Own an old Epiphone? You are invited to submit info
Musicians, collectors, guitar dealers, luthiers and historians who own and appreciate Epiphone instruments are invited to contribute info to the NY Epi Reg research project.
Every new info about an instrument that you submit to the Registry database will add to the quality and accuracy of this research – and improve the knowledge shared with you on this website.
Jump to chapter:
1. How to submit info to NY Epi Reg
2. What type of Epiphone instruments are included
3. What information we are looking for
4. Serial number and model name – where to find it
1. How to submit info to NY Epi Reg
To submit instrument info please drop
me a message. I will get back to you via e-mail asap. Privacy notice: The name or e-mail address of info contributors are treated as confidential and will not be published or disclosed to any third party. Contributors will be credited as an instrument owner or photographer upon request.
If you are on Facebook, you are welcome to join our closed group associated with the NY Epi Reg project, and post your info there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/newyorkepiphone/.
2. What type of Epiphone instruments are included
At this stage, the NY Epiphone Registry focuses on acoustic and electric guitars (including Hawaiian), mandolin family instruments, and amplifiers from the late 1920s to the mid 1950s – bearing an Epiphone or Electar brand name.
Also included are Epiphone-made guitars sold under other brand names such as Howard, Sorrentino and Ideal – models that appear to bear standard Epiphone serial numbers.
Not covered at this point are Epiphone banjos and basses which both appear to have their own serial number systems. (Note: recommended research resources on Epiphone banjos and Epiphone upright basses.)
Generally not included in this project are any Epiphone instruments built after the 1957 take-over by CMI/Gibson – instruments made in Kalamazoo MI, typically stated on their internal label.
3. What information we are looking for
Minimum information required for an instrument to be registered:
- Serial number (if you have difficulties to decipher a hard to read serial number, please send a photo)
- Model name (or, if not known, a photo/description of the instrument which helps to identify the model)
Optional (but utterly welcome!):
- Photos of the instrument
- Description of the instrument’s features, condition/repairs and history if known; of particularly high interest is original paperwork, e.g. sales documents, invoices or other info regarding the date when an instrument was originally ordered or sold (example below: order confirmation letter from 1950).
4. Serial number and model name – where to find it
- Early 1930s acoustic instruments typically have an oval label inside the body, however some are without label. On these instruments the serial number can be found stamped into the back wood below the label (if present), visible through the bass side f-hole. In some cases the number is stamped on the oval label itself, next to the Epiphone logo. These stamped numbers are often hard to read and are easily misinterpreted, therefore a photo is often helpful.
The model name of these early acoustic instruments is usually featured on the headstock in decorative lettering. However some early, low-end acoustic guitars (Olympic, Beverly) don't have a model designation on the headstock or anywhere else. These models require identification based on features.
- Acoustic instruments (after 1933) and electric hollowbody instruments (1950s) bear the model name and serial number on a rectangular label placed on the inside back of the body – visible through the bass side f-hole (or round sound hole respectively). The serial number is printed or typed next to the typed model name. Note that the label design changed over the years.
Additionally, on archtop instruments with a "floating" bridge the serial number is often stamped on the bottom side of the bridge base (if original).
- Electric instruments (pre-1950) have the serial number stamped on the headstock's top edge or back. These numbers are often hard to read and easily misinterpreted, so a photo is often helpful.
Many electric instruments don't have a model name designation anywhere on the body. These models require identification based on construction/decoration features (see Models).
Electric instruments from 1946–49 have a 5- or 6-digit serial number stamped on the back of the headstock. On these the model information is encoded in the initial 2 or 3 digits of the serial number:
15xxx = Century Hawaiian
25xxx = Zephyr Spanish
60xxx = Century Spanish
75xxx = Zephyr Deluxe
85xxx = Zephyr Deluxe Regent
100xxx = Solo/Duo Console
Some electric Hawaiian guitars bear the model name on the fretboard end near the pickup.
On some 1949 Hawaiian instruments the serial number is stamped on the "bikini" logo plate.
On some c. 1949 Console Hawaiian instruments the serial number (100xxx range) is stamped on the fretboard end.
Hawaiian guitars of the 1950s have the serial number (9xxx range) stamped on the bridge/tailpiece unit (remove bridge cover to see number).
- Amps: Early models usually have the serial number stamped on the metal "Electar" logo plate which is screwed to the chassis on the rear. These amps bear no model designation and have to be identified by features. On later amps the model name and stamped serial number can be found on the control panel.
