epiphone is an american musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by anastasios stathopoulos, currently based in nashville, tennessee. in 1957, epiphone, inc. was purchased by gibson and relocated from new york to kalamazoo, michigan. epiphone was gibson's main rival in the archtop market prior to 1957. aside from guitars, epiphone also made double basses, banjos, and other string instruments. however, the company's weakness in the aftermath of world war ii and death of epaminondas stathopoulos in 1943 allowed gibson to purchase it. epiphone also manufactures resonator guitars under the dobro brand.