Do all Epiphone guitars have serial numbers?

Epiphone stamps a serial number on each guitar, which after decryption can tell you where and when it was built.

How can you tell an Epiphone from a Gibson?

The big difference between Epiphone and Gibson guitars is the finish. Gibson models are coated in a vintage style nitrocellulose lacquer. This can be satin or gloss. Epiphone guitars come shipped in a tougher poly finish.

Can you look up guitars by serial number?

You can look up a serial number either in Gruhn's Guide or run the number in the manufacturer's database. The serial number itself will give you date information and the database will have a description of the guitar so you can check the specs of the guitar in question.

What does SG stand for in Epiphone?

Heritage Cherry. The Guitar That Powered the First Generation of Hard Rock.

What years were Epiphones made in Japan?

In the early 1970s, Epiphones began to be manufactured in Japan. From the 1980s, Epiphones were manufactured mainly in Korea by contractors licensed by Gibson.

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When did Epiphone stop making guitars in Japan?

These were remakes of the classic Epiphone archtops of the 1930s and '40s. Each instrument was handmade in the FujiGen factory in Japan. This short-lived series was discontinued in 1993, after only 42 Emperors were made.

How do I know which Epiphone SG model I have?

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 ditgits, often also in advance of one or two letters.

Is Les Paul or SG easier to play?

Question: Are Gibson SGs Easy to Play? Answer: The SG features an extra-thin neck with excellent access to the upper frets. This helps save weight and makes the guitar much more accessible to play than heavier models like the Les Paul.

Do Epiphone make good guitars?

The short answer is yes, for the most part Epiphone produces a quality guitar. There are exceptions, of course, and it must be remembered that Epiphone is a budget guitar, so you can't expect Gibson or Fender-level quality. But for the lower prices, Epiphone does produce a fairly good instrument.

How can I tell if my guitar has no markings?

The most common place to find identification is on the headstock or on a label inside of the guitar, if applicable. If there is nothing on your guitar in question, chances are the original label or logo has fallen off.

How can I tell when my guitar was made?

Look for a date marker on the neck.

There should be a date on the neck and a date on the body. If those two dates match up, that's probably the exact date your guitar was built.

Are Chinese Epiphones any good?

Chinese Epis are just as good as the older Korean ones. When Gibson opened their own Epi plant in China that they still supervise. Epis have gotten so much better IMHO the best they have ever been.

Is an Epiphone a real Les Paul?

According to Epiphone and Gibson: Yes, Epiphone Les Paul models are real Les Pauls. The Epiphone models are the only company other than Gibson that can use the Les Paul name on the guitars. Epiphone Les Paul guitars are made in Asia, but retain most of the same features as a Gibson.

Why does some Epiphone say Gibson?

They were basically Standards but with nicer stock tuners and pickups and a few different finish options. Some of them came with 'Gibson' trussrod covers, but so have all Epi models at some point time, so that really isn't an indication of model and should just be ignored.

What does SG stand for in guitars?

The design process of the Les Paul gave birth to another famous Gibson model called the SG or “Solid Guitar”. Once again inspired by competition from Fender, the Gibson SG was created to compete with Fender's lighter, slimmer guitars.

What does Gibson ES stand for?

The Gibson ES-335 (ES stands for Electric Spanish) was introduced in 1958. It was designed in order to bridge to divide between Gibson's beautifully traditional hollow body archtops and their harder sounding, feedback-free Les Paul model.

How do I stop SG neck diving?

Moving the neck side strap button to a better location on the guitar will solve 99% of neck dive problems without adding any weight to the guitar or having to swap out tuners. Oftentimes a guitar with a strap button on it's upper horn by the neck will balance like a charm once the button is moved to the heel.

When did Epiphone move to China?

International demand for Epiphones was so high that the company opened a new factory in China in 2004, the first time that Epiphone had its own dedicated factory since the merging with Gibson in 1957.

Where are Epiphone SG guitars made?

Where Are Epiphone Guitars Made? Epiphone guitars are manufactured in Gibson's Chinese-based Qingdao factory. The majority of Epiphone's instruments have been made exclusively in this facility since 2004, including their solid-body, hollow-body and acoustic guitars.

Where can I find the serial number on my Les Paul?

Are Epiphones worth it?

When you want to play a guitar with looks similar to an expensive Gibson classic, then Epiphone is perfect for filling that space. Epiphone produces great quality guitars for their low cost, and if you pair them with a good quality amp, they deliver a great sound that rivals more expensive guitars.

Are Epiphones as good as Gibson?

Another big difference between Gibson and Epiphone is the actual parts and material used. The wood used to make Gibsons, particularly in premium models, is of a higher grade. For example if you look at a Gibson Les Paul Standard and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard, the tops will often look a lot different.

Is Epiphone The Squier of Gibson?

The Epiphone is manufactured by Gibson, while the Squier Stratocaster is manufactured by Fender; both instruments are budget-friendly guitars and beginner level instruments that are inspired by some of the most famous guitar's history.