Epiphone Les Paul
When thinking about the history of Epiphone, one must start in Greece where Anastasios Stathopoulos made lioutos (a Greek stringed instrument), mandolins, fiddles, and lutes. The family moved to New York, and his son, Epi Stathopoulos inherited the company in 1915.
The company name changed from the House of Stathopoulos to Epiphone, a combination of his name and the Greek word for sound. The change was made official in 1928. It was during this time that the company was active in making banjos, and they even bought out a banjo company in Long Island. After the change was approved, the company became the Epiphone Banjo Co.
Epiphones guitars were launched in 1931. This was a full line of what are known as archtop guitars, a style that is popular with jazz and blues musicians. They quickly became one of the top guitar produces with Gibson being one of their biggest rivals. Notable Epiphone players of that time include Tony Mottola with the George Hall band and two band members of Benny Goodman.
Epi unfortunately died of leukemia and left the company to Orphie, who before his death was the second in command. His other brother, Frixo, became the Vice President. The two brothers later have a feud and Frixo sells his stock. After that, company had some trouble and eventually stopped producing a lot of instruments.
In 1957, Chicago Musical Instrument purchased Epiphone and made them a division of Gibson. Epiphone now still maintains their own line of guitars and the Gibson and Epiphone labels remain separate.
Current Epiphone models include a few Gibson copies (Epiphones version of the Flying-V and Les Paul are a few examples), and a few original Epiphone lines. The original guitars include all the versions of the Casino, Zephyr, and Sheraton, the Wildkat, the Broadway, and the Emporer.
Epiphone has had some famous endorsees. Both George Harrison and John Lennon played Epiphone Casinos. Lennon is famous for his personal modifications to the Casino. Other artists include Bob Marley, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Lars Frederickson or Rancid, and Chad of Nickelback. For a complete list of artists, visit the Epiphone website . The list is quite extensive.
Here are what some uses have to say about Epiphone guitars (source Harmony Central):
About the Epiphone G-400 Custom
Action was really good. Finish was ok. Definately looks different than the rest of the pack. Gold hardware is gorgeous. The custom logo shined in the stage lights. I had to have it and I had fun with it for a few years.
This guitar is solid. Never goes out of tune. Hardware will dull a bit over the years. Strap buttons are solid. Careful with the neck dive on stage. Very top heavy.
About the Epiphone Flying Vee-Wee
I absolutely love this guitar!!! The VeeWee is the perfect shape for lap you can rest your hand on the upper arm of the V, or put it your hand in the point of the V to pick right near the bridge. The controls and cord jack are in the perfect position for lap style as well. Since it is so small and inexpensive, I carry it with me everywhere. I would not dream of bringing my Les Paul into the office, but this VeeWee is perfect for break time noodling. As I mentioned, the sound is great. I now own 5 guitars, and my lap-steel PeeVee wins the Most Fun award hands down!
Epiphone Les Paul Review
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Epiphone Les Paul Studio model Guitar | US $181.49 | 7h 45m |
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Epiphone by Gibson les paul standard project guitar parts lot tuners body neck | US $100.00 | 9h |
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2 Epiphone by Gibson les paul 100 project guitars parts lot tuners body pickups | US $108.07 | 9h 3m |
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Tokai High End SG Custom 57 USA Gibson Pickups Relic | US $449.99 | 10h 23m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro Coil Split | US $162.50 | 13h 55m |
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Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Special II Red Sunburst 2003 | US $125.00 | 15h 20m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Cherry Sunburst Plain Top Golden Age Pickups Grovers | US $275.00 | 15h 20m |
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gibson epiphone les paul custom james hetfield iron cross inspiredemg sperzel | US $600.00 | 16h 20m |
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EPIPHONE LES PAUL PEE WEEGIBSONGUITARNO CASE | US $37.84 | 17h 1m |
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Gibson 1999 Cherry Les Paul Studio Body Neck | US $261.78 | 17h 13m |
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Gibson Nickel Les Paul Electronic Control Pots Harness | US $41.00 | 17h 17m |
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Black Gibson Les Paul Hardshell Case | US $20.50 | 17h 18m |
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Epiphone Les Paul 56 Gold Top U FIX | US $224.72 | 17h 42m |
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1995 gibson epiphone les paul | US $232.50 | 18h 16m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar in Black EXC in Hard Case | US $202.50 | 18h 22m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar Ebony | US $132.50 | 1d 6h 6m |
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Epiphone Deluxe Les Paul Electric Guitar Case | US $29.00 | 1d 7h 32m |
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Gently Used Epiphone Electric Les Paul Guitar | US $202.50 | 1d 8h 39m |
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EPIPHONE EB O SHORT SCALE ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR EBONY BLACK 305 SCALE | US $125.00 | 1d 8h 45m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Junior Guitar No Reserve | US $20.49 | 1d 9h 44m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty | US $200.00 | 1d 10h 36m |
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Epiphone LP White Special II Les Paul Collection Electric Guitar Flawed | US $51.55 | 1d 10h 54m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Custom Silverburst with Seymour Duncan Blackouts MINT | US $500.00 | 1d 11h 9m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar Antique White | US $249.99 | 1d 11h 24m |
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VINTAGE STYLE TWEED ARCH TOP CASE FITS GIBSON LES PAUL GUITAR HARD SHELL | US $69.99 | 1d 12h 8m |
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Late 70s Crestline LP style guitar Needs hardware and pickup 100 NR | US $17.19 | 1d 12h 12m |
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1973 Gibson Les Paul Bass Project W Original Hardshell Case | US $460.02 | 1d 13h 51m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Custom EX Custom Top | US $222.22 | 1d 14h 3m |
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Epiphone by gibson Limited Edition Les Paul Studio Deluxe Guitar project loaded | US $75.00 | 1d 14h 47m |
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Epiphone by Gibson Les Paul Custom w 81 85 EMGs Black | US $202.50 | 1d 15h 8m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plain Top Guitar Project | US $82.00 | 1d 15h 52m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Special Bass Luthier Repair Project | US $34.99 | 1d 15h 54m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Electric Guitar w Hard Case Sunburst Mint | US $216.50 | 1d 16h 15m |
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Gibson 2000 Cherry Les Paul Studio Body Neck | US $152.50 | 1d 16h 27m |
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BWB Jimmy Page Signature Truss Rod Cover 4 Epiphone Les Paul SG | US $19.99 | 1d 16h 37m |
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BGB Slash Truss Rod Cover for Epiphone Les Paul | US $19.99 | 1d 16h 37m |
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BGB Gibson Custom Truss Rod Cover 4 Epiphone Les Paul or SG | US $19.99 | 1d 16h 37m |
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Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Studio Red Wine Electric Guitar | US $199.99 | 1d 16h 40m |
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Epiphone by GIBSON Les Paul Studio Goth WOW LK $582 List Price | US $242.50 | 1d 16h 41m |
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Early 1980s Epiphone Fujigen Genesis Deluxe project black bold beautiful | US $151.00 | 1d 17h 12m |
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2006 Gibson Les Paul Studio Alpine White Electric Guitar | US $660.00 | 1d 17h 13m |
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Epiphone LP Special II Les Paul Collection White Electric Guitar Flawed | US $19.99 | 1d 17h 47m |
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Samick Greg Bennett archtop guitar JZ203 with TW Doyle pickups opt Bigsby | US $147.50 | 1d 17h 55m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Vintage Sunburst Very Clean No Reserve | US $177.81 | 1d 18h 13m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Custom Limited Edition Active EMG 81 85 w Hardshell Case | US $338.03 | 1d 18h 16m |
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3 Way Switch Pots Wiring Harness Fits Gibson Epiphone Les Paul LP SG | US $15.50 | 1d 18h 28m |
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Epiphone Les Paul 100 broken | US $52.05 | 1d 18h 43m |
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Epiphone Gibson Les Paul Standard With Case | US $400.00 | 1d 19h 1m |
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GIBSON EPIPHONE Guitar FT 45 CORTEZ vintage collectible Acoustiic 6 st HS Case | US $425.00 | 1d 19h 6m |
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Epiphone Les paul CUSTOM NO RESERVE repaired unplayed | US $338.33 | 1d 19h 20m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Junior | US $75.00 | 1d 19h 59m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Custom Zakk Wylde w Case and Strap | US $350.99 | 2d 8h 27m |
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EPIPHONE GIBSON LES PAUL MODEL | US $112.50 | 2d 8h 40m |
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EPIPHONE LesPaul JR Black electric guitar with Amp Training DVD Book Stand | US $99.00 | 2d 8h 51m |
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Epihpone Black 3 pickup les Paul CustomWOW | US $250.00 | 2d 9h 34m |
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Epiphone Gibson LES PAUL GOTH LIKE NEW | US $153.50 | 2d 10h 50m |
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GIBSON EPIPHONE SPECIAL MODEL ELECTRIC PROJECT GUITAR SOLD AS IS NO RESERVE | US $26.00 | 2d 12h 31m |
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Gibson 1998 Les Paul Smartwood Body Neck | US $220.50 | 2d 17h 12m |
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Gibson Gold Les Paul Electronic Control Pots Harness | US $22.50 | 2d 17h 18m |
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Gibson USA Black Reptile Skin Les Paul Hardshell Case | US $122.17 | 2d 17h 19m |
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DEAN ML ELECTRIC GUITAR BLACK AND GOLD w GROVER TUNERS MAPLE TOP | US $100.00 | 2d 17h 58m |
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EPIPHONE LES PAUL ULTRA II FADED CHERRY SUNBURST QUILT TOP | US $370.00 | 2d 19h 47m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony Electric Guitar Gibson Black Mint Cond Gibson | US $225.00 | 3d 9h 31m |
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Epiphone LP Special II Les Paul Collection Electric Guitar WHITE | US $29.99 | 3d 10h 39m |
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Epiphone LP Special II Les Paul Collection Electric Guitar White Flawed | US $19.99 | 3d 10h 59m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Custom EX Guitar Repair Project | US $127.50 | 3d 12h 15m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Special Electric GuitarLeft HandedMint Condition | US $119.99 | 3d 15h 54m |
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Epiphone Les Paul 100 Alpine White | US $122.50 | 3d 16h 14m |
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Gibson 1998 Sanded Les Paul II Body Neck | US $100.00 | 3d 17h 13m |
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Epiphone Les Paul 100 NEW Extras | US $227.50 | 3d 18h 23m |
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2007 Epiphone Les Paul 100 Left Handed Electric Guitar with Epiphone Case | US $86.00 | 3d 19h 13m |
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Wiring Harness Pots Switches fit Gibson Epiphone Les Paul | US $15.98 | 4d 2h 27m |
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Les Paul Epiphone Custom Silverburst | US $350.00 | 4d 7h 19m |
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Epiphone SG G310 Electric Guitar No Reserve | US $53.00 | 4d 7h 19m |
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Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar w Case SAVE | US $140.00 | 4d 9h 36m |
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2006 Epiphone Les Paul 100 Left Handed 6 String Electric Guitar | US $77.00 | 4d 10h 57m |
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EPIPHONE LES PAUL 6 STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR WITH HARD CASE WHITE COLOR | US $172.50 | 4d 11h 46m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Bass Hardshell Case | US $49.99 | 4d 11h 52m |
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EPIPHONE EB 3 ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR EB3 EB 3 THE SG BASS THAT DEFINED ROCK | US $179.00 | 4d 15h 21m |
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Gibson 1998 Cherry Les Paul Studio Body Neck | US $71.00 | 4d 17h 13m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Prophesy guitar for repair or parts No reserve | US $76.00 | 5d 10h 18m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro guitar for repair or parts No reserve | US $80.00 | 5d 16h 39m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar | US $300.00 | 5d 18h 21m |
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Epiphone Les Paul with Sperzel tuners and Gibson 498T 490R pickups | US $250.00 | 5d 20h 27m |
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Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Standard Black 6 String Electric Guitar with Hard Case | US $72.00 | 6d 5h 53m |
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EPIPHONE LES PAUL JUNIOR COLD CASE SEASON IV SINGED BY THOM BARRY | US $60.00 | 6d 16h 54m |
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EPIPHONE GIBSON LES PAUL BLACK BEAUTY 3 PICKUP W BIBSBY TREMOLO GUITAR | US $260.00 | 7d 6h 27m |
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epiphone lespaul | US $122.50 | 7d 10h 6m |
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Epiphone Slash Appetite Les Paul Electric Guitar | US $799.99 | 7d 14h 30m |
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Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Custom SG Limited Edition Model G 400 w Hard Case | US $228.50 | 7d 15h 31m |
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MINT CONDITION EPIPHONE LES PAUL CUSTOM LTD EDITION SILVERBURST ELECTRIC GUITAR | US $169.13 | 8d 8h 43m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Deluxe Guitar Mini Humbuckers Sparkle Red limited edition | US $249.99 | 8d 12h 36m |
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Flame Top Electric Guitar | US $28.00 | 8d 14h 47m |
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Epiphone Custom Les Paul Antique Gibson Pickups and Vintage Wiring w hard case | US $385.00 | 8d 19h 12m |
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Gretsch G 6130 Knotty Pine Roundup Only 75 made | US $1,775.00 | 8d 20h 12m |
