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