founder and namesake of EPIPHONE...

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STATHOPOULO BIO...
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-Epi Stathopoulo, founder and namesake of EPIPHONE, was always on the forefront of music. He was the first instrument maker to embrace Jazz music and led the industry away from mandolin and banjo production and into making guitars. At the age of twenty-four Epi obtained his first of many patents that would change fretted instrument construction forever. The extension truss rod design, the first pick-up with individual pole pieces, and the Tonexpressor - the precursor to the modern day "wah-wah" pedal - were all Epiphone innovations. But perhaps the greatest contribution to guitar making came in 1941 while Les Paul was experimenting in the Epiphone factory. These experiments led to the Les Paul "Log" and the first solid-body electric guitar.

Epi's vision of the future of music and guitar, as well as the importance of his work could be seen by, and in, those who chose to play an Epiphone. Musicians who themselves were visionaries. George Van Epps, Harry Volpe, Howard Roberts, Joe Pass and other Jazz players would make music history with an Epiphone guitar, as would Blues legend, John Lee Hooker. And the Beatles, who recorded Paperback Writer, Ticket to Ride, and the most recorded song ever written, Yesterday, with Epiphone guitars they purchased in 1964. It is an incredible legacy that continues today with Noel Gallagher, Lenny Kravitz and other artists who choose to make their music with an Epiphone

The same sprit of innovation that drove the Stathopoulos to start pushing the boundaries of guitar design over one hundred and twenty-five years ago is alive and well at Epiphone today. Styles of music will continue to evolve, new technologies will come and go and new players will continue to take music and guitar in new directions. But the passion for making music and the Epiphone mission of providing musicians with a great instrument they can rely on to express themselves will always remain constant.

Passion has always been about more than just making guitars. It has been about making music. It has been about understanding what is inside every musican that makes them want to, have to, express themselves. And understanding the myriad musical styles, where they are going and how they might develop. For over one hundred and twenty-five years Epiphone has continually looked for new and better ways to help players take their music farther. EPI Stathopoulo would be proud.
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