Epiphone Strat /Telecaster Specifications Guide - Headstocks

A Definitive Guide to Epiphone Stratocaster Guitars


›› About Epi Strat Guide E-Series Guide 1998 Spec.Chart
1986 1987 1988 1989 - 1995 1996 - 2004
Jackson Copy
Jackson Style (Rounded)
Elongated Explorer
Explorer Headstock
Batwing Headstock
In 1986, the headstocks were exact Jackson copies that came to a point on the top and tip.

They featured the body color of the guitar with an inlaid "Epiphone by Gibson" logo in both the older and newer styles with a triangular truss rod cover.

In 1987, the tips of the headstocks were rounded off to avoid lawsuits from Jackson.

The top of the headstock was rounded considerably, and the tip only slightly, if at all.

The headstock still featured the "Epiphone By Gibson" inlay with a triangular truss rod cover.

In 1988, the headstocks were changed to an elongated and less angled version of the "hockeystick" shape seen on the Gibson Explorer.

The headstock still featured the guitar-body color and the "Epiphone By Gibson" inlay with a triangular truss rod cover.

In 1989, the headstock was changed to the Explorer "hockeystick" shape.

The "By Gibson" part of the logo was removed to read just "Epiphone".

The headstock still featured the guitar-body color with a bell shaped truss rod cover.

In 1996, the S-Series headstock changed to the "batwing" shape, borrowed from classic Epiphone designs.

Some headstocks featured the guitar-body color, while others were black or natural, depending on the model and year with a bell shaped truss rod cover.

1986 1987 1988 1989 - 1995 1996 - 2004