I have not found much information on this guitar, so here is some basic info on this Japanese made Epiphone model. I find the guitar to be of good quality and sound, easy to play, and in my opinion underrated. If you are looking for a nice inexpensive small body guitar and can find one in decent shape I would recommend it. The price seems to run between $100 - $200 dollars.
Basic Info:
Epiphone PR600N (natural finish)
Light brown label reads Epiphone Kalamazoo Michigan with Made in Japan on lower right hand corner
000 size - 14- 5/8" lower bout, 10-7/8" upper bout, 9-1/8" waist, 18-3/4" length
14 Fret and 25.4 scale - mahogany one piece neck with truss rod
Unbinded rosewood fretboard with inlay fret and side markers
Spruce top with mahogany sides and back
Black single back stripe with black plastic binding front and back
5 stripe purfling on front only
3 stripe rosette with herringbone center stripe
Imitation tortoise shell pickguard
Plastic nut and 2 layer black/white truss rod cover
Epiphone inlaid in script on headstock
Closed chrome tuners
Spruce x bracing and spruce back bracing and kerfing
This particular guitar has some discoloration on the front top that I cannot explain. It shows up good in this photo, but under normal light it looks like normal aging. There is no crazing or checking, the finish is solid, but underneath something happened. The back and sides are in mint condition.
From Wikipedia;
"Epiphone Japan was first established by Gibson in the early 1970s with the dealership mostly being managed by Aria in cooperation with Gibson. The Matsumoku guitar factory in Japan was used to make the Aria Epiphone Japan guitars. In 1983, Epiphone export production moved from Japan to Korea
The Aria Epiphone Japan models that were made by Matsumoku from the early 1970s and ending before 1987 do not have a reliable serial numbering system but can be approximately dated using their Epiphone label colours."
Blue label: early 1970s-1980
Light brown label: 1980-1985
Brown label: 1985-1987
Thats all I have for now, hope it helps solve some of the mystery on these guitars.
Epiphone PR600N (natural finish)
Light brown label reads Epiphone Kalamazoo Michigan with Made in Japan on lower right hand corner
000 size - 14- 5/8" lower bout, 10-7/8" upper bout, 9-1/8" waist, 18-3/4" length
Unbinded rosewood fretboard with inlay fret and side markers
Spruce top with mahogany sides and back
Black single back stripe with black plastic binding front and back
5 stripe purfling on front only
3 stripe rosette with herringbone center stripe
Imitation tortoise shell pickguard
Plastic nut and 2 layer black/white truss rod cover
Epiphone inlaid in script on headstock
Closed chrome tuners
Spruce x bracing and spruce back bracing and kerfing
This particular guitar has some discoloration on the front top that I cannot explain. It shows up good in this photo, but under normal light it looks like normal aging. There is no crazing or checking, the finish is solid, but underneath something happened. The back and sides are in mint condition.
From Wikipedia;
"Epiphone Japan was first established by Gibson in the early 1970s with the dealership mostly being managed by Aria in cooperation with Gibson. The Matsumoku guitar factory in Japan was used to make the Aria Epiphone Japan guitars. In 1983, Epiphone export production moved from Japan to Korea
The Aria Epiphone Japan models that were made by Matsumoku from the early 1970s and ending before 1987 do not have a reliable serial numbering system but can be approximately dated using their Epiphone label colours."
Blue label: early 1970s-1980
Light brown label: 1980-1985
Brown label: 1985-1987
Thats all I have for now, hope it helps solve some of the mystery on these guitars.
I have this guitar, Serial number 02097. Mine is a little more beat up than yours but I can say that this is my favorite guitar. I've come to love the discoloration on the finish and I always attributed it to sweat. The bridge on mine is starting to deteriorate and will need to be repaired/replaced soon. For what its worth a great guitar, easy to play, and the best $100 I've ever spent.
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