How to read an Epiphone serial number
On electric Epiphones the serial is on the back of the headstock; on acoustics and hollow bodies it’s often on a label inside, seen through the soundhole or f-hole. Since about 1993 the number has followed one of a few patterns that Gibson, Epiphone’s owner, describes on its serial page [6]. The lookup recognises them by their letters and length, so for most guitars you only need to type the number.
Since about 2008: numbers only (10–11 digits)
11 05 15 00160 → 2011, May (05), factory number 15, unit 00160
The first two digits are the year and the next two the month [6][7][8]. On 11-digit numbers, digits 5–6 are a factory number. Owner-compiled lists match some of these to factories (15 is often reported as Qingdao, China), but Epiphone hasn’t published them and the lists disagree in places, so the lookup doesn’t name the factory [9][7].
About 1993–2010: factory letters first
Before the all-number serials, Epiphones started with a factory code of one or two letters. Three layouts were used:
- Letters + year + month + number: S 02 02 1234 is February 2002, from the Samick factory in Korea[6][10][7][8].
- Letter + year + month letter + number: R 03 D 0263 is April 2003 (A = January, B = February…), from Peerless in Korea [6][10][7].
- Letters + one year digit + month + number: some 1980s–2000s guitars give only the last digit of the year. S 6 03 1234 is March 1986, 1996 or 2006; the lookup shows each decade, and the model’s features settle it[6][7][8].
Seven-digit numbers with no letters, like 3021234, are the same idea without a factory code: 3 = 1993, 02 = February, Samick in Korea (1984–1995) [7][8].
Factory letter codes
Epiphone has never published an official factory list. The table below shows only the codes where two community-compiled lists name the same factory [9][7]. Other codes (BW, C, CI, GG, J, L, SN…) appear in only one list or the lists disagree.
| Code | Factory and country |
|---|---|
B | Bohêmia Musico-Delicia, Czech Republic |
DW | DaeWon, China |
EA | Qingdao (acoustics), China |
ED | Dongbei, China |
EE | Qingdao (electrics), China |
I | Saein, Korea |
K | Korea Ins., Korea |
MC | Muse, China |
O | Choice, Korea |
P | Peerless, Korea |
R | Peerless, Korea |
S | Samick, Korea |
SI | Samick, Bogor, Indonesia |
SJ | SaeJun, China |
SM | Samil, Korea |
T | Terada, Japan |
U | Unsung, Korea |
UC | Unsung, China |
Z | Zaozhuang Saehan, China |
F | FujiGen, Japan on Elite/Elitist models; Fine Guitars, Korea on others |
Elite and Elitist (Japan, 2002–2009)
Japanese-made Elite and Elitist models use a short serial: F (FujiGen) or T (Terada), one year digit, then four digits. T 4 1234 is a 2004 Elitist [6][10][7][8]. One guide says Elitists switched to a two-digit year in 2010 (T10…); no second source confirms it, so those aren’t decoded.
1961–1970: Kalamazoo-made Epiphones
From the late 1950s Gibson built Epiphones alongside its own guitars in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and from 1961 it numbered them in Gibson’s own series [2]. The lookup therefore uses Gibson’s published tables for those years [3][4][5]. Gibson reused blocks of 6-digit numbers, so many numbers fit two to four years; a 6-digit number starting with 0 is from 1967 [7]. The Gibson serial number lookup explains these years in more detail.
1931–1957: New York Epiphones
Epiphone’s own New York factory numbered its acoustics on the label, and from late 1935 its electrics in a separate series stamped on the headstock. There are two published charts. The older one, by Jim Fisch and L.B. Fred, dates numbers by when one Pittsburgh music store had the instruments [2]. Felix Wiedler’s revised chart comes from a registry of more than 6,300 instruments and estimates when they were built, often a year earlier[1]. The lookup shows both.
| Year | Fisch & Fred | Wiedler (revised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1931 | — | 5,000–5,499 |
| 1932 | 5,000–5,999 | 5,500–6,239 |
| 1933 | 6,000–7,199 | 6,240–7,199 |
| 1934 | 7,200–7,999 | 7,200–8,399 |
| 1935 | 8,000–9,999 | 8,400–9,899 |
| 1936 | 10,000–10,999 | 9,900–11,399 |
| 1937 | 11,000–11,999 | 11,400–12,899 |
| 1938 | 12,000–12,999 | 12,900–14,444 |
| 1939 | 13,000–14,499 | 14,445–15,999 |
| 1940 | 14,500–15,999 | 16,000–17,349 |
| 1941 | 16,000–17,499 | 17,350–18,449 |
| 1942 | 17,500–18,199 | 18,450–19,399 |
| 1943 | 18,200–18,999 | 19,400–20,999; 50,000–50,599 |
| 1944 | 19,000–20,999; 50,000–51,999 | 50,600–52,199 |
| 1945 | 52,000–53,999 | 52,200–54,149 |
| 1946 | 54,000–55,999 | 54,150–55,709 |
| 1947 | 56,000–56,999 | 55,710–57,099 |
| 1948 | 57,000–57,999 | 57,100–58,719 |
| 1949 | 58,000–58,999 | 58,720–60,149 |
| 1950 | 59,000–59,999 | 60,150–63,259 |
| 1951 | 60,000–63,999 | 63,260–65,319 |
| 1952 | 64,000–64,999 | 65,320–66,249 |
| 1953 | 65,000–66,999 | 66,250–67,559 |
| 1954 | 67,000–67,999 | 67,560–68,699 |
| 1955 | 68,000–68,999 | 68,700–69,489 |
| 1956 | 69,000–69,999 | 69,490–69,999 |
Numbers from 50,000 belong to a second series that started during 1943–44. Wiedler gives the first number of each year; the ranges above run to the next year’s first number.
| Year | Fisch & Fred | Wiedler (revised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 1–249 | — |
| 1936 | 250–749 | 25–699 |
| 1937 | 750–1,499 | 700–1,589 |
| 1938 | 1,500–2,499 | 1,590–2,499 |
| 1939 | 2,500–3,499 | 2,500–3,299 |
| 1940 | 3,500–4,999 | 3,300–4,999 |
| 1941 | 5,000–6,499 | 5,000–6,599 |
| 1942 | 6,500–7,499 | 6,600–9,999 |
| 1943 | 7,500–8,299 | — |
| 1944 | 8,300–9,999 | — |
Wiedler found no numbered electrics from 1935 and says electric production stopped after 1942[1]. Electrics from 1946 to 1949 used model-specific numbers, which the lookup doesn’t decode.
1970s and 1980s Japanese Epiphones
Epiphones made in Japan (mostly by Matsumoku) from about 1970 to 1987 don’t follow a reliable serial system. They are usually dated by the label inside: a blue label in the early 1970s, a “Lincolnwood” label in the late 1970s and a mottled label in the 1980s [7][8].
Worked examples
| Serial | Style | How it reads | Made | Example from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
16853 | New York era number on the label (1931–1957) | 16853 = serial number, looked up in the published number rangesWiedler cites a registration letter dated 30 November 1940 for this Blackstone; the older chart put it in 1941. | 1940 or 1941 | NY Epi Reg (Felix Wiedler) |
7182 | Pre-war electric number stamped on the headstock (1935–1944) | 7182 = serial number, looked up in the published number rangesThe last pre-war electric in Wiedler’s registry (a Zephyr Spanish). | 1942 | NY Epi Reg (Felix Wiedler) |
012345 | 6 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1963–1970) | 012345 = serial number, looked up in the published number rangesGuitar Insite: a 6-digit number starting with 0 is from 1967. | 1967 | Guitar Insite |
S02021234 | Factory letter(s) + two-digit year + two-digit month + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010) | S = factory code; 02 = year ’02; 02 = month (February)Gibson’s example: February 2002 (S = Samick, Korea). | February 2002 | Gibson Brands |
SI02060234 | Factory letter(s) + two-digit year + two-digit month + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010) | SI = factory code; 02 = year ’02; 06 = month (June)Guitar Insite: June 2002, Samick, Bogor (Indonesia). | June 2002 | Guitar Insite |
S6031234 | Factory letter(s) + one-digit year + two-digit month + 4 digits (1980s–2000s) | S = factory code; 6 = last digit of the year (1986, 1996 or 2006); 03 = month (March)Guitar Insite: March 1986, 1996 or 2006, Samick (Korea). | March 1986, 1996 or 2006 | Guitar Insite |
3021234 | 7 digits, no letters: year digit + two-digit month + 4 digits (Samick, Korea, 1984–1995) | 3 = last digit of the year (1993); 02 = month (February)Still Kickin Music: Samick Korea, February 1993. | February 1993 | Still Kickin Music |
R03D0263 | Factory letter + two-digit year + month letter + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010) | R = factory code; 03 = year ’03; D = month letter (April)Gibson’s example: April 2003 (R = Peerless, Korea). | April 2003 | Gibson Brands |
S07C00122 | Factory letter + two-digit year + month letter + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010) | S = factory code; 07 = year ’07; C = month letter (March)Guitar Insite: March 2007, Samick. | March 2007 | Guitar Insite |
T41234 | Elite / Elitist: F or T + one-digit year + 4 digits (Japan, 2002–2009) | T = factory code; 4 = last digit of the year (2004)Gibson’s example: a 2004 Elitist. | 2004 | Gibson Brands |
11051500160 | 10–11 digits, no letters: two-digit year + two-digit month + … (about 2008 on) | 11 = year ’11; 05 = month (May)Guitar Insite: May 2011, factory 15. | May 2011 | Guitar Insite |
08121520333 | 10–11 digits, no letters: two-digit year + two-digit month + … (about 2008 on) | 08 = year ’08; 12 = month (December)Still Kickin Music and the Gibson forum guide: December 2008, factory 15. | December 2008 | Still Kickin Music |
What this lookup doesn’t cover
- Gibson-made 1958–1961 "A" + 4 digits (hollowbodies) and 1958–1960 ink-stamped solidbodies: One source (guitarhq) only.
- Japanese-made Epiphones 1970–1987 (Matsumoku): No reliable serial system; dated by label style (guitarinsite, stillkickin).
- Japan-market Epiphones (1987–1997 YCPPP, 1998 on YMMPPP) and Elitists from 2010 (two-digit year): One source (stillkickin) only.
- China-made Les Paul Standard ’59/’60 and Tribute models with "F" + 6 digits: Running numbers with no year code; only rough reference points from one source.
- 8- and 9-digit numbers without letters (Samick, Korea, late 1980s–1990s): Format named by one source (guitarinsite) without a worked reading.
- Two-digit factory numbers in post-2008 serials (15 = Qingdao, 21 = Unsung…): Lists are built from owner reports and disagree in places; shown as a note only.
- Artist and Custom Shop models: Gibson says these often deviate from the standard formats.
Common questions
How do I read an 11-digit Epiphone serial number?
Digits 1–2 are the year, 3–4 the month, 5–6 a factory number and the rest the unit number: 11051500160 is May 2011.
How do I read an Epiphone serial that starts with letters?
The letters are the factory. Next come two digits for the year and two for the month (SI02060234 = June 2002), or the year and a month letter (R03D0263 = April 2003, D = April).
Where is the serial number on an Epiphone?
On the back of the headstock for most electrics. Acoustics and hollow bodies often have it on a label inside, and some newer guitars also have a sticker on the back of the neck.
Was my Epiphone made in Korea, China or Indonesia?
The “Made in …” sticker or stamp is the best guide. On letter-coded serials the factory code also tells you; see the table above. All-number serials since 2008 don’t name the factory in a documented way.
Can the serial number tell me if my Epiphone is genuine?
No. Fakes copy real serial formats. The serial only narrows the production date.
Dating a Gibson? Try the Gibson serial number lookup. For a Squier, use the Squier serial number lookup.
Sources
- NY Epi Reg: The Unofficial New York Epiphone Registry: Research: Epiphone serial numbers and production estimates, 1931–1956 (Felix Wiedler, NY Epi Reg, version June 2019)Used for: New York era number on the label (1931–1957); Pre-war electric number stamped on the headstock (1935–1944).
- Vintage Guitars Info (guitarhq.com): Vintage Epiphone Guitars: General Information and Specs (serial tables credited to Jim Fisch and L.B. Fred)Used for: New York era number on the label (1931–1957); Pre-war electric number stamped on the headstock (1935–1944); 3–5 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1961–1964); 6 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1963–1970).
- Blue Book of Guitar Values (Bluebook Publications): Gibson Serialization 1961–PresentUsed for: 3–5 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1961–1964); 6 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1963–1970).
- Kansas City Vintage Guitars: Gibson Serial Number GuideUsed for: 3–5 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1961–1964); 6 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1963–1970).
- True Vintage Guitar: Gibson Serial Number Lookup & Guide (John Shults)Used for: 3–5 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1961–1964); 6 digits pressed into the headstock (Kalamazoo, 1963–1970).
- Gibson Brands (Help Center): Gibson Serial Numbers (includes the Epiphone section)Used for: Factory letter(s) + two-digit year + two-digit month + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010); Factory letter(s) + one-digit year + two-digit month + 4 digits (1980s–2000s); 7 digits, no letters: year digit + two-digit month + 4 digits (Samick, Korea, 1984–1995); Factory letter + two-digit year + month letter + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010); Elite / Elitist: F or T + one-digit year + 4 digits (Japan, 2002–2009); 10–11 digits, no letters: two-digit year + two-digit month + … (about 2008 on).
- Guitar Insite: Epiphone Serial Number LookupUsed for: Factory letter(s) + two-digit year + two-digit month + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010); Factory letter(s) + one-digit year + two-digit month + 4 digits (1980s–2000s); 7 digits, no letters: year digit + two-digit month + 4 digits (Samick, Korea, 1984–1995); Factory letter + two-digit year + month letter + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010); Elite / Elitist: F or T + one-digit year + 4 digits (Japan, 2002–2009); 10–11 digits, no letters: two-digit year + two-digit month + … (about 2008 on).
- Still Kickin Music: Guitar Serial Number Database: Epiphone (Vincent Contreras, 2018-03-07)Used for: Factory letter(s) + two-digit year + two-digit month + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010); Factory letter(s) + one-digit year + two-digit month + 4 digits (1980s–2000s); 7 digits, no letters: year digit + two-digit month + 4 digits (Samick, Korea, 1984–1995); Factory letter + two-digit year + month letter + 4–5 digits (about 1993–2010); Elite / Elitist: F or T + one-digit year + 4 digits (Japan, 2002–2009); 10–11 digits, no letters: two-digit year + two-digit month + … (about 2008 on).
- Gibson Brands Forums (compiled by forum members; not an official Gibson/Epiphone document): i.d. your Epiphone here: serial # key, guitardater link + factory codes, a worldwide guide (part 3), first post last updated 2011-05-27
- The Music Zoo (text is Gibson's; not independent of gibson-official): Gibson And Epiphone Guitars Serial Number Guide (2011-05-04, republished from Gibson.com)