-- The branding of Epiphone began back in 1923. Epimanondas (Epi) Stathopoulos combined his name Epi with phone. Phone being a Greek word for sound. The name Epiphone first appeared on Banjos and was registered in the USA in 1924.
-- In 1928 the family company House of Stathopoulo officially becomes the Epiphone Banjo Co. The banjos were lauded as amongst the finest sold. Around this time Epiphone began to produce a line of guitars mostly with carved tops.
-- 1931 saw the production of 12 F-Hole modeled Arched Top Guitars. The De Luxe and Triumph models were the mainstay of production for the next 40 years. Prosperous times ignited Epiphone throughout the Thirties. Gibson and Epiphone were constantly engaged in battles of wit and supremacy.
-- The years 1935-37 resulted in new fresh designs. Guitars such as the Epiphone Super and Wide Emperor set industry standards. The adjustable Pole pickup of 1937 were lauded amongst a buoyant customer base.
-- 1943 Epi Stahopoulo dies. His two brothers Orphie and Frixo effectively now control the company. The post war years were not kind and Epiphone struggled to survive and by the mid-fifties stock lines were sparse. Upright Bases and the Harry Volpe student model guitar kept the company afloat.
-- A sale! Their former adversary Gibson via the Chicago Musical Instrument company purchases Epiphone for only $20,000. There was no choice. The efforts of Gibson not only revived Epiphone as a guitar brand, but improved their image. The unification resulted in the entire production line moving 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.
-- By 1970 Epiphone had moved their operation to Japan. The Japanese manufactures market share had increased significantly. No longer could Epiphone compete as a US based company. The move had little impact on the brand as the Japanese Epiphones were considered high quality.
-- 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.
-- During the 90's Gibson recognized deficiencies within their Korean Subsidiary. A stronger infrastructure, technical and communicative initiatives were installed in Seoul. A little bit of US Gibson in each Epiphone Guitar, not only a vision but a marketing reality.
-- Toward the end of 2002 Qingdao, China was now the home of Epiphone. The partnership had its early teething problems but was always destined to success. By this time Epiphone were well versed in Asian culture, although China was a little different, a combination of Gibson & Epiphone technical design with Chinese production methods the product now was available to the masses.
-- 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!
-- In 1928 the family company House of Stathopoulo officially becomes the Epiphone Banjo Co. The banjos were lauded as amongst the finest sold. Around this time Epiphone began to produce a line of guitars mostly with carved tops.
-- 1931 saw the production of 12 F-Hole modeled Arched Top Guitars. The De Luxe and Triumph models were the mainstay of production for the next 40 years. Prosperous times ignited Epiphone throughout the Thirties. Gibson and Epiphone were constantly engaged in battles of wit and supremacy.
-- The years 1935-37 resulted in new fresh designs. Guitars such as the Epiphone Super and Wide Emperor set industry standards. The adjustable Pole pickup of 1937 were lauded amongst a buoyant customer base.
-- 1943 Epi Stahopoulo dies. His two brothers Orphie and Frixo effectively now control the company. The post war years were not kind and Epiphone struggled to survive and by the mid-fifties stock lines were sparse. Upright Bases and the Harry Volpe student model guitar kept the company afloat.
-- A sale! Their former adversary Gibson via the Chicago Musical Instrument company purchases Epiphone for only $20,000. There was no choice. The efforts of Gibson not only revived Epiphone as a guitar brand, but improved their image. The unification resulted in the entire production line moving 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.
-- By 1970 Epiphone had moved their operation to Japan. The Japanese manufactures market share had increased significantly. No longer could Epiphone compete as a US based company. The move had little impact on the brand as the Japanese Epiphones were considered high quality.
-- 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.
-- During the 90's Gibson recognized deficiencies within their Korean Subsidiary. A stronger infrastructure, technical and communicative initiatives were installed in Seoul. A little bit of US Gibson in each Epiphone Guitar, not only a vision but a marketing reality.
-- Toward the end of 2002 Qingdao, China was now the home of Epiphone. The partnership had its early teething problems but was always destined to success. By this time Epiphone were well versed in Asian culture, although China was a little different, a combination of Gibson & Epiphone technical design with Chinese production methods the product now was available to the masses.
-- 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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