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 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 colors. They were made by Terada and usually have an Orange Epiphone label.
Y = Year of manufacture 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 1987 - 1997 For Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan semi acoustic models from 1987 to approximately 1997, the serial numbers are in a YCPPP format. F300000 = late 2009 used on LP Std'59/Std'60/Tribute models Continued around F310650F311050 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.