Epiphone Serial Number Lookup Tool
Decode your Epiphone serial number to find where and when your guitar was made.
Enter your Epiphone serial number below and this tool will identify the factory code, country of manufacture, and production date when possible. No signup required — instant results.
Epiphone Serial Decoder
Enter full serial (e.g., EE08…, SI04…, 1506…)
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Epiphone Serial Number Guide
This guide 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?
Epiphone factory codes are letters or numbers within the serial number that indicate where and when an Epiphone guitar was made.
Most modern Epiphone serial numbers include:
- A factory code (letters or numbers identifying the manufacturing plant)
- A year and month of production
- A production sequence number
Because Epiphone has used different serial number formats across different eras and factories, not every serial looks the same. Some include letters and numbers, while others are numbers only.
👉 That’s why this decoder exists — to quickly interpret the most common Epiphone serial formats and explain what each part of the code means.
If your serial number doesn’t decode cleanly, it usually means:
- It comes from an older production era
- It uses a less common factory format
- Or it was produced during a transition period
In those cases, the reference tables and FAQs below will help you interpret the result.
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:
| 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:
| Code | 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.
FAQ
Where is the serial number on an Epiphone acoustic guitar?
Epiphone acoustic guitars usually have the serial number printed on a label inside the soundhole. You may need a flashlight to read it clearly.
What does “EE” mean on an Epiphone serial number?
“EE” is commonly associated with Epiphone guitars built in China, particularly during the 2000s. The numbers that follow typically indicate the production year and month.
Why doesn’t my Epiphone serial number decode correctly?
f your serial number doesn’t decode, it may:
– Use an older or uncommon format.
– Come from a transitional production period.
– Be partially worn or misread.
In these cases, use the factory code tables and examples, or compare your guitar’s features with known production specs.
Do Epiphone factory codes tell me the exact model?
No. Factory codes identify manufacturing location and date, not the specific model. Model identification requires examining hardware, electronics, and design features.
Do Epiphone Elitist models use different serial numbers?
Yes. Epiphone Elitist guitars often use different serial formats, frequently associated with Japanese production. These may not follow standard Epiphone factory code patterns.
