Gibson/Epiphone factory in Qingdao
Let’s visit the factory in China where my new Epiphone Riviera was made: Qingdao Factory Tour. I love the picture of the drying room full of flying Les Pauls:
There’s lots more pics, and an interview with the plant managers, Scott Lewis and Lloyd Williams at Gibson Qingdao Factory – All Epiphone… All The Time!
December 5, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
I need a replacement neck for my Epiphone model pr-100/vs
serial S120209123 acuostic can you help me.
Gary Bohlman
[email protected]
December 5, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
Hey Gary,
Sorry to hear that! I suggest you try looking up a local gibson warranty service center:
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/WarrantyServiceInformation/
Even if it’s not warranty work, they should be able to help you deal with repairing/replacing your neck.
Good luck!
-John
August 10, 2011 @ 5:28 am
Hello,
I have two Epiphone PR 300 but they are different one has a round neck the other a v neck, the round necked one is heavier and the body slightly bigger it also has a square label inside the other an oval
one.
How is it possible that two guitars being the same PR300 are so different ?
August 10, 2011 @ 9:16 am
It’s possible the PR300 was produced over the years at different factories and with different specs. You’d think they’d change the guitar name if they’re changing fundamentals like body and neck shape, but I guess not. Look at all the variations of the “les paul”, etc!
Can you see any dates, manufacturing locations or any other info on those labels?
John
August 11, 2011 @ 4:20 am
Hello John,
Thanks for your reply.
One has the number 9100290 and apparently was made in 1989, the other has the number 93010067 and was made in 1993, from the website below they were made in Korea.
http://www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx
What surprises me is the big difference between these two PR 300 the one from 1989 is heavier and really is a great guitar with a booming sound but the one from 1993 is just an ordinary guitar.
Strangely enough I also bought a resonator Biscuit which has 21 frets when on the pictures it has just 19 frets.
These varaitions are a bit puzzling you would think that a specific model is always the same but apparently not..
Cheers,
Adam.
August 11, 2011 @ 8:32 pm
Interesting indeed! Thanks for the details.
-John
A Worthy Tribute -
July 11, 2012 @ 5:53 pm
[…] There’s a nice mother-of-pearl inlaid Epiphone logo on the headstock. Around back, you can see the Grover logo embossed on each of the locking tuners. The serial number is stamped with the letter F followed by 6 numbers. That doesn’t appear to conform to any of the published Gibson/Epiphone serial numbering schemes, so I can’t ascertain the factory or build date. Surprisingly, there’s no Made In China sticker, but I’m assuming it was made sometime recently at the QingDao factory in China. […]
June 17, 2015 @ 9:58 pm
Subject: Broken hinge on the bigsby tremolo unit on an epiphone swingster.
Hello,
I have an Epiphone swingster semi acoustic guitar and the hinge part on the Bigsby tremolo where it screws to the back of the guitar has broken due to not enough strength in the metal during manufacture – i think the model number for the unit is B30. I believe this tremolo is manufactured in this factory.I live in australia and nobody here can help me with this spare part. The guitar is unplayable without this being repaired and any help would be appreciated as i am a professional performing and recording guitarist and this was my main guitar. Thank you. Russell Bayne
+61418749455
e
July 10, 2015 @ 10:27 am
Sorry for the delay in replying. Hope you’ve got this sorted out by now. If not,…
The Bigsby should be replaceable directly from Bigsby. Have you tried contacting them?
http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/products/vibratos/bigsby-b30/
You can also find replacement parts online, for example here:
http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/trem_bigsby.htm
John
Three Les Pauls – Planet Z
April 27, 2017 @ 8:15 pm
[…] These days the Epiphone brand is owned by Gibson, and the guitars are manufactured in a Gibson-owned factory in Qingdao, China. […]
February 10, 2019 @ 7:14 am
Dear John, I will visit Qingdao next march. Do you know where is the Epiphone Qingdao Factory? I would like to do a visit there.
Regards.
February 10, 2019 @ 12:35 pm
Hi Ed,
I’ve never been to the factory myself. I don’t know whether they’re open to the public for tours. Try contacting Gibson to inquire. Have a great trip!
-John