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The second or the third number, 7, 8 or 9, (depending on whether the month number is one or 2 digits), identifies the year of production as either 1967, 1968 or 1969 etc. As an example, serial number 68409 would break down as: 6: June. 409: Unit number. As an example, serial number 109837 would break down as: 10: November. Hello fellow Banjo Reddits! I have a fender 5 string banjo which is a couple of years old ( around 2010-11). I got it as a gift and unfortunately I need to sell it because I have too many instruments and too little money. The problem is that I don't know which model i've got! I can't find anything on the banjo except the serial number: CD11030597.
Identifiers
YYMMFFRRRRR
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
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
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.
Fender Banjo Value
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
![Fender banjo serial number lookup Fender banjo serial number lookup](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126429341/196550611.jpg)
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
MM = Month of manufacture
PPP = Production number
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
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
Fender Banjo Identification
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.
They were made by Terada and usually have an Orange Epiphone label.
Y = Year of manufacture
C = Model code
PPP = Production number
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Model Codes (C)
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
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.
Blue Labels: 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. Lincolnwood Labels: 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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Contents
When owning a guitar or any musical instrument, the least that you’ll check is the serial number. You know the brand and the model number by heart, but you don’t know or even pay attention to the serial number. For Fender, Gibson, and Martin, it’s very easy to look up the serial number online. But, if you have an old Oscar Schmidt, serial number lookup is quite a challenge, which is why this article is made.
Why serial numbers? Serial numbers may correspond to the manufacturing date of your instrument. This means that if you own a century-old guitar, you can appraise it better when you know its serial number. Or, if your valuable guitar is stolen, you can track it down through its serial number.
Oscar Schmidt is among the oldest guitar makers in the world, and so the more it’s essential to know about its serial numbers. This article will help you know about Oscar Schmidt’s serial numbers, where to find them and how to read them.
What is Oscar Schmidt?
A company that’s even older than Martin, Oscar Schmidt can be traced back to 1871. After its incorporation in 1911, it has been operating under different company names including “Oscar Schmidt Inc,” “Oscar Schmidt-International Corporation,” and “Oscar Schmidt-International, Inc.,” just to name a few.
The company made different musical instruments including guitars, banjos, mandolins, zithers, ukuleles, and the most famous Autoharps. Since the early 1920s, Oscar Schmidt instruments were introduced to the countryside, to the rural areas. So, most musicians living in the South and Appalachia have played an Oscar Schmidt. Aside from their availability in town furniture and local stores, Oscar Schmidt instruments are also affordable.
Today, Oscar Schmidt is under the Washburn International, a division of the U.S. Music Corporation, a subsidiary of the Canadian Corporate group Jam Industries. Raft survival download mac. So, you can find the Oscar Schmidt instruments to have ‘by Washburn’ byline in the logo.
Oscar Schmidt Serial Number and Where to Find It?
As you have noticed, Oscar Schmidt has been there for about 148 years. So, you can’t imagine the number of guitars, banjos and other instruments that are now more than a century old. The next question would be, “How will you know the value of your old Oscar Schmidt?”, “How will you let people believe that you own a 1920 Stella?”
The best thing to know how old your instrument is through its serial number. Depending on the manufacturer, the serial number can be found at the back of the headstock or the back of the guitar for electric guitars. Also, you can find the serial numbers of acoustic guitars in these places or on the sticker of the soundhole and at the top brace between the bridge and the soundhole.
If you can’t see the serial number from any of these locations, if you’re willing, go to a local guitar tech and have the neck removed. You may find a date marker on the neck or any number that indicates anything related to the manufacturing date of your guitar.
How to Read to Serial Number of Your Instrument?
Getting into the pattern or sense of the Oscar Schmidt serial numbers is pretty hard. However, most of their guitars have 30 as first numerals. This could mean that the guitars are made in the early 1920s to the late 1930s. But, it doesn’t always make sense to the newer instruments.
Oscar Schmidt instruments have been there for ages under different company names. And, now, it’s under Washburn International of the Jam Industries. So, the different serial numbers might be because of the changes in the naming standards brought by different company names producing the products. You can’t find any information online and there’s not even an archive of their products.
Yet, if you’ll refer to Washburn, you’ll get a bit of clarity in your mind. In most cases, the first two numbers of the serial number indicate the year. If you have 94000000, then, that means the guitar is made in 1994. Once you know the year, you can easily locate the product by accessing their archives.
Some serial guitars have only one number to identify the year. For example, if the serial number is 240000, maybe, it’s either a 1982 or 1992 guitar model. Some manufacturers even indicate the exact date of creation, like 941101. This means the guitar is made on November 11, 1994. But, it’s not always the case with Oscar Schmidt.
Still, there are other guitars with serial numbers like 00001 or 00089. Of course, if this is the pattern, then, it could be that the former is older than the latter. But, you’ll never know if this information is correct until you ask the company. You can contact Oscar Schmidt if you want to know what the serial number means.
The Importance of Knowing the Serial Number
To track when your valuable instrument is lost and to avail of the warranty. In most cases, the serial number doesn’t only indicate the manufacturing date, but also a code unique to your instrument. So, knowing or memorizing this minute detail of your guitar will help you find it when it’s lost. Check out this YouTube video and how the owner retrieves his guitars with the use of serial numbers:
Also, Oscar Schmidt won’t cover warranty for guitars and other products with altered or removed serial numbers. Even though these numbers are annoying, it’ll save the day when you least expect it.
Conclusion
Serial numbers seem annoying, but it’ll reveal a lot of information for your instrument. From the year of manufacture to the kind of instrument you have, you’ll know a lot about your gear from the serial numbers. For guitars, it can be found at the back of the headstock, the neck or on the soundhole stickers. Even though Oscar Schmidt serial number lookup is difficult, it’s worth several tries. You don’t know you’re already holding a treasure in your hand.