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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