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.
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 Bass, 1970's Made in Japan
Blackwood, New Jersey, 080**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$999
Weight: 9 29 lbs... more
Epiphone Embassy Special IV Bass Guitar
Harrison, Ohio, 450**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$300
This Bass not only plays great but sounds even better
The frets and neck are in Perfect Shape!
Bass has light scratches on front headstock as shown in pictures
Weight 8 0Lbs 2oz
If you have any questions, please ask
Scale pictured, Case or Bag is Not Included.... more
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
Gibson / Epiphone Newport Bass Guitar 65-66 Vintage USA
Beach City, Ohio, 446**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1979
Epiphone Embassy Bass, Indian Laurel, Graphite Black
National City, California, 919**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$399
Description
Epiphone's Premier Solidbody Bass
Ever since it was first introduced in 1963 the Epiphone Embassy Bass has been a player favorite, and now it's back and better than ever. Featuring an asymmetrical solid mahogany double-cutaway body, a 34" scale mahogany neck capped with an ... more
Epiphone Embassy Bass Graphite Black Used
Farmingdale, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$389
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1970s BASS HUMBUCKER PICKUP JAPAN EPIPHONE RIVOLI ARIA UNIVOX MATSUMOKU ERA 9 0K
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$79
These came as standard equipment on Japan Epiphone Rivoli, Aria and Penco EB Series basses and some Univox & Greco models. It's quite hard-to-find these days as a result of limited production. This is a very strong pickup with 2-conductor wiring so it's very easy to install. It registers a very strong 9 00k on my trusty meter so you know it means business. The bezel measures 3 7 / 8" by 1 15 / 16" and the pickup itself measures 2 3 / 4" by 1 1 / 2 " . Mounting screw ... more