KappaHydroxide
New member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2021
- Messages
- 3
Randy, do you have any recollection of the transition of the American Series guitars from Kzoo to Nashville during the fall of 1982? I ask because I have a Special II (photo attached) marked Epiphone but definitely made in Nashville (281st day with a 500+ number and horizontal Made in USA).
The original owner had a heck of a time selling it originally as the accepted lore is that Epi branded ones are Kzoo while Gibson ones are Nashville. I've seen at least two other ones that are similarly Epi labelled but Nashville made so I don't think there's anything weird going on other than a transition (The Nashville ones also omit the small "KM" under the logo).
Was it a parallel transition (both plants making them until Nashville was the last one standing) or a linear one where it basically went from Kzoo to Nashville? I'm guessing somewhat linear as pre-October examples seem to be Epi-branded Kzoo-made while post-October seem Gibson-branded Nashville-made (with the oddballs like mine in the middle). Thanks!
P.S. I have an excellent '79 The Paul initialed by your dad in the control cavity - the walnut builds do have a voice of their own.

The original owner had a heck of a time selling it originally as the accepted lore is that Epi branded ones are Kzoo while Gibson ones are Nashville. I've seen at least two other ones that are similarly Epi labelled but Nashville made so I don't think there's anything weird going on other than a transition (The Nashville ones also omit the small "KM" under the logo).
Was it a parallel transition (both plants making them until Nashville was the last one standing) or a linear one where it basically went from Kzoo to Nashville? I'm guessing somewhat linear as pre-October examples seem to be Epi-branded Kzoo-made while post-October seem Gibson-branded Nashville-made (with the oddballs like mine in the middle). Thanks!
P.S. I have an excellent '79 The Paul initialed by your dad in the control cavity - the walnut builds do have a voice of their own.
