Indonesian-made
Any guitar with a serial number with the prefix "SI" is Indonesian-made.
Guitars with no serial number
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.
Also see Headstock Styles and Logo Styles for help determining when your guitar was made (particularly helpful if there is no serial number). Any guitar with a serial number with the prefix "SI" is Indonesian-made.
Samick Electric Guitars Earliest serial
Earliest known serial number, June 1984 (production number faded away).
Samick first started using serial numbers on Hondos and other contract brands in 1984 (their home brand models did not use serials until ~1987), using the following format:
YMMPPPP
Y = Year
M = Month
P = Production Number
Example: 8030768 = 768th guitar made in March of 1988
In 1988, occasionally the format was YYMMPPPPP because of high production volume.
Example: 880510504 = 10,504th guitar made in May of 1988
Many guitars made around 1985 have a serial number with the format:
120PPPP or 110PPPP
Example: 1201387
The significance of this format is unknown. It is commonly found on Mastercaster Series models, among others.
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. If this is the case, the only other way to date your guitar is by looking for a date ink-stamped on the side of the original box switch.
87 EG1935 proven 4
August 31, 1987
However, 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.
YYMMPPPP
SYYMMPPPP
Example: 90080084 = 84th guitar made in August of 1990
Another format found around this time (possibly only for international models):
Sl YYPPPPP
91 SAT 650 proven
1991 SAT-650 serial
Semi-Hollow models (at this time) use a different format, and the serial is found on the label inside the top f-hole.
YYPPPP(P)
Example: 902703 = 2,703rd semi-hollow guitar made in 1990
Bolt-neck models started having the serial number engraved into the neckplate in 1987. They kept the same format, so the decade is determined by the style of neck plate.
(Note: The new design did not appear until May 1990)
1980's:
89 YVMC-103 white
July 1989
1990's:
90 YJ-640 DRS-TT
November 1990
Some lower-end bolt-neck models have blank neckplates with just a serial number engraved, using the format:
YYPPPPP
94 DS-410 BK
1994, production number 10,904
At the turn of the millennium, bolt-neck models kept the same format and neckplate style, so these guitars must be dated by their logo style and other features.
92 serial
Around 1992 (although some examples have been found with stickers as late as 1993), all set neck models switched to a silk-screened serial number on the back of the headstock with an "S" prefix:
SYYPPPPP
Example: S9207374 = 7,374th (set neck?) guitar made in 1992
While contract builds always included the prefix, it wasn't always used on Samick brand guitars.
By the end of 1993, the month (M) returned to the format, and by 1994, the year was shortened to one digit:
SYMMPPPP
Example: S4030482 = 482nd guitar made March 1994
Finally, by at least May 1997, the year returned to two digits:
SYYMMPPPP
Example: S97040076 = 76th guitar made April 1997
SPG
SPG uses the prefix "KS" (Korea, SPG) on Gretsch models[1], with the format:
KSYYMMPPPP
Example: KS14070456 = 456th guitar made July 2014
On Guild models, the following format is used:
KSGYYPPPPP
Current SPG-built D'Angelico models use the prefix "US" with the same format. Before mid-2013, they used the "KS" prefix. Very early models still used the "S" prefix and some also used "R" or "R9".
SPG-built Comins models use the prefix "1ES" and the format:
1ESYYPPPP
Acoustics
Acoustics generally followed the format:
YYPPPPP(P)
or:
YYMMPPPP
Exceptions
Categories:
Reference
Samick acoustic/electric The label inside is orange, model #SWT 210CE, serial #96070005. Samick Artist, made in Korea. July 1996: "Acoustics generally followed the format: YYPPPPP(P)or: YYMMPPPP"
Epiphone Les Paul in 1992, it's serial is 9210411 on a sticker. All the information you need is above. There was no single digit Month in any format. The serial is on a sticker, and not engraved (and not bolt-neck, it's a set neck les Paul) , so not YYPPPP from 1990's. It has no prefix ( "S" or "SI ) which could be found around 1992, and it's an Epiphone (contract builds, I guess), so not a Samick Brand guitar, so not (S)YYPPPPP And it's not an acoustic . "Around 1992 (some examples have been found with stickers as late as 1993), all set neck models switched to a silkscreened serial number on the back of the headstock with an "S" prefix:
SYYPPPPP
Example: S9207374 = 7,374th guitar made in 1992"
There is no month designation. It should have the S prefix, but even if not, it is most likely a Samick, since they were the major producer of Epis at that time.
I didn't do all the work of making this page to have to personally decode serial numbers for everyone who visits, but inexplicably chooses not to read the page... All the information you need is above.
Example: Samick AMCT-CE P3E S/N 99050013 Beautiful birds eye maple with a mahogany neck.
Example: Samick Super Strat, No pick guard, HH pup configuration, with a fender style trem, and I haven't any information as to the Serial number, Model number or anything i think its from the early 90's or something, its not an Artist series, but uses the same logo (With the Guitar and Arrow)
Well, that logo came out in 1997 and was used until 2001. If it doesn't say Artist Series, it's probably Indonesian. Pictures would be needed, but I'm thinking you're referring to this model:
https://reverb.com/item/484226-samick-electric-guitar-deluxe-korean-made-nice-player-w-hsc
All I got is the model (LMS 70/R) and that is made in Indonesia.
At the top of the page: "the Indonesian factory did not use serials from it's opening in 1992 until around 2000."
Example: Samick stratocaster copy no. 1070362 made in Korea since 1958.
Year it was made? 1991 or 2001. Look at the Logo Styles and Headstock Styles pages.
Example: Samick Acoustic model no. SWT 280CE TBL Serial no. 93060005 1993.
Example: Samick with Serial 912XXXX. Am I right, that it's number XXXX from december 1989 and it's made in Korea? It is the white model with coulored splashes. It has one humbucker and those funny "Saturn"- Inlays.
Yes, Dec 1989 YJRB-401 SCR.
Example : a bass of mysterious origins. it was clearly hand made by someone and has probably been around since the 90s at least. it has a p bass style pickup and electronics in it and a samick bolt on neck plate. it looks like the 90s samick design, but the serial number is 5032213
That would be from March 1995.
So I have a Samick LA 30 TBL that I am selling. The SN is IS0006001 made in Indonesia. I know from a friend of mine (Samick used to have their receiving/prep center in Elizabethwon, KY) That this was made at the same time Samick was making 335"s for Gibson.
Your friend is not quite correct; they made the Epiphone Dot, which is styled somewhat like a Gibson ES-335.
That would be made in the year 2000, and the month was not denoted in the serial number.
Bought a samick guitar with this serial number. Can you tell me about the origin of this? I think i bought it in 1992 when I was 12, and it was my first electric guitar ever.
Built October 1991, number 2385.
Just bought an Artist Series sn 6/11/0508, so I assume it was the 508th guitar made in November of 1996, right? I was thinking that it was made in 86, but my neck plate is the 90's model, so It's a 20yr old Artist Series, right?
Yes, the Artist Series was created in 1995, so it cannot be older than that.
by the mornat, m Samick LP was made in 1961??? S6108604
8604th guitar of October 1996
1010514
1991 JAN 514th