When Gibson acquired Epiphone in 1958, it moved production to its own plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There were a few reasons that Gibson wanted Epiphone. Epiphone had been Gibsons greatest competition before the company began to flounder. They had tooling for upright basses which Ted McCarty, (Gibson president) had long admired, and producing another brand would go some way to offer Gibson-made instruments to dealers who were not part of Gibsons existing territory agreements. Gibson have always preferred not to have too many outlets for their product.
A new building (right hand side of the above picture) was added to the Gibson plant in 1960, behind the existing Gibson plant (far left of the picture, just beyond the famous Gibson chimney). Epiphone guitars and basses were still built in this old building alongside the Gibson models, but to keep customers thinking these were different lines, the postal address used for Epiphone was the one on the far right, 47 Bush Street.
Epiphone Basses
Epiphone have made, and still do make some very nice bass guitars. The company had made fine upright basses in the 1950s, but didn't make a bass guitar until Gibson took over. In 1961 it launched two models, the solid-body Newport, and the semi-acoustic Rivoli, followed by a long scale solid-body, the Embassy Deluxe, in 1963.
Production moved to Japan in 1969/70.
Epiphone By Gibson Rock Bass Ebony Jazz Bass Hockey Stick Headstock Very Rare
Flower Mound, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
These were made from 1986-93 according to the internet. The serial number sticker has been peeled of, but I believe this is an earlier one
Very nice looking bass
Sealed tuners, new strings, brass saddles, black on black with matching headstock, all original
The body has a few light nicks and scratches, in the clear coat. None major
No apparent fret wear or groves
The bass has just had a ... more
1970s Epiphone ET-285 Electric Bass with OHSC - 3 Tone Burst - Vintage
Woodbury, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$900
For sale, a 1970s Epiphone ET-285 in very good vintage condition - functionality and playability are perfect whereas the cosmetic condition is pre-loved showing surface scratches and minor indentations. The original bridge pickup was swapped by the previous owner sometime ago, and was replaced with a now vintage Dimarzio J Bass Split Coil pickup. This pickup choice gives the bass even more of a nice well rounded sound ... more
Epiphone ET-285 1972-1977 Vintage Bass Sunburst MIJ FREE SHIPPING
Neosho, Missouri, 648**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$659
Any questions, just ask ;)
This is a super cool, and rare bird
Made in Japan, vintage, and all original, except for the truss rod cover
This one even has the original bridge plate cover
She's definitely been rocked, with signs of wear throughout, I've circled the 2 biggest dings on the bass
Otherwise, the rest are just scratches and minor dings from common wear expected for a 50 year old instrument
Plays great, no issues
I'll ship it to you with a ... more
1970s Epiphone ET-285 Electric Bass with OHSC - 3 Tone Burst - Vintage
Evansville, Indiana, 477**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$899
Epiphone Embassy Special IV Bass Guitar 2 strings UNTESTED needs to be rescrewed
Raleigh, North Carolina, 276**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$275
will need to be screwed back in? Please look at all pictures
... more
Mint "2013" "Epiphone Viola" Looks New with "HOFNER MODIFICATIONS"
Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1295
Epiphone Embassy Bass - Wanderlust Metallic Green
Howell, New Jersey, 077**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
There's no signs of significant damages or evidence of repairs. Electronics function as they should. There??s little to no fret wear. There are no buzzing or dead frets and ... more
epiphone bass
Onset, Massachusetts, 025**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400