Anastasios's instruments now carried labels in English: A. Stathopoulo Epiphone wouldn't stay in the shadow of Gibson for long. The Epiphone Dot is Epiphone’s version of the Gibson ES 335 “Dot” (made famous by the likes of Eric Clapton, BB King, Albert Lee, Chuck Berry, Larry Carlton, Dave Grohl and Roy Orbison) and is one of the best deals today for guitar players who want the classic sound of an ES 335 at an affordable price. However, Epiphone offers less expensive versions of Gibson models but also many models not found in the Gibson catalog. The final aspect of price is retained value. Time will tell if it’s a winning strategy, or another bungle like Gibson’s robot-tuner enabled mistakes of 2015. Today, Epiphone has something for every player in every genre. The company's If you can’t beat ‘em, buy ‘em! The Gibson Les Paul Tribute is made in the USA, which also contributes to its price. When a new line of instruments started filtering through to dealers in 1958, it became clear that the two brands now had three separate identities. Cost wise they are pretty good bang for the buck. reputation for craftsmanship and innovation that Epi had built in the '20s and '30s did not survive the war years. This guide, republished courtesy of Gibson.com, provides information from 1975-present, covering thousands of Gibson i We're players. Epi was also aware of the success of Rickenbacker's electric steel guitar models. the Concert Special ($300) and the Alhambra ($200). At his mother's death in 1923, Epi assumed ownership of the controlling shares of the business and phased out most of the old world style mandolins. A former competitor, Epiphone, was purchased by Gibson in 1957 and now makes competitively-priced Gibson models, such as the Les Paul and SG, sold under the Epiphone brand, while continuing to make Epiphone-specific models like the Sheraton, Sorrento, and Casino. It’s hardly a mark against Epiphones. The Electar line furthered the reputation of Epiphone as an innovative brand. 1961–70 Casino. Production increased. The Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty 3 is a copy of the Gibson Les Paul Custom with 3 humbucker pickups, in black finish with gold hardware. This website uses cookies (like every website) to improve your experience. However, Epiphone offers less expensive versions of Gibson models, Price difference between Epiphone vs Gibson. Back in the 1930s Epiphone and Gibson were rivals. Epiphone did have unique, non-Gibson-affiliated designs of its own, such as the Emperor and the Broadway. It was now perceived to be secondary to Gibson but could not sell instruments cheap enough to compete with inferior, foreign imitations. The strength of the Epiphone acoustic range was matched by the electric line, the most famous of these was the double-cutaway Merchants (NAMM) show at the Stevens Hotel in Chicago, including an electrified piano created with the Meissner Inventions Company in Milburn, New Jersey. 6:56 AM-- September 12, 2019. The debate between Epiphone vs Gibson may seem a lot like the one between Squier vs Fender. (it’s a time-tested business tactic.). The Recording guitars were too small and arguably too ornate, But cracks soon appeared both on the production line and in the boardroom. Acoustic. Models gradually improved. granted his first patent for a banjo tone ring and rim construction - 1,248,196 given to E. A. Stathopoulo. For example, Epiphone might make a body out of less expensive poplar and put a thin maple veneer over it. Voltz's contribution greatly to Epiphone's re-development reviving the electric guitar and the reintroduction of the Masterbilt range along with the 2005 re-issue of the Paul McCartney 1964 USA Texan. The Epiphone G-310 is your chance to own a comparable guitar at an affordable price. Archtop. This is especially true for hobbyists. where they settled in Smyrna, a bustling seaport with a strong Greek immigrant population of merchants and craftsmen. By the end of the '30s just prior to America's entry into World War II, the rivalry between Epiphone and Gibson showed little sign of abating. The “House of Stathopoulo” has played a central role in every great musical era from the mandolin craze of the early 1900s to jazz age guitars of the 1920s; I can buy the epiphone today and not sweat it one bit. Problems emerged slowly at first. I have two Gibson SG, an HB and p90, and an ES335. The Beatles' bassist extraordinaire Paul McCartney choose an Epiphone Casino as his first American made guitar and John Lennon and George Harrison quickly followed. One other difference between Epiphone and Gibson construction is in the number of pieces of wood used in the body. Then Gibson looks at manufacturing a cheaper line, designed by Randall and Petaluma, that is made overseas. In the early '50s, Epiphone's former champion and favorite late night tinkerer Les Paul became a household name with a television show, a radio program, and chart-topping hits, Fender Takes a Swing with MLB Stratocaster. I don't mind coming to you to pay a fair price in person for your prized vintage Fender or Gibson … Daniel perfected an innovative push/pull wiring design, which today is a fixture in many amplifiers. version of what would eventually be called the "Les Paul." I'd buy the Gibson, why? High taxes imposed on Greek immigrants under the Ottoman Empire made life difficult for the Stathopoulo family and at the age of 40, Anastasios boarded a ship to the United States. Epi retained most of the Long Island factory's skilled workers. Both use multiple segments, but Gibson is usually no more than 2 or 3 pieces glued together, where Epiphone can be many more. In that case i would say the Epiphones are a very good alternative. of all kinds In Japan, Orville by Gibson once made Gibson designs sold in that country. By the 90s, the Epiphone line offered 43 different models across a range of styles and budgets. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, The debate between Epiphone vs Gibson may seem a lot like the one between, Squier guitars are largely less expensive versions of Fender models. it’s less clear than that. The average price tag on a Gibson Les Paul studio guitar is $2,465. Over the next few years, Epiphone would sell 3,798 instruments in 1961 and by 1965 account for 20% of the total instruments shipped out of Kalamazoo. McCarty's marketing plan was to offer Gibson-made Epiphones to dealers who were keen to win a Gibson contract, but had not yet proven themselves as profitable dealers. from swing era archtops through post-war pop, jazz, r&b, and early rock n' roll; and from the "British Invasion" to heavy metal, punk, grunge, and thrash. Collaborations between Epi and other companies became more frequent. Epi gave the now growing business a new name--Epiphone. By the time of the 1993 NAMM show, a new range acoustic and electric instruments debuted to great reviews and customer response. Make Room For Slash’s Gibson Double Neck Guitar. It’s a well balanced guitar, unlike many cheaper clones that tend to be neck-heavy. Some people would argue that it affects the sound, but this is debatable on a guitar selling in the sub-thousand dollar price point. Instead, as McCarty wrote in a memo that year, the Epiphone brand would be revived with a new line of instruments. It’s also a Semi-hollowbody, which means it has an acoustic element to it as well as electric, and has more resonance than a solid body electric guitar. This isn’t a big deal though because pickups are easy to swap. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market. along with a selection of new designs like the semi-hollow Sheraton, the solid body Moderne Black, and flat-top acoustics like the Frontier, whose square-shouldered body style was a first for Gibson had not picked up again after World War II. In 1939, the two firms introduced similar 'pitch-changing' It took the outbreak of the World War II, the scarcity Business was good and the Stathopoulo brothers, with Orphie now serving as Vice President, moved the company to 235-237 West 47th Street. Epiphone shares and control went to younger brothers Orphie and Frixo. But new owners Juszkiewicz and Berryman soon identified Epiphone as a sleeping giant and travelled to Korea to decide how the company could be pushed to match the success of other Asian brands like Charvel and Kramer. All four potentiometers have been replaced with Gibson pots as well as the speed knobs. Which is better quality – Gibson or Epiphone? Even with the expense of shipping Epiphones to the west, the costs saved through cheaper labour far outweigh the additional transportation costs.There's also more \"hands-on\" craftsmanship in the Gibson USA production process, which can be seen with the more detailed finishes and impeccable fret work. And that after all, is what all musicians are looking for. Public records from 1904 list A. Stathopoulo living at Collectors of vintage guitars snap up the authentic Elitist reissues of the Emperor, Casino and Excellente. His first son, Epaminondas, was born in 1893, followed by Alex, Minnie, Orpheu, Frixo and Ellie. Those overseas models will probably get paired and marketed with the both the Epiphone and Gibson brands Gibson typically sticks to one type. Buy Epiphone Inspired By Gibson J-45 Buy on Sweetwater . Terms & Conditions | Registered Trademarks. Epiphone quality rivals that of any guitar manufacturer in the world, while rock 'n' roll fans delight in the company's signature models like the Marcus Henderson Apparition, the Zakk Wylde ZV Custom and the Joe Bonamassa Goldtop. In 1931, the Epiphone Banjo Company announced the introduction of the Masterbilt line of guitars featuring seven carved top, f-hole style archtops ranging in price from $35 to $275. Hawaiian guitar designs, a precursor to the pedal steel. on every Beatles album from Help through Abbey Road. Norton, Dec 13, 2020 #1. And now, from its new headquarters in Nashville, TN, Epiphone will continue to set the standard for affordable quality and innovation. Like Fender, Gibson, and most other electric guitar brands, Epiphone offers a variety of limited edition models designed to the specs of a variety of different artist. On Saturday afternoons, Epi would open display cases and let the leading guitarists of the time artists like Al Caiola, Harry Volpe, and Les Paul, jam as people listened for the sidewalk. banjo guitars, and banjo ukuleles under the registered trademark name of 'Epiphone.'". Discover Your Style Click A Body Style to Browse. The Stathopoulo family was out of the instrument business. Epiphone was arguably just as successful in the late '90s as at any point in its history. The opening chapter of the Epiphone story begins about 140 years ago in Kastania in the mountains overlooking the ancient city of Sparta, Greece. By submitting this form you are agreeing to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Epi and Orpheus ('Orphie') were soon helping out in the shop, now located at 247 West 42nd Street. The variety of musicians that walk through Epiphone's history is remarkable. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market. The epiphone is plenty of guitar for me and I know it’s quality is perfect for my needs. The De Luxe, according to advertisements, featured a "carved spruce top, flame curly maple back, Besides, those better pickups are baked into the higher price of the Gibsons. And now, in the 21st century, new Epiphone technical breakthroughs Dec 31, 2020 #24. In 1986, three Harvard MBAs; Henry Juszkiewicz, David Berryman and Gary Zebrowski, bought Gibson/Epiphone from ECL/Norlin. The CM features a mahogany body, topped with carved maple. Patentee of the Orpheum Lyra During this time, the family established a store in Smyrna selling and repairing lutes, violins and bouzoukis. and set about re-introducing Epiphone to the world as an innovative guitar maker. Their professional archtops, including the Emperor, Deluxe, Broadway and Triumph, rivaled those of Gibson. Traditional A-grade mahogany-maple woods. The two companies were rivals until Gibson bought out Epiphone in 1957. Epi was only 22 when his father Anastasios died. When Gibson introduced a line of violins, Epiphone struck back with a line of upright basses. Tastes were changing and Epiphone's products seemed traditional and out of step. For example, the Gibson M2 Melody Maker sells for $400, which is well within the price range for an Epiphone guitar. Required fields are marked *. (The right to sell Gibson models was hotly contested between dealerships at this time). Factory processes were assessed and refined and Epiphone's own engineers took a hands-on role in the development of pickups, bridges, toggle switches, and fret inlays, as well as unique features like the metal E logo and frequensator tailpiece. International demand for Epiphones was so high that the company opened a new factory in China in 2004, the first time that Epiphone had its own dedicated factory since the merging with Gibson in 1957. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Music Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. The Epiphone Dot is well suited to classic rock, country, blues and jazz styles. This leads to the use of a solid veneer to disguise the connection points for a better aesthetic. While I've not chose to write the word 'Gibson' on any of my Epiphones, I have stretched a thing or two in the past. The Les Paul Standard is decked out in dual upgraded PAF style Burstbucker Pro pickups in the neck and bridge positions. Product Spotlight. The G-310 is styled after the Gibson SG, but sells as a fraction of the cost. The standard is made using AAA-grade flame top maple for that classic “burst” finish, with a blueberry twist. It was also an echo of the Greek word epiphonous, Epi continued to expand as his business and reputation for quality work grew. The look may be classic but the electronics are modern. New for 2020. Because Epiphone NEVER made '50's or a '60 Les Paul, and Gibson did. Search. Though McCarty's original intention was to bring the Epiphone bass models into the Gibson catalogue, by 1957, he changed his mind. It also features Gibson’s controversial “G force” tuning system, which basically tunes the guitar for you in a variety of tunings (Standard, DADGAD, Dropped-D, etc….). Guitars. By the mid '30s, Epiphone guitars were considered to be among the best in the world, and Epi himself was enjoying the patronage of the most respected players on the scene. violin construction throughout, large "f" holes, black and white binding and sweet resonant tone.". Did Gibson Actually Get This New Epiphone Line Right? would agree that Epiphone has always been the “House of Stathopoulo.” And today, Epiphone is still innovating, still delighting musicians, and still frustrating competitors with daring designs and superb quality. They competed in the archtop guitar market and early electric guitars. In 1993, a limited run of Rivieras and Sheratons were produced in Gibson's Nashville factory, with the company's Montana plant also building 250 Excellente, Texan and Frontier flat tops. By the late '30s, sales had doubled. By 1979, the Epiphone product list was gathering speed, with over 20 steel-string flat tops and electrics. McCarty took the advice and reached out to Orphie, expressing Gibson's interest in Epiphone's critically acclaimed upright bass division which These Epiphones were only intended as a special event but the public reaction prompted Rosenberg to reissue more classic designs. This has changed dramatically in recent years. He filed his first Epi died of leukemia. For instance, the Epiphone 1965 Elitist Casino sells for $2,000. He married and started a family. The average difference between a Gibson and an Epiphone … The early to mid-1960s were boom time for Epiphone, with unit sales increasing fivefold between 1961 and 1965. This guitar has a straight neck with no fret wear that plays and sounds great. But this story is true. In 1963, the Troubadour, steel string flat top guitar was introduced. When Orphie replied in 1957, McCarty was offered the entire Epiphone company, including the remaining inventory of the Philadelphia factory, for $20,000. For example, I have an ebony Epiphone Std Les Paul. I also dropped in $200+ for Gibson 57/57+ pickups. The Epiphone line was now a virtual orphan in the guitar world. When the Beatles appeared playing Casinos around 1966, it appeared like Epiphone's recovery was assured with a new identity and the world's The supposed reason for Epiphone’s existence was to make cheap Les Pauls and SGs. Fast & Free shipping on many items! and only patent March 25, 1909 for an Italian style bowl back mandolin. Epiphone has a reputation for using a variety of wood types in a single guitar body. any instrument from the Gibson Kalamazoo factory. Having a single pickup also helps keep production costs down. Pickups continued to be refined and players continued to appear models by an inch making them 3/8" wider than Gibson's archtops and one of the most distinctive instruments on the market. I think what is missing here is a qualifier. The entire Epiphone operation was relocated to Kalamazoo, Michigan. In my head I want the Gibson. 56 Roosevelt on Manhattan's Lower East side, home to many other Greek and Italian immigrants. If you can’t beat ‘em, buy ‘em! The show itself would generate orders of 226 guitars and 63 amps, The grand unveiling of the Epiphone line took place at the NAMM trade show in July 1958 with the electric Emperor as the flagship model. Heard horror stories about the plating wearing off since its thing and soft, but after owning this since '94 it still looks pretty good. I think what he is asking is "Is it worth the money to buy a Gibson" . The Casino appeared There are unlikely heroes and tinkerers in the Epiphone story too, like guitar pioneer Les Paul, who worked nights in the Epiphone factory in New York City to create "the Log", his primordial Another rule of thumb is that Gibson guitars come with better stock pickups than Epiphones. trips throughout Europe, where the boy observed his father's trade and learned about tonewoods. The Epiphone factory moved from Manhattan to Philadelphia in 1953 to avoid a union clash but many of the company's craftsmen refused to leave New York. There were other problems. Since 1873, Epiphone has made instruments for every style of popular music and in 2013 will celebrate its 140th anniversary. Then again we leave in a free world, the ones of us lucky to do so, people are free to upgrade. The neck is a comfortable, rounded C profile made of maple. Epi did continue to distinguish his company with model names that musicians could easily remember and be proud to own. Clearly the companies are trying to blend the images of these two brands. Gibson President David Berryman opened an Epiphone an office in Seoul and appointed Jim Rosenberg as product manager, The story behind Epiphone's improbable rise from a small family repair shop to a worldwide leader in the manufacture of quality instruments could easily be transformed into the great American novel. Once in America, Anastasios continued his instrument trade. We use cookies to understand how you use our site, give you an awesome experience, and deliver our services. with the company that Epi determined was Epiphone's greatest rival, Gibson. Manufacturer, repairer Les Paul. When I bought my first decent acoustic (Gibson-Epiphone PR7ERS solid TB&S bird's eye maple AE) it was a red burst with gold HW. Before the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Epiphone was a consumer favorite and industry leader. After the buyout, Epiphone instruments were built in Gibson's factories and shared many of the same woods and components used in Gibson's product line. Epiphone continued to clash with Gibson, each introducing electric cutaway versions of their top archtops. This rule hold true in our comparison of Epiphone vs Gibson as well. The New Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Acoustic Collection. The early 60s brought the explosion of folk music, and Epiphone was ready to cater to it, introducing the Seville classical guitar (with and without pickups) in 1961, as well as the Madrid, Espana and Entrada models. Les had been perfecting his solid body guitar design in the Epiphone factory and when Fender emerged with their Telecaster, After price, the most important difference in most hobbyists minds is that of quality.
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