Company history
IT ALL STARTED BACK IN 1873… The early Epiphone story spans three generations and the Atlantic Ocean. The son of a wood merchant, Anastasio Stathopoulo observed his father’s trade and learned about tonewoods. He opened his own instrument factory in 1890. When his son “Epi” took over that company in the 1920s, he gave it the new name Epiphone, a reference not only to his own name but also to the Greek word for sound or voice. In the late 19th century, a young Anastasios Stathopoulo embarked on a journey that would shape the course of his life and leave an indelible mark on the world of music. Moving from Greece to Smyrna (now Izmir) in the Ottoman Empire, Anastasios watched his father, Konstantinos, establish a thriving business as a lumber merchant. It was here that Anastasios's passion for woodworking and music took root. Anastasios keenly observed his father's trade, learning about the various types of wood and their unique properties. With his growing expertise, the Stathopoulo family opened a store in Smyrna, specializing in the sale and repair of lutes, violins, and bouzoukis. By 1890, Anastasios had become a renowned luthier in his own right, leading him to establish his own instrument factory. In the early 1900s, the Stathopoulo family made a life-altering move to the United States, bringing their musical talents and craftsmanship with them. Anastasios, now known as Epi, continued the family trade in America. In 1909, he filed his first and only patent for an Italian- style bowl-back mandolin, marking a significant milestone in his career. His instruments now proudly bore labels in English, reflecting his presence in the American market. Tragedy struck in 1915 when Anastasios passed away, leaving 22-year-old Epi to shoulder the responsibility of the family business. Epi wasted no time in leaving his mark on the company. He revamped the instrument label, introducing a new design that read, "The House of Stathopoulo, Quality Instruments Since 1873." Epi's innovative spirit led him to secure his first patent for a banjo tone ring and rim construction. Following the passing of his mother in 1923, Epi gained ownership of the majority shares in the business. With an eye towards the changing times, he phased out many of the old-world- style mandolin models and embraced the rising popularity of archtop guitars. Gibson emerged as Epi's main competitor in this realm. In 1931, Epiphone launched its Masterbilt line of guitars, featuring seven carved-top archtops. These guitars, including the De Luxe, Broadway, and Triumph models, showcased Epi's mastery and drew inspiration from the Gibson L-5. Epi Stathopoulo recognized the growing demand for steel guitars and, in 1935, introduced the Electar series (initially called Electraphone). Epiphone soon became the first company to develop a pickup with adjustable pole pieces, known as the "balancing pins." Their innovation led to the creation of the TruBalance pickup, later renamed the Master Pickup.
PROAUDIO CATALOGUE 2023
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