A Brief History of Epiphone Guitars
The company name changed from the House of Stathopoulos to Epiphone, a combination of his name and the Greek word for sound. The change was made official in 1928. It was during this time that the company was active in making banjos, and they even bought out a banjo company in Long Island. After the change was approved, the company became the Epiphone Banjo Co.
Epiphones guitars were launched in 1931. This was a full line of what are known as archtop guitars, a style that is popular with jazz and blues musicians. They quickly became one of the top guitar produces with Gibson being one of their biggest rivals. Notable Epiphone players of that time include Tony Mottola with the George Hall band and two band members of Benny Goodman.
Epi unfortunately died of leukemia and left the company to Orphie, who before his death was the second in command. His other brother, Frixo, became the Vice President. The two brothers later have a feud and Frixo sells his stock. After that, company had some trouble and eventually stopped producing a lot of instruments.
In 1957, Chicago Musical Instrument purchased Epiphone and made them a division of Gibson. Epiphone now still maintains their own line of guitars and the Gibson and Epiphone labels remain separate.
Current Epiphone models include a few Gibson copies (Epiphones version of the Flying-V and Les Paul are a few examples), and a few original Epiphone lines. The original guitars include all the versions of the Casino, Zephyr, and Sheraton, the Wildkat, the Broadway, and the Emporer.
Epiphone has had some famous endorsees. Both George Harrison and John Lennon played Epiphone Casinos. Lennon is famous for his personal modifications to the Casino. Other artists include Bob Marley, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Lars Frederickson or Rancid, and Chad of Nickelback. For a complete list of artists, visit the Epiphone website . The list is quite extensive.
Here are what some uses have to say about Epiphone guitars (source Harmony Central):
About the Epiphone G-400 Custom
Action was really good. Finish was ok. Definately looks different than the rest of the pack. Gold hardware is gorgeous. The custom logo shined in the stage lights. I had to have it and I had fun with it for a few years.
This guitar is solid. Never goes out of tune. Hardware will dull a bit over the years. Strap buttons are solid. Careful with the neck dive on stage. Very top heavy.
About the Epiphone Flying Vee-Wee
I absolutely love this guitar!!! The VeeWee is the perfect shape for lap you can rest your hand on the upper arm of the V, or put it your hand in the point of the V to pick right near the bridge. The controls and cord jack are in the perfect position for lap style as well. Since it is so small and inexpensive, I carry it with me everywhere. I would not dream of bringing my Les Paul into the office, but this VeeWee is perfect for break time noodling. As I mentioned, the sound is great. I now own 5 guitars, and my lap-steel PeeVee wins the Most Fun award hands down!
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Epiphone Epiphone Les Paul Studio Alpine White $349.99 Epiphone Epiphone Les Paul Studio Alpine White |
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Epiphone Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass Vintage Sunburst $299.99 Epiphone Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass Vintage Sunburst |
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Epiphone Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass Ebony $299.99 Epiphone Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass Ebony |
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Epiphone Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass Ebony 889406815070 $239.99 Epiphone Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass Ebony 889406815070 |
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Epiphone Epiphone Ltd. Ed. 1966 G-400 Silverburst $299.99 Epiphone Epiphone Ltd. Ed. 1966 G-400 Silverburst |
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Epiphone Epiphone Ltd. Ed. 1966 G-400 Ebony $299.99 Epiphone Epiphone Ltd. Ed. 1966 G-400 Ebony |
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Epiphone Emily the Strange SG Electric Guitar Standard $399 Epiphone Emily the Strange SG Electric Guitar Standard |
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Epiphone Jack Casady Bass Guitar Case Standard $129 Epiphone Jack Casady Bass Guitar Case Standard |
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Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass Guitar Ebony $799 Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass Guitar Ebony |
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Epiphone Epiphone Les Paul Studio Alpine White $349.99 Epiphone Epiphone Les Paul Studio Alpine White |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony $429.99 Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Vintage Sunburst $439.99 Epiphone Les Paul Standard Vintage Sunburst |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Honey Burst $477.63 Epiphone Les Paul Standard Honey Burst |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony 889406939776 $180.6 Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony 889406939776 |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony 889406889323 $180.6 Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony 889406889323 |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony 889406914568 $94.6 Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony 889406914568 |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony 889406899667 $94.6 Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony 889406899667 |
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1996 Matthew Sweet Epiphone Casino Guitar Photo Print Ad (45584) An original vintage magazine ad print from the year published. Print ads make unique gift items that can be framed as artwork. Shipped flat un-framed in plastic sleeve with backing board…. |
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1996 Stacie Jones Epiphone Coronet Guitar Photo Print Ad (45582) An original vintage magazine ad print from the year published. Print ads make unique gift items that can be framed as artwork. Shipped flat un-framed in plastic sleeve with backing board…. |
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1998 Paula Cole Epiphone C-70 CE Guitar Photo Print Ad (41388) An original vintage magazine ad print from the year published. Print ads make unique gift items that can be framed as artwork. Shipped flat un-framed in plastic sleeve with backing board…. |
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Epiphone Guitar Basics : Tommy Anthony $2.65 … |
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Epiphone Guitar Essentials For Acoustic, Electric & Classical Models $9.92 This video teaches you everything you need to know to get you familiar with and playing your guitar. The parts, how to hold the guitar and pick, how to tune with an electric tuner and by ear, common chords, strumming patterns and much more…. |
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Guitar Lab $3.99 … |
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Hosa 10FT Electric/Bass/Jazz Guitar Cable – Set of 2 $11.99 10′ Traditional Pro Guitar Instrument Cable, Straight to right angle… |
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HOSA PRO GUITAR CABLE, 15 ft. STRAIGHT TO STRAIGHT FOR EPIPHONE Electric Guitars, models: Les Paul Standard Plus, Les Paul Custom and Epiphone 6400 $7.99 HOSA 15 ft PRO GUITAR CBL *NIC* – 1/4″ Male to 1/4″ Male Instrument Cable with Heat-Shrink… |
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Gibson Maestro Electric Guitar/Amp Package – Sunburst Finish – Junior Size $299.95 … |
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Gibson IN TUNE Guitarist Musician Artist Band Adult Charcoal Tee T-Shirt $39.99 An awesome 100% cotton preshrunk adult T-shirt Available up to XL!… |
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The Les Paul Book (Paperback) $16.33 Description not available. |
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LES PAUL:CHASING SOUND $22.79 The inventor of the famous Les Paul guitar talks candidly about his life and achievements in this documentary. |
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Lestar Travel Guitar by Ministar $143.99 Lestar travel guitar by Ministar combines revolutionary design with fantastic toneQuality instruments are an essential for any musicianGuitar will amazed you with its ‘fat’ Les Paul-like sound, the ‘long sustain’ and more |
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Stars and their Guitars – The History of the Electric Guitar (DVD) $17.09 Would rock and roll even exist without the electric guitar? STARS AND THEIR GUITARS celebrates the revolutionary power of the six-string axe by chronicling its history and interviewing its greatest acolytes, including Les Paul, B.B. King, Duane Eddy, a… |
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Guitar Player Book $16.33 Description not available. |
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Million Dollar Les Paul $13.43 Description not available. |
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The Modern Era of the Les Paul Legacy, 1968-2008 (Hardcover) $26.11 Following the release of The Early Years…, which Vintage Guitar magazine called “carefully crafted … lavishly illustrated,” this full-color book continues the amazing journey of an American icon`s recording career and the coveted instruments that b… |
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