3 between that're the day of the year. So I figured it had to be from some other year.

So I dug up this webpage: http://www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx

I tried it with my Epi Elite SG, and it says it's a 2003 made at Fuji-gen Plant, Japan, then it gives a link to their webpage http://www.fujigen.co.jp/ unfortunately for me, it's in Japanese.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

Cool link, thanks. Mine's a '95 Samick, I love it.

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

Cool link, thanks. Mine's a '95 Samick, I love it.

Does Samick have the same serial number system as Epi does?

When I decided to get an SG a few years ago, Samick's version was one of the ones I was thinking about because a Gibson SG reissue was too expensive for me, so I was looking for alternatives. But Samick dealers were a little harder to find.

My second set of unpotted Duncan '59s finally came in this week, and I'm planning to put them in my Epi SG. Had it out to play today, and I forgot how much mobility I have on that neck. I'm hoping this'll be a good set of pickups for this guitar. I don't recall by now which guitar I ordered them for.

Pete

 

[larry_emder]

Re: Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

My Epi LP is also a '95 samick.

Geez its getting on!!!

Nearly vintage

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

I see now! I'm a little slow today. They were made by Samick.

Here's a used Epi SG at Elderly, serial number S4041334:

http://elderly.com/vintage/names/epiphone-g-400-(1994)--30U-14275.htm

Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Samick Plant, Korea
April 1994
Production Number: 1334

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

Hey, it works for Fenders too!!!

Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Ensenada Plant (Fender), Mexico
in the Year(s): 2000 - 2001

Thanks!

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

My second set of unpotted Duncan '59s finally came in this week, and I'm planning to put them in my Epi SG. Had it out to play today, and I forgot how much mobility I have on that neck. I'm hoping this'll be a good set of pickups for this guitar. I don't recall by now which guitar I ordered them for. Pete

The '59N should be fine as is. If the '59B is too bright, you can warm it with 250K pots & a .100 cap, or put in an A4 magnet. I use both methods to take the excess treble off bridge PU's. Those Epi Sg's are a bargain, & with all the limited editions, there's 20 set-neck models out now.

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

My epi is a 2000 Un-sung whoever that is. I could really care less cuz it's a killer axe, epi or not. In fact, I think mine is factory 2nd, it's got 2nd imprinted above the serial # on the back of the headstock. If that's the case, their "1st" must have been insanely nice, b/c I like mine a lot better than alot of Gibbos and other expensive guitars.

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Epiphone Serial Number Decoder

The '59N should be fine as is. If the '59B is too bright, you can warm it with 250K pots & a .100 cap, or put in an A4 magnet. I use both methods to take the excess treble off bridge PU's. Those Epi Sg's are a bargain, & with all the limited editions, there's 20 set-neck models out now.

The '59 neck PU is the one that most people seem to complain about. Might be a bit brighter in an SG though with it being closer to the bridge than in a Les Paul.

Do you mean a .1 tone cap? I don't even recall what kinds of tone caps are in this guitar. I was in it one time when I replaced the beck PU with a Bluesbucker, which is better than the Epi PU IMO, but I'm still not satisfied.

Yeah, Epi's Les Paul selection seems pretty wide right now. One of the best Epi Les Paul deals I see right now is their "Plain-Top".

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ENSPVSCH/

My epi is a 2000 Un-sung whoever that is. I could really care less cuz it's a killer axe, epi or not. In fact, I think mine is factory 2nd, it's got 2nd imprinted above the serial # on the back of the headstock. If that's the case, their "1st" must have been insanely nice, b/c I like mine a lot better than alot of Gibbos and other expensive guitars.

Sure 2nd doesn't mean twice as good?