Epiphone guitars attract interest from two kinds of buyers. One kind collects older Epiphones as vintage guitars. Others buy the newer Epiphones as everyday playing and performance guitars, whether they find them new or used. Epiphone belongs to the Gibson family of brands. Many modern Epiphone models closely track the models sold under the Gibson brand--but they are considerably less expensive. Debate rages among guitar players as to whether the price differential is justified. Many believe that Gibson brand guitars are of higher quality, and worth higher prices. Others love their Epiphones, and wouldn't trade them for any other guitars. Meanwhile, vintage guitar collectors prize older Epiphones partly for their historical interest. The Epiphone name dates back to 1924. It comes from Epi Stathopoulo, whose Greek family of musical instrument makers switched its emphasis from banjos to guitars in the 1930s. Gibson's parent company bought Epiphone in 1957.
Epiphone guitars from the period between 1937 and 1957 are considered very collectable. Epiphone guitars also achieved considerable success with popular musicians in the 1960s. The most notable band associated with Epiphone guitars is the Beatles. Classic songs such as "Ticket to Ride" and "Yesterday" were recorded with Epiphone guitars. In 1970, production of Epiphone guitars was moved to Japan. According to Epiphone itself, the 1970s and early 1980s saw little continuity in the Epiphone line.
In 1986, Gibson and Epiphone were acquired by a group of three investors. By the early 1990s, the Epiphone guitar was enjoying its current renaissance as a name associated with value--whether as a collectable or playing guitar.
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