| When thinking about the history of Epiphone, | | | | include all the versions of the Casino, |
| one must start in Greece where Anastasios | | | | Zephyr, and Sheraton, the Wildkat, the |
| Stathopoulos made lioutos (a Greek stringed | | | | Broadway, and the Emporer. |
| instrument), mandolins, fiddles, and lutes. | | | | |
| The family moved to New York, and his son, | | | | Epiphone has had some famous endorsees. Both |
| Epi Stathopoulos inherited the company in | | | | George Harrison and John Lennon played |
| 1915. | | | | Epiphone Casinos. Lennon is famous for his |
| | | | personal modifications to the Casino. Other |
| The company name changed from the House of | | | | artists include Bob Marley, Noel Gallagher of |
| Stathopoulos to Epiphone, a combination of | | | | Oasis, Lars Frederickson or Rancid, and Chad |
| his name and the Greek word for sound. The | | | | of Nickelback. For a complete list of |
| change was made official in 1928. It was | | | | artists, visit the Epiphone website . The |
| during this time that the company was active | | | | list is quite extensive. |
| in making banjos, and they even bought out a | | | | |
| banjo company in Long Island. After the | | | | Here are what some uses have to say about |
| change was approved, the company became the | | | | Epiphone guitars (source Harmony Central): |
| Epiphone Banjo Co. | | | | |
| | | | About the Epiphone G-400 Custom |
| Epiphones guitars were launched in 1931. This | | | | |
| was a full line of what are known as archtop | | | | Action was really good. Finish was ok. |
| guitars, a style that is popular with jazz | | | | Definately looks different than the rest of |
| and blues musicians. They quickly became one | | | | the pack. Gold hardware is gorgeous. The |
| of the top guitar produces with Gibson being | | | | custom logo shined in the stage lights. I had |
| one of their biggest rivals. Notable Epiphone | | | | to have it and I had fun with it for a few |
| players of that time include Tony Mottola | | | | years. |
| with the George Hall band and two band | | | | |
| members of Benny Goodman. | | | | This guitar is solid. Never goes out of tune. |
| | | | Hardware will dull a bit over the years. |
| Epi unfortunately died of leukemia and left | | | | Strap buttons are solid. Careful with the |
| the company to Orphie, who before his death | | | | neck dive on stage. Very top heavy. |
| was the second in command. His other brother, | | | | |
| Frixo, became the Vice President. The two | | | | About the Epiphone Flying Vee-Wee |
| brothers later have a feud and Frixo sells | | | | |
| his stock. After that, company had some | | | | I absolutely love this guitar!!! The VeeWee |
| trouble and eventually stopped producing a | | | | is the perfect shape for lap you can rest |
| lot of instruments. | | | | your hand on the upper arm of the V, or put |
| | | | it your hand in the point of the V to pick |
| In 1957, Chicago Musical Instrument purchased | | | | right near the bridge. The controls and cord |
| Epiphone and made them a division of Gibson. | | | | jack are in the perfect position for lap |
| Epiphone now still maintains their own line | | | | style as well. Since it is so small and |
| of guitars and the Gibson and Epiphone labels | | | | inexpensive, I carry it with me everywhere. I |
| remain separate. | | | | would not dream of bringing my Les Paul into |
| | | | the office, but this VeeWee is perfect for |
| Current Epiphone models include a few Gibson | | | | break time noodling. As I mentioned, the |
| copies (Epiphones version of the Flying-V and | | | | sound is great. I now own 5 guitars, and my |
| Les Paul are a few examples), and a few | | | | lap-steel PeeVee wins the Most Fun award |
| original Epiphone lines. The original guitars | | | | hands down! |