PLEASE Help Identify My 'new' Epi LP

[STL.Vox.Rox]

This is my Very First LP. I got it off the local Craigslist for $200. It has some damage, but plays like a dream.
A previous owner has added the Chrome SpeedKnobs (will be getting TopHats soon) and Schaller Tuners (might keep, might not).
I checked the PUPs and they are GFS's, The Bridge is super hot and The Neck is near non-existent, but that may be due to the 3-way being faulty.
IDK anything about that brand and was thinking of eventually going Gibby or SD's later down the line
My Flying V has PearlyGates & DimeBucker and makes AWESOME tone & power, along with push pull pots to coil split.
It has a maple neck that had a break at the scarf line which was VERY well repaired as it cannot even be felt at all.
To the best of my acquired knowledge (mostly from this forum), what I have is a 1996 MIK. What I am trying to ascertain is what model and color it is.
I'm assuming it is 'just' a Standard, since according to 'UnOfficial Wiki' Plus Tops didn't debut until '98 and this is a Flamed veneer Top.
I'm guessing the finish is either HoneyBurst, IcedTea or TransAmber.
Took the pics with my phone, hope they're good enough.

 

[STL.Vox.Rox]

Five More Pics...

 

[STL.Vox.Rox]

Last Pics:
There's also a crack around the Bridge control knobs. It is NOT evident in the control cavity, and does NOT give way, nor does it affect anything. So I am assuming that it didn't do any damage other than aesthetic.

 

[STL.Vox.Rox]

Also, IDK if it's any help or not but all of the pots have EP086 500K 0331 stamped on them. I know that means they are all 500K pots as they are supposed to be, and assume that "EP" means they are Epiphone manufactured, but not sure about the rest of the nomenclature.
Thanks all!

 

[Shadowplayer]

well, I tried to trace the SR, but unless I read it wrong, which is always a possibility, this is what popped up.

Your guitar was made in
Korea
August c.2018
Production Number: 1492


^thats not right



can you type it out, its kinda hard to read from the pic.
this is what I saw
18081492

 

[Shadowplayer]

actually, if that second letter is a 6, the guitar was made in 2016.


PLEASE POST UP SR

 

[paruwi]

well, I tried to trace the SR, but unless I read it wrong, which is always a possibility, this is what popped up.

Your guitar was made in
Korea
August c.2018
Production Number: 1492


^thats not right



can you type it out, its kinda hard to read from the pic.
this is what I saw
18081492

actually, if that second letter is a 6, the guitar was made in 2016.


PLEASE POST UP SR

guitardater has guitars from the future........

try those serials and learn something about the 'value' of guitardater

EE58091234
and
EE15081234



it's made Aug 96 at the Saein plant, Korea

 

[STL.Vox.Rox]

Yeah, I went to the dreaded Guitar Dater Project site, and that's how I found out (primarily) that it is an MIK guitar. The Serial # is I60801192. And of course lower on the back of the head stock is the 'almighty' "Epiphone Limited Edition" embossing as well.

 

[paruwi]

actually, if that second letter is a 6, the guitar was made in 2016.


PLEASE POST UP SR

First pic in post #3 shows it

I6081192

I = Saein plant, Korea
6 = 96
08=August
1192= production/batch/whatelse #

 

[STL.Vox.Rox]

OK, so the ser # on the pots has no bearing as to date then?
And any clue as to the quality of GFS PUPs? Any better than the Duncans?
Anyone have any better idea as to the Model & Color, other than my previous guesses?
Or does anyone know what was available then, paint wise.

 

[paruwi]

OK, so the ser # on the pots has no bearing as to date then?
And any clue as to the quality of GFS PUPs? Any better than the Duncans?

I don't need the serials on the pots to date it...

I don't know about the GFS pups, some like it....

 

[STL.Vox.Rox]

Thanks Pete. I know the #'s from the pots weren't needed to date, was only wondering if they provided any further info about the guitar itself.
I'm just peculiar that way, wanting to know as much about this piece as I can.

 

[SJM]

GFS P/U's are not bad at all, especially the Professional Series. I've only used the Professional Series Alnico II's but they hold their own with SD Alnico II's. It would be more fair to say they're different rather than as good. They were a little brighter sounding but not muddy in the least. They are made in Korea and are certainly worth what you pay for them. Your pots sound like the stock 500K audio taper pots that came in the older MIK's. A picture of the back cavity showing the pots and wiring would make it much easier to evaluate. They're probably the smaller ones too so if you ever decide to upgrade you may need to take a router and make a little more room.

 

[RTH]

You are correct that your guitar is just considered a standard model - or a Les Paul Standard Flame Top. The "Plus Top" designation debuted in 2003, so the flamed top is the reason for the "Limited Edition" stamp on the back. Earlier models may not have even had the stamp.

 

[pew222]

Peter and Steve, how do you guys know so much about these guitars? Just curious.

 

[Brazilnut]

Yeah, you guys! Howcum you're so smart? And while we're at it, what do you know about the white stuff that Elitist fingerboards are laminated with?

 

[SJM]

Peter and Steve, how do you guys know so much about these guitars? Just curious.

Most of what I know about Epiphone's, I learned here at MLP. Reading the Sticky threads will teach you a lot. The Tonefreaks section has a lot of info. A good place to study is here: The Unofficial Epiphone Wiki

RTH who made a post just prior to yours is one of the chief architects of the wiki and PeteR has contributed a lot himself. They're the real Wiz's here.

Oh and you should add Barcham to the group. His knowledge of Epi's is very noteworthy. Another item of note is along with davies, they have saved a lot of people's butts in the Fake Epi Thread II. People who otherwise may have ended up with fakes.

 

[paruwi]

Peter and Steve, how do you guys know so much about these guitars? Just curious.

putting all the Epi catalogs under my pillow for some years.......

reading more than posting in the first years.....
getting an own opinion after more reading
doubting some statements - searching for proofs

having some Epis helps, too

and of course the addiction....

 

[RTH]

putting all the Epi catalogs under my pillow for some years.......

LOL! I thought that I was the only one who did that!

 

[MASSMARK]

You have the exact same model as mine. Its a 1996 made in Korea Les Paul standard Plus Top 'Limited Edition' in HoneyBurst. Check out my threads, these 1996 Limited Editions are in my opinion the nicest and most stunning colour combination I've ever seen on any Epi Les Paul to this day, its was a limited run of finish. These guitars are always very similer in that they all have an upward chevron flame patten (or downward, one or the other). I am in Love with mine that I only recently picked up, and have since made lots of upgrades to and it is a keeper for good.

Have a look.