Epiphone Guitars: An Overview

Posted on Nov 16th 2009 5:44PM by Adam Horne

Epiphone guitars are among the most popular instruments played by guitars, both amateur and professional alike. The Epiphone Company, founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos, originally produced fiddles, lutes and mandolins, until World War I when the company started to focus on banjo production. In the late '20s, Epiphone started to make guitars, and for many years was a major competitor of Gibson in the archtop market.

The company experienced a decline following World War II and main rival Gibson was able to buy out Epiphone in 1957. After the takeover, Epiphone released their most famous model, the Casino, a hollow body notably played by Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison of the Beatles.

Presently, the company is a subsidiary of Gibson, and produces guitar that look similar to Gibson models, though sold at a significantly lower price. They also produce their own line of amplifiers.

Flip through our gallery to see photos of famous Epiphone guitars.

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Epiphone Guitars

The famed guitar company produces some of the world's most iconic electric guitars.

Jim Steinfeldt, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Richard Drew, AP

Epiphone Guitars

Plain White T's guitarist Dave Tirio poses for a portrait for Epiphone with his white Epiphone Les Paul guitar in Los Angeles, California on September 26, 2007. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/GettyImages)

Jim Steinfeldt, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Stanley Feinstein, left, of Los Angeles, sings along as guitarist David Andersen performs in the atrium of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, May 22, 2008. Andersen strolls around the lobby, playing his 15-year-old Epiphone wireless guitar while chatting with visitors. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mark Humphrey, AP

Will Jones, best known as "Dr. Epiphone" of Guitar maker Epiphone, speaks about Epiphone and Gibson guitars at the Tokyo Guitar Show in Tokyo on Saturday, June 24, 2006. Jones says owning a Gibson is an opportunity to be part of a legend, "the Cadillac of guitars," and the historical roots of rock, because some believe rock wouldn't exist without the Gibson guitar. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)

Junji Kurokawa, AP

Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand performs live onstage in Germany, playing an Epiphone Wilshire guitar. (Photo by Stefan M. Prager/Redferns)

Stefan M. Prager, Redferns / Getty Images

Ex-Badfinger guitarist Joe Molland strums a 1967 Epiphone Casino while talking about the early years in Badfinger in his Shorewood, Minn. home, Monday, Sept. 10, 2001. At left is his favorite guitar, a 1968 Gibson accoustic. Molland now lives a quiet life far removed from the days he shared a concert stage with George Harrison or recorded with John Lennon. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Ann Heisenfelt, AP

John Lennon performs live onstage at Ernst Merck Halle on the Beatles' final German tour, playing an Epiphone Casino guitar (Photo by K & K Ulf Kruger OHG/Redferns)

K & K Ulf Kruger OHG, Redferns / Getty Images

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1960: Photo of Keith Richards Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 02: Photo of Paul McCARTNEY; performing live onstage at Live 8, playing Epiphone Casino guitar (Photo by Phil Dent/Redferns)

Phil Dent, Redferns / Getty Images

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01: Photo of SLASH; Posed studio portrait of Slash, sunglasses, cigarette and hat with Epiphone Les Paul guitar (Photo by Robert Knight Archive/Redferns)

Robert Knight Archive, Redferns / Getty Images