Epiphone Banjo

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 2 May 2011 7:09 pm

I have a 5-string Epiphone banjo that I purchased used back in 1975. I've often wondered if it was made in the U.S. or Japan. Does anybody know when Epiphone was moved to Japan? Are there any sources on the internet that may help me date my banjo?

Lee, from South Texas

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 3 May 2011 11:49 am

That'll be Japanese. Epiphone went across sometime just before 1970, methinks.

KP

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 4 May 2011 1:08 am

Ken Pippus wrote:That'll be Japanese. Epiphone went across sometime just before 1970, methinks.

KP

YUP,
In 1969 When Norlin purchased Chicago Musical Instrument company, the parent company of both Gibson and Epiphone at the time, all Epiphone production was moved to Japan then later Korea and current production is now manufactured in Qingdao, China. .

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 4 May 2011 9:47 am

Hmmm. Mine was used when I purchased it in 1975. I have no way of knowing how old it was at the time.