Vintage guitar by Epiphone (USA)

The Epiphone company was founded in 1873 in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire, now Izmir, Turkey, by Anastasios Stathopoulos. He started out by selling and repairing stringed instruments, and eventually began making his own. In 1903, the company moved to New York City. The move allowed Epiphone to expand its market and become a major player in the American musical instrument industry.

In 1928, Epiphone introduced its first electric guitars. The Electar series was based on the Rickenbacker guitars of the time, and featured large magnetic pickups. In the 1930s, Epiphone was a leading manufacturer of archtop guitars. Its archtops were known for their rich sound and beautiful craftsmanship.

In 1957, Epiphone was purchased by Gibson Guitar Corporation. Gibson continued to produce Epiphone guitars, and the brand remained popular among musicians. In the 1970s, Epiphone production moved to Japan. This allowed the company to produce guitars at a lower cost, making them more... more affordable for musicians. In recent years, Epiphone has re-established itself as a major player in the guitar market. The company offers a wide range of guitars, from affordable beginner models to high-end professional instruments.

Some of the most famous Epiphone guitars include:

•    Emperor: A high-end archtop guitar that was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. It was played by many jazz and blues musicians, including Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian.

•    Casino: A hollow-body electric guitar that was introduced in 1958. It is known for its warm, mellow sound and was played by many rock and pop musicians, including John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney.

•    Sheraton: Another hollow-body electric guitar that was introduced in 1959. It is similar to the Casino, but has a slightly brighter sound. It was played by many jazz and blues musicians, including B.B. King and John Scofield.

•    Wilshire: A solid-body electric guitar that was introduced in 1959. It is known for its versatile sound and was played by many rock and pop musicians, including Eric Clapton and Keith Richards. less...