In the 90's I was still acquiring 60's models, until I got a 98 G400 made in Korea that was incredible, so it reopened the door for my asian built Epiphones. I have been an Epiphone fan since the early 60's, my first US built guitar was a 63 Coronet and owned several since then, but was very disappointed with the first Japan built version of Coronets, Wilshire's and Crestwoods. In addition I bought two from the 'Epiphone Designer' 2020 collection a Wilshire and a Coronet which also came from the Qingdao factory.

I do have two 2020 'Inspired by Gibson' electric Epiphones that were built at the Qingdao factory which is where I think the majority are currently built. The upper-tier acoustic models (Masterbilt and solid wood Inspired by Gibson) are made by PT Samick in Indonesia.Īll correct as far as I can tell, although I didn't know Samick was still building for Epiphone after 2020, but I don't have any Epiphone acoustics. The entire Matsumoku company shut down in 1987, and their bolt-on neck models didn't even make it into the 80s.Ī majority of Epiphone electric guitars have been made in Qingdao since 2006. The Elitist line was discontinued in 2008, except for the Casino which held on until 2018. I’m not sure if any Korean, Indonesian or other Chinese Epiphone manufacturers are left, Gibsons Qingdao Epiphone plant seems to be in control. Since 2020 the majority of Asian built Epiphones are currently manufactured in Qingdao. Many Epiphone products were gone, including the Japan built Elitist line which were Terada, Matsumoku built earlier 80s/90s models usually with bolt-on necks.

When Gibson reorganized and severely cutback to the basics on the available models for both Gibsons and Epiphones in 2020, they introduced the “Inspired by Gibson Epiphones”. Note that I own 4 different 2020 models of Epiphones that were built in Qingdao. So basically if you are looking for other Asian Epiphone Manufactueres, you need to look before 2020.īelow are the Epiphone factory codes used in the SN# from Guitar Insite

Many Epiphone products were gone, including the Japan built Elitist line which were Terada, Matsumoku built earlier 80s/90s models usually with bolt-on necks.

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