Epiphone
About Epiphone:
With a long and rich history, Epiphone is one of America’s oldest and most revered instrument makers. Over 125 years ago, Anastasios Stathopoulo opened a small instrument factory in Smyrna, Turkey. Years later, his son Epaminondas, or Epi for short, took over the family business which had relocated to America. He renamed the company Epiphone, a combination of his name and ‘phone’, the Greek word for sound. For a while, the company produced exclusively banjos, which were the most popular instrument in America at the time. Then in 1928, Epiphone introduced its first line of acoustic guitars. Today, Epiphone offers affordable guitars and basses for every player in every genre, regardless of budget or ability.
Every luthier has a story, and for the most renowned marques, it's usually a long one. That's certainly the case for Epiphone, which was founded in 1873 and hopped right on board with the development of the guitar as we know it today. In the early 20th century, Epiphone went head-to-head against Gibson in the archtop market, producing models like the Emperor, Broadway and Triumph, that went down as legends in the music history books. Then, after World War II, Gibson bought Epiphone out, which not only ended the rivalry between them, it also laid the groundwork for what Epiphone is today: a brand that can put Gibson's iconic designs into the hands of any musician who wants them.
Of course, that isn't to say Epiphone's individual history has fallen by the wayside. Far from it - with models like the Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar, Limited Edition Wildkat Royale Electric Guitar and the Masterbilt collection of acoustics, there's plenty here to pay homage to Epiphone's historic roots. But along with those comes an impressive lineup of Gibson models like the Les Paul, SG and Thunderbird: perfect choices for novice or casual guitarists looking for a way to own these classics without having to open the purse strings too wide.
It's all about finding the Epiphone that's right for you. Try one of their classic guitars on for size, or if you're a bassist, check out the options ranging from the vintage-inspired Viola Bass V5 to the modern Thunderbird IV Bass. These 4-string basses are like the icing on the cake that is Epiphone's great selection of acoustic, electric and hybrid guitars - not to mention a few other instruments like the Les Paul Acoustic-Electric Concert Ukulele and the MM-50E Professional Electric Mandolin. Take a look through the whole lineup and see for yourself; the perfect instrument could be waiting for you right here.
