"Epi was just 22 when he took charge of the family business. He inherited many of his father's strengths - including a keen business sense and fierce pride in his work - but combined this with an awareness of the changing times that would prove vital in the years to come. Crucially, Epi was not just a luthier or a businessman. He was also a keen musician and socialite.

Epi respected the tradition of his father's instruments, but recognized the importance of moving with the times. By 1917, he had changed the company's name to the 'House Of Stathopoulo' and began adapting the product line. Mandolins were falling out of favor. In the post-war era, banjos had started to boom along with jazz, and Epi, with his ear to the ground, recognized this early and armed his company to deal with it. Not only did Epi introduce a line of banjos, but he also developed the instrument's design, patenting his own tone ring and rim construction. It was a sign of things to come.

And so, while the market shift caused some companies to flounder, the House Of Stathopoulo flourished. The firm's structure was re-organized in 1923 as its success snowballed (Epi made himself president and general manager) and even its name was revised to reflect its changing identity. This was the age of possibility, and Epi needed a brand to match. He eventually settled on an amalgamation of his own nickname and a derivation of the Greek word for 'sound'. It was the birth of Epiphone.

In 1924, Epiphone released the Recording Series of banjos to universal acclaim. Indeed, the Deluxe, Concert, Bandmaster and Artist models (plus the budget Wonder model) were so popular that by the following year, Epi had expanded production and bought out the Favoran banjo firm to cope with demand. Thanks to models like the Emperor, and the endorsement of players like Carl Kress, this side of the business continued to grow along with Epiphone's reputation, to the point where the company's name was changed once again in 1928. For now, it would be known as the Epiphone Banjo Company..."

Manufacturer Website: www.epiphone.com

Key Products:

	The Epiphone Casino
	A perfect example of remembering Epiphone's contribution to music, the Casino is famous for its sparkling sound heard on some of the most revered records in history, The Beatles for example... and is still in high demand today. Its secret is its thin-line full-hollow construction, twin P-90 pickups and streamlined neck. Lightweight, great to play with a fabulously ear catching tone.

	The Epiphone Les Pauls
	The only authorised Les Pauls made by anyone other than Gibson! This is the only single cut, solid bodied, mahogany guitar that you can buy with the Les Paul name on it that is not made by Gibson... instead it is authorised by Gibson! The plus top versions of the set neck "Standard" models are extremely pretty with fantastic looks, great playability and that great, fat Les Paul tone. SEE ALSO: Les Paul Standard Plus Top, Les Paul Standard Plain Top

	The Epiphone SGs
	A range of great priced SG style guitars at considerably lower prices than the American made Gibson counterparts. The G-400 being the set-neck version, closest in spec to the Gibson models, mainly due to the next construction giving the rich sustain and dynamics of the SG. SEE ALSO: Epiphone G-400, Epiphone EG1275 Double Neck

	The Epiphone Acoustics
	Superb, in fact stunning, acoustic guitars at very reasnable prices. The Epiphone range of acoustics take their styling cues from their American made Gibson counterparts, such as the Dove, the J-200 and the Hummingbird. Exceptional quality at the price and finished to an extremely high standard. SEE ALSO: Epiphone Hummingbird, Epiphone Dove, Epiphone AJ models, Epiphone EJ-200