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Epiphone

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About Me

Epiphone is the name of a guitar manufacturer. Before being bought out by Gibson in the late 1950s, Epiphone was actually Gibson's main rival in the archtop market. Their professional archtops, including the Emperor, Deluxe, Broadway and Triumph, rivalled (and some contend surpassed) those of Gibson. Aside from their guitars, Epiphone also made bass guitars, banjos, and other stringed instruments. However, the company's weakness in the aftermath of World War II allowed Gibson to absorb it.The company was founded by Greek national Epaminondas ("Epi") Stathopoulos (in Greek, ?paµe????da? Sta??p?????) when he inherited his father's business, The House of Stathopoulos, in 1915. The name Epiphone (a combination of Epaminondas' nickname "Epi" and "phone", Greek for "sound") would not appear until 1924. The company had a heated history of competition with Gibson until Stathopoulos died in 1943, when it fell into a commercial slump. Weakened, it would be bought out by the competition in 1957.Epiphone is now a subsidiary of Gibson, somewhat like Squier is a subsidiary of Fender (the chief difference being that the Squier line of guitars was created in-house by Fender; in other words, there is no such thing as a "pre-Fender" Squier guitar). Because of this subsidiary relationship, many of the instruments look the same as the more expensive Gibson versions. However Epiphone still maintains its own line of Archtop Guitars. The instruments given the Epiphone badge usually have roughly equal quality components to the Gibson ones, but may not be quite as elaborately decorated (such as gold hardware on a Gibson model and chrome on an Epiphone model).David Rawlings, who almost exclusively plays a 1935 Epiphone Olympic archtop when performing with Gillian Welch. Nick Valensi of The Strokes, who plays a Riviera which he customised by fitting Gibson P-94 pick-ups. Peter Visser of Dutch band Bettie Serveert, who plays several modern Epiphones on stage, including the G-400 copy of the Gibson SG. Nick Hughes of Australian Band Three Dirty Birds, who plays an all-black Epiphone SG as his main axe, modified with EMG pickups. Lars Frederiksen of the punk band Rancid uses an Epiphone Les Paul as his primary instrument. Ray Toro & Frank Iero from My Chemical Romance both play different models of Epiphone Les Pauls. Frank plays an LP Elitist model. Zakk Wylde plays Gibson guitars but has three different Epiphone signature models called Bullzeye, Camo & Buzzsaw.Epiphone dates back to the 1870s, in Smyrna, Turkey, where Greek founder Anastasios Stathopoulos made his own fiddles, lutes, and Lioutos. Stathopoulos moved to the United States of America in 1903, and continued to make his original instruments, as well as mandolins, from Long Island City in Queens, New York. However, Anastasios died in 1915, and his son, Epaminondas, took over. After two years, the company was known as The House Of Stathopoulos. Just after the end of World War I, the company started to make banjos. The company produced its Recording Line of Banjos in 1924, and, four years later, took on the name of the Epiphone Banjo Company. They produced their first guitars in 1928. Epi Stathopoulo died in 1943. Unfortunately, control of the company went to his brothers, Orphie and Frixo, who were not as capable an owner as Epi. In 1951, a four month long strike forced a relocation of Epiphone from New York to Philadelphia.In the early 1970s, Epiphones began to be manufactured in Japan. Epiphone's main manufacturing base is now in Korea. The brand is now primarily used to issue less expensive versions of classic Gibson models (much like the Squier brand is used by Fender), most of the time with different tonewoods, often resulting in the instruments bearing a visual and ergonomic similarity to the Gibson originals, with a slightly different tone. Epiphone's own models, however, such the Emperor, Zephyr, Riviera and Sheraton, are instruments that are built to higher quality standards than the companies "Gibson copy" line. Epiphone also produces a range of higher quality instruments under the "Elitist Series" moniker.I edited my profile at Freeweblayouts.net , check out these Myspace Layouts!
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My Interests

Epiphone dates back to the 1870s, in Smyrna, Turkey, where Greek founder Anastasios Stathopoulos made his own fiddles, lutes, and Lioutos. Stathopoulos moved to the United States of America in 1903, and continued to make his original instruments, as well as mandolins, from Long Island City in Queens, New York. However, Anastasios died in 1915, and his son, Epaminondas, took over. After two years, the company was known as The House Of Stathopoulos. Just after the end of World War I, the company started to make banjos. The company produced its Recording Line of Banjos in 1924, and, four years later, took on the name of the Epiphone Banjo Company. They produced their first guitars in 1928. Epi Stathopoulo died in 1943. Unfortunately, control of the company went to his brothers, Orphie and Frixo, who were not as capable an owner as Epi. In 1951, a four month long strike forced a relocation of Epiphone from New York to Philadelphia.In the early 1970s, Epiphones began to be manufactured in Japan. Epiphone's main manufacturing base is now in Korea. The brand is now primarily used to issue less expensive versions of classic Gibson models (much like the Squier brand is used by Fender), most of the time with different tonewoods, often resulting in the instruments bearing a visual and ergonomic similarity to the Gibson originals, with a slightly different tone. Epiphone's own models, however, such the Emperor, Zephyr, Riviera and Sheraton, are instruments that are built to higher quality standards than the companies "Gibson copy" line. Epiphone also produces a range of higher quality instruments under the "Elitist Series" moniker

I'd like to meet:

You and many famous rockers.

Music:

EPIPHONE PLAYERS:British guitarist Noel Gallagher's Epiphone use has increased the visibility of the guitar maker. During the height of Oasis' popularity in 1995-96, Epiphone introduced the Noel Gallagher Union Jack Supernova semi-hollow guitar (discontinued in March 2006). The guitar was expensive but very successful.Other notable players of Epiphone guitars include:David Rawlings, who almost exclusively plays a 1935 Epiphone Olympic archtop when performing with Gillian Welch. Nick Valensi of The Strokes, who plays a Riviera which he customised by fitting Gibson P-94 pick-ups. Peter Visser of Dutch band Bettie Serveert, who plays several modern Epiphones on stage, including the G-400 copy of the Gibson SG. Nick Hughes of Australian Band Three Dirty Birds, who plays an all-black Epiphone SG as his main axe, modified with EMG pickups. Lars Frederiksen of the punk band Rancid uses an Epiphone Les Paul as his primary instrument. Ray Toro & Frank Iero from My Chemical Romance both play different models of Epiphone Les Pauls. Frank plays an LP Elitist model. Zakk Wylde plays Gibson guitars but has three different Epiphone signature models called Bullzeye, Camo & Buzzsaw. Epiphone now makes a range of budget priced electric bass guitars.The original Epiphone Texan acoustic guitar was made in the early 1960s as a cheaper version of the Gibson J-45 model, and was available in a sunburst finish or - as the one purchased by Paul McCartney - in a blond finish. Although cheaper than its Gibson counterpart at the time of manufacture, vintage period Texans in good condition can currently change hands for around the $3,000 mark.In recent years Epiphone introduced a series of acoustic guitars named Masterbilt after a line of guitars of the 1930's. Today's Masterbilt guitars are manufactured in China.

Movies:

None

Television:

None

Books:

Epiphone Blue books, owner's manuals and catalogs.

Heroes:

GIBSON

My Blog

Epi Artist Carey Ott Releases CD

Nashville, TN  Dualtone Music will officially release the debut album by singer/songwriter Carey Ott, Lucid Dream, on January 23, 2007. Songs from the album are currently available digitally on iTu...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:27:00 PST

Eddie Ojeda Drops By NAMM Booth

Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister dropped by the Epiphone booth to check out a Masterbilt EF-500M and hang out with Twisted bandmate Jay Jay French and Rick Neilson of Cheap Trick. (Photos: Jim Steinfel...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:27:00 PST

NAMM 2007...Wish You Were Here!

The 2007 NAMM Show took place January 18-21, 2007 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. As always, Epiphone was on hand to show all the latest Epiphone product and host the most p...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:24:00 PST

Epiphone Introduces New Models For 2007 At NAMM

It's that time of year again... NAMM Time! ... and that means new and exciting models from Epiphone! The following new models for 2007 were introduced at the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California th...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:25:00 PST

Winter NAMM 2007 Press Release  Nikki Sixx Blackbird

Sixx Appeal - Nikki Sixx has a bit of a reputation. As the founding member and principal songwriter for LA hairspray legends Mötley Crüe, the infamous bassist has left a trail of chaos, destruction ...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:23:00 PST

Winter NAMM 2007 Press Release  Nick Valensi Riviera P-94

Stroke Of Genius - When you're the lead guitarist in New York's coolest rock band, you need a guitar to match. As such, it stands to reason that when The Strokes started out in Manhattan in 1999, N...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:22:00 PST

Winter NAMM 2007 Press Release  Les Paul Studio Chameleon

Flipping Out! - The new Epiphone Les Paul Studio Chameleon is a master of disguise. As the first Epiphone model to feature a 'flip-flop' paint finish that changes color depending on the light and vi...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:20:00 PST

Winter NAMM 2007 Press Release  Performer ME & SE

Performance Art - If you're ready to perform, the new Epiphone Performer ME and SE are ready for you. As two of the standout new releases at the 2007 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, these acoustic/elec...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:21:00 PST

Winter NAMM 2007 Press Release  EM-1

Back In Black - The new Epiphone EM-1 is not the kind of guitar you take home to meet your parents. Just like the legendary EM guitars that went before it, this mental new model is mad, bad and dang...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:21:00 PST

Epiphone Rocks Nashville Bike Show

This year's Music City Motorcycle Show and Custom Car Expo held January 13th and 14th in Nashville, Tennessee was over twice the size of last year's event and Epiphone and Gibson USA were well repre...
Posted by Epiphone on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:20:00 PST