Quick facts about Epiphone
-- Epiphone began in 1923. Epimanondas (Epi) Stathopoulos used his name Epi and added phone. Phone is a Greek word for sound. That's how Epiphone first appeared on Banjos. Epi had Epiphone registered and trademarked in 1924.
-- 1928 saw The House of Stathopoulo change its name to the Epiphone Banjo Co. in 1928. Quality banjos were a foundation of a company on the rise. They soon progressed to a line of carved topped guitars.
-- A model dynasty began in 1931. The dynasty was to last for 40 years. The Triumph and Deluxe range was a cornerstone of Epiphone design. The thirties were generally good times, their early foe Gibson standing toe-to-toe for market supremacy. The era saw the release of the Arched Top 12 F-Hole model.
-- Featured guitars and design of the era were the Epiphone Super and Wide Emperor Guitar of 1935 and the adjustable - pole pickup of 1937.
-- Epi Stahopoulo dies in 1943. History tells us his two brothers Orphie and Frixo were now managing the company. Hard times reigned as the post war years forced Epiphone to reduce their range. By the mid-fifties the upright Base and the Harry Volpe student was their bread and butter, keeping the name alive.
-- 1957 was a significant milestone in Epiphones history. Gibson's parent company Chicago Musical Instrument buys Epiphone for $20,000. Epiphone is soon a division of Gibson and the guitar name is revived. A year later the Epiphone production is moved to Gibson's Michigan factory.
-- The Beatles excite Epiphone with a marketing cue as George, John and Paul purchase Casino's. The sixties buyer jumped on the bandwagon and sales soured. Epiphone became cool and hip.
-- Japan provided new opportunities for Epiphone. The success of Japanese made guitars, quality, function and price were dominating markets in the US. 1970 saw Epiphone move its operation to Japan, establishing a presence in Asia that continues to this day.
-- The 80's fostered further changes. Epiphone again moved, this time to South Korea as costs in Japan were increasing. In 1986 Gibson and Epiphone were sold to a Henry Juszkiewicz, David Berryman and Gary Zebrowski. Some of the traditional lines were reintroduced.
-- Good times during the 90's! They were a time of improved communication, quality controls between the US parent and the factory in Seoul. 1993 was the year the Nashville USA Collection, limited edition models were released representing the first US made models since 1970.
-- China here we come! As you can see Gibson / Epiphone constantly look for ways to maximize output vs costs. Since a decision was made to relocate to Qingdao they have not looked back. US know how, Chinese efficiencies is a formidable combination. The factory has been opened nearly 6 years resulting in hundreds of thousands of Chinese Epiphone sold.
-- Time heals all. The purists may have trouble accepting Epiphones China involvement, they slowly have come around. Quality and finish is very good. China maybe very well their last move!
-- 1928 saw The House of Stathopoulo change its name to the Epiphone Banjo Co. in 1928. Quality banjos were a foundation of a company on the rise. They soon progressed to a line of carved topped guitars.
-- A model dynasty began in 1931. The dynasty was to last for 40 years. The Triumph and Deluxe range was a cornerstone of Epiphone design. The thirties were generally good times, their early foe Gibson standing toe-to-toe for market supremacy. The era saw the release of the Arched Top 12 F-Hole model.
-- Featured guitars and design of the era were the Epiphone Super and Wide Emperor Guitar of 1935 and the adjustable - pole pickup of 1937.
-- Epi Stahopoulo dies in 1943. History tells us his two brothers Orphie and Frixo were now managing the company. Hard times reigned as the post war years forced Epiphone to reduce their range. By the mid-fifties the upright Base and the Harry Volpe student was their bread and butter, keeping the name alive.
-- 1957 was a significant milestone in Epiphones history. Gibson's parent company Chicago Musical Instrument buys Epiphone for $20,000. Epiphone is soon a division of Gibson and the guitar name is revived. A year later the Epiphone production is moved to Gibson's Michigan factory.
-- The Beatles excite Epiphone with a marketing cue as George, John and Paul purchase Casino's. The sixties buyer jumped on the bandwagon and sales soured. Epiphone became cool and hip.
-- Japan provided new opportunities for Epiphone. The success of Japanese made guitars, quality, function and price were dominating markets in the US. 1970 saw Epiphone move its operation to Japan, establishing a presence in Asia that continues to this day.
-- The 80's fostered further changes. Epiphone again moved, this time to South Korea as costs in Japan were increasing. In 1986 Gibson and Epiphone were sold to a Henry Juszkiewicz, David Berryman and Gary Zebrowski. Some of the traditional lines were reintroduced.
-- Good times during the 90's! They were a time of improved communication, quality controls between the US parent and the factory in Seoul. 1993 was the year the Nashville USA Collection, limited edition models were released representing the first US made models since 1970.
-- China here we come! As you can see Gibson / Epiphone constantly look for ways to maximize output vs costs. Since a decision was made to relocate to Qingdao they have not looked back. US know how, Chinese efficiencies is a formidable combination. The factory has been opened nearly 6 years resulting in hundreds of thousands of Chinese Epiphone sold.
-- Time heals all. The purists may have trouble accepting Epiphones China involvement, they slowly have come around. Quality and finish is very good. China maybe very well their last move!
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