Trying to discover more about my banjo that i purchased in the late 60's/early 70's. It is an Epiphone 5-sting long-necked banjo. Serial# 180375. There is no model number provided. Unfortunately I never learned to play it well and has sat in my closet all these years except for the few time I would pick it up for a week or two. On a Facebook banjo forum, several have identified as a "Campus" EB-44, made in Kalamazoo and have provided some addition insight, but I have not been able to verify that via the serial number. Was hoping that I could learn more, such as...
- What does the serial number reveal. Assuming it is an RB-44, is the serial number sequence used only on that model? I read where the sequence included Gibson made banjos which I assume means the RB175. Is there a website that would provide manufacturing plant and/or year
- If I cannot tell via the serial number, 1)How can I tell if it was made in Kalamazoo or Japan? 2)How else can I identify the model?
My banjo has all original parts, except for the tailpiece and bridge that was replaced several year ago. Given the pictures, what else can be determined, such as current value? Not sure if I want to sell it, but I should at least get some idea of market value for insurance. (I live in Central FL. It is hurricane season and I was making a list of all items in the house, which is why I pulled it out of the closet).
Edited by - kepbanjo on 08/11/2024 09:13:59
That appears to be a Gibson serial number from 1964. Serial numbers from that period do not give any indication of the model. The banjo appears to be what was cataloged as the "Campus" model, which was the Epi equivalent of Gibson's RB-175 model. The banjo was built in Kalamazoo. Its market value for insurance purposes is perhaps $1200 to $1500.
The '60's style serial number and the truss rod cover secured with 2 screws are the only obvious indicators that the banjo was made in Kalamazoo. The long neck coupled with the lack of a Mastertone style tone ring are the indicators of the model. The only other Epi long-neck made during this period was the "Plantation" model, and had a Mastertone tone ring, which would be visible from a side view and inside view of the banjo.
Edited by - rcc56 on 08/11/2024 09:31:32
THANKS.
So do you know any more detail of the serial # sequence used by Gibson? For example would I find the same serial number on any other Gibson/Epiphone banjo models or is the series unique to RB-44/RB175 models?
When moved to Japan, were the banjos given the same model #? What were the serial # like when initially moved to Japan?
Gibson did not use model-specific serial numbers until many years after your banjo was built.
During the 1960's, the same numbering sequence was used for all Gibson instruments, regardless of the model or type of instrument. The numbers were used only for production, sales, and warranty purposes, and give no indication of model or type.
All Epi production was in Kalamazoo between 1959 and early 1970. All production was then moved to Japan. Later Epi instruments have been built in Korea, China, and perhaps other countries as well.
I can give no info on Asian Epi models or serial numbers, except the EB model prefix was discontinued at some point. I'm not sure whether or not they made any long-neck models in Asia. If they did, I don't recall seeing one. Generally speaking, we can distinguish the Asian instruments by their plasticky-looking finishes, lower grade construction, and sometimes klunky appearance.
Edited by - rcc56 on 08/11/2024 10:08:41
From the Internet
Gibson-made Serial Number, 1961 to 1969, all instruments (non "A" series).
Beginning in 1961, Epiphone serial numbers follow Gibson's serial number series. All models, stamped in back top of peghead. No "MADE IN USA" stamp below serial number! Note many serial numbers are duplicated from 1963-1969. To figure out which is the exact year for a guitar, see the General Specs section for details. Numbers thanks to Walter Carter.
Number Range Year
------------ ----
0100 to 42440 1961
42441 to 61180 1962
61450 to 64222 1963
64240 to 71040 1964
71041 to 96600 1962, a few from 1963/1964
96601 to 99999 1963
000001 to 099999 1967 (all 6 digit numbers
starting with "0" are 1967)
100000 to 106099 1963 or 1967
106100 to 106899 1963
109000 to 109999 1963 or 1967
110000 to 111549 1963
111550 to 115799 1963 or 1967
115800 to 118299 1963
118300 to 120999 1963 or 1967
121000 to 139999 1963
140000 to 140100 1963 or 1967
140101 to 144304 1963
144305 to 144380 1964
144381 to 149864 1963
149865 to 149891 1964
149892 to 152989 1963
152990 to 174222 1964
174223 to 176643 1964 or 1965
176644 to 250335 1964
250336 to 305983 1965
306000 to 310999 1965 or 1967
311000 to 320149 1965
320150 to 320699 1967
320700 to 329179 1965
329180 to 330199 1965 or 1967
330200 to 332240 1965, 1967 or 1968
332241 to 348092 1965
348093 to 349100 1966
349121 to 368638 1965
368640 to 369890 1966
370000 to 370999 1967
380000 to 385309 1966
390000 to 390998 1967
400001 to 406666 1966
406667 to 409670 1966 to 1968
409671 to 410900 1966
410901 to 419999 unknown
420000 to 429193 1966
500000 to 500999 1965, 1966, 1968, or 1969
501009 to 501600 1965
501601 to 501702 1968
501703 to 502706 1965 or 1968
503010 to 503109 1968
503405 to 520955 1965 or 1968
520956 to 530056 1968
530061 to 530850 1966, 1968, or 1969
530851 to 530993 1968 or 1969
530994 to 539999 1969
540000 to 540795 1966 or 1969
540796 to 545009 1969
555000 to 556909 1966
558012 to 567400 1969
570087 to 570643 1966
570645 to 570755 1966 or 1967
570857 to 570964 1966
580000 to 580080 1969
580086 to 580999 1966, 1967 or 1969
600000 to 600998 low end models, 1966, 1967, or 1968
600000 to 606090 high end models, 1969
700000 to 700799 1966, 1967 or 1969
750000 to 750999 1968 or 1969
800000 to 800999 1966, 1967, 1968 or 1969
801000 to 812838 1966 or 1969
812900 to 819999 1969
820000 to 820087 1966 or 1969
820088 to 823830 1966
824000 to 824999 1969
828002 to 847488 1966 or 1969
847499 to 858999 1966 or 1969
859001 to 895038 1967
895039 to 896999 1968
897000 to 898999 1967 or 1969
899000 to 899999 1968
900000 to 901999 1970
910000 to 999999 1968
Wow. Thanks.
Based upon the Gibson serial number list, it appears my banjo (serial # 180375) would have been manufactured in 1964. I believe that is the first year that the RB175/EB44 was made.
Gibson serials from the '60s are a mess. That list gives a hint of it, but I've seen many, many instruments with features that are several years off what the list says. Could it be a '64? Sure. I would just put a big "circa" in front of that.
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