Close-up #51: Labels and serial numbers, part 3 – fake labels!
In our series about Epiphone’s internal labels we explained their standard use in part 1, followed by discussing some exceptions, anachronisms and oddities in part 2. This part 3 covers a topic that is rather unpleasant and disturbing, but important – fake labels!
Indeed, over the years we kept and keep coming across instruments carrying a piece of paper which appears to be an original Epiphone label (at least for people who are not experts). But a closer inspection reveals that some labels are NOT what they pretend to be: They are are imitations, copies, fakes!
Why original labels are NOT parts that can just be replaced
Most parts of a (vintage) guitar can suffer damage which can make a repair or even replacement necessary: Tuners, bridges, tailpieces, pickguards tend to wear out or break after years of use – and therefore, guitar manufacturers typically offered replacement units in their catalogs.
However, the original manufacturer's label in an instrument is NOT such a replaceable part! These labels – often carrying the model name and serial number of an instrument, along with some warranty statement – serve as an official document for identification and confirmation of authenticity. The presence of the unique serial number – in some cases not on the label but stamped e.g. on the headstock – plays an important part in this, too.
In some ways, the original manufacturer's label in an instrument can be compared to the signature of the artist on a painting: Both serve as a statement of authorship and authenticity. In our opinion, faking a manufacturer's label in a guitar is comparable to faking an artist's signature on a painting. And note that in both cases, a fake label/signature is still a fake even when the guitar (or painting) are actually real works by said manufacturer (or artist).
But when exactly is a label "original"? And what makes it a "fake"?
In our understanding, the "original label" in an Epiphone instrument is the official printed label applied by an authorized Epiphone employee at the time of manufacturing, before leaving the factory. See our overview and discussion of original Epiphone labels in part 1.
Now, as explained in part 2, in some cases Epiphone later replaced the original label in a guitar with a newer "official label" – e.g. during a repair or refinish at the factory. And after the takeover by Gibson/CMI, the new Epiphone company in Kalamazoo MI often stamped the original serial number on the headstock after an older instrument came back for repair. Since carried out by the official Epiphone company, we consider such procedures as legitimate – complying to this general rule: Only
the manufacturer/legal brand owner is authorized to apply an official label or serial number to an instrument!
On the other hand, any imitation Epiphone label that was NOT applied by an authorized person of the official Epiphone company, we consider to be a either an unofficial "replica" or a "fake". What's the difference between the two?
An unoffical "replica label" is a copy/reproduction of the original label which explicitly states/discloses this fact on the label. Think of a scenario like: A luthier is restoring a vintage Epiphone instrument, but unfortunately the original label gets damaged in the process and can't be saved. In order to document the original label info including model and serial number, the luthier may decide to create a reproduction label and place it in the instrument. IMPORTANT: IF and ONLY IF this reproduced label explains its non-original, unofficial status in print – thus leaving no doubt that the label is NOT the original applied by the Epiphone company – then we consider this as a legit replica. If such disclosing information is missing, we consider an imitation label to be a fake.
The term “fake label” implies that a non-original label may be mistaken for an original – by imitating the style and/or wording of an original or otherwise official Epiphone label, WITHOUT EXPLICITLY DISCLOSING IN PRINT that this label is a reproduction/recreation by a third party.As we will see, there are quite a few different examples and cases around: Some fake labels seem to stem rather from naivety or ignorance, while others were possibly motivated by dishonest intentions or even fraud – e.g. falsifying the label of an instrument with the goal to make it appear more valuable than it is, and sell for a higher price. In any case, a fake label in an instrument may become a serious issue when the instrument is offered for sale.
The goal of this discussion is to educate owners, sellers and buyers of vintage Epiphone instruments – and encourage them to always check and question the originality of a label (as should be done with any other part of an instrument). Let's look at the examples below (pictures and info found in online auctions, dealer listings, etc.):
1. Fake instrument, fake label with misleading information
Example 1a: Non-Epiphone guitar body with fake "blue" label DeLuxe SN 7352
This appears to be an oddball "Frankenstein" guitar combining an archtop body from an unidentified manufacturer (not Epiphone!) with the neck from a c.1935 Epiphone Broadway. Inside the body we spot a piece of paper looking like an Epiphone "blue" label from the 1940–50s – however design details such as the font used unmask it as a fake label. SN 7352 would oddly place the instrument within a batch of documented Zeniths from 1934 – but we doubt that any parts of this instrument relate to this (faked) serial number. Since the label falsely claims to be inside a pricey "DeLuxe" model, we suspect there was probably not just naivety behind the fabrication of this piece!
Example 1b: Non-Epiphone guitar with fake "Long Island" label SN 10411 and fake logo on headstock
This flattop guitar by an unidentified manufacturer not only sports a fake Epiphone logo on the headstock, but also a fake "Long Island" style label with SN "10411" inside the body. Although the creator of this counterfeit obviously tried to give the label an aged look, the proportions, fonts and model wording are definitely all wrong: "Guitar F-T-79" was not used on Epiphone labels – and while the model FT 79 was first launched in 1941, the SN 10411 points to a 1937 Zenith batch ... This guitar is as fake as fake can be!
2. Epiphone instrument, fake label with misleading information
Example 2a: Epiphone Zephyr DeLuxe with correct SN 75305,
but fake "blue" label with wrong model "Emperor"
Here we have a blonde Epiphone Zephyr DeLuxe model, with modifications such as a replaced pickup, but otherwise pretty decent looking – including the stamped SN 75305 on the headstock which dates the guitar to the year 1949. Epiphone electrics from this serial number system/range don't have an internal label – strangely, this one has: An obvious fake "blue" label, again with the typography slightly off – but while the typed SN matches the real one, the typed model name says "EMPEROR"! Well, if this is an Emperor, then these must be his new clothes...
Whatever motivated the insertion of the fake label – it is very wrong!
Example 2b: Epiphone Zephyr DeLuxe Cutaway/Regent, fake label with wrong SN 85914
Another Epiphone electric archtop from the late 1940s, a nice looking Zephyr DeLuxe Cutaway/Regent, also with a replaced pickup. This model version with "Master Voicer" dials on the control knobs always came without internal label and with the serial number stamped on the headstock.
Except when something is wrong... like here: This fake label tries to imitate a "Masterbilt" label, as used by Epiphone on some pre-war acoustic instruments only. The design and fonts look actually almost right, well, still only almost... But 1.: This type label was never used in an electric model. And 2.: This alleged SN 85915 is far beyond the documented serial number range for this model (the highest known SN being 85383). We don't know if the stamped SN on the headstock is still visible or gone on this guitar.
Even if created meaning no harm: Such a fake label is unprofessional and highly confusing – and may turn away potential buyers who are cautious and critical.
Example 2c: Epiphone DeLuxe, fake "Kalamazoo" label with wrong SN 56304
This guitar looks all correct for an Epiphone DeLuxe from c. 1945. It seems to have been a blonde model (first image), but later refinished sunburst (second image) – probably to cover up various crack repairs. Great to make this guitar playable again! Looks to be decent, skillful work - BUT: THAT LABEL!?
This style label was used in Kalamazoo-made Epiphones after the takeover by Gibson/CMI in 1957 – i.e. it is not the original label from when this instrument was built in New York. So, could the label maybe have been inserted by the new Epiphone company during a later repair in Kalamazoo? I very much doubt this: While the new Epiphone company often stamped the serial number in the headstock during a repair, I have never seen one with a genuine replacement Kalamazoo label.
However I have seen many fake copies of blank Epiphone Kalamazoo labels offered for sale on eBay – and I think this is what we have here. Somebody replaced the (missing) label with a fake and filled in the empty form fields – done in a wrong way! For comparison below the pic of an authentic label in a Kalamazoo-made Epiphone FT30 Caballero – spot the differences...
I also rather doubt that the alleged serial number "56304" is correct for this DeLuxe: That SN would be from 1947, when the body shape was different from this c. 1945 guitar. Plus: there is actually a SN
56304 documented in our database – a Blackstone model!
One wonders: What exactly were they thinking when adding that fake label?
3. Epiphone instrument, imitation label without being disclosed as such
Example 3a: Epiphone Zenith SN 65617 with imitation "blue" label
This 1952 Epiphone Zenith seems to have a few minor repairs, but looks fine – until you peep through the f-hole: If you have seen a real Epiphone "blue" label before, you will feel that something in this label looks off. When you compare it side-by-side to an authentic example – see pictures below – it's obvious: The label of this "Model Zenith No. 65617" looks rather like a hand-painted copy of the printed real thing!
I imagine that the original label possibly got damaged, and a repair person tried to "restore" it this way? Well, without explicitly marking such an imitation label as being a replica, it looks fishy! Even if this guitar really is Epiphone Zenith SN 65617 – in my opinion, this label undermines the authenticity and creates the opposite of trust.
If I was a potential buyer, I might start wondering what else on this guitar got doctored and not disclosed...!
Example 3b: Epiphone Triumph Regent SN 62945, with imitation label
This Epiphone Triumph Regent from the early 1950s has obviously undergone some modifications, like added pickups and a new pickguard with controls. Okay, if that's what the owner wanted.
The guitar also has a label inside which declares: "This Epiphone instrument is / Model Triumph Regent No. 62945 / Manufactured by / Epiphone Inc., New York, N.Y., U.S.A.". Okay – except this LABEL was NOT manufactured by Epiphone! And therefore is a potentially dubious piece of information.
The label doesn't imitate the design of an original Epiphone label, making it easier to identify as non-authentic. However, it still copies the exact wording of an original. Therefore, an inexperienced buyer may still take this imitation as an original.
My opinion: Also with an altered typographic design, an imitation label stays problematic if its "unofficial replica" status is not mentioned anywhere in print.
4. Epiphone instruments, original label with erased serial number
Finally, there is another "phenomenon" we occasionally come across: Instruments with a label that is obviously original – however the serial number has been obliterated and made illegible.
In these cases, there is a considerable possibility that someone removed the instrument's unique identification markers with dishonest intentions – e.g. because the instrument was stolen...
Potential buyers of such an instrument should be aware of this possibility and the risks involved.
If you have any questions or suggestions, we are interested to hear and open to discuss! Contact
us here.
Note: This overview is subject to updates whenever new evidence surfaces.
(Nov 23, 2025 - with later updates)