Can someone please give me their opinion on whether these are cracks in the wood or just in the finish? Thanks in advance for any help.
Looking at the oval spot where the finish has completely come away (about a third in from the left), there seems to be a dark line beneath the finish. To me that looks like it might be a crack in the wood itself. Best take it to a luthier to get more than just an opinion though.
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That hurts to look at, Bill. I’m sorry. 
Agree with Ross. Unfortunately, it seems to be the wood itself. A luthier can reassure you and might fix it again.
Yup, starting right in a sharp corner and narrowing to the tip, as well as being in line with the direction of the grain means you should get this repaired.
I don’t think I can tell from this one photograph. Do you have others? What’s it like on the treble side?
Interesting fretwork too by the way.
Thanks for the responses. Much appreciated. I purchased this a December of 2004 Epiphone Studio on eBay for $25, so I’m not surprised nor upset about the findings. It does still play well and surprisingly holds tuning. Thanks again
Sorry, they’ve restricted me on photos because this is my first post. The other side is similar. Can you explain more about the frets? Thanks
It looks like the fretboard is coming off of the neck.
No worries. Might indeed be the neck but can’t say for sure.
Regarding the frets, at least the 1st one seen in the picture you posted, when I zoomed in quite a lot, it seemed like it was nicely crowned on the right side but it seemed (to me) like it was square (not crowned) on the side you fret.
Yes, I see that now. Good eye. I am getting old, and the eyes just aren’t what they used to be. Thanks
Wow my eyes must be getting really bad. I don’t see the fretboard separation at all.
You’re probably right. Now when I look at it on the computer screen, it’s below that line.
Even if the crack us the neck and not the finish, it’s a good find. It can be fixed at not great cost I’d imagine and the fretwork is an easy task so don’t be too upset. 
Thanks for the positive feedback Lefteris. I’m fine with any issues. Not upset at all. Although I was hoping it was just the finish, but it’s okay.
FFS !
Sorry. I purchased this last year on eBay. The serial number indicates it was manufactured in December of 2004. Just wanted to let readers know how old the guitar was.
Hi Bill, what is the other side like? that generally tells a story cheers
Hi, There’s a pretty similar line like the one you see in the image shown.
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From what i can see, it looks to me that the fretboard is getting away from the neck.
Best advice: take it to a luthier and have it fixed. The sooner the better.
Good luck!!
What a great deal on a solid guitar. Epiphones are cool. Was there a hairline crack when you bought it? Even with the crack I would be all over that.
So cracks like that are one of the super common problems to deal with and it is a super easy fix tbh. You can take it to a luthier or you can give it a go your self. Its not hard.
First take the string tension off, you dont really need to remove the tuners or nut, maybe put some tape over the bridge and saddle so it does not fall off.
Grab some Titebond wood glue. I recommend Titebond 2 (yes I know I have titebond 1 in my photo lol) you want to have some clamping cauls, some padding to protect the wood, a lot of people like to use rubber tubing also and wrap it. Also some warm water and rags for glue squeezout (its easier to remove while wet than dry) a table or work bench.
So just sort of clamp the neck down to your work bench or a table and wet the crack down some. You can flex it slightly and open that crack up some and work that glue deep in there. I use a blunted syringe but you can use the flexing/ unflexing to help draw it in. You can also use a vacum from the other side (if crack goes through to pull glue all the way through). Keep doing this untill you think you have the glue well penatrated into that crack.
Pad up the neck, fret board and back and clamp it. Clamp it, but dont over tighten, just enough so that you see some squeeze out. Then you know the glue is also squeezing into the smallest recesses of the inner cracks. Wipe that off and leave it clamped to cure.
leave for 8 to 24 hours minimum. Read the lable of what ever wood glue you choose. I usually leave.mine for 24 hours and work on other stuff or just work on actual practice for the next day.
Once you are satisfied itt has cured you can then remove all the clamps and make ypur assessment. You might need to do some touch ups on the outside with CA glue for smoothness but most likely you will be good to go. If anything sharp or snagging a light sand to knock off the offender or the CA glue to fix left over hanging stuff will work to tac down quckly.
Restring and tune.
walla ding dong. You are done and a killer guitar for $25 and some cheap supplies that you may already have in your garage or work bench. I am not sure howuch a luthier will charge for doing it but you will feel great about doing your own repairs. Its also understandable that people dont feel comfortable doing this stuff on expensive guitars too.
Good luck
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