AS80 Dating and Model #'s - Somebody Help Me

[Skydog (Skydog)]

 I recently purchased two AS80's, Korea with the follwing Serial Numbers: S4041080 and S4080137. I can't seem to find any information on the web that references the "S" prefix to date by Serial Number. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Why do folks get rid of these guitars so cheap? Their loss, our gain.
Joe Roberts
BG, KY

[Eastmongo (Eastmongo)]

 I think S stands for Samick. it is prabably made in 94.

[Jim_Donahue (Jim_Donahue)]

 S does Stand for Samick Korea, The First AS80 and AS120 models were made there in 1993 to 1995, They were switched to Cort after that with a C serial number. So S404 is April 1994 production, They also made the First Ghostriders.

Jim

[Ibnzplyr (Ibnzplyr)]

 Jim:

A quick followup:

You wrote that Samick made the "first" Ghostriders-- were later ones made elsewhere in Korea, or in Japan? Some people think their Ghostriders were made in Japan. Is it true? Mine are all made by Samick, in Korea.

Thank you-- Scott

[Jim_Donahue (Jim_Donahue)]

 Cort made some Ghostriders in Korea after Ibanez left the Samick factory, These will have the C number in the serial number.

I don't know of any made in Japan but maybe for teh Japanese market, But I don't think so. The US custom shop made them though but they were called teh Vodoo  Cowboys. The Ghostrider was actually another guitar that never made it to production, a short of Flat single cutaway.

Jim