Epiphone has a rich history. The company started with a small workshop in New York City, later moved production to Gibson’s factory in Kalamazoo, and then worked with manufacturers in Japan, Korea, China, and Indonesia.
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New York Factory
The story of Epiphone begins in Smyrna, in the Ottoman Empire – now İzmir, Turkey.
Anastasios Stathopoulo, a Greek luthier, made traditional stringed instruments such as lutes and fiddles.
In 1903, Anastasios moved to the United States and opened a small workshop in Manhattan, New York. The shop mainly made mandolins, which were extremely popular at the time.
The name Epiphone came later. It combined Epi, the nickname of Anastasios’ son Epaminondas, with the Greek word phone, meaning voice.
By the 1930s, Epiphone had grown from a small instrument maker into a major American guitar company. The original Manhattan workshop was no longer large enough, so the company moved to 142 West 14th Street, New York City. The building served as both a factory and the company’s headquarters.
Kalamazoo Factory
After Epi Stathopoulos died in 1943, Epiphone faced financial and family problems. The company was eventually put up for sale.
In 1957, Chicago Musical Instrument Company (CMI), the parent company of Gibson, acquired Epiphone.
Epiphone production was then moved to Gibson’s factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Epiphone Factories in Japan
Epiphone production moved to Japan in 1970. At the time, Japanese guitar manufacturing was growing quickly, and several factories were already producing high-quality instruments for both Japanese and American brands.
Matsumoku
Matsumoku became one of Epiphone’s main Japanese manufacturers.
The factory was located in Matsumoto, Nagano. Matsumoku originally made wooden cabinets for sewing machines before moving into guitar production.
Many Epiphone guitars made by Matsumoku are now highly regarded by players and collectors. They are known for good construction and are often compared with more expensive American-made guitars.
Epiphone guitars were also made at several other Japanese factories.
FujiGen
FujiGen operates three factories in Japan:
- Omachi, Nagano
- Hirooka, Shiojiri, Nagano, operating since 1991
- Matsumoto, Nagano, where the company’s headquarters are also located
In 1992, FujiGen signed a limited production agreement with Gibson. In 1998, the company received a full license to produce Epiphone guitars.
Terada
Terada Musical Instrument Co., Ltd. is located in Ama-gun, Aichi.
The company produces high-quality instruments for several major guitar brands. In 2002, Terada signed an OEM agreement with Epiphone.
Epiphone Factories in Korea
By the late 1980s, guitar production in Japan had become more expensive. At the same time, Korean guitar manufacturing had improved considerably. Gibson began moving part of Epiphone production to South Korea.
Several Korean factories produced Epiphone guitars, including Samick, Cort, Peerless, Saein, Unsung, and Sunbo. Many Korean-made Epiphone serial numbers begin with a factory code, which can help identify where the guitar was made. For example, serial numbers beginning with I were used for guitars made by Saein in Incheon.
Korean-made Epiphones from this period are known for their consistent quality. Some models have also become popular on the used market.
By the early to mid-2000s, much of Epiphone production had moved to China, although Korean factories continued to make some models.
Samick
Samick is one of the world’s largest stringed instrument manufacturers. The company has produced guitars for many major brands and also makes instruments under its own name.
Its Korean factory was located in Incheon, South Korea.
Gibson signed a production agreement with Samick in 1983. Samick initially made more affordable versions of Gibson models such as the Les Paul.
In 1984, Samick began producing guitars for Epiphone.
Cort
Cort Guitars, part of Cor-Tek Corporation, is a South Korean guitar manufacturer founded in 1960 and based in Seoul.
Cort produced Epiphone guitars from 1988 until the mid-1990s.
The Korean production contract ended in 2002.
Peerless
Peerless Korea Co., Ltd. has been making musical instruments since 1970. Its factory is located in Gimhae, while the company’s headquarters are in Busan, South Korea.
Peerless has produced guitars for several brands under OEM agreements. The company has worked with Epiphone since 1979 and also makes guitars under its own name.
Saein
Saein Musical Instrument Co., Ltd. was founded in 1991. Its factory and headquarters are located in Incheon, South Korea.
Saein received a license to produce Epiphone guitars at the end of 1992. The company also produced guitars under the Shine brand.
Epiphone Factories in China
Epiphone began moving more production to China in the early 2000s. Lower manufacturing costs and large production capacity made China an important location for the brand.
Several Chinese factories have produced Epiphone guitars, including Qingdao, Daewon, Muse, Saein, and Zaozhuang Saehan Music.
Qingdao
In 2004, Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao, Shandong, China. Unlike most outside manufacturers used by Epiphone, the Qingdao factory is owned by Gibson.
This gave Gibson more direct control over production and quality at the factory.
Most Epiphone guitars are now produced in Qingdao, with some exceptions. Higher-end models, including the Emperor and Riviera, have also been made there.
Daewon
Daewon Musical Instrument Co. is located in Dalian, China.
The company has produced Epiphone guitars under an OEM agreement since 2001.
Muse
Muse Incorporated is headquartered in Incheon, South Korea, and operates a factory in Weifang, China.
The Weifang factory produces guitars for Epiphone under license.
Saein
Saein is originally a South Korean company. It has operated a factory in Gaomi City, China, since 2001.
The factory mainly produces guitars for Epiphone.
Zaozhuang
Zaozhuang Saehan Music Co., Ltd., based in Shandong, China, specializes in acoustic guitars.
The company has produced Epiphone acoustic guitars under license since 2004.
Epiphone Factories in Indonesia
Epiphone guitars have also been produced in Indonesia, mainly by Samick and Cort-Tek. Both companies originally manufactured guitars in South Korea and later opened factories in Indonesia.
Samick
After Samick’s Korean production contract ended in 2002, Epiphone production continued at the company’s factory in Cileungsi, near Bogor, Indonesia.
Cort
Cort-Tek is originally a South Korean company and also operates guitar production in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The company has produced guitars for Epiphone under an OEM agreement since 1995.