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EPIPHONE

The rear end of the old Gibson plant, backs on to Bush Street; the address used by Epiphone in the 1960s

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.

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Gibson / Epiphone Newport Bass Guitar 65-66 Vintage USA

Gibson / Epiphone Newport Bass Guitar 65-66 Vintage USA

Beach City, Ohio, 446**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1979

Used beautiful in very good condition I have owned this bass for over 40 years in the late 70??s this bass was refinished and refurbished by Virgil Lay founder of Lays guitar repair in Akron Ohio everything that is on this bass was done in 1978 it has many awesome upgrades a Bartolini split coil muddbucker pick up with two 2 position toggle switches a Badass bridge and Grover tuners. Bass is strung with Thomastik flat wound strings plays smooth and flawless very nice action. It??s not perfect ... more
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Mint "2013" "Epiphone Viola"  Looks New with "HOFNER MODIFICATIONS"

Mint "2013" "Epiphone Viola" Looks New with "HOFNER MODIFICATIONS"

Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1295

Here we have a Beautiful 2013 "EPIPHONE VIOLA" in absolutley "PRISTINE CONDITION" This Bass has been modified to " HOFNER SPECS " . I had this Bass a bit overhauled for "THE BEATLES" enthusiast. I had a "HOFNER GERMAN TAILPIECE put on, a "HOFNER BRIDGE" a "HOFNER NUT" "HOFNER TUNING PEGS" put on "LABELLA FLATWOUND STRINGS" put on, and had the EPIPHONE CONTROL PANEL, (volume and tone controls) into 250k just like "THE HOFNER " . It has been completely set up and ready to do it's duty. I thought ... more
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1970s Epiphone ET-285 Electric Bass with OHSC - 3 Tone Burst - Vintage

1970s Epiphone ET-285 Electric Bass with OHSC - 3 Tone Burst - Vintage

Woodbury, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$900

1970s Epiphone ET-285 Electric Bass with OHSC - 3 Tone Burst - Vintage
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
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1970s Epiphone ET-285 Electric Bass with OHSC - 3 Tone Burst - Vintage

1970s Epiphone ET-285 Electric Bass with OHSC - 3 Tone Burst - Vintage

Evansville, Indiana, 477**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$899

1970s Epiphone ET-285 Electric Bass with OHSC - 3 Tone Burst - Vintage. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage.... more
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1972 Epiphone 1820 / ET280 Short Scale Bass Guitar  Made in Japan

1972 Epiphone 1820 / ET280 Short Scale Bass Guitar Made in Japan

Fairfield, Ohio, 450**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$700

I am selling a vintage 1972 Epiphone 4 string short scale bass guitar with its original case. Made in Japan. I have another guitar just like this with a perfect pickguard and I am going to put this perfect pickguard on this bass. The case is useable
Added photo: the excellent pickguard I removed from my other ET280 and will put in place of the original pickguard in the photo
There is a hairline crack on the body top I noticed after I took these photos. Please wait to bid until I get ... more
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1970s EPIPHONE ET 280 BASS GUITAR w / Gig Bag & extra Set of Strings

1970s EPIPHONE ET 280 BASS GUITAR w / Gig Bag & extra Set of Strings

Southbury, Connecticut, 064**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$700

Up for bid is a 1970's Epiuphone ET280 4 String Bass Guitar. Serial Number 0181893. Comes with a Epiphone soft case, Groovetubes Fatfinger and an extra set of strings
Beautiful Cherry finish in Very Good condition with minor to modreate paint wear and scuffs. The original tuners have been replaced with Gibson tuners
Shipping, Handling, Insurance will be determined by Zip Code.
I will combine shipping for multiple items won.


... more
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Epiphone ET-285 1972-1977 Vintage Bass Sunburst MIJ   FREE SHIPPING

Epiphone ET-285 1972-1977 Vintage Bass Sunburst MIJ FREE SHIPPING

Neosho, Missouri, 648**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$659

FREE SHIPPING
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
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Epiphone ET285 Electric Bass Guitar - Sunburst  - Really Cool

Epiphone ET285 Electric Bass Guitar - Sunburst - Really Cool

Spencerport, New York, 145**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$599

Up for grabs:
Epiphone ET285 Electric Bass Guitar - Sunburst
PLEASE ASK FIRST ABOUT INTL SHIPMENTS AND WE DO NOT LOWER VALUES. NEW Please inquire about international shipments before you buy, please! We cannot ship everywhere due to box size limits
All guitars ship insured FEDEX, international shipments must meet country specific size limitations and shipping constraints and we will not lower the value for customs and may not ship the same day, we have our handling time as 5 days. ... more
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