Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?!

acaciadesign · 04-12-2008, 02:50 PM

I just realised my Epi LP standard plus has 2 serial numbers at the headstock. The obvious one printed in gold starts with U03 (Unsung Korea 2003 I believe) and this overlaps another colourless embossed no. starting with EE04 (Qingdao China 2004 I think). Any idea why is this so? Thanks!

acaciadesign · 04-12-2008, 03:45 PM

i contacted Gibson/Epiphone but they didn't seem to have an answer...

ThrashPirate · 04-12-2008, 05:28 PM

Pics?

loaded six string · 04-12-2008, 10:26 PM

yes, we definitely need pics of this

acaciadesign · 04-13-2008, 02:51 AM

OK, I'll try to get an image. Like i said the embossed serial no. is colourless and you can only catch the numbers at a certain angle in the light. Other than that you can feel the emboss with your fingers...

andrewruel · 04-13-2008, 02:49 PM

Possibly a reused neck? Is it a refurb?

drewbertca · 04-13-2008, 02:52 PM

leftover neck moved to China from Korea? or somehow Vice Versa?

diceman · 04-13-2008, 03:57 PM

That is odd - but most likely a result of "using up all the pieces" during the transition from Korea to China - they may have had extra bodies in Korea and Gibson sent some necks from China to use them up.

Pics would be nice, though.

acaciadesign · 04-13-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewruel

Possibly a reused neck? Is it a refurb?

What exactly is a refurb neck? The finishing the neck does have some imperfections although the body looks pretty perfect.

diceman · 04-14-2008, 12:57 AM

You'll really need to post pictures to get a good answer...

acaciadesign · 04-14-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

You'll really need to post pictures to get a good answer...

Thanks, will do.

diceman · 04-14-2008, 02:27 AM

Refurbs and Seconds are usually given a sticker number over where the serial number is - so I'm not thinking that this is the case on yours.

As its likely from that transition period from Korea to China, I think its safe to assume that you have one of the last Korean made Epis, when they were using up the rest of the parts/bodies/necks that they had on hand.

My brother has a unique Epi LP that I picked up for him while I was stationed in Korea, from an Unsung factory outlet, right after production moved to China.

It has a Studio body, a Standard trap inlayed neck, and a flat black "goth" finish:

acaciadesign · 04-14-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

Refurbs and Seconds are usually given a sticker number over where the serial number is - so I'm not thinking that this is the case on yours.

As its likely from that transition period from Korea to China, I think its safe to assume that you have one of the last Korean made Epis, when they were using up the rest of the parts/bodies/necks that they had on hand.

My brother has a unique Epi LP that I picked up for him while I was stationed in Korea, from an Unsung factory outlet, right after production moved to China.

It has a Studio body, a Standard trap inlayed neck, and a flat black "goth" finish:

That's really interesting. Mine's not as hybrid but it actuall had chrome hardware but hte pickups were gold. I was wondering if it was replaced by the dealer but they said no. Thanks for the info.

diceman · 04-14-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acaciadesign

That's really interesting. Mine's not as hybrid but it actuall had chrome hardware but hte pickups were gold. I was wondering if it was replaced by the dealer but they said no. Thanks for the info.

Interesting! I'm all about "unique" guitars. Looking forward to seeing pix of your guitar when you get a chance.

acaciadesign · 04-16-2008, 02:58 AM

Yo, ok so check it out i've uploaded

1. A pic of my dear Denise (since we are into a names thread)
2. The original gold pups, which I've since swapped with DiMarzios
3. A shot of the (refurb?) neck where you can you can see the lacquer(?) is darker and ends abrubtly on one half where a visible. What causes this?
4. A shot of the serial no. You can just make out the double 'EE's and a couple of numbers that are embossed behind the gold letters/numbers!

diceman · 04-16-2008, 12:25 PM

That is a beautiful guitar!

What does it say on the bottom of those pickups?

Any evidence of a neck repair or anything like that?

If she plays and sounds nice, I think you've still got a winner. I'm still thinking that it is the result of that transition period... maybe a repair of some kind. Either way, she's a great looking axe!

***b-squared*** · 04-16-2008, 12:28 PM

Gorgeous guitar...how do those pickups sound?

Her little "beauty marks" make her unique--don't worry about them.

Nice axe.

BB

acaciadesign · 04-17-2008, 01:15 AM

Thanks dudes. Cool advice.

Didn't find any indcationns at the bottom of the pups. There were Alcinco USA decals over 'em when I first bought it though. Regarding the DiMarzios, think I'll start a new thread...

Cheers!

lifele55 · 04-17-2008, 02:49 AM

Wierd thing would be your standard came with gold humbuckers? Coool...

04-12-2008, 02:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
acaciadesign Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! I just realised my Epi LP standard plus has 2 serial numbers at the headstock. The obvious one printed in gold starts with U03 (Unsung Korea 2003 I believe) and this overlaps another colourless embossed no. starting with EE04 (Qingdao China 2004 I think). Any idea why is this so? Thanks!

04-12-2008, 03:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
acaciadesign Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! i contacted Gibson/Epiphone but they didn't seem to have an answer...

04-12-2008, 05:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
ThrashPirate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,479 Thanks: 17 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! Pics?

04-12-2008, 10:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
loaded six string V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,293 Thanks: 20 Thanked 52 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! yes, we definitely need pics of this

04-13-2008, 02:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
acaciadesign Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! OK, I'll try to get an image. Like i said the embossed serial no. is colourless and you can only catch the numbers at a certain angle in the light. Other than that you can feel the emboss with your fingers...

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04-13-2008, 02:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
andrewruel Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! Possibly a reused neck? Is it a refurb?

04-13-2008, 02:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
drewbertca V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Timmins, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,485 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! leftover neck moved to China from Korea? or somehow Vice Versa? __________________ BFG Defender....The normal ones...Not the over priced "First 52 of Each" ones. THIS THREAD IS DEAD!

04-13-2008, 03:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,308 Thanks: 307 Thanked 90 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! That is odd - but most likely a result of "using up all the pieces" during the transition from Korea to China - they may have had extra bodies in Korea and Gibson sent some necks from China to use them up. Pics would be nice, though. __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

04-14-2008, 12:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,308 Thanks: 307 Thanked 90 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! You'll really need to post pictures to get a good answer... __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

04-14-2008, 02:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,308 Thanks: 307 Thanked 90 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! Refurbs and Seconds are usually given a sticker number over where the serial number is - so I'm not thinking that this is the case on yours. As its likely from that transition period from Korea to China, I think its safe to assume that you have one of the last Korean made Epis, when they were using up the rest of the parts/bodies/necks that they had on hand. My brother has a unique Epi LP that I picked up for him while I was stationed in Korea, from an Unsung factory outlet, right after production moved to China. It has a Studio body, a Standard trap inlayed neck, and a flat black "goth" finish: __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

04-16-2008, 12:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,308 Thanks: 307 Thanked 90 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! That is a beautiful guitar! What does it say on the bottom of those pickups? Any evidence of a neck repair or anything like that? If she plays and sounds nice, I think you've still got a winner. I'm still thinking that it is the result of that transition period... maybe a repair of some kind. Either way, she's a great looking axe! __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

04-16-2008, 12:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
*b-squared* 'MLP Mid-West' Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 12,157 Thanks: 270 Thanked 187 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! Gorgeous guitar...how do those pickups sound? Her little "beauty marks" make her unique--don't worry about them. Nice axe. BB __________________ I use: WB Custom Pickups--6707 VTP/VTPH, 5707 Prototypes, Habaneros, Firewaters DeTemple 'Sweet Spot' Pickups (Strat) RS Guitarworks Electronics Jonesy's Caps

04-17-2008, 01:15 AM	#18 (permalink)
acaciadesign Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! Thanks dudes. Cool advice. Didn't find any indcationns at the bottom of the pups. There were Alcinco USA decals over 'em when I first bought it though. Regarding the DiMarzios, think I'll start a new thread... Cheers!

04-17-2008, 02:49 AM	#19 (permalink)
lifele55 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reddot Singapore Posts: 2,341 Thanks: 53 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Y my Epi LP has 2 serial numbers?! Wierd thing would be your standard came with gold humbuckers? Coool... __________________ Ebony MIJ Epiphone Custom + Buncha Pedals. Laney LC15R www.youtube.com/psychotubes sis ♥ lin

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