Epiphone brand guitars have been made in numerous factories in many locations worldwide, however by far the best instruments (and therefore the most desired) are those made by the the Stathopoulos family in New York in the 1950s, and those made by Gibson in Kalamazoo, MI in the 1960s. Although later Japanese, Korean and Chinese guitars make fine entry, and intermediate level instruments, they do not compete with the classic instruments produced in the USA.
Eko Guitar Serial Numbers Identification
The early story of Epiphone, and it's take-over by Gibson has been told many times, but in short: Epiphone were producing some of the finest archtop guitars in the world, one of Gibson's few rivals. After the death of the main driving force Epi Stathopoulos, and union problems of the 1950s, Gibson was able to take advantage of the uncertainty, paying just $20,000 for the company in 1957. They continued producing a handful of original Epiphone models in the USA, and created a range of new models (based on Gibson equivalents) until 1969, when production was outsourced to Japan.
Eko Guitar Serial Numbers Dating
Models to look out for: Epiphone Casino, Wilshire, Crestwood, Sorrento, Sheraton, Zephyr, Howard Roberts, Rivoli bass and Embassy Deluxe bass. Basically anything produced in the USA up to 1969.
With no (or unreadable) serial numbers, the electronic parts of an electric guitar also give an indication. For example, the production code of the potentiometers can give an indication about the year of manufacture. EKO 1959-1985 and 2000 to present Eko guitars are Italian made instruments from 1959. Originally built by Oliviero Pigini and Company in Recanti, Italy. Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide Eko history Wikipedia Eko guitar catalogs Fetishguitars vintage.catalogs.free.fr 2015 Eko. Vintage 1965 Epiphone USA Texan FT-79 Acoustic Guitar w / Original Case Rare! Right now, you are looking at an exceptionally cool and rare guitar This is a 1965 Epiphone Texan FT-79 acoustic guitar, including its original case Finished in a beautiful Cherry Sunburst - made famous by the one and only Sir Paul McCartney!It weighs 4 lbs 6 oz. The Eko Ranger series of guitars was incredibly popular in the second half of the 1960s and through the 1970s, selling in very large numbers. The Ranger Folk was 1 1/4' smaller, and 1' shallower than the Ranger VI and XII - and with a narrower waist.