- Eko Guitar Serial Numbers Pre 1975
- Eko Guitar Serial Number Lookup
- Eko Guitar Serial Numbers Lookup
- Guitar Serial Numbers Epiphone
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.
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.
These serial numbers are documented by C.F. And to this day remain the only Sigma related serial numbers that are publicly available. These 'N' instruments, of which only two models were ever produced, the DR-28N & DR-35N partially assembled in Japan and were imported to Nazareth ('N') and the Martin guitar factory as kits.
- Peavey guitars branded by oliviero pigini. Gretsch company was your guitar manufactured. Buy eko guitars at the label by serial numbers have been issued in other guitars till 1969. When dating eko began constructing unique electric bass guitars and manufacturing largely for dustin rowles the age of most guitars and electric, marche.
- Peavey guitars branded by oliviero pigini. Gretsch company was your guitar manufactured. Buy eko guitars at the label by serial numbers have been issued in other guitars till 1969. When dating eko began constructing unique electric bass guitars and manufacturing largely for dustin rowles the age of most guitars and electric, marche.
- Eko E-85, serial number 180382. Liel mini electric guitar, serial number #5. Gift to Neil Young from “Young Neils,” a Norwegian tribute band. Vagabond Act Traveler guitar, serial number 902125. Polla Boy-D electric 12-string. Vega Arthur Godfrey concert-size ukulele. Hilo Model 50 ukulele. 1965 Gibson ES-345, stereo w/Varitone, serial.
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.
During one in every of accordion maker Oliviero Pigini's visits to America within the late Nineteen Fifties, the rising craze for rock 'n' roll convinced him that the times of the accordion's popularity were numbered.
Clearly, the new 'cool' instrument for the young generation was the guitar.
Pigini came back to Italy and in 1959 founded Eko and started building guitars in his giant factory within the central Italian town of Recanati.
For many reasons Eko succeeded terribly quickly in Europe. First, Eko was the continent's initial mass-producer of guitars. Second, its 'made in Italy' image and innovative designs--which ranged from 'stylish Italian' to 'mod' and quirky--tapped into the first '60s fun-seeking zeitgeist. Meanwhile, America's leading brands--Fender, Gibson, and Martin--had not gained a robust foothold in Europe.
According to current Eko President Stelvio Lorenzetti, in those years European customs rules were additional restrictive, and importation and also the distribution channel for music merchandise had nevertheless to totally develop. As a result, Eko dominated European and Middle jap markets and for nearly twenty years remained Europe's biggest guitar producer.
Eko guitars were notably widespread in nice Britain.
The brand's introduction coincided with Beatlemania, and it had been distributed within the U.K.'s prime retailer and distributor, Rose Morris.
Rose Morris conjointly owned the Vox amplifier company, that was closely related to the Fab Four.
'Rose Morris was a awfully necessary distributor for Eko in those times,' says Lorenzetti. 'The 'marriage' between Eko and Rose Morris became terribly productive, and our guitars became best sellers in England.
Overall the Ranger XII and VI acoustics and a few electrical models were the foremost widespread, however our entire catalog was o.k. known by British musicians from then up till the Eighties.'
Between 1965 and 1975 Eko's collaboration with Rose Morris extended to manufacturing guitars and basses for Vox. Years later Eko, Vox, and Thomas Organ entered into a joint venture in Recanati referred to as EME (Elettronica Musicale Europea) to provide a replacement vary of Thomas-branded electronic organs and keyboards.
In 1962 Eko appointed LoDuca Bros. its distributor within the U.S. Despite a lot of stronger competition from the category's established giants, Eko guitars gained a decent following and sales.
As happened in Europe, yank musicians were interested in Eko guitars' ultra-slim necks, low action, and particularly their electrical models' innovative body styles.
Among Eko's most identifiable electrics was the Rokes.
Created in 1965 for the Italian pop band of identical name, it had been sold commercially from 1966 and have become known within the U.S. because the Rocket or Rok. Different distinctive models included the Kadett, the 700, and also the Camaro. Eko's top-selling acoustics were the Ranger VI (six-string) and Ranger XII (12-string).
Eko Guitar Serial Numbers Pre 1975
By 1970 Eko was established on 5 continents, and, at its zenith, created quite 350,000 guitars annually.
The mark that Eko's heyday created on the worldwide guitar community still resonates--or 'echoes'--today. Lorenzetti comments, 'Every trip I've remodeled the years I've heard somebody say, 'Eko? That was my initial guitar!'
Some of these revelations are additional gratifying than others. He points out that as an adolescent Bob Taylor wished (but could not afford) an Eko Ranger XII that ultimately galvanized him to create his initial guitar in his highschool woodshop category. 'During the '60s and '70s Eko represented one in every of the foremost necessary guitar factories within the world beside Fender, Gibson, and Martin,' says Lorenzetti. 'We are terribly pleased with that.'
Eko Guitar Serial Number Lookup
Eko Guitar Serial Numbers Lookup
Despite Eko's early success, competition from Asian-made brands with dramatically lower labor prices compelled Eko to maneuver its production from Italy to, in turn, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. However the corporate was too way behind the guitar market's steep deflationary curve, and within the late '80s the Italian factory was closed.
Guitar Serial Numbers Epiphone
However, for quite twenty years collectors, vintage guitar aficionados, and musicians nostalgic for the instruments they played in their youth kept the Eko mystique alive.