Samick Guitar Serial Numbers

Note #2: Guitars with no serial number were produced at many different times. Samick branded models did not start using serials until around 1987. Also, the Indonesian factory did not use serials from it's opening in 1992 until around 2000. However, there were also some Korean Artist Series Strats made around 1995-1996 with no serial numbers, and many Korean-made Japanese Market models had no serial numbers as well.

These serial numbers are easily recognized as a white sticker with a black border, usually found on the back of the headstock or the heel of the neck. Being a sticker, many are ripped off or wear off over the years.

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As 1990 approached, the use of one digit for the year presented the issue of repeat serial numbers. Around this time, the serial numbers became a bit unpredictable, as they were figuring out a new system. The "S" prefix also first appeared at this time.

The Korean factory was bought by a group of workers and now continues to this day under the name SPG, making guitars for Gretsch, Guild and D'Angelico, among others. See below for the serial formats used by SPG.

In the '70s and '80s, Cort often used serial numbers on a sticker that began with the prefix "W.O.". If you see that, the guitar was not made by Samick, it was made by Cort. While I have not dedicated any research to Cort guitars, I have found something that may be helpful for Cort owners; the below example has a box switch (likely from the same supplier Samick used) that dates to 1986, and the serial number ends with "86". It could be a coincidence, or it may not be. If any Cort owners can verify or debunk this idea by comparing their own switch and serial number, please let me know.

Samick stopped making anything for Epiphone a few years back. They made

the MIK models with serial numbers starting in an "S." Even then, not

all MIK Epiphones were Samicks. The better Korean guitars (including

the limited edition Ephiphones) were made by two separate S. Korean

plants, with serial numbers starting in an "I" or "U." I also read that

Samick is no longer in Korea, moved to China.As far as Squire goes, they've been made all over the place over the

years. Even in the U.S.! I think they are pretty much Chinese now, but

I've seen Indonesian.

Hmmm. Either my source was wrong, or it's old stock, or it's not built

in the old shops.I've also been seeing MIK Limited Edition Epiphones "on the shelf."

With fairly current serial numbers, as I recall. It remains to be seen

whether high end Epiphone will stay in Korea, or get moved to China like

the standard line. But these were either the I or U serial numbers, not

the Samick made MIK Epiphone.Who knows? Samick could've bought the two smaller Korean shops!I've played some decent Greg Bennett guitars also, but I'm sure they

were Korean (because it's been a few years back). I can remember not

being thrilled about the pickups, but I'm fairly certain they pre-dated

the "Duncan Designed" option. The Duncan Designed are probably better

than what I played. I think I remember my luthier telling me that

Hyundai made the pickups for Korean Epiphones. It wouldn't surprise me,

because they do more than cars. I'm looking at a Hyundai LCD monitor

right now!

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