Peerless Guitars Serial Numbers
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- In 2008, Peerless Guitars Europe Ltd was formed based in London to introduce the brand to the market and to provide sales support. In 2009, Peerless invested in solid wood carved manufacturing which introduced a range of new archtop.
- Epiphone is an American musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos, currently based in Nashville, Tennessee.In 1957, Epiphone, Inc. Was purchased by Gibson and relocated from New York to Kalamazoo, Michigan.Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market prior to 1957. Aside from guitars, Epiphone also made double basses, banjos, and other string instruments.
- Epiphone Rivoli 2 bass vintage sunburst original hard case w/ key (still sealed) MINT condition (as new) - made.2002 (so now Out Of Production/Discontinued) some info about the guitar: serial number search: Guitar Info Your guitar was made at the Peerless Plant, Korea May 1999 Production Number: 1250 made.2002 (so now Out Of Production/Discontinued) 1 Sidewinder / 1 mini humbucker.
- The serial numbers are pretty straightforward in terms of figuring it out, but i would be surprised if it was a peerless that early. Feb 15, 2012 #5 superbadj Poster Extraordinaire.
Identifiers
YYMMFFRRRRR
Ibanez officially uses serial numbers on their guitars from September 1975 onwards. But some guitars from 1974 also have a number, which can not be traced back to a production period. Serial number P315821 is the 15821st guitar built in 1993, by Peerless Korea Co. 1987–1995 Letter + 7 digits Example: E1020456.
In 2008 models begin to appear without a factory i.d. letter prefix.
- YY = Year of manufacture
- MM = Month of manufature
- FF = Factory I.D.
- RRRRR = Ranking number
Example: 08121520333 = 2008 / December / factory 15 / unit 20333
NOTE: Pre 1994 productions also frequently omitted factory letter codes and appeared as all numbers. e.g. 3042779
FYYMMRRRR
- F/FF = Factory code (No factory designator for some 1993 and earlier models)
- Y/YY = Year of manufacture (Single digit for some 1997 and earlier models)
- MM = Month of manufacture
- RRRR = Ranking number (may be more or less digits)
Example: 3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234
Example: S3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234
Example: S93021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234
Example: SI01021234 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 1234
Example: SI010212345 = Samick Indonesia / 2001 / February / unit 12345
FYYMRRRR
- F = Factory code
- YY = Year of manufacture
- M = Letter code to corresponding month (A = January, B = February, etc.)
- RRRR = Ranking number
Example: R01B0123 = Peerless Korea / 2001 / February / unit 0123.
FYYSSSS
Epiphone Elite/Elitist models
- F = Factory code (F = Fuji-gen, T = Terada)
- Y = Single digit year of manufacture (2002-2009)
- YY = Double digit year of manufacture (2010-Current)
- SSSS = Sequential ranking number
Example: F21234 = Fuji-gen Japan / 2002 / unit 1234
Example: T101234 = Terada Japan / 2010 / unit 1234
Factory Codes
FACTORY LETTER CODES
For Epiphone serial numbers that begin with a letter(s), this list identifies the factory & country where produced:
- B - Bohêmia Musico-Delicia (Czech Republic)
- BW - ____?____ (China)
- C - Cort
- CI - Cort (Indonesia)
- DW - DaeWon (China)
- EA - QingDao (China) = Epiphone Acoustic
- ED - Dongbei (China) = Chinese Dongbei means North-east.
- EE - QingDao (China) = Epiphone Electric
- F - Fuji-gen (Japan) = Elite/Elitist models (See: Epiphone Japan Serial Numbers)
- F - Qingdao (China) = Les Paul Standard '59 / '60 / Tribute Models (See: F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models)
- F/FN - Fine Guitars (Korea) = non-Japanese models
- FC - ____?____ (China 2000's) Possibly 'Global Fine Supply Ltd.'
- FC - Fuji-Gen (Japan 1990's)
- H - _______ (China?) Found on a 1995 El Nino
- G/GG - Identified as early modern Masterbilt acoustics (Epiphone says they have no record of G serials)
- GR - Grand Reward (Farida, Guang Dong) China, Seen on some early Masterbilt acoustics
- GP - ____?____ (Korea) found on a BB King Lucille from 2001 (verified by Epiphone Customer Service)
- I - Saein (Korea)
- J - Terada Gakki Seisakusyo (Japan)
- J - Unknown. Possibly Jakarta, Indonesia - Found on a 1997 S-310
- JC - Unknown. Possibly Indonesia - Found on a 1998 Mini V
- JK - ??? Korea or Indonesia - Found on a 1999 G-310 Junior
- K - Korea Ins. (Korea)
- L - Leader Musical Instrument Co Ltd (Korea)
- MC - Muse (China)
- MR - Mirr factory, China
- N - See: FN
- O - Choice (Korea)
- P/R - Peerless (Korea)
- QG - Qingdao Gibson (China) - Interim designation used prior to 'EA' & 'EE'
- S - Samick (Korea)
- SI - Samick (Bogor, Indonesia)
- SJ - SaeJun (China)
- SK - ???
- SM - Samil (Korea)
- SN - ____?____ (Indonesia)
- T - Terada Gakki Seisakusyo (Japan)
- U - Unsung (Korea)
- UC - Unsung China (China)
- WF - ____?____ (China) found on an Accu Bass Junior from 2001
- X - ____ (China) - Early to mid 1990's serial number label - Verified by Epiphone Customer Service. Seen on 'Epi' brand guitars.
- Y - Korea (seen on a PR775CE)
- Z - Zaozhuang Saehan (China)
FACTORY NUMBER CODES
For some models starting in 2008, if serial begins with numbers.
NOTE: The factories identified by these codes are based on patterns which forum members have observed. The numbers appear as the 5th and sixth digits in the serial number.
- 11 = MIC sticker on a '08 Masterbuilt 500
- 12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
- 13 = China - factory unknown
- 15 = Qingdao (China) -- electric
- 16 = Qingdao (China) -- acoustic
- 17 = China - factory unknown MIC sticker on a J160E
- 18 = China - factory unknown found on one 2009 model bass
- 20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
- 21 = Unsung, Korea
- 22 = Korea (factory still unknown)
- 23 = Samick factory Indonesia
- I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia)
F-Serial used on LP Std'59/'60 models and Tribute/Plus models
This newest serial number system used by Epiphone is not yet completely deciphered.
'F' doesn't refer to 'Fine, Korea' - nor to 'Fuji-gen, Japan' - New 'F' models are made in China.
This serial number system doesn't exactly tell the year - and doesn't tell the month at all.
- Beginning with F300000 in late 2009 used on LP Std'59/Std'60/Tribute models
- Continued around F310650~F311050 in spring 2012 on Tribute-Plus models
- Continued around F305000 in 2011
- Continued around F310000 in 2012
- Continued around F317000 in 2013
- Continued around F324000 in 2014
- Continued around F330000 in 2015
Epiphone Japan Serial Numbers
1998-Current
The Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards are in a YMMPPP format.
Y = Year of manufacture
MM = Month of manufacture
PPP = Production number
Steermouse 5.
The serial number letters used by the Terada and Fuji-Gen guitar factories are:
- J = Terada
- T = Terada,
- F = Fuji-Gen
- No Letter = Fuji-Gen
Example: J902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123
Example: T902123 = Terada / 1999 / February / unit 123
Example: F902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123
Example: 902123 = Fuji-Gen / 1999 / February / unit 123
1987-1997
For Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan semi acoustic models from 1987 to approximately 1997, the serial numbers are in a YCPPP format.
They were made by Terada and usually have an Orange Epiphone label.
Y = Year of manufacture
C = Model code
PPP = Production number
Model Codes (C)
- 1 = NVJ
- 2 = EMPEROR
- 3 = RIVIERA
- 4 = SHERATON
- 5 = CASINO
- 6 = Limited Edition
- 7 = EB-2
- 8 = ES-930J
- 9 = EMPEROR-J
Example: 34123 = 1993 / SHERATON / unit 123
Example: 38123 = 1993 / ES-930J / unit 123
1971-1987
Blue Label 'Union Made' |
Brown Label |
The Aria Epiphone Japan models that were made by Matsumoku from the early 1970s and ending before 1987 do not have a reliable serial numbering system but can be approximately dated using their Epiphone label colours.
The early Japanese blue labels were left over from production at the Kalamazoo factory and were used on Japanese-made instruments until supplies ran out (approximately 1970-1971). These labels say 'Union Made' in the lower left corner and are sometimes hand-stamped with 'Made in Japan' at the bottom. Some of the interim blue lables had neither the 'Union Made' nor 'Made in Japan' markings on them. When supplies ran out, these labels were replaced with a new batch that were printed 'Made in Japan' in the lower right corner. Pre-1970 'Union Made' labels are distinguishable from labels used on Japanese intruments by the printed model name of the intrument only.
The Lincolnwood label was also used for the Tawainese 'Epi' series acoustic guitars from 1979-1980. These labels say 'Made in Tawain' in the bottom right corner. |
Refurbished Models
MIRC Refurb Label
Serial numbers starting with '311xxxx' on a golden sticker are 'refurbished' guitars sold by MIRC (Musical Instrument Reclamation Center)
- There is no way to tell the year or the month it was made in the MIRC serial
- Original serial numbers are usually defaced
- Original warranty void
- Sometimes the word '2nd' is stamped on back of headstock
- MIRC specs can often be different from stock specs
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Gretsch used several different serial number schemes through the years. Each of them can be used to accurately pinpoint the age of a guitar, if you have the correct information.
Unfortunately, correct information can be very difficult to come by.
Most online guides (and quite a few print guides) are based on Jay Scott's groundbreaking book 'Gretsch: the guitars of the Fred Gretsch Company,' which is a fine book, but is nearly two decades old. Subsequent research has unearthed quite a few inaccuracies in Scott's numbers, so any serial number guides cribbing from Scott are also incorrect.
The Gretsch-GEAR database exists to get it right: to document the actual serial numbers, to determine once and for all what was built and when, and to harness the collective knowledge of thousands of Gretsch fans to put the pieces together.
If you'd like to learn more about Gretsch serial numbers, we highly recommend Ed Ball's 'Gretsch 6120: The History of a Legendary Guitar.' Ball is one of the key researchers who have determined the actual dates, years and features Gretsch serial numbers correspond to.
From the beginning of the Synchromatic era until 1966, Gretsch guitars were sequentially numbered and can be used to reliably date the guitar. However, it is important to note several key points:
- Gretsch annual changes corresponded to model years, like automakers, not necessarily calendar year. Just as a '57 Chevy may have been built in late '56 to hit the showrooms in the fall, a '57 6120 may have been constructed in '56. Nevertheless, if it has all the typical '57 features, it is considered a '57 model, not a '56.
- Gretsch guitars were built in batches, typically of 100, but sometimes 50. Guitars typically did not change much within a batch – with some exceptions – but they often changed from batch to batch. Which means two examples from the same year could have different features, depending on which batches they came from. You can see this as you browse Gretsch-GEAR or chart the changes.
- Numbers restarted after World War II, which can lead to considerable confusion on very old Gretsches. If it has a 'light bulb' headstock, it's probably pre-war.
- The numbers here are generally considered the most accurate numbers publicly available at the time. However, research has indicated that they could be substantially off. If you have questions, ask on the forum. One of our resident Gretsch-sperts will be able to help.
Gretsch began numbering guitars sequentially, probably in 1939 but possibly earlier.
The numbers, by model year:
- Less than 1000
- Pre-war
- 10xx to 20xx
- Approximately 1945-1947
- 20xx-30xx
- Approximately 1948-1949
- 30xx to 40xx
- Approximately 1950
- 40xx to 50xx
- Approximately 1951
- 50xx to 70xx
- Approximately 1952
- 70xx to 90xx
- 1953
- 90xx to 130xx
- 1954
- 130xx to 180xx
- 1955
- 180xx to 210xx
- 1956
- 210xx to 260xx
- 1957 Note: 1000 serial numbers from 1957 were misplaced and later turned up, with original '57-style labels, in 1965.
- 260xx to 300xx
- 1958
- 300xx to 340xx
- 1959
- 340xx to 390xx
- 1960
- 390xx to 450xx
- 1961
- 451xx to 530xx
- 1962
- 530xx to 630xx
- 1963
- 630xx to 770xx
- 1964
- 770xx to 840xx
- 1965 Note: the misplaced 1957 serial numbers, as well as some odd four-digit serial numbers, show up in 1965-1966, during the transition to the date-coded system in mid-'66.
Gretsch began date-coding serial numbers in August 1966. Date-coded serial numbers are typically found stamped on the back or top of the headstock, and 'Made in USA' is stamped next to the number starting in June 1967.
The first digit or first 2 digits = month (1-12).
The next digit = last digit of the year (1966 to 1972: 6,7,8,9,0,1,2).
The remaining digits = number of individual instrument, probably.
For example, 27136 should be February (2), 1967 (7) and the 136th instrument made that month.
A hyphenated number was embossed on the back of headstock.
The digits before hyphen = month (1-12).
The first digit after hyphen = last digit of year. (i.e., 1974 would be 4)
Last 3 digits = number of the instrument.
For example, 3-8094 would be March (3), 1978 (8) and the 94th guitar made that month.
Serial numbers have six numbers, with a three digit suffix.
The first two digits are the year of manufacture.
The next digit is the month.
The next three digits are the model number, without the 6 at the beginning.
The final numbers are the sequential order of the model made during the lifespan of the model (not that year).
For example, 946119-976 would be a June 1994 Tennessee Rose, the 976th made.
- 94 is the year 19'94'
- 6 is the month '6' = June
- 119 is the model 6'119'
Lower numbers will always appear on earlier guitars, higher numbers on later guitars. Remember that 2000 and 2001 guitars will, of course, not begin with a 9. Also, on guitars built in October, November or December, the third AND fourth digits denote the month.
A special note on pre-Fender MIK models (Electromatics, Synchromatics and Historics
Serial numbers on Korean made guitars in this era were printed on a sticker affixed to the back of the headstock. This sticker, along with the 'Made in Korea' sticker, went missing almost immediately — sometimes before the guitar even left the store.
In addition, these guitars followed no known numbering scheme. As of July 2011, the current thinking is that the first digit probably denotes the year, while the following numbers remain a mystery.
This only pertains the pre-Fender Korean-made guitars. The Fender-era 51xx guitars follow the normal Fender numbering scheme.
When Fender took over production in January 2003 the serial number scheme changed again, and Fender-era serial numbers have a two-character originating factory code, followed by year and month, and finally a sequential ordering number.
For example, serial number JT03074463 would break down as:
- J: Japan
- T: Terada factory
- 03: 2003
- 07: July Production
- 4463: 4,463rd guitar built that year (all models combined)
The two-letter factory code prefixes include:
- CS: US, Custom Shop
- CY: China, Yako
- KP: Korea, Peerless
- KS: Korea, Samick/SPG
- JD: Japan, Dyna Gakki
- JF: Japan, Fuji-Gen Gakki
- JT: Japan, Terada
- IS: Indonesia, Samick
Of those, JT is by far the most common on the pro-line instruments. However, other Japanese facilities have been used, so it's not particularly unusual to see JD and JF prefixes.
Most Electromatic hollowbodies carry a KS designation, although KP was fairly common prior to about 2007.
CY is usually seen on Electromatic solidbodies such as the Corvette/CVT.
The last four numbers are sequential for the given year (all models combined) and are broken into two categories as follows:
- 0001 - 0100: Reserved for prototypes, samples, one-offs, and other special things.
- 0101 - 9999: Regular production (all models combined).
So, JT05070014 would be made at the Terada factory in July 2005 and would be the 14th of something special that year (all special models combined).
Unlike the pre-Fender codes, specific models are no longer designated within the serial number.
Thanks to Mike Lewis of Fender for detailing the current numbering system.In the beginning, Gretsch simply wrote serial numbers inside the guitar in pencil. These pencilled-in numbers often fade and become illegible, or even disappear.
After World War II, some guitars had a serial number embossed on the head, but reliable numbers didn't really appear until the advent of the first labels, around 1949.
Early labelled Gretsches will usually have a printed serial number and a handwritten model number. On hollowbodies, the label is usually visible through the f-hole. On other models such as solidbodies, it should be inside a control cavity.
From about 1949 to 1957 watch for a white rectangular label that reads:
The serial number will probably be printed in red, and the model number written in blue or black. The label has a fairly ornate border around it, but the 'Gretsch' is usually printed in a plain font. However, some have 'Gretsch' printed as the familiar logo.
Beginning in about 1957 a new label was introduced, which lasted until about 1965. On this one, 'The Fred Gretsch Mfg. Co.' was printed in black on an orange shape that vaguely resembles a musical note. This was superimposed on a gray over white label.
On the white part, the serial number is printed, and the model number should be handwritten. This label should be on all guitars after number 25000.
This would be a good time to note that some models, particularly 1962 -'65 models, had the serial number embossed on the headstock in lieu of a label.
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Beginning in 1965, the model number was printed either on top or on the back of the headstock or engraved in the metal model plate on the headstock, and no label was fitted.
In the late '60s the labels returned on most models. For a brief period rarely found labels were used that look like the second-generation labels, except 'That Great Gretsch Sound' is printed across the bottom.
Finally, sometime around 1972 a plain black and white label was introduced. With 'Gretsch Guitars' in a logo-type font across the top. These labels list model and serial numbers and along the bottom reads 'Made in U.S.A.'
On modern Gretsches, the serial number is usually readily visible on the back of the headstock.
