Decoding Epiphone FT-150 BARD

[JCL1968]

What does "BARD" stand for?

I am trying to decode an Epiphone FT-150. The serial number is 6 digits, then 4 capital letters: "860081 BARD". These Ft-150's were made between '72-'79, so the first number "8" should mean 1978. There are links out there that help decode the 6 digit code for Epi / Gibson. It's the "BARD" that I cannot find anything on. Can somebody share a link that explains the 4 capital letters? I think it has something to do with a particular factory? or maybe it means something else? I've seen some FT-150's that only have two capital letters, like "BR" . Just trying to understand what I have.



P.S. I cant seem to figure out how to convert an image into a URL, so my pics dont upload. I tried tinypics.com, but they are out of business. Any other easy, free, ways to convert a picture into a URL code?

[RP]

It seems to be what Epiphone called its dreadnought size in the 60s but don't quote me....

The early 60s brought the explosion of folk music, and Epiphone was ready to cater to it, introducing the Seville classical guitar (with and without pickups) in 1961, as well as the Madrid, Espana and Entrada models. In 1962, Epiphone listed a twelve-string, the Bard (on which Roy Orbison composed "Oh, Pretty Woman" and "Only The Lonely") along with a smaller version, the Serenader. In 1963, the Troubadour, steel string flat top guitar was introduced.

[heavy_picker]

A Bard is by definitions: a balladeer, a minstrel
Epiphone used it as a name for their 12 string guitar which became popular during the 1960s folk music boom.
It's marketing!