Newer Rectangular Masterbilt label – Old s/n But why that? Possibly Epiphone just forgot to produce green labels with “blank” SN, so kept using old stock.” (Wiedler : close-up # 12) “Although this is speculation: We believe such “untypical” labels were applied when an instrument went back to the Epiphone factory for a repair or refurbish. In the 1939–1943 period replacement labels (with typed SN) are always of the older “Masterbilt” type. When a guitar was later repaired or refurbished at the factory, Epiphone often applied a newer type label with the old s/n typed in. However, the Long Island labels read Masterbuilt. NOTE : Epiphone named their archtops Masterbilt. The new numbering system appears to have started with SN 50000 (the highest documented number of the old system being SN 20301). The reason for this change is not known – possibly it was related to restructuring measures after the untimely death of company president Epi Stathopoulo on June 6, 1943. Note that the guarantee claim of earlier labels is no longer present on the blue label. 1943, replacing the green label at the occasion. The blue label was introduced when Epiphone changed their serial number system for acoustic instruments in c. The Blue label starts with a new serial number system from 50000 to c. 10500, the Rectangular Masterbilt label from c.
According to Wiedler, the Oval label runs from c. Epiphone used over the years (1931-1957) five different labels for their achtop guitars.
