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Orville by Gibson Template:Jp icon オービルbyギブソン (also known simply as Orville Template:Jp icon オービル) was the Japanese brand of the Gibson Guitar Corporation catering for the Japanese local market only during the late 1980s and most of the 1990s.

During the 1970s and the 1980s, some Japanese Guitar companies using brand names such as Ibanez, Tōkai, Burny, and Greco were making high-quality copies of Fender and Gibson guitars. Some brands were manufactured solely for the local Japanese market, but others like Ibanez were exported. Both Fender and Gibson opened Japanese branch divisions to try to win back Japanese market share that was being lost to other Japanese Guitar companies and to also export some guitars from Japan. Fender opened Fender Japan with the intention of selling mid priced Japanese Fenders to the local Japanese market only, but eventually also exported guitars from Japan. Fender contracted Yamano Gakki Template:Jp icon 山野楽器 and Kanda Shokai Template:Jp icon 神田商会 to oversee production and distribution of Fender Japan guitars in 1982.

Gibson set up Epiphone Japan in the early 1970s with the dealership mostly being handled by Aria in cooperation with Gibson. Aria used the Matsumoku guitar factory in Japan to make the Aria Epiphone Japan models. This first stage of Epiphone Japan had ended by 1986 and in 1987 Yamano Gakki obtained the Gibson and Epiphone dealership in Japan [1]. Yamano Gakki distributed USA made Gibsons and Korean made Epiphones around Japan and Yamano Gakki also handled Epiphone Japan for both the local Japanese market and the overseas export market in cooperation with Gibson and a limited range of Epiphone Japan models (no Les Paul or SG models) were produced with Yamano Gakki using the Terada guitar factory in Japan to make the Epiphone Japan models.

After Yamano Gakki obtained the Gibson and Epiphone dealership in Japan they decided to launch their own line of guitars solely for the Japanese market in cooperation with Gibson. It was decided by Gibson/Yamano Gakki not to use the Epiphone brand name for this new line of guitars as Epiphone is a Gibson brand name and at the time Gibson was also producing Epiphone Japan guitars and so the Orville name was decided upon instead. Orville is the first name of the Gibson corporation's founder Orville Gibson.

When the Orville by Gibson series was launched in 1988 Gibson were selling USA made Gibsons, Japanese made Epiphones and Korean made Epiphones (Samick) on the local Japanese market. The Orville by Gibson and Orville series were priced in the middle of the USA made Gibsons and the Korean Epiphones in a similar way to the Greco, Tokai and Burny guitars. Gibson then had 2 brands (Gibson and Epiphone) and also the Yamano Gakki Gibson licensed Orville by Gibson brand available on the Japanese local market. The Orville by Gibson and Orville guitars were produced from 1988 to 1998 and the Orville by Gibson models had more features and were sold at higher prices than the Orville models.

There were a number of changes to the Orville by Gibson and Orville model range between their beginning in 1988 and their end in 1998. The Orville series were discontinued in 1998 due to Gibson and Yamano Gakki deciding to export an expanded Epiphone model range that included Les Paul and SG models under the Gibson Epiphone brand name and also to sell the expanded Epiphone model range on the local Japanese market. Gibson and Yamano Gakki ended their relationship in late 2006.

The Orville by Gibson and Orville serial number format used 4 variations in the 10 years that they were produced.

The Orville by Gibson models used ink stamped serial numbers and the Orville models used both ink stamped serial numbers and Yamano Gakki (K) serial number stickers.

From 1988 to 1989 a YYPPPP serial number format was used for the Orville by Gibson models and Orville SG bass EB-3 models.

• YY is the production year 88=1988, 89=1989.
• PPPP is the production number.

For example G887013 is from 1988 and was made by Terada.

Starting in 1989 a new serial number format of YMMPPP was used for the Orville by Gibson models and Orville SG bass EB-3 models.

• Y is the production year 0=1990, 1=1991 etc.
• MM is the production month.
• PPP is the production number.

For example G206135 is from June 1992 and was made by Terada, J603523 is from March 1996 and was made by Terada, 411264 is from November 1994 and was made by FujiGen. This format is also used for the ink stamped serial number Orville models from 1993 to 1998.

The Orville by Gibson 1957 and 1959 Les Paul reissue models (LPS-57C, LPC-57B, LPS-59R) and the Orville by Gibson 1961 SG reissue model (SG-61R) had two different serial number formats.

The first serial number format was a YMMPPP format.

• Y is the production year 3=1993, 4=1994 etc.
• MM is the production month.
• PPP is the production number.

The second serial number format was a YPPPP format.

• Y is the production year 3=1993, 4=1994 etc.
• PPPP is the production number.

For example G3 6942 is from 1993 and was made by Terada, 4 7345 is from 1994 and was made by FujiGen, G306385 is from June 1993 and was made by Terada, 412562 is from December 1994 and was made by FujiGen.

The YPPPP Orville by Gibson reissue serial number format is the same format as the Gibson USA reissue serial number format. The reissue year is in the model number (LPS-57C = 1957) and the 1957 and 1959 Les Paul and 1961 SG reissue models were made from late 1992/1993-1995 with some series having limited production runs.

The K Orville serial number format is K 0YPPPP. The real K Orville serial number format is YPPPP with the K and first 0 having no year or date meaning.

• Y=year with 9=1989, 0=1990, 1=1991 etc.
• PPPP is the production number.

For example a K Orville serial number like K 015113 = 1 5113 = 1991 and 5113 = the production number.

• Les Paul Standard
• Les Paul Custom
• Les Paul '57 Reissue
• Les Paul '59 Reissue
• Les Paul Studio Joe Perry Joe Perry (musician)
• Les Paul John Sykes John Sykes
• SG Doubleneck
• SG Custom
• SG '62
• SG '61 Reissue
• Les Paul Junior single cutaway
• Les Paul Junior double cutaway
• Melody Maker
• Firebird
• Explorer
• Flying V '58 and '74
• ES-175
• ES-335 Dot
• Byrdland

• EB-3
• Thunderbird

• J-200
• Dove
• J-45
• J-160E
• Hummingbird
• Chet Atkins (CEC Nylon Strings Model)
• L-1 Historic Series Robert Johnson (musician)
• L-00

• Terada K serial Orville Les Paul and SG models retail history from Yamano Gakki catalogues (1989/1990-1993).

1989/1990

The K Orville Les Paul Standard and Custom Models retailed for 65,000 Yen (LPC-65). The K Orville Les Paul Standard and Custom guitars mostly had medium long tenon neck joints with some having long tenon neck joints. Most K Orville Burst finish guitars were made with 2 piece maple tops but some were made with 3 piece maple tops. The K Orville SG model retailed for 60,000 Yen (SG-60).

1990/1991

The K Orville Les Paul Standard and Custom Models retailed for 75,000 Yen (LPC-75) which was 10,000 Yen more than the previous 65,000 Yen K Orville Les Paul Standard and Custom Models. The K Orville SG model retailed for 65,000 Yen (SG-65) which was 5,000 Yen more than the previous 60,000 Yen K Orville SG model. The K Orville Les Paul Junior Models retailed for 70,000 Yen (LPJ-70, LPJ-D70). The K Orville Melody Maker model retailed for 65,000 Yen (MM-65). The K Orville Melody Maker model is on the cover of the 1990 Orville by Gibson catalogue. The only Orville Melody Maker model produced was a K Orville Melody Maker model.

1992

The K Orville Melody Maker model retail release finished before 1992.

1993

All of the K Orville models retail releases end and the ink stamped Orville models begin.

• FujiGen no letter ink stamped serial and Terada J letter ink stamped serial Orville Les Paul and SG models retail history from Yamano Gakki catalogues (1993-1998).

1993

The ink stamped Orville Les Paul Standard and Custom Models retailed for 75,000 Yen (LPC-75) which was the same price as the previous 75,000 Yen K Orville Les Paul Standard and Custom Models (LPC-75). The ink stamped Orville SG model retailed for 65,000 Yen (SG-65) which was the same price as the previous 65,000 Yen K Orville SG model (SG-65). The ink stamped Orville Les Paul Junior Models retailed for 65,000 Yen (LPJ-65, LPJ-D65) which was 5,000 Yen lower than the previous 70,000 Yen K Orville Les Paul Junior models (LPJ-70, LPJ-D70).

1993-1998

There were also 80,000 Yen Les Paul Photo Flametop models (LPS-80F, LPS-80QF) and a 85,000 Yen Les Paul Custom model with a Ebony fingerboard (LPC-85) and a 70,000 Yen Les Paul Special (LPSP-70) added to the Orville range. Artist models like the Orville Joe Perry Les Paul Studio (LPS-JP) and the Orville John Sykes Les Paul Custom (LPC-JS) were also added to the Orville range and both retailed for 85,000 Yen. Most of the ink stamped Orville Burst finish guitars had 2 piece maple tops. All of the ink stamped Orville guitars had long tenon neck joints. Most of the ink stamped Orville Les Paul and SG guitars were made by FujiGen with a no letter serial number but some ink stamped Orville guitars were also made by Terada with a J letter serial.

• Terada G letter serial (1988-1995) and FujiGen no letter serial (mid/late 1992-1995) Orville by Gibson Les Paul and SG models retail history from Yamano Gakki catalogues (1988-1995).

1988-1995

In 1988 the Orville by Gibson Les Paul Standard and Custom models (LPC) retailed for 93,000 Yen and in 1990 they retailed for 95,000 Yen and in 1992 they retailed for 110,000 Yen. In 1988 the Orville by Gibson SG model (SG) retailed for 82,000 Yen and in 1992 retailed for 93,000 Yen. In 1988 the Orville by Gibson Les Paul Junior model (LPJ) retailed for 72,000 Yen. In 1992 the Orville by Gibson Quilted Maple model (LPS-QM) retailed for 228,000 Yen and the Orville by Gibson Flame Maple model (LPS-FM) retailed for 198,000 Yen and the Orville by Gibson Laminated Quilted Maple model (LPS-Q) and the Tiger Maple model (LPS-T) retailed for 125,000 Yen. In 1993 the Orville by Gibson 1957 and 1959 reissue models such as the LPS-59R Les Paul Standard retailed for 125,000 Yen and the LPS-57C Les Paul Standard retailed for 110,000 Yen and the LPC-57B Les Paul Custom retailed for 110,000 Yen. From 1988-mid/late 1992 all of the Orville by Gibson Les Paul and SG guitars were made by Terada and had a G serial number and most had long tenon neck joints but some had medium long tenon neck joints. From mid/late 1992-1995 most Orville by Gibson Les Paul and SG guitars were made by FujiGen with no letter serials and long tenon neck joints but some were also made by Terada with a G serial number.

• Terada K Orville models: Yamano Gakki (K) serial number sticker 1989/1990-1993.

• Terada ink stamped serial number Orville by Gibson models: G letter serial number 1988-1995. Terada ink stamped serial number Orville models: J letter serial number 1995-1998. Terada Orville by Gibson acoustic models: AG letter(s) or G letter serial number 1991-1993.

• FujiGen ink stamped serial number Orville by Gibson and Orville models: no letter serial number Orville by Gibson models mid/late1992-1995, no letter serial number Orville models 1993-1998.

1988

Production of the Terada G letter Orville by Gibson models starts along with the Orville models which would become the K Orville models.

1989/1990

The Terada K Orville models which were previously made beginning in 1988, alongside the G letter Orville by Gibson models were released for sale. The K Orville models had delayed retail releases which was why the K sticker serial numbers were used by Yamano Gakki. Production of the Terada G letter Orville EB-3 SG bass model starts. The Orville K serial number models were limited to Les Paul and SG solid body models and had a Yamano Gakki (K) serial number format on a sticker while the Orville EB-3 SG bass models (which were not delayed for release like the K Orvilles were) used the Orville by Gibson G letter ink stamped serial number format.

1989

The ink stamped serial number format is changed to a new year and month format.

1991

Orville by Gibson acoustic production starts.

Mid/Late 1992

FujiGen takes over most of the Orville by Gibson solid body manufacturing from Terada and the Terada K Orville production is ended but previously made K Orville guitars were continued to be released until well into 1993.

Late 1992

Orville by Gibson 1957 and 1959 Les Paul and 1961 SG reissue production starts.

1993

The last of the Orville K serial solid body models are released for sale and FujiGen starts to make most of the ink stamped Orville solid body models. FujiGen uses an ink stamped serial number format with no letter prefix. The Orville by Gibson acoustic production ends.

1995

Orville by Gibson production ends and the Orville model range gets expanded from Les Pauls and SG's to include Firebirds, Explorers, Flying V's, and ES-335's. Terada changes its serial number prefix letter from G to J for the 1995-1998 Orville models and FujiGen continues to use no serial number prefix letter.

1998

Orville production ends.

The Orville by Gibson and Orville models were manufactured (as were the Epiphone Japan Elite models) at the FujiGen (solidbodies) and Terada (solidbodies, acoustics and archtops) Japanese factories.

According to Yamano Gakki/Epiphone Japan all the Orville by Gibson and Orville models were manufactured in Japan for the Japanese local market only.

Epiphone Japan was started in the early 1970s with the dealership being mostly handled by Aria in cooperation with Gibson and the Matsumoku guitar factory in Japan was used to make the guitars. In 1987 Yamano Gakki obtained the Epiphone Japan dealership and continued to produce a limited range of Epiphone Japan models (no Les Paul or SG models) in cooperation with Gibson using the Terada guitar factory to make the guitars. After Gibson and Yamano Gakki ended Orville production in 1998 Gibson and Yamano Gakki produced an expanded Epiphone Japan model range including Les Paul and SG models with the Epiphone Elite and Epiphone Elitist series.

Unlike the Yamano Gakki Gibson licensed Orville by Gibson and Orville models which were produced for the local Japanese market only and were never exported, some of the Gibson Epiphone Japan models were exported. The Epiphone Japan models that were intended for export do not have an open book headstock. The open book headstock Epiphone Japan models were produced for the local Japanese market only and were not exported. The same Terada and FujiGen guitar factories that made all the Orville by Gibson and Orville guitars were used to make the Yamano Gakki Epiphone Elite and Epiphone Elitist series with the Terada guitar factory mostly making the Semi Acoustic models and the FujiGen guitar factory mostly making the solid body models. Gibson and Yamano Gakki ended their relationship in late 2006 and since then Gibson is still actively involved in Japan.

The Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan serial numbers from 1998 onwards (after the Orvilles ended) are in a YMMPPP format.

• Y=year.
• MM=month.
• PPP=production number.

The serial number prefixes used by the Terada and FujiGen guitar factories are J = Terada, T = Terada, no letter = FujiGen and F = FujiGen. For example 903584 is from March 1999 and was made by FujiGen, J903584 is from March 1999 and was made by Terada, F505693 is from May 2005 and was made by FujiGen, T505693 is from May 2005 and was made by Terada.

For Yamano Gakki Epiphone Japan models from 1987 to approximately 1997 the serial numbers are in a YCPPP format and the various Epiphone Japan models were made by Terada. They usually have a Orange Epiphone label.

• Y=year.
• C=model code.
• PPP=production number.

Model Codes (C)

• 1 = NVJ
• 2 = EMPEROR
• 3 = RIVIERA
• 4 = SHERATON
• 5 = CASINO
• 6 = Limited Edition
• 7 = EB-2
• 8 = ES-930J
• 9 = EMPEROR-J

For Example 34784 = 1993 SHERATON made by Terada.

The Aria Epiphone Japan models that were made by Matsumoku from the early 1970s to approximately 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

• Terada Factory Tour
• FujiGen Factory Tour
• Made in Japan (MIJ) guitar forum
• Made in Japan (MIJ) guitar forum
• Template:Fr icon Made in Japan (MIJ) guitar forum

• Yamano Gakki Japan, Epiphone Japan, Orville by Gibson Catalogues.
• The Gibson Les Paul Book by Tony Bacon and Paul Day (1993).
• Template:Jp icon Yamano Gakki History
• Template:Jp icon Yamano Gakki Information
• Template:Jp icon FujiGen Gakki History
• Template:Jp icon Gibson Japan History
• Template:Jp icon Epiphone Japan History