Epiphone Electric Guitars
Epiphone is an American musical instrument manufacturer, purchased by the Chicago Musical Instrument Company in 1957. The same organisation had also purchased Epiphones main rivals, Gibson, in 1944 and whilst they house the two brands separately (Gibson in the USA and Epiphone in Japan or Korea), they are now both managed under the same umbrella.
Electric guitars
Epiphone manufacture a wide range of electric guitars, including the well-known Les Paul. Other recognised examples in the Epiphone range include the Casino (three of these were purchased by the Beatles in 1964), Firebird, Alleykat, Beast, Emperor and Explorer. Each model has a range of different editions with suitable choices from beginner to professional and performer. Left-handed options are available and each model comes with a range of sizes to suit both adults and children alike.
Body Type
Solid body Epiphone guitars are built without the traditional sound box (the hollow under the strings) and rely on an electric pickup to receive the strings vibrations.
Originating in the 1930s, semi-hollow body guitars have both a sound box and an electrical pickup to increase volume. An example can be seen in the Epiphone Sheraton-II Pro WR, where the holes are visible on the lower body of the guitar.
Hollow body electric guitars have a full sound box with a hollow body to amplify reverberations.
Colour
Epiphone electric guitars are available in red, black, translucent orange, gold, white and sunburst, with some variants available for those seeking a personalised look.
Materials
Most Epiphone electric guitar bodies are made from ash, alder or laminated maple with rosewood necks. Ebony refers to colour (gloss black) rather than construction material.
Vintage
The most collectable Epiphone models are considered to be those manufactured from 1937, when body sizes were increased, to 1956 when they stopped being manufactured in New York and moved overseas, although the quality of the instrument has not suffered at all for the move.