S-Series
From EpiWiki
== Epiphone S-Series == 1995 Epiphone S-310 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Epiphone |
| Period | 1986-2003 |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Solid |
| Neck joint | Bolt, Neck-Through (S-900 only) |
| Scale | 25.5" |
| Woods | |
| Body | Various |
| Neck | Various |
| Fretboard | Rosewood or Maple |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Various |
| Pickup(s) | Various |
| Colors available | |
| White, Alpine White, Black, Black Metallic, Blue, Light Blue Metallic, Red, Red Metallic, Green, Green Metallic, and Candy Pink Metallic (Limited Ed. 1987). S-310 Custom: Natural. | |
Please note: This page is currently a work in progress. The S-Series is still being researched and all information is not guaranteed to be 100% factual.
The Epiphone S-Series guitars were a result of Epiphone's partnership with the Samick Corporation of Korea beginning in 1983. See also: T-Series.
Contents |
History
Introduced in 1986, Epiphone's S-Series featured body-color headstocks with an "Epiphone by Gibson" logo inlaid (like most Epiphones of the time). The headstocks were exact copies of Jackson's "hockeystick" headstocks. In 1987, the tips of the headstocks were rounded off to avoid lawsuits from Jackson. For 1988, the headstocks were changed to something similar to the "hockeystick" shape seen on the Gibson Explorer. For 1989, the headstocks were redesigned yet again, this time exactly like the Explorer's "hockeystick" headstock and the logos were changed to just "Epiphone". Only the S-300 and S-310 remained in the S-Series lineup for the next six years (S-300 discontinued by 1995).
In 1996, the S-Series headstock changed to the "batwing" shape, borrowed from classic Epiphone designs. Also, the S-210 was introduced. These guitars had "Made in Korea" ink stamped onto the heels and "Epiphone" engraved into the neck plates as well as the serial numbers (decode your serial number here: Serial Numbers).
In 1999, the S-Series guitars were redesigned with the addition of an open-coil humbucker in the bridge position. The S-210 became the FAT-210, and the S-310 became the FAT-310. On the heel of the neck, there were stickers that designated what model and color the guitar was (For example: "MODEL FAT-S210/BK" designates a black FAT-210). The neck plate has the Epiphone logo engraved into it with the serial number on a sticker underneath (more on serial numbers: Serial Numbers). The series continued production unchanged until it was discontinued in 2004.
Timeline
1986
S-Series introduced (S-200, S-300, S-400, S-500, S-600, S-800, S-900).
1987
Headstock point rounded off slightly. Limited Edition Candy Pink Metallic finish available on S-600, S-800, and S-900.
1988
Headstock changed to semi-"hockeystick" shape. Last year of S-200, S-400, S-500, S-600, S-800, and S-900.
1989
Headstock changed to "hockeystick" shape and logo changed to just "Epiphone". S-310 replaces S-300; S-300 becomes starter package.
1990
S-300 adds Vintage Sunburst finish.
1995
S-310 Custom introduced.
1996
Headstocks changed to "batwing" shape, S-210 introduced.
2000
Guitars renamed with "FAT" prefixes and humbuckers added in the bridge positions.
2004
Last year of S-Series production.
Variations
The S-Series range was introduced in 1986 with the following models: S-200, S-300, S-400, S-600, S-800, and S-900. By the time the series was discontinued in 2004, none of the original models remained, only the FAT-210.
S-200
- Tech-II Series pick-up system (H/H)
- Chrome hardware (Maple fingerboard)/black hardware (Rosewood fingerboard)
- Vintage-style six saddle tremolo
- Alder/Plywood Laminate body with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- 22-fret Maple or Rosewood fingerboard with "dot" inlays
- Colors available: Fiesta Red, Black, and Ivory.
S-210
- Three single coil pickups
- Chrome hardware
- Vintage-style six saddle tremolo
- Alder Plywood Laminate body with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- 22-fret Maple or Rosewood fingerboard with "dot" inlays
- Colors available: Black, Pearl White, and Fiesta Red.
FAT-210
The Epiphone FAT-210 features:
- Two single coil pickups/One humbucker
- Vintage-style 5-screw, six saddle tremolo
- Angled headstock with natural wood finish and silkscreened logo
- Rosewood fingerboard with "dot" inlays
- Colors available: Ebony, Red, Vintage Sunburst, and Vintage White.
== Epiphone S-300 == 1991 Epiphone S-300 (shown in Black) | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Epiphone |
| Period | 1986-1992 |
S-300
- Three single coil pickups
- Chrome hardware (Maple fingerboard)/Black hardware (Rosewood fingerboard)
- Alder/Plywood Laminate body with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- 22-fret Maple or Rosewood fingerboard with "dot" inlays
- Colors available: Black, Pearl White, Fiesta Red, Vintage Sunburst, and Seafoam Green.
S-310
- Three single coil pickups
- Chrome hardware (Maple fingerboard)/Black hardware (Rosewood fingerboard)
- Alder/Plywood Laminate body with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- 22-fret Maple or Rosewood fingerboard with "dot" inlays
- Colors available: Black, Pearl White, Fiesta Red, Vintage Sunburst, and Seafoam Green.
S-310 Custom
The Epiphone S-310 Custom features:
- Three single coil pickups
- Chrome hardware
- Dual Pivot Fulcrum Tremolo
- Solid Ash body with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- 22-fret Maple fingerboard with "dot" inlays
- Colors available: Natural.
FAT-310
The Epiphone FAT-310 features:
- Two single coil pickups/One humbucker in the bridge position
- Chrome hardware
- Die-cast machine heads
- 2-point fulcrum tremolo
- Vintage Yellow antique Maple neck
- Pearl inlaid headstock logo
- Maple fingerboard with black "dot" inlays
- Colors available: Ebony, Red, Vintage Sunburst, and Vintage White.
S-400
- Tech-II Series pick-up system (S/S/H)
- Chrome hardware (Maple fingerboard)/Black hardware (Rosewood fingerboard)
- Locking nut
- Standard non-locking tremolo (locking Epiphone Bennder vibrola optional)
- Alder/Plywood Laminate body with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- 22-fret Maple or Rosewood fingerboard with "dot" inlays
- Colors available: Black, Pearl White, Fiesta Red, and Seafoam Green.
== Epiphone S-500 == 1986 Epiphone Brochure Cover | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Epiphone |
| Period | 1986-1989 |
S-500
- Tech-II Series pick-up system (S/S/H)
- Chrome or black hardware
- Locking nut
- Standard Non-Locking Vibrola (locking Epiphone Bennder vibrola optional)
- Solid carved Basswood body with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- 21-Fret Rosewood fingerboard with "ARC" inlays
- Colors available: White, Alpine White, Black, Black Metallic, Blue, Light Blue Metallic, Red, Red Metallic, Green, and Green Metallic.
S-600
- Tech-II Series pick-up system with coil tap (S/S/H)
- Chrome or black hardware
- Locking nut
- Three optional tremolos: locking Epiphone Bennder vibrola, locking Schaller Floyd Rose tremolo, or locking Steinberger KB Tremolo.
- Solid carved Basswood body (pickguard delete) with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- Output jack relocated to side of body
- 21-Fret Rosewood fingerboard with "ARC" inlays
- Colors available: White, Alpine White, Black, Black Metallic, Blue, Light Blue Metallic, Red, Red Metallic, Green, Green Metallic, and Candy Pink Metallic (Limited Ed. 1987).
S-800
- Tech-II Series pick-up system with kill switches and coil tap (S/S/H)
- Black hardware
- Locking nut
- Three optional tremolos: locking Epiphone Bennder vibrola, locking Schaller Floyd Rose tremolo, or locking Steinberger KB Tremolo.
- Solid carved Basswood body (pickguard delete) with belly contour
- Maple bolt-on neck
- Output jack relocated to front of body
- 21-Fret Rosewood fingerboard with "ARC" inlays
- Colors available: White, Alpine White, Black, Black Metallic, Blue, Light Blue Metallic, Red, Red Metallic, Green, Green Metallic, and Candy Pink Metallic (Limited Ed. 1987).
S-900
- Tech-II Series pick-up system with kill switches and coil tap (S/S/H)
- Black hardware
- Three optional tremolos: locking Epiphone Bennder vibrola, locking Schaller Floyd Rose tremolo, or locking Steinberger KB Tremolo.
- Solid carved Basswood body (bound, pickguard delete) with belly contour
- Maple neck-through-body construction
- Output jack relocated to front of body
- 21-Fret Rosewood fingerboard with "ARC" inlays
- Colors available: White, Alpine White, Black, Black Metallic, Blue, Light Blue Metallic, Red, Red Metallic, Green, Green Metallic, and Candy Pink Metallic (Limited Ed. 1987).
Headstock Changes
Here is a pictorial breakdown of how the S-Series headstocks have changed over the years:
1986
1986 Epiphone S-500 in Metallic Red
1987
[[Image:]]
1988
[[Image:]]
1989-1995
[[Image:]]
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