The main reason for this was the increasing labor costs in South Korea. In 2006 Samick moved the complete production to Bogor, Indonesia and production in Incheon was discontinued. The range for the international market was expanded considerablyīy developing a line-up based on American examples such as Gibson and Fender. July 1, 1987, an American subsidiary, the Samick Music Corporation (SMC), was opened. Sales of Samick instruments in the USA were so successful that on The vast majority of instruments are built in this factory. In March 1992 a factory was opened in Cileungsi near Bogor, Indonesia (PT Samick Indonesia). On 9 June 1989 there were opened a branch in Harbin, China and on 2 March 1990 a branch office in Tokyo, Japan.
Germany, to introduce the brand to the European market. On January 20, 1978, a Samick branch was opened in Los Angeles and on December 11, 1980, a branch office in Dusseldorf,
In the early 1970s, Samick had grown into a company with more than 3,000 employees. Success came quickly, and in 1964 Samick exported pianos to the USA.Ī year later guitars were also built for the Korean market and for export as there was a lot of demand for cheap Asian guitars. The pianos were sold in his shop right next to the factory.
Originally, founder of Samick, Lee Hyo-Ik, was the Korean importer of Baldwin Pianos.Īround 1960 he also started building his own pianos, first from imported parts and later from homemade ones.
#Samick guitar factory license
Samick builds guitars under his own brand name but mainly under OEM license for several major brands such as Fender/Squier, Gibson, Epihone, Gretsch, Ibanez, Jackson and many other brands. Good quality copies, including the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul, were made in 1976 and released under the Hondo II brand. Samick started producing acoustic guitars in 1965 and electric guitars in 1972. founded in September 1958, is one of the world's largest producer of musical instruments.
#Samick guitar factory serial number
The guitars are given a new serial number and the back of the headstock is lightly stamped "used" or "2nd" by the authorized refurbishing center.The Korean company Samick Musical Instruments Co. The guitars are sent there for many reasons, including: cosmetic flaws, minor repairs, surplus & discontinued or last years models. These guitars are sent directly from the manufacturer to the authorized refurbishing center where they are fully inspected, professionally set up and cleared by a certified technician. More Info: We are an authorized dealer for brand approved manufacturer refurbished instruments. Unlike most refurbished guitars that we sell as described under more info below, this guitar does not have a "used" or "2nd" stamp and it still has its original Serial Numbers. Otherwise, it looks, plays and sounds great! It also has a small finish flaw on the bottom of the top. It is hardly noticeable and does not affect the guitars tone, play-ability or structural integrity in any way. The guitar had a minor bridge repair (re-glue) by an Authorized Technician. So when it says Samick on the headstock rest assured that the quality and craftsmanship stand up against any other import brand on the market but at a lower price. In fact some of the most well crafted and most sought after and desired instruments from these brands were in fact made by Samick. The Samick guitar factory has made guitars for well known brands such as Squier, Epiphone, Washburn, Hohner, Silvertone and more.