This is another hidden treasure of Japanese hollow body. A few keywords for this guitar - Gibson Super 400 body line and of course high cost performance against Gibson!

My findings from the orange label is Japanese Epiphone forums states Orange label was introduced from a Japanese manufacturer Terada music, from 1987 to 1997, following the Blue (1970-1980), Beige (1980-1987) labels. Compared to the predecessors, the Epiphone with orange labels feature lighter and thus smaller-looking body. The production by Terada music stopped in 1997, and was handed over to Korean companies from 1998, which in turn tossed the production to Chinese vendors from 2005.

Dating hints: 5 digit serial numbers represent Terada music's numbering scheme, which was used from 1987 to 1997. The first letter indicates the year, the second letter implies the type of guitar, where number 9 refers to Emperor-J. The rest 3 digits are the production number.

This guitar features amazing specs, all detailed below. Using maple body can be explained by balancing off the high tension coming from flat-wound string (by default) and enhancing full acoustic tone from soft spruce top. Condition is in can't-be-better. What a tantalizing guitar it is!