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