Epiphone guitars have come a long way baby!
Epiphone guitars is an old brand that dates to the late nineteenth century Turkey. Anastasios Stathopoulos started out by making lutes and fiddles. He emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900's and continued creating his own instruments outside of New York City. His son Epaminondas took over after his death. Epi, as he was known, kept up the family tradition and also started making banjos after the first world war. The name Epiphone was created using Epi's nickname and phone, the Greek word for voice.
Epiphone guitars continued to flourish through the roaring twenties with their arch top guitars and recently released banjos. The stock market crash in 1929 caused many stringed instrument makers to flounder. Epiphone survived and became an intense rival of Gibson dueling with them on the acoustic guitar front. Electrification came during the mid-30's. Rickenbacker came on strong with their electric guitars and both Gibson and Epiphone took notice. Epi came out with the "Electar" series while Gibson released their electric Hawaiian guitar. both companies spared over the next decade. Unfortunately Epiphone fell on hard times after World War II due to the loss of their greatest assest, Epi died during the war. 
Gibson proceeded by introducing the Casino, one of Epiphone's most famous guitars. The Casino was modeled after Gibson's ES-335. It was a double cutaway, hollow body with two P-90 single coils pickups. The Beatles were the most popular users of this instrument.
Epiphone guitar packageManufacturing of Epiphone guitars shifted to Japan in the 1970's and then on to Korea in the 1980's. Currently, the guitars are made in China. Epiphone is now a subsidiary of Gibson guitars. Most of the electric guitars manufactured are copies of the more expensive Gibson models. The Explorer, several different SG versions, quite a few Les Pauls, the Flying-V, Firebird,ES-175 and the two-neck EDS-1275. 
All of the Epiphone copies are cheaper versions and therefor, with no real cause, viewed as cheap imitations. Granted they are of lesser quality, but they are great for the beginner guitars who wants a Les Paul at a cheaper price. They are viewed much like Squier is to Fender guitars. I have never owned an Epiphone guitar. I have played them occasionally and think they are fine instruments. There is a certain snob appeal in owning a Gibson or Fender guitar. I know, I own one of each. But I think, outside of looking at the headstock, from a distance you can't tell the difference, at least visually. Some famous artists who have played Epiphone guitars...
If you want a decent guitar without spending four grand on a Gibson custom shop "Zakk Wylde Les Paul Custom", go get yourself an Epiphone "Zakk Wylde Signature Les Paul Custom Electric". You will look and sound just as good as the expensive Gibson but only spending 800 bucks or so. If you don't believe me, check out the video below!
Rock on, dude!Return from Epiphone Guitars to Electric Guitars Rock |
