Проверить серийный номер gibson explorer
This section is designed to assist in dating and/or identifying instruments manufactured or distributed by Gibson Guitar Corp. Please note that most of this information relates to serial numbers used from 1975 to present.
From 1975-1977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock. This should be an 8 digit number that can be dated by the 1st and 2nd digits as follows:
99 = 1975
00= 1976
06 = 1977
- In 1977, Gibson introduced the serialization method that we primarily use to this day at Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, and the Gibson Custom facility in Memphis, TN.
The serial number will be an 8 digit number impressed into the back of the headstock with "MADE IN USA" below.
The pattern is as follows:
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number.
Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production. Ranking numbers 500-999 continued to indicate Nashville production through 1989.
Since 1989, all Gibson acoustics are built in Bozeman, MT and all Gibson electrics are built in Nashville or Memphis. Ranking numbers for Bozeman start each day at 001 and the electrics may start as low as the 300s.
Examples: 70108276 means the instrument was produced on Jan. 10, 1978, in Kalamazoo and was the 276th instrument stamped that day.
82765501 means the instrument was produced on Oct. 3, 1985, in Nashville and was the 1st instrument stamped that day.
NOTE - Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005..
The sixth number is now a batch number- batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once we stamp 699, the batch number will change to 1. The first 5 numbers remain the same, the last 3 numbers will remain the same. The only difference is the addition of this batch indicator.
There are always exceptions to these rules, the two listed below are worth noting:
Les Paul Classic 1989-2014: This model features an ink stamped serial number with no "MADE IN USA" (just as we used on the original 1952-1960 Les Pauls). Most will be 5 to 6 digits in length, but the earliest examples feature 4 digit serial numbers. There should be a space after the 1st digit with the 4 and 5 digit serial numbers, and no space with the 6 digit numbers.
The 1st digit indicates the year of manufacture for the 4 & 5 digit serial numbers, these were used from 1989-1999. The 1st and 2nd indicate the year of manufacture for the 6 digit serial numbers which we've been using since 2000.
Examples -
9 xxx = 1989 (4 digit number beginning with "9" used only in 1989)
0 xxxx = 1990
9 xxxx = 1999
00xxxx = 2000
05xxxx = 2005
*Note – For Les Paul Classics made in 2007 and later, “MADE IN USA” was added to the back of the headstock
Those beginning with "94":
In 1994, Gibson's Centennial year, many instruments have a serial number that begins with "94" for the year, with the remaining 6 digits indicating the ranking number.
Gibson USA 2014 to present – These serial numbers cannot be dated to a specific day of the year.
The new model year typically launches in the fall as the current model year winds down. It is not uncommon for a new model year model to be produced during the previous model year (example – a 2015 model may have been built in late 2014).
The pattern is as follows:
YYRRRRRRR
YY is the model year
RRRRRRR is the number in product for the model year (starts at 0000001)
1952-1960 Les Paul, Explorer, Flying V, and Futura reissues (since late 1992):
M YRRR or MYRRRR
M is the model year being reissued
Y is the production year
RRR(R) indicates the guitar's place production for that year. NOTE: This number includes all models for a particular reissue year - so, for example, a 1958 Reissue serial number may include '58 Reissue LP Standard and '58 Explorer production.
Example: 7 5123 is the 123rd 1957 reissue model produced in 2005.
1961-1969 Firebird, Les Paul, and SG reissues (since 1997):
YYRRRM
Y is the production year
RRR(R) indicates the guitar's place in production for that year.
M is the model being reissued
Reissue model codes:
1= SG Custom and Special
2= SG Standard
3= 1963 Firebird 1
4= 1964 Firebird III
5= 1965 Firebird V & VII
8= 1968 Les Paul Custom
Examples: 050102 is the 10th SG Standard reissue produced in 2005.
030084 is the 8th 1964 Firebird III reissue produced in 2003.
Historic ES MODELS (since 1995):
(A or B)-MYRRR
M is the model year being reissued
Y is the production year
RRR indicates the guitar's place in the sequence of Historic ES production for that year.
Reissue model codes:
2= ES-295
3= 1963 ES-335 (block inlays)
4= ES-330
5= ES-345
9 with an "A" prefix = 1959 ES-335 (dot inlays)
9 with a "B" prefix= ES-355
Example: A-38005 is the 5th '63 ES-335 Reissue produced in 1998.
Carved Top models (serial number on orange label)
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR indicate the guitar's place in the sequence of carved tops made that day.
NOTE - as of 2000, 1st digit will be a "2"
Examples:
91418009 is the 9th carved top produced on the 141st day of 1998.
20045002 was the 2nd carved top stamped on the 4th day of 2005.
Custom Shop regular production models
CSYRRRR
CS stands for "Custom Shop"
Y indicates the production year
RRRR indicates the guitar's place in the sequence of production
Example: CS10845 is the 845th reg. production CS model produced in 2001.
Ace Frehley Les Paul
- 1997 Limited run, numbered in sequence as "ACE xxx"
Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul has a standard 8 digit serial number.
Andy Summers ES-335
Limited edition of 50. Numbered in sequence as "AS xxxx"
Dickey Betts '57 goldtop Les Paul
Limited edition of 114. Numbered in sequence as "DB xxx"
Dickey Betts '57 red top Les Paul
Numbered in sequence as "DBR xxx"
Gary Rossington Les Paul
Limited edition of 250. Numbered in sequence as "GR xxx"
Gary Rossington SG
Limited edition of 250. Numbered in sequence as "13xxx"
Jimmy Page Les Paul (3 versions)
-1st 25 aged models were hand numbered 1-25 and signed by Jimmy Page, no other number is on this model.
-Limited run of 150 aged models are numbered in sequence as "PAGE xxx"
-Unlimited run of Custom Authentic models are numbered in sequence as "JPP xxx"
Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Jimmy Page Signature Les Paul has a standard 8 digit serial number.
Joe Perry Les Paul (2 models)
- Joe Perry Signature Les Paul from 1996 (trans black finish) - numbered in sequence as "JPxxx"
- Boneyard LP - Pilot Run models have an inked number and hand written "Pilot Run". The production version (no difference in spec) numbered in sequence as "BONE xxx"
Note: The discontinued Gibson USA Joe Perry Signature Les Paul made has a standard 8 digit serial number.
Johnny A.
Numbered in sequence as "JA xxx"
Pete Townshend LP Deluxe
Limited run of 75, numbered in sequence as "PETE xxx"
Peter Frampton Les Paul (2 models)
- PF LP Custom - numbered in sequence as "PF xxx"
- PF LP Special - numbered in sequence as "PFYxxx" Y indicates the year of production.
Slash Les Paul (2 models)
- 1997 limited edition model, cranberry finish: numbered in sequence as "SL xxx"
- Regular production model introduced in 2004, also numbered in sequence as "SL xxx"
Note: The discontinued Epiphone Slash Les Paul made has a standard Epiphone serial number.
Tony Iommi SG
Numbered in sequence as "TI xxx"
Zakk Wylde Les Paul
Bullseye and the rare "Rough Top" version numbered in sequence as "ZW xxx"
Camo version numbered in sequence as "ZPW xxx"
Earl Scruggs Models
Standard:
Sequential production number, starting at 001
'49 Classic:
YY-RR
YY = Year of manufacture
RR = ranking number (starts at 01)
Golden Deluxe:
YY-RR
YY = Year of manufacture
RR = ranking number (starts at 01)
Flint Hill Special:
FH-YY-RR
YY = Year of manufacture
RR = ranking number (starts at 01)
Special:
ES-YY-RR
YY = Year of manufacture
RR = ranking number (starts at 01)
Style 250
250-TT-RR
YY = Year of manufacture
RR = ranking number (starts at 01)
Granada
YY-MM-RR
YY = Year
MM = Month
RR = ranking number (starts at 01)
All other models
S(S)-YYMM-RR
S(S) = style (excluding style 250 - see above)
YY = Year
MM = Month
RR = ranking number
Most regular production models since ca. 1993. Many '80s and early '90s serial numbers may follow a similar scheme, but may not include a factory ID code.
FYYMMRRRR
F= Factory code (this can be 2 letters as well)
YY= year of manufacture (this can also be just 1 digit for '90s models)
MM= month of manufacture
R= ranking number (may be more or less digits, not necessarily indicative of total units produced)
Example - S02021234 was issued in Feb. 2002.
Another code used on some current Epiphone models
FYYMRRRR
F= Factory code
YY=Year of manufacture
M= This will be a letter code corresponding to the month (A=January, B=February, etc. )
RRRR= ranking number
Example - R03D0263 was issued in April 2003.
Epiphone Elite/Elitist models
FYSSSS
F= Factory Code (this code will be an "F" or "T")
Y= Year of manufacture (2 = 2002, 3 = 2003, etc.)
SSSS= Sequential Serial Number
Example - T41234 is a 2004 Elitist model.
1997-Current
YMMDDRRY
Y = last digit of year
MM = Month
DD = day of month
RR = ranking number
Y (last digit) = decade
Product code/production number/quarter and year made
Note that the "'G" is often mistaken for a "6". This amp was made in the second quarter of 1999.
“Взгляд изнутри” или неявные отличия оригинала Gibson от подделки
Неявные отличия – те, что находятся внутри, например, в тембрблоке или под датчиками тоже имеют место быть.
Например, полость для датчиков на оригинальных гитарах никогда не красится в черный, за редким исключением, а на подделках это очень частое явление.
Сама распайка тембрблока на китайских Гибсонах выполнена очень неаккуратно, наспех, что сразу заметно. Фирменных гитары такого себе не позволяют.
Окантовка корпуса
Окантовка корпуса у настоящего Гибсона аккуратно выполнена в виде параллельных линий, чаще всего она состоит из трех тонких линий. Однако, на некоторых нестандартных моделях она может отличаться.
На подделках окантовка часто выполнена грубо, линии могут сливаться или наоборот сильно расходиться в некоторых местах.
Надпись Gibson
То, как выполнена сама надпись Gibson на голове грифа, тоже может послужить индикатором. На настоящем инструменте надпись находится под углом, буквы выполнены ровно и выстраиваются на одной линии. Буква n оказалась самой трудной для подделки и выходит на них совсем плохо.
Переключатель позиций датчиков
Снова фурнитура. Переключатель позиций на настоящих гитарах Гибсон оснащен очень характерной круглой гайкой с насечками, она сделана из хорошего метала и не крошится при закручивании даже плоскогубцами.
Она меньше обычной гайки и не перекрывает надписи “Rythm” и “Treble”.
У китайской копии на переключатель прикручена обычная гайка с шайбой, очень часто весьма сомнительного качества. Они довольно широкие и частично перекрывают надписи “Rythm” и “Treble”.
Явные отличия между оригинальной гитарой Gibson и ее подделкой.
Так как же отличить является ли гитара, которую вы покупаете оригинальной или же это, может быть тщательно замаскированная, но китайская, которая в звуке существенно уступает оригиналу?
Сразу же отмечу, что серийный номер – весьма спорный аргумент в проверке подлинности, ведь ничто не может помешать китайским умельцам “нарисовать” номер оригинального Гибсона.
Окантовка грифа
Окантовка грифа так же является местом, которое сразу же должно бросаться в глаза. Для удешевления производства китайские производители вставляют лады прямо на окантовку, тогда как на оригинале лады не должны заступать за окантовку.
Крышка анкера
Пожалуй, самым явным отличием поддельного Гибсона в большинстве случаев будет крышка анкера. Здесь все довольно просто – на поддельной гитаре она крепится тремя винтами вместо двух, а название модели часто бывает выполнено простым шрифтом, буквы обычно стоят вертикально друг под другом.
На настоящем же Гибсоне крышка крепится двумя болтами, надпись (если она есть) выполнена красивым расписным шрифтом в вертикальную строку.
Крышки оригинальных Гибсонов (два винта, расписная надпись)
Поддельный Гибсон (крышка на трех винтах)
На фото выше вы можете так же обратить внимание на качество фурнитуры – даже по блеску видно, что метал не качественный, а ушки колков слишком узкие.
DATING GIBSON GUITARS AND MANDOLINS
BY REFERENCE OF SERIAL NUMBERS
Regarding duplications of serial numbers, Gibson does take the lead. Gibson has used various numbering methods since 1900, making it difficult to determine the production year based on the serial number.
From 1902 to 1976, Gibson instruments have a serial number or a FON (Factory Order Number) or both. However, in the beginning this was not done consistently, so that there are also be instruments without identification.
Where to find the serial number
The serial number can be found stamped or punched on the back of the headstock or acoustic in the sound hole. The acoustic models have been manufactured in Bozeman, Montana since the end of 1989.
If you want to know the production year of your Gibson guitar or mandolin, you can decipher it with the serial number decoder, or find it in the tables below.
Enter only the serial number.
(No type or model)
(example: CS 89176 or 144306121 )
Leave out spaces with FON numbers.
If there is a hyphen in the FON, use it.
(example: A-1411 or 210-12 )
The letter preceding the batch number in the FON, and indicates the year of production.
The batch number, the first four digits of the FON, followed by a one or two-digit number. This letter must be before the FON batch number.
e.g. Y1234 23
This was done on archtop models from 1952 to 1961 and is stamped on the inside of the F-hole.
On flat tops it was stamped on the neck block.
Gibson serial numbers 1952 to 1961, solidbody model
A number stamped with ink on the back of the headstock.
Gibson's solid bodys were released in 1952. Gibson did not use serial numbers at that time but started in 1953.
The first digit of the series number is the last digit of the year. If the stamped number consists of 5 digits, there is a space between the first and second digit (a separation between the last digit of the year and the actual serial number).
If it concerns a 6-digit serial number, there is no space, because the highest 4-digit number (9999) has been exceeded and the space therefore fills up. This was the case in the years 1955, 1956, 1959 and 1960.
In 1955, Gibson forgot to reset the series of serial numbers to 0001.
So they had only set the year from 4 to 5. For this reason the series of 4 digit serial numbers was exceeded after 9999.
Hence 5 digits and no space between the year (5) and the serial number. (after 5 9999 came 510 000)
Apparently the production was high in 1956 because 6 9999 is exceeded. Also in 1959 and 1960 there was a high production, 9 9999 is exceeded to 932 000 or higher.
Thus, from the production in 1959, a 1, 2 or 3 may be the second digit.
Gibson stopped the stamped serial numbers at the end of 1960, although a few instruments were made in 1961 with a 1 as a prefix. Some lap steels and Les Paul's from 1961 have such a serial number.
Another exception to the above rules is in the fall of 1958, where some Les Paul Juniors and Specials had a four-digit serial number.
Gibson serial numbers, from February 1961 until 1970
Gibson started in 1961 with a new series numbering system.
They wanted to apply a more structured series of sequences, but in practice the opposite happened. Numbers were reused during this period, and in many cases the numbers were not strictly applied for successive years.
For all models, the serial number is stamped on the back of the headstock. A number of serial numbers were duplicated from 1963
to 1969.
From this period the 5-digit and 6-digit numbers are easy to confuse and give an incorrect year.
0100 - 42440 | 1961 |
42441 - 61180 | 1962 |
61450 - 64222 | 1963 |
64240 - 71040 | 1964 |
71041 - 96600 | 1962 (some 1963 and 1964) |
96601 - 99999 | 1963 |
000001 - 099999 | 1967 (all 6-digit numbers starting with 0. are 1967) |
100000 - 106099 | 1963 or 1967 |
106100 - 106899 | 1963 |
109000 - 109999 | 1963 or 1967 |
110000 - 111549 | 1963 |
111550 - 115799 | 1963 or 1967 |
115800 - 118299 | 1963 |
118300 - 120999 | 1963 or 1967 |
121000 - 139999 | 1963 |
140000 - 140100 | 1963 or 1967 |
140101 - 144304 | 1963 |
144305 - 144380 | 1964 |
144381 - 149864 | 1963 |
149865 - 149891 | 1964 |
149892 - 152989 | 1963 |
152990 - 174222 | 1964 |
174223 - 176643 | 1964 or 1965 |
176644 - 250335 | 1964 |
250336 - 305983 | 1965 |
306000 - 310999 | 1965 or 1967 |
311000 - 320149 | 1965 |
320150 - 320699 | 1967 |
320700 - 329179 | 1965 |
329180 - 330199 | 1965 or 1967 |
330200 - 332240 | 1965, 1967 or 1968 |
332241 - 348092 | 1965 |
348093 - 349100 | 1966 |
349121 - 368638 | 1965 |
368640 - 369890 | 1966 |
370000 - 370999 | 1967 |
380000 - 385309 | 1966 |
390000 - 390998 | 1967 |
400001 - 406666 | 1966 |
406667 - 409670 | 1966 - 1968 |
409671 - 410900 | 1966 |
410901 - 419999 | (niet bekend) |
420000 - 429193 | 1966 |
500000 - 500999 | 1965, 1966, 1968 or 1969 |
501009 - 501600 | 1965 |
501601 - 501702 | 1968 |
501703 - 502706 | 1965 or 1968 |
503010 - 503109 | 1968 |
503405 - 520955 | 1965 or 1968 |
520956 - 530056 | 1968 |
530061 - 530850 | 1966, 1968 or 1969 |
530851 - 530993 | 1968 or 1969 |
530994 - 539999 | 1969 |
540000 - 540795 | 1966 or 1969 |
540796 - 545009 | 1969 |
555000 - 557999 | 1966 |
558000 - 567400 | 1969 |
570087 - 570643 | 1966 |
570645 - 570755 | 1966 or 1967 |
570857 - 570964 | 1966 |
580000 - 580080 | 1969 |
580086 - 580999 | 1966, 1967 or 1969 |
600000 - 600998 | 1966, 1967, or 1968 (low end models) |
600000 - 606090 | 1969 (high end models) |
700000 - 700803 | 1966, 1967 or 1969 |
750000 - 750999 | 1968 or 1969 |
800000 - 800999 | 1966, 1967, 1968 or 1969 |
801000 - 812838 | 1966 or 1969 |
812900 - 819999 | 1969 |
820000 - 820087 | 1966 or 1969 |
820088 - 823830 | 1966 |
824000 - 824999 | 1969 |
828002 - 847488 | 1966 or 1969 |
847499 - 858999 | 1966 or 1969 |
859001 - 891999 | 1967 |
892000 - 896999 | 1968 |
897000 - 898999 | 1967 or 1969 |
899000 - 899999 | 1968 |
900000 - 909999 | 1970 |
910000 - 999999 | 1968 |
Gibson serial numbers, early to mid seventies
From 1970 to 1975 the 6 digit serial numbers were randomly created.
In a random order, numbers were stamped on the back of the headstock. With some instruments preceded by a letter.
In 1970 the orange labels inside the body of acoustic guitars were replaced by white with orange rectangular labels.
The electric models were provided with a rectangular with black and purple triangle.
From 1970 "MADE IN USA" was also stamped on the back of the headstock. Some instruments from the fifties also had such a stamp.
Gibson serial numbers, 1970-1975
After production continued by Gibson's new company Norlin (1969-1986), the same confusing six-digit serial system from the 1960s continued until 1975. (see: Norlin)
This means that instruments with the same serial number were produced either in the 1960s or 1970s.
Guitars got six digits in random order, and in some cases they were preceded by a letter that did not seem to have meaning.
Note that the serial numbers between 1970 and 1975 may be a repeat of the serial numbers from 1964 and 1965. In 1970 some 6 digit serial numbers had the letter A as a suffix.
The table below shows the years to which the numbers can relate.
Serials 1977 - June 2005
Gibson's most sustainable numbering system was launched in 1977, an eight-digit number. The first and fifth digits represented the year of manufacture. The three intervening digits, the day of that year.
The digits six to eight indicated the sequence number.
Example: 80923015
8 092 3 015 is: 19 83 , day 092 (day 92 of 1983 is 2 April ), production number 015 .
After the opening of the new factory in Nashville, production was also included in the serial numbers. 001 to 499 appeared on instruments built in Kalamazoo, 500 to 999 built in Nashville.
Even after the Kalamazoo plant closed in 1984, this process continued until 1989 in Nashville.
In July 2005 this 8 digit system was updated by adding 1 digit. The 6th digit is now the batch number, and the last 3 digits are the sequence number of the batch. The sequence number runs from 500 to 699.
Example:
1 131 4 2 030 is the 30th instrument from batch 4 of May 11 , 2014 .
When 699 is reached the batch number is incremented by 1, and the sequence number is reset to 500.
This coding system was used until 2014.
This system was changed again at the beginning of 2014.
The day and batch number were no longer included in the serial number. The serial number now consists of 9 digits, the first 2 of which indicate the year and the next 7 digits the sequence number.
16 0001234 is production year 2016 with sequence number 0001234 .
Serial number punch stamping machine, Gibson factory
Gibson closed the Memphis plant in April 2019.
The production of "USA made" solid body guitars is now only produced in Nashville.
If you can not find a serial number, you can approximate the age of a semi/electric guitar on the basis of the potentiometers.
The code on potentiometers gives information about the manufacturer and the year and week when it is made. See: Dating potentiometers
The Gibson logo can also give an indication of the year of construction. (approximately)
The first logo (1902-1920) on Gibson's guitars was in italic typeface, inlaid with pearl. Some specimens from 1903 to 1907 were not oblique, or had no logo at all.
During the period from the end of the 1920s to 1933 the logo was no longer placed obliquely. From some flattop guitars from this era the word "The" was omitted from the logo. From the end of 1933 to 143, Gibson had omitted the "The" of all their logos. The original thin letters were replaced after 1933 by a thicker font.
From 1943 to 1947 the logo was printed in thick gold, also called the banner logo. Some models, such as the LG-2 and the L-50s, have a real banner in the middle of the headstock with the text "Only a Gibson Is Good Enough".
The block logo made its appearance after World War II and is till the face of Gibson to this day.
Between 1968 and 1981 the dot on the "i" was omitted on some guitars. Most models get a dot on the "i" again in 1972, the rest follows from 1981.
Dating amplifier components Transformers
Speakers EIA factory codes
Looking up the year of manufacture of a guitar or amplifier(Fender) is based on the format of the serial number of that brand.
Each brand has its own coding method that has changed regularly over the years. As a result, certain brands have the same serial numbers, but with a different coding method, which creates overlaps.
There are also brands that repeat a serial number every decade.
Then the external characteristics of the guitar are important to place the dating in the correct decade. Connoisseurs and specialists, who can be found in the various guitar forums, can help you with this.
Fake or real
If a serial number is not in the lists or is not recognized in the serial number decoder, it does not mean that the guitar is a fake.
Conversely, it is of course no guarantee whether the guitar is authentic, as a serial number is easy to copy.
Example of a Gibson serial number:
A real serial number is stamped dark on the back of the
headstock. A fake serial number is usually in white.
Brands such as Gibson, Fender, PRS or other renowned brands also issue a certificate of authenticity, but this can also be used for fraud.
An authorized dealer will certainly not sell you a fake, but if you want to buy a guitar privately or via the internet, be careful.
What you should pay attention to is first of all the price.
Authentic guitars and vintage versions keep their value or increase in price. This of course depends on the condition of the guitar.
If the price seems very favorable, that is already a reason to doubt.
What you should also pay attention to is the appearance of the guitar.
Headstock
Note the shape of the headstock, the font used, and the position where the serial number is affixed. You can compare this with original images of the model.
Fret inlays
The manufacturers have advanced equipment to accurately place the inlays between the frets. On a fake you often see a deviation with respect to the original model.
There are more external features that you should pay attention to, such as the logo and printed or stamped serial number, but that differs per brand.
With acoustic guitars, the most common trick is that forgers use cheap plywood instead of solid wood.
To do this, look at the inner edge of the sound hole to see if the wood grain also continues.
If you are in any doubt about the guitar's authenticity, please first contact the manufacturer's service department and provide the features (or a photo) that you are unsure about.
The manufacturer will certainly respond to this because they want to combat counterfeits and will take action against them.
Заключение
На сегодняшний день на рынке под видом оригиналов продается довольно большое количество поддельных гитар. Не путайте подделки (копии) с репликами, реплики могут скопировать спецификации, но название фирмы оставят свое (например, Burny, Greco).
Китайские подделки же являются гитарами низшего сорта с ужасным качеством и ни под каким предлогом не стоят столько же, сколько оригинальные инструменты.
Воспользовавшись материалами из данной статьи вы сможете легко отличить подделку от оригинала и сделать верное решение, покупать инструмент или нет (ну а про самые, что ни на есть настоящие гитары Gibson читайте здесь).
Серийный номер
Как я уже говорил, на сам серийный номер внимания можно не обращать, а вот на то, как он сделан стоит. На оригинальном инструменте его никогда не врезают глубоко и всегда хорошо прокрашивают.
На подделке шрифт глубже и толще, а так же часто бывает непрокрашеным.
DATING EPIPHONE GUITARS AND MANDOLINS
BY REFERENCE OF SERIAL NUMBERS
Epiphone guitars come from a number of different factories in different countries.
For this reason, it is not that easy to recognize where each guitar came from or when it was made. Epiphone stamps a serial number on each guitar, which after decryption can tell you where and when it was built.
Where to find the serial number
Locate the serial number on the headstock of the guitar.
With Semi-Hollow models on the label inside the top f-hole and with acoustic guitars on the label inside the sound hole.
It consists of a number of digits, often also in advance of one or two letters.
If you want to know the production year of your Epiphone guitar/mandolin, you can decipher it with the serial number decoder, or find it in explanation about the dating system below.
Enter only the serial number.
(No type or model)
For example: EE 21234 or W0719052
Epihone history in short.
Anastasios Stathopoulos born in 1863, was a Greek luthier who started a mandolin and violin company in 1873 in Pellana, Greece.
In 1903 he emigrated with his wife to New York. As luthier he started a year later a company that mainly produced mandolins. The company ran well, and therefore he took the Italian professional Henry cappielo employed.
After the death of Anastasios in 1915, his son Epaminondas (Epi) take control over the company. Under his management the company grows to one of the biggest of its kind. A few years later, Epaminondas opens a factory where mainly banjos were made. In 1924 he registered the brand name Epiphone, a combination of his own name (Epi) with the Greek word for sound (phone). Shortly thereafter, Epi buys the banjo company Favoran and introduces the banjo Epiphone Recording line. Because of their quality and elegant design, it will be a great success.
Due to the success of the banjo Recording line, a Recording line for guitars was also established in 1928 and a full line of f-hole archtop guitars was introduced in 1931. There are 12 models, including the top models: Broadway, Triumph and DeLuxe. Epiphone has been competing with
Gibson for some time and with the introduction of the Epiphone Emperor
in 1935, dealt a serious blow.
Epiphone introduced the Electar series in 1937, an electric guitar with an adjustable pickup.
At the beginning of 1970 the production under license from Gibson moved from the USA to Japan. From 1983 there is also produced in Korea and then in 1995 also in Indonesia. In 2004, Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao, China for the production of Epiphone guitars.
Although the vast production of Epiphone guitars takes place in these countries, some more exclusive models are still being made in the USA.
In the period 1970-1983 the serial numbers of the guitars made in Japan are unreliable as a tool for dating method.
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The stamped serial number can consist of a series of numbers, or letter(s) and numbers.
Only numbers
For an eleven digit serial number, the encoding is as follows:
Example: 11051500160
The first two digits are the last 2 digits of the year. (11)
The next two digits represent the month. (05)
The 5th and 6th digit represent the factory code.. (15)
(See list numbered factory codes)
The last 5 digits form the series sequence number.
Serial number 11 05 15 00160 is the 160 th guitar built in May 2011
at the factory of Qingdao in China .
(Since 2004 Epiphone guitars have been produced in China)
Five digit serial numbers.
Five digits with a space after the first digit and custom shop on the back of the headstock, applied from 1990 to 1999.
The first digit is the last digit of the production year, the following four digits are the serial number.
Five digits no space after the first digit were used from 1951 to 1956 and from 1961 to 1967 for both acoustic and electric models.
Six digit serial numbers
From 1961 to early 1970, Epiphone used 6-digit serial numbers in the Gibson serial number line. However, many serial numbers were duplicated during this period, making the exact production year difficult to trace. It is certain that the models with a 6 digit serial number starting with 0 were produced in 1967.
Seven digit serial numbers do not have a factory code.
Here is the first digit the last year of the decade. The 2nd and 3rd numbers represent the month.
These were manufactured in Korea by Samick between 1984 and 1995.
Eight and nine digit serial numbers without a factory code.
These were used respectively from 1990 and 1988 and also manufactured by Samick in Korea.
Letter(s) and numbers
One letter five digits
This combination was applied to the Elite/Elitist models.
The letter indicates the factory code and the first digit is the last digit of the year (since 2002).
The factory code can be an F or a T here.
(See list Factory code letter)
Example: Serial number T 3 2222 is the 2222 th guitar of 2003
built in the factory of Terada Gakki Seisakusyo, Japan .
One letter six digits
The letter indicates the factory code and the first and second digit are the last two digits of the year.
Example: Serial number Z051234 is the 1234th guitar built in 2005 at the Zaozhuang Saehan factory in China.
(Between 2001 and 2010 only 1 digit was used for the production year)
Two letters five digits
The letters indicate the factory code and the first digit is the last digit of the year.
Example: Serial number CI21234 is the 1234th guitar built in 2002 at the Cort, Indonesia factory.
One letter seven digits
The letter indicates the factory code and the first digit is the last digit of the year.
The 3rd and 4th digits represent the month.
The last 4 digits form the series sequence number.
Because the year is only represented by 1 digit, guitars with this coding from the 80s, 90s or a decade of 2000. (depending on the factory code)
Example: Serial number S6031234 is the 1234th guitar built in 1986, 1996 or 2006 at the Samick factory in Korea.
Two letters six digits
The letter indicates the factory code and the next two digits are
the last two digits of the year.
The second letter (fourth character) stands for the month.
(A = January, B = February, etc.)
The last 4 digits form the series sequence number
Example: Serial number R 04 G 0123 is the 123 th guitar of July 2004 , built in the Peerless, Korea factory.
One letter eight digits
The letter indicates the factory code, the next two digits are the last two digits of the year.
The 3rd and 4th digits represent the month.
The last 4 digits form the series sequence number.
Example: C99040233 is the 233rd guitar of April 1999, built in the Cort factory, Korea.
(This coding method was used until 2010)
Two letters seven digits
The letter indicates the factory code, the next two digits are the last two digits of the year.
The second letter (fourth character) stands for the month. (A = January, B = February, etc.)
The last 5 digits form the series sequence number.
Example: S07C00122 is the 122th guitar of March 2004, built at
the Samick factory in Korea.
(This coding method was used until 2010)
Two letters eight digits
The 2 letters indicate the factory code, the next two digits are the last two digits of the year.
The 5th and 6th digits represent the month.
The last 4 digits form the series sequence number.
Example: SI02060234 is the 234th guitar of June 2002, built at the Samick factory in Cileungsi near Bogor, Indonesia.
Two letter nine digits
This coding is the same as the coding of two letter eight digits
with the difference that here is 5 digits for it sequence number
are used.
Acoustic guitars
Japan
The acoustic guitars from Epiphone, which were manufactured by Matsumoku in Japan from 1970 to 1987, are not reliable serial numbering system, but can be approximately dated by color and inscription from the Epiphone label.
Blue label 1970-1975
The first blue labels that were used were leftover labels from the Kalamazoo factory.
In the bottom left corner of these labels is printed "Union Made" and stamped, "Made in Japan".
Until supplies ran out, they were used from 1970 until the beginning of 1971. Some of these first labels do not include Made in Japan or Union Made.
After supplies ran out, new blue labels were used where in the lower right corner "Made in Japan" is printed.
Brown or white "Lincolnwood" label 1976-1979
The Lincolnwood label was also used for the acoustic guitars of
the Taiwanese "Ep" series from 1979-1980.
These labels in the bottom right corner say, 'Made in Taiwan'.
From 1980 to 1987 a mottled label was used.
China
In 2004 Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao, China, which produces Epiphone guitars.
No labels have been used here, but stickers with "Made in China" are glued to the neck of the guitars. With the exception of the Masterbilts, these do have a label with a serial number in the resonance box.
If you are unsure whether the serial number corresponds with the year of manufacture, you can do a potmeter-check with an electric model.
Гитары 12.02.2016 7
Всем известна безудержная “страсть” китайских умельцев к подделке абсолютно любых вещей, начиная со смартфонов и духов, а заканчивая… гитарами Gibson. Причем порой производство подделок в количественном плане превосходит выпуск оригинальной продукции.
В отличие от реплик Epiphone и Orville, которые делаются в Китае по лицензии. Gibson, являются нелицензионной и очень часто некачественной подделкой.
Их делают из материалов ужасного качества и зачастую просто неподходящих под поставленные задачи – например, используют прессованный картон вместо древесины или делают фурнитуру из алюминиевого порошка (а про качественные материалы для гитары вы можете прочитать в нашей статье: Древесина для электрогитар: от тополя до чёрного дерева).
Потенциометры
На оригинальном Гибсоне потенциометры стоят параллельно друг другу на двух параллельных прямых. Китайские умельцы, видимо, из-за расторопности делают отверстия под потенциометры криво и сами потенциометры у них встают криво, ручки находятся под углом к плоскости корпуса.
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