How to date my guitar?

"Penny" looks like a real find, Jeff.
The year of a guitar's manufacture can very often be determined from its serial number. For an Epiphone, start here: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/epiphone.html . The list doesn't seem to go much past 1969, though.
There's a bunch of info here, but as they mention on the page, it can be kinda confusing: http://www.guitarattic.com/Gibson%20Serial%20Numbers.htm . There are links at the bottom of that page to some PDF (Adobe Acrobat) files that may have more info.
Good luck with your search.
(Wow, I got through the whole reply with no "dinner and a movie" jokes! :lol: )

she's beautiful..i'd wanna date her too...

er, um, yeah

I've actually called Gruhn Guitars in Nashville and actually had them date various Gibsons over the phone, really nice people and very helpful.

I think all you need is the serial # and model number.

I half-expected them to hang up on me but they didn't, they seemed really interested and it was a pleasent surprise, so, if all else fails, give them a call. Number is in just about every guitar book in the free world.

racetruck-- Thanks! That's a great idea, I might do that. The serial# has a "94" in it, so I'm not sure if that means it was made in '94 or not. Either way, I'd like to be certain.

U2bono-- She is a beaut, isn't she? :)

Jeff

the only thing more beautiful than a nice semihollow (besides a pretty girl) is a nice shiny martin dreadnaught.

those p90s look heavenly...treat her right, sir

Go here to date an Epi guitar.

Gibsons are easy to date. The serial number is YDDDYNNN, where Y (+Y) = year, DDD= day in year (365 is New year's Eve) and NNN is that it was the NNNth guitar produced that day.
The serial on mine is R94P3016, any idea what that signifies?

Jeff

That doesn't fit any Gibson or Epi convention that I've come across. Have you got a pic of the serial number?

Just took one with my phone but it doesn't seem to be getting through to Flickr. I'll post later if it makes it or if I can get one another way.

It's in an oval and says:

Model CASINO EB
Number R94P3016 is hereby
GUARANTEED
against faulty workmanship and materials
Epiphone

with "Epiphone" being the Epiphone logo.

Jeff

I have an account at the Epi forum, so I've put a question on there.

Thanks, greybeard!

Here's the pic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/progressions/183232934/

A bit blurry but the camera on my phone isn't that hot :)

Jeff

Doug Cs post of the epi dating site is great for older guitars.

I dont reconize the serial number.
I onder if it is post 60's and made in Asia.

still a nice guitar. dont change a thing on it.

Duhhhh....

I have an 97 Epiphone Supernova and it's serial # is R97P 1087!

It's also a lot alike yours but with a stop tailpiece and a tuneamatic bridge.

I'm going to assume that the 97 in the serial number is the year.

Hope it helps, by the way, nice axe!

Thanks, racetruck! That does help to confirm that mine is a '94.

Jeff