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.
Rare Vintage Epiphone Genesis Bass Fretless w / Case ?? Thunderbird / Ripper
Richmond Hill, New York, 114**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$500
This bass features set-neck construction, a heavy solid body, rosewood fingerboard, two covered Epiphone humbucker pickups, master volume, master tone, 3-way... more
Epiphone Newport Short-Scale Bass ?? Metallic Blue / Green
Raleigh, North Carolina, 276**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$350
* 4-string electric bass
* Short-scale (30 5??)
* Dual pickups
* Metallic blue / green finish
* Fully functional and ready to play
* Normal light cosmetic wear from use... more
Epiphone Newport Short-Scale Bass ?? Metallic Blue / Green
Raleigh, North Carolina, 276**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$350
* 4-string electric bass
* Short-scale (30 5??)
* Dual pickups
* Metallic blue / green finish
* Fully functional and ready to play
* Normal light cosmetic wear from use... more
Epiphone ET-285 1972-1977 Vintage Bass Sunburst MIJ Good Condition
Tallahassee, Florida, 323**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
Scratches and bumps on sides and back of body, minimal fret wear, plays well
In original case with strap and power cord included
... more
Epiphone By Gibson 4 String Electric Bass Guitar - White Jazz Bass
Connellys Springs, North Carolina, 286**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
Epiphone Embassy Bass Graphite Black ?? Upgraded Gotoh Tuners + Hipshot D-Tuner
Richmond Hill, New York, 114**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
This one has been upgraded with a set of Gotoh tuners, including a Hipshot D-tuner, making it a more practical and better-equipped player??s bass than a stock example. It also has a fresh set of ... more
Epiphone ET-285 Bass Vintage
Los Angeles, California, 900**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$425
Epiphone Newport Bass - Cherry
Wylie, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$341
Minor neck scratch from shipping ?? purely cosmetic, does not affect playability, and adds a bit of character. Lowest price online - get it before it's gone!
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