The name Epiphone has a rich history dating back to 1863, when Anastasios Stathopoulos, son of a timber merchant in Sparta, Greece, was born. In 1873 he began building his reputation as a craftsman lioutos Anastasios through the creation of violins, lutes and greek. A few years later, in 1890 he moved to Turkey and has been by his family. To avoid persecution by the turkish people, his family moved again in 1903, to reduce this time in Manhattan in New York. We are his children, Epaminondas("EPI") and Orpheus ("Orphie ') began working with his father as an effective tool for production and repair operations Anastasios to death in 1915 to build.
Epaminondas, took over the business, and in 1917 the company started to transform. One of his first successes came from his recognition of market changes. He began as tools of the old world to fall into disgrace, has begun production of a modern instrument used banjo in jazz markets increasingly popular. He createdown designs, patents, and eventually the Epiphone brand name.
And 'his business acumen, Epiphone has released a series of recordings in 1923 with the concert as a banjo Epiphone, artists and luxury models. The success of these versions has continued its growth in order to acquire competitors Favoran Banjo Co. and important records of famous musicians previously associated with their competitors to add. As times changed, and the challenges of 1929Stock market crash, would establish the company Epiphone again.
The first set of Epiphone guitars are released
In 1928, the company published its first set of Epiphone guitars. Although this guitar has been followed by the same craftsmanship and original sounds of violins from the family Stathopoulos, have not been well received and sales of less than hoped. However, these guitars aroused the beginning of a long rivalry with competitor Gibson guitars, which had a beginningGuitar advantage in the market because of celebrities.
Although Gibson Epiphone delay in sales, changes and improvements that could still win a reputation as one of the best guitars in the world. Epiphone and Gibson would continue their fight to the death of Epaminondas Epiphone leaders in 1945. Years later, in 1957, Epiphone and Gibson would join forces against the fender companies compete craftsman famous Telecaster and Stratocasterviolins.
Even with Gibson as its new owner, Epiphone's reputation stood alone. Epiphone guitars and other instruments had a strong and loyal following. As folk music exploded in the 1960's so did the sales of Epiphone guitars. The 1960s also brought with it new challenges as cheaper guitars manufactured in Japan quickly eroded American manufacturer's markets and forced most of them to close. Gibson and Epiphone too had to succumb to the lower costs of foreign manufacturing and moved its operations to Japan in 1970.
Epiphone eventually moved operations to Korea in 1983 and a new image began to evolve. A new focus was placed on the design and manufacturing of their electric guitars. New products emerged from Gibson's Nashville shops like the Riviera and Sheraton. With newly dedicated staffs, designs, and focus, Epiphone models of the Riviera, Casino, Sorrento and Rivoli bass were re-introduced in 1994. Musicians began to make these new version of classic Epiphone guitars their instrument of choice.
In 2003, the company's reputation had fully rebounded and their first dedicated factory to make Epiphone guitars since being acquired by Gibson was opened in China.
