Gibson Epiphone
Here are Todays Amazing Gibson Epiphone Deals!
 |
 EPIPHONE HUMMINGBIRDSOLID SPRUCE TOPMAHOGANY BODYGROVERSW FREE GIG BAG $289.00 Time Remaining: 8d 18h 40m Buy It Now for only: $289.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone EJ 200 Artist VS with Hard Case $250.00 Time Remaining: 2h 17m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Custom Dots 5 16WS Fret Markers Inlay Sticker Guitar $6.00 Time Remaining: 4d 8m Buy It Now for only: $6.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Gretsch G3800 Rancher Orchestra Acoustic Guitar $280.00 Time Remaining: 28d 20h 46m Buy It Now for only: $280.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone by Gibson Resonator Acoustic Guitar with Hardshell Case $275.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 4m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Brand New Epiphone Made By Gibson DR100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar $89.99 Time Remaining: 27d 12h 2m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone by Gibson SQ 180 Acoustic Guitar The Don Everly Model $476.10 Time Remaining: 26d 14h 5m Buy It Now for only: $476.10 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Fender Sonoran SCE Olympic White Acoustic Guitar $349.99 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 40m Buy It Now for only: $349.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 EPIPHONE GIBSON 6 STRING Electric guitar $199.00 Time Remaining: 22h 12m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Fender Sonoran SCE Lake Placid Blue Acoustic Guitar $349.99 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 6m Buy It Now for only: $349.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Fender T Bucket 300 CE 3 Color Sunburst Acoustic Guitar $299.99 Time Remaining: 29d 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Gibson Epiphone EJ 300 Jumbo 6 String Acoustic Guitar Spruce Rosewood EJ 200 $519.00 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 6m Buy It Now for only: $519.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 epiphone excellente acoustic vintage Gibson SJ $721.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 59m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Gibson Epiphone PR 350 Acoustic Guitar $229.99 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 35m Buy It Now for only: $229.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 New Epiphone Made By Gibson DR100 Dreadnought Acoustic $89.99 Time Remaining: 13d 4h 32m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone PR 200 Acoustic guitar Made in Korea $99.99 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 12m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Very Nice Gibson 12 String Epiphone Guitar Model PR 100 12 BK With Case $150.00 Time Remaining: 4d 23h 58m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone EL 00 Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst $240.00 Time Remaining: 3d 17h Buy It Now for only: $240.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Gretsch G5034 Rancher Dreadnought Natural Acoustic Guitar $370.00 Time Remaining: 16d 19h 2m Buy It Now for only: $370.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 EPIPHONE MASTERBILT DR500R NS SITKA SPRUCE TOP ROSEWOOD SIDES AND BACK $202.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 12m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone Limited Edition 1963 AJ 45 Round Shoulder Dreadnought Red $259.99 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 14m Buy It Now for only: $259.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Brand New Epiphone Made By Gibson DR100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar $89.99 Time Remaining: 27d 14h 14m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON EPIPHONE LIMITED EDITION HUMMINGBIRD ARTIST ACOUSTIC GUITAR FREE SHIPPING $219.00 Time Remaining: 2d 23h 29m Buy It Now for only: $219.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 EPIPHONE by GIBSON MODEL PR400 $22.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 19h 27m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Gretsch G3500 Rancher Folk Natural Acoustic Guitar $250.00 Time Remaining: 16d 18h 39m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON EPIPHONE HUMMINGBIRD HERITAGE CHERRY SUNBURST ACOUSTIC GUITAR +SHIPS FREE $269.99 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 31m Buy It Now for only: $269.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Dean MLEBB ML Exotic Bubinga Guitar $379.00 Time Remaining: 2d 53m Buy It Now for only: $379.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 VINTAGE RARE 1965 EPIPHONE classical guitarMADE IN KALAMAZOOby GIBSON $500.00 Time Remaining: 23h 47m Buy It Now for only: $750.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone PR 650 Rare Vintage Acoustic Guitar with hard shell case $400.00 Time Remaining: 12d 19h 56m Buy It Now for only: $400.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone Hummingbird Acoustic by Gibson MINT Condition $269.99 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 51m Buy It Now for only: $269.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone acoustic j200 by Gibson j 200 acoustic boomy jumbo solid guitar WOW $284.50 Time Remaining: 6d 21h 55m Buy It Now for only: $284.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Brand New Epiphone Made By Gibson DR100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar $69.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 17m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 2011 Epiphone J 45 Limited Edition 63 Reissue Acoustic Red Excellent 1443 $254.96 Time Remaining: 1h 34m Buy It Now for only: $254.96 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON EPIPHONE NATURAL EJ200 SUPER JUMBO MAPLE ACOUSTIC GUITAR +FREE SHIPPING $349.00 Time Remaining: 27d 23h 31m Buy It Now for only: $349.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone by Gibson PR350 Acoustic Guitar $199.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 33m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Gibson Epiphone John Lennon EJ 160E Acoustic Electric Guitar $464.55 Time Remaining: 23d 20h 53m Buy It Now for only: $464.55 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 BUY GIBSON EPIPHONE EJ200 BLACK SUPER JUMBO ACOUSTIC GUITAR +FREE SHIPPING $349.00 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 8m Buy It Now for only: $349.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 New Hard Shell Cases Case For Gibson Jumbo Style Guitar $89.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 16m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1968 Gibson B45 12N 12 string acoustic dreadnought guitar w case Nice NR $499.00 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 11m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 2011 Epiphone J 45 Limited Ed 63 Reissue Acoustic Black Excellent 0092 $254.96 Time Remaining: 2h 45m Buy It Now for only: $254.96 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Fender CD 140SCE Black Acoustic Electric Guitar $299.99 Time Remaining: 9d 21h 58m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON EPIPHONE MASTERBILT EF500RCCE ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR +FREE SHIPPING $599.99 Time Remaining: 17d 14h 54m Buy It Now for only: $599.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone J 45 63 LTD acoustic guitar $229.00 Time Remaining: 2d 31m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 EPIPHONE LIMITED EDITION J 45 1963 Reissue Spruce Top Acoustic Guitar $249.62 Time Remaining: 18d 5h 30m Buy It Now for only: $249.62 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Fender Villager 12 String Acoustic Guitar $429.99 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 6m Buy It Now for only: $429.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone Limited Edition 1963 J 45 Reissue Round Shoulder Dreadnought $319.00 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 33m Buy It Now for only: $319.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Gibson Epiphone PR 100 NA 6 String Acoustic Guitar in Beautiful Condition $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 48m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone Limited Edition 1963 AJ 45 Round Shoulder Dreadnought Black $259.99 Time Remaining: 23d 19h 51m Buy It Now for only: $259.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON EPIPHONE EJ200CE NATURAL JUMBO ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR +FREE SHIPPING $369.00 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 33m Buy It Now for only: $369.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone Hummingbird With Cherry Sunburst finish $399.95 Time Remaining: 25d 15h 35m Buy It Now for only: $399.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 VINTAGE RARE 1965 EPIPHONE classical guitarMADE IN KALAMAZOOby GIBSON $500.00 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 41m Buy It Now for only: $750.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON EPIPHONE EJ200CE SUNBURST JUMBO ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR +FREE SHIPPING $369.00 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 53m Buy It Now for only: $369.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone EJ 200 Acoustic Guitar Natural $347.13 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 10m Buy It Now for only: $347.13 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Guitar Epiphone Gibson AJ 10 T $75.00 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Fender Sonoran SCE Candy Apple Red Acoustic Guitar $349.99 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 35m Buy It Now for only: $349.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 OVATION CELEBRITY CC24 ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC BLACK NEW $239.00 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 2m Buy It Now for only: $239.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone EJ160E John Lennon Acoustic Electric Guitar D311554167 $468.88 Time Remaining: 18d 3h 1m Buy It Now for only: $468.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON AJ 10 EPIPHONE ACOUSTIC GUITAR PERFECT CONDITON $149.99 Time Remaining: 4d 27m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Gibson Epiphone EJ 200 Super Jumbo Acoustic Guitar Mustache bridge Black $369.00 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $369.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone J45 LTD 1963 Acoustic Guitar D311560091 $358.88 Time Remaining: 18d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $358.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON EPIPHONE EL 00 SMALL BODY PARLOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR EL00 + FREE SHIPPING $259.00 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 38m Buy It Now for only: $259.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON THE HAWK ELECTRIC GUITAR GIG BAG Nighthawk Blueshawk Les Paul SG ETC $400.00 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 22m Buy It Now for only: $600.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 GIBSON EPIPHONE EJ200CE BLACK JUMBO ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR +FREE SHIPPING $369.00 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 7m Buy It Now for only: $369.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Elvis Presley Epiphone Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar Ltd Ed w Case Box $2,295.00 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 28m Buy It Now for only: $2,295.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 ACOUSTIC Epiphone 12 STRING GUITAR $375.95 Time Remaining: 12d 16h 54m Buy It Now for only: $375.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 70s Epiphone 6 String Acoustic $500.00 Time Remaining: 17h 17m Buy It Now for only: $550.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Guild Madeira C 600 Classical Guitar in Ultra Great Shape $399.99 Time Remaining: 21d 14h 29m Buy It Now for only: $399.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Gibson Epiphone PR 350s Acoustic Guitar $395.00 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 5m Buy It Now for only: $395.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone Masterbilt AJ 500R NS acoustic guitar $390.00 Time Remaining: 5d 18h 56m Buy It Now for only: $490.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 12 String Epiphone Gibson PR650 12 Made in Korea Rare Wood Grain Head Near Mint $399.95 Time Remaining: 14d 12h 8m Buy It Now for only: $399.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 SKB 1SKB 66 TSA Accepted Latches Deluxe Hardshell Guitar Case $139.99 Time Remaining: 15d 19h 12m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone EJ160E John Lennon Acoustic Electric Guitar D311560810 $468.88 Time Remaining: 18d 3h 2m Buy It Now for only: $468.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone Limited Edition EJ 200 Artist VS Acoustic Guitar Vintage Sunburst $197.60 Time Remaining: 5d 22h 56m Buy It Now for only: $219.95 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Dean CSR Espana Solid Top Nylon String Acoustic Guitar $299.99 Time Remaining: 2d 34m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Vintage 1940s or 1950s Gibson Lifton Guitar Case Rare and Original Vibed Out $495.00 Time Remaining: 11d 3h 3m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Dean Soltero SL Guitar in Black Display Model $1,669.00 Time Remaining: 16d 1h 24m Buy It Now for only: $1,669.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone Acoustic Guitar $199.99 Time Remaining: 4d 23h 16m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Guitar guitar amp sticker Death or Glory Size 88mm $2.77 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 22m Buy It Now for only: $2.77 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 SAMICK C 4 BARCELONA CLASSICAL SOLID TOP MINT $209.88 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 46m Buy It Now for only: $209.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 EPIPHONE GIBSON PR 200 GUITAR MIK VINTAGE SWEET w hsc $350.00 Time Remaining: 26d 15h 9m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone PR 200 NA 6 String Acoustic Guitar 212702 1 $199.99 Time Remaining: 6d 21h 39m Buy It Now for only: $220.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Dean Hardshell Case for ML Style Guitars $109.00 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 10m Buy It Now for only: $109.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1964 Epiphone EC 30 Madrid All Solid Woods Gibson Made w Orig Chip case $595.00 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 14m Buy It Now for only: $595.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone AJ 15 $100.00 Time Remaining: 6d 2h 30m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 OVATION CELEBRITY CC24 ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC RUBY RED BRAND NEW $239.00 Time Remaining: 23d 15h 31m Buy It Now for only: $239.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Cool Psychedelic hand painted Epiphone Gibson acoustic guitar vintage apple $229.00 Time Remaining: 3h 28m Buy It Now for only: $229.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Cool Psychedelic hand painted Epiphone Gibson acoustic guitar vintage design $229.00 Time Remaining: 3h 29m Buy It Now for only: $229.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone AJ 15 LH $125.00 Time Remaining: 6d 2h 30m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Cool Psychedelic hand painted Epiphone Gibson acoustic guitar vintage nice $229.00 Time Remaining: 3h 28m Buy It Now for only: $229.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Dean Tradition AK48 Acoustic Guitar Package $119.00 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 14m Buy It Now for only: $119.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Aria AD 50 Acoustic Guitar solid Engleman Rosewood HD28 $695.00 Time Remaining: 7d 3h 5m Buy It Now for only: $695.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 EZ PLAY MODIFIED GIBSON MASTERBILT ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR PLAYS AWESOME $144.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 8d 19h 25m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Yamaha C40 Nylon String Classical Guitar New $139.99 Time Remaining: 28d 1h 41m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Dean Tradition Acoustic Elec Cutaway Guitar Zebra Demo $389.99 Time Remaining: 25d 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $389.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2005 EPIPHONE 64 PAUL MCCARTNEY TEXAN LEFTY RARE $9,995.00 Time Remaining: 5d 18h 30m Buy It Now for only: $9,995.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Epiphone by Gibson PR 200 Acoustic Guitar $100.00 Time Remaining: 8d 1h 27m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Antoria D01 Acoustic 6 string Dreadnought Guitar NEW FROM ANTORIA $181.73 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 26m Buy It Now for only: $181.73 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Aria FA 71 Guitar BRAND NEW THREE LEFT Beautiful Instrument Sounds Perfect $629.99 Time Remaining: 14d 23h 10m Buy It Now for only: $629.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
More Great Information on Gibson Epiphone:
my uncle gave me an old flying V gibson epiphone guitar and i want to use its serial to figure out its model?
the serial number is JC99020097 i just want to know the specific model of it and i cant find it anywhere else
check here
I couldn't tell if it was manufactured in Japan or China in February 1999 and its manufacturing number was 0097
Now that I think about it
it may had been a Japanese costume model or Japanese Casino or whatever
in model don't know, sorry =/
EpiphoneSuccessFactor by Scott Precher
The Epiphone story is definitely not a straight and narrow story by no means. For more than a century it has hit both dizzying highs and crushing lows. In 2007 Epiphone is one of the most successful and respected instrument manufacturers on the planet. In the beginning it all started in the workshop of a man named Anastasios Stathopoulo.
Anastasios was the son of a Greek timber merchant and would not follow his father into the family trade. He began crafting lutes, violins and traditional Greek lioutos in 1873. A few years after, Anastasios sailed across the Aegean Sea with his family to begin a new life in Turkey. By 1890, his talent and reputation had allowed him to open an instrument factory and start a family. First to arrive in 1893 was a son, Epaminondas, followed later that decade by Alex, Minnie and Orpheus.
By 1903, the persecution of Greek immigrants by the native Turks had forced the Stathopoulo family to move again; this time to a residence in the lower Manhattan neighborhood of New York. With Anastasios crafting and selling his instruments on the ground floor, and the family living directly above, the line between work and home life became increasingly blurred. Epaminondas (known as 'Epi') and Orpheus ('Orphie') were soon helping out in the shop and learning the business from the ground up.
Business was good by 1903 when Anastasios and his family were forced out by the native Turks and found themselves in the lower Manhattan neighborhood of New York. And business was good. It was Anastasios' good fortune to arrive in New York at the height of the mandolin craze, and this dovetailed with the popularity of his traditional Greek instruments amongst the city's bustling community. But all that changed in July 1915, when Anastasios died at the age of 52 from carcinoma of the breast.
One of Anastasios son's named Epi was just 22 when he took charge of the family business. He inherited many of his father's strengths - including a keen business sense and fierce pride in his work - but combined this with an awareness of the changing times that would prove vital in the years to come. Crucially, Epi was not just a luthier or a businessman. He was also a keen musician and socialite.
Epi respected the tradition of his father's instruments, but recognized the importance of moving with the times. By 1917, he had changed the company's name to the 'House Of Stathopoulo' and began adapting the product line. Mandolins were falling out of favor. In the post-war era, banjos had started to boom along with jazz, and Epi, with his ear to the ground, recognized this early and armed his company to deal with it. Not only did Epi introduce a line of banjos, but he also developed the instrument's design, patenting his own tone ring and rim construction. It was a sign of things to come.
In 1924, Epiphone released the Recording Series of banjos to universal acclaim.
In 1928, banjo's had lost popularity due to the depression so now he had introduced the Recording series of guitars, each one identified only by a letter ('A' through 'E') and notable for their unusual body shape. The Recording guitars were a combination of spruce and laminated maple, with either an arched or flat top, depending on the price.
Lack of celebrity endorsement faltered recording guitars success. The Recording guitars were also too small and arguably too ornate, particularly in comparison to the mighty size and volume of the Gibson L-5. At least Epi was taking notes. It wasn't hard to see the L-5's influence on the new Epiphone archtops that followed in 1931, with the Masterbilt Series sharing similar f-holes, pegheads, and even a similar name to the Gibson Master Model range. Despite taking inspiration from Gibson, however, the Masterbilts had their own identities. Their intention was not to emulate the Master Model range, but to destroy it.
Throughout the 1930s, Epiphone and Gibson became fierce competitors. Slighted by the introduction of the Masterbilts, and having emerged from its commercial slump at the start of the decade, Gibson returned fire in 1934 by increasing the body width of its existing models and introducing the king-size Super 400. Epi then replied the following year with the Emperor, which raised the stakes with a slightly wider body and a provocative advertising campaign featuring a semi-naked woman. In 1936, Epiphone struck again, increasing the size of its De Luxe, Broadway and Triumph models by an inch thus making them 3/8" wider than the Gibsons.
By this point, Epiphone guitars were considered to be amongst the best in the world. Epiphone wasn't just gunning for Gibson. Growing aware of the success of Rickenbacker's electric models since 1932, Epi made his move on this new market with the introduction of the Electar Series in 1935. The design included individually adjustable polepieces on the master pickup giving optimum output, and while Gibson had evidently been thinking the same thing, the Electar line seriously hurt Epiphone's rivals. By the summer of 1937, Epi reported that sales had doubled.
Before the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Epiphone had been riding high. When the last of the fighting ended in 1945, the company found itself without its greatest asset. Tragically, Epi had died of leukemia during the war, meaning that Epiphone was handed down to younger brothers Orphie and Frixo, who would respectively be responsible for the financial and mechanical running of the operation.
Epiphone continued to clash with Gibson with the introduction of cutaway versions of the Emperor and De Luxe, and raised the bar considerably with the arrival of the electric cutaway De Luxe. Pickups continued to be refined, and famous players continued to appear onstage armed with Epiphone guitars. From afar it seemed to be business as usual.
The Epiphone factory moved from Manhattan to Philadelphia in 1953, but the fact that many of the firm's craftsmen refused to leave New York resulted in a drop in quality and the very real danger of bankruptcy.
While Epiphone's problems got worse during the1950s, Gibson was growing stronger. Its main competition now came from the California-based Fender Company, creator of the Telecaster and Stratocaster models. So when Gibson's general manager, Ted McCarty, received a call from Orphie asking whether he'd be interested in buying out the Epiphone bass business, he didn't need asking twice. McCarty paid the $20,000 asking price and Gibson took control of Epiphone in May 1957.
The grand unveiling of theEpiphone line took place at the NAMM trade show in July 1958, with an electric Emperor as the flagship model. The show itself would generate orders of 226 guitars and 63 amps, but over the next few years Epiphone would get into a swagger, shifting 3,798 units in 1961, and accounting for 20 of the Epiphone/Gibson market share and closed many companies down entirely.
Then Gibson manager Ted McCarty stepped down, the quality of the product was thought to have slipped, and union problems were simmering again. In its weakened state, Gibson's parent company CMI was bought in 1969 by the Ecuadorian ECL corporation and Epiphone found itself in a predicament - perceived to be secondary to Gibson, but too expensive to compete with the foreign imports.
The idea of moving Epiphone production to Japan had actually been floated before the ECL takeover. By 1970, it was a reality, with American production grinding to an abrupt halt and a new line of Epiphones being exported from the Japanese town of Matsumoto. But these were not Epiphones as the world knew them. On the contrary, they were just rebadged versions of models that were already being produced by the Matsumoku Company - with little imagination or respect for the company's pedigree.
Things had improved by 1976, when the Epiphone line was bolstered by the appearance of models like the Monticello, a series of scroll-body electrics, and the new Presentation range of flat tops. There was also the Nova series of flat tops and three new solidbodies named Genesis. By 1979, the Epiphone product list was gathering speed, with over 20 steel-string flat tops, and plenty more besides.
Just as Epiphone Far Eastern operation seemed to be finding its feet, three bombshells dropped in quick succession. The first was the rise of the electronic keyboard. The second was the rising cost of Japanese production, which led to Epiphone's relocation to Korea in 1983, and collaboration with the Samick Company. The third took place in the Gibson boardroom at the start of 1986, with three Harvard MBAs (Henry Juszkiewicz, David Berryman and Gary Zebrowski) taking the company off the hands of ECL/Norlin. Reviving Gibson was the priority for the new owners, and with Epiphone making less than $1 million revenue in 1985, there seemed a danger it would be swept under the carpet and forgotten.
But Epiphone was still a strong player. Soon enough, Juszkiewicz had identified it as a sleeping giant, and made the trip to Korea to decide how it could be pushed to match the success of other Asian brands like Charvel and Kramer. As he absorbed Epiphone's pedigree, Juszkiewicz started getting results, and soon sales were growing again.
Sales weren't the only thing on the move. By 1988, the Epiphone product line was evolving. Epiphone now listed a new PR Series of square-shouldered acoustics, along with an interpretation of Gibson's J-180, several classical guitars, a banjo and a mandolin. There was also a solid selection of Gibson-derived instruments and the Sheraton II.
Epiphone was arguably just as successful in the late-90s as at any point in its history. With confidence booming, this era saw the launch of the Advanced Jumbo Series and the release of several important signature models. The John Lee Hooker Sheratons from the USA Collection were tasteful, toneful and utterly authentic. The Noel Gallagher Supernovas had some of the most iconic designs of the time. Then there were the John Lennon 1965 and Revolution Casinos. With their US birthright, unbeatable authenticity and sense of aspiration, these models reunited Epi with the greatest artist of all time, and underlined the company's own re-emergence as a rock legend.
The momentum continued, as Epiphone introduced the Elitist range and strengthened its position in the acoustic market with the acquisition of veteran Gibson luthier Mike Voltz. Then came the introduction of the Masterbilt range, which - along with the subsequent 2005 release of the Paul McCartney 1964 USA Texan - consolidated Epi's acoustic credentials and reacquainted the firm with two big names from its past.
In 2007, Epiphone became all things to all players and still is today. Collectors of vintage guitars started snapping up the authentic Elitist reissues of the Emperor, Casino and Excellente among others. Recording artists turn to the Epiphone US range for quality that rivals any guitar manufacturer in the world, while rock 'n' roll fanatics delight in the company's signature models, which include everything from the Nick Valensi Riviera to the Zakk Wylde Les Paul Customs.
Epiphone has retained the pioneering spirit that was always Epi Stathopoulo's calling card. Whether through the 2006 'Guitar of the Month' scheme (offering a different collector's model each month) or through its unending quest to challenge tradition, this is still a firm that thrives on the risk while always delivering the result.
Let me show you how Epiphpne retained the pioneering spirit that was always Epi Stathopoulo's calling card at guitarsupplysource.com
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/EpiphoneSuccessFactor/1026762