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Did you know that every Epiphone guitar has a serial number on it? This code may not mean much to most players, but it can actually be quite interesting and provide some valuable information.
These numbers can be essential in helping you determine the guitar’s age. Plus, the history associated with the instrument and more. This is very valuable if you’re ever in the market for an Epiphone.
This Killer Rig article will break down the numbers you find on your instrument so you can figure out what they mean. I will also give some examples which should help you understand how to decode them.
What are Epiphone Factory Codes?
Most Epiphone guitars have both letters and numbers. These codes are used to indicate the factory where the guitar was made, as well as the year it was manufactured.
For example, an arrangement of SI02060234 has both letters and numbers. This tells us that the guitar was made at the Samick factory in Bogor, Indonesia. The first two digits indicate that it was made in 2002.
Note: The serial number can vary due to the different factories used by Epiphone. For example, The letter count can be either one or two, and the numbers can be 4 to 9 digits long. It’s also possible that the code contains no letters at all.
How can you find the serial number on your guitar?
Many Epiphone electric guitars have a serial code stamped into the wood of the headstock. Spin your guitar around and look at the back, just above the tuners.
If you own an acoustic guitar, this code will be found inside the body. Normally on a sticker that can be seen through the sound hole.
This is pretty standard with Epiphone acoustic guitars. But should yours not have the sticker, then it just might be on the headstock.
Epiphone Factory Codes By Number
Found yours but realize it only contains numbers? Here is how to decode it:
- 1st & 2nd Digit – Manufacturing year.
- 3rd & 4th Digit – Manufacturing month.
- 5th & 6th Digit – Factory Code.
- Last 5 Digits – Sequence Number.
For example, 10061503720 (11 DIGIT SERIAL).
In this case, the guitar is made in June 2010 inside the Qingdao factory located in China.
The table below has been created to provide the factory name and country based on these numbers. Find the 5th and 6th numbers in your factory code and compare them to this table:
| Factory Number | Factory Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | DeaWon or Unsung | China |
| 13 | Unknown | China |
| 15 | Qingdao (electric) | China |
| 16 | Qingdao (acoustic) | China |
| 20 | Deawon or Unsung | China |
| 21 | Unsung | Korea |
| 22 | Unknown | Korea |
| 23 | Samick | Indonesia |
The image below is an example of what an Epiphone serial number looks like when it has no letters:
Epiphone Factory Codes with Letters
If your factory code contains numbers and letters, here is how to decode them:
- First 2 Letters – Factory designator.
- First 2 Digits – Year it was produced.
- 3rd & 4th Digits – Month it was made.
- Last 4 Digits – Batch Number.
For example, SI02060234 (2 LETTERS – 8 DIGITS).
In this case, the guitar is made in June 2002 inside the Samick Bogor factory located in Indonesia.
Use the table below to locate the factory and country that your guitar was made in:
| Letter | Factory Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| B | Bohemia Musico-Delicia | Czech Republic |
| C | Cort | Korea |
| CI | Cort | Indonesia |
| DW | DaeWon | China |
| EA | QingDao (Acoustic) | China |
| ED | Dongbei | China |
| F | Fine Guitars | Korea |
| FC | Fuji-gen (90) | Japan |
| GR | Farida, Guang Dong | China |
| IS | Samick, Bogor | Indonesia |
| SI | Samick,Bogor | Indonesia |
| L | Leader Musical Instrument Co Ltd. | Korea |
| J | Terada Gakki Seisakusyo | Japan |
| MC | Muse | China |
| P | Peerless | Korea |
| QG | Qingdao Gibson | China |
| S | Samick | Korea |
| SM | Samil | Korea |
| T | Terada Gakki Seisakusyo | Japan |
| UC | Unsung | China |
It should also be noted that some Elitist models have been given a “J” letter code. This is because they have been made in Japan.
Will The Serial Number Prove Originality?
There are a lot of Epiphone fakes being made and sold to look like the real thing. Many people try to verify if their Epiphone is original by using the serial number. But will this alone prove that the guitar is original?
Unfortunately it won’t. You see, many of the factories making the fake guitars are using serial numbers similar to the real thing. More research will be required to prove originality.
This will mean confirming if the parts that were used are legitimate. Things like real Grover tuners and bindings that are not thicker than they should be.
Conclusion
As you can see, Epiphone Factory Codes identify the place where your instrument was made. Along with the factory code, the other digits included in the serial number are helpful too. They can tell you the month and year your guitar was produced.
Also, being aware of this information can give you a better understanding of your guitar’s history. It can tell you its place in the world of music.
So the next time you’re playing your Epiphone, take a look at the factory code on the back of the headstock. And see what hidden information it holds!
