NY Epi Reg

Catalogs, flyers, price lists, adverts

Original Epiphone catalogs, flyers, price lists and adverts are key documents that help to understand the company's product history. However one has to keep in mind that actual production models/examples often differed from catalog descriptions and specifications.

Last updated: 7 Apr 2023

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1. Catalogs, flyers, price lists:

Below a selection of Epiphone sales literature from the 1930-50s period.

This list is not complete – there are some important Epiphone pamphlets we know they exist but haven't been able to locate a copy, most notably:

• 1931 Epiphone Masterbilt instruments flyer
• 1937 Epiphone Electar electric instruments flyer

If you own (or have pictures of) one of these – or other pamphlets that are not listed below – please let me know. Thanks so much!

Year approx	Cover image	Description
1930		Epiphone Recording Guitars Catalog Continental Music Co, p 192-194 Download PDF (Collection Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum)
1930		Epiphone Seville Model Guitars Catalog supplement Continental Music Co Download PDF (Collection Noah Miller)
1930		Epiphone Seville Model Guitars Flyer, 2 p Download PDF (Collection Rod McDonald)
1932		Epiphone Masterbilt Fretted Instruments Catalog, 24 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1933		Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Flyer, 4 p / 2 versions 1933 version "Boosters": Download PDF 1934 version "Sundries": Download PDF (Collection Rod McDonald)
1934		Epiphone Masterbilt Fretted Instruments Catalog, 36 p Download PDF (from Acousticmusic.org) Updated 1935 copy: Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1935		Sorrentino Hand Made Guitars Catalog Chicago Musical Instruments Co (Sorrentino: p 115–122) Download PDF (Collection Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum)
1935		Epiphone presents Electar Electric Music Flyer, 2 p Download PDF (Collection Rod McDonald)
1936		Epiphone Instrument Builders Since 1873 (orange cover) Catalog, 32 p Download PDF (Collection Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum)
1936		The Emperor – The Supreme Achivement in Guitars by Epiphone Flyer, 2 p Download PDF (from Acousticmusic.org)
1936		Electar Electric Musical Instruments Catalog, 20 p Download PDF Updated 1937 copy: Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler / Antony Hendrix)
1937		Epiphone Instrument Builders Since 1873 (blue cover) Catalog, 32 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1937		Epiphone Instrument Builders Since 1873 Flyer, 2 p Download PDF (Collection George Gruhn)
1938		Hints to Guitarists by George van Eps Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1938		Orchestral Guitars 1939 / Selmer UK Catalog, 16 p (Epiphone: p2–p5) View on VintAxe.com (no affiliation) (Collection VintAxe.com)
1939		Epiphone Musical Instruments (purple cover) Catalog, 48 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1940		For Those Who Prefer "Blondes" Epiphone presents 3 New Exquisite Instruments Flyer, 2 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1940		Epiphone Basses Flyer, 2 p Download PDF (Epiphone Jim Fisch Archive)
1940		New Prices: Oct 10, 1940 Flyer, 1 p Download PDF (Source unknown)
1940		A Picture Story Of The Making Of A Guitar Oil-Power, October 1940 Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1941		New Prices: Feb 1, 1941 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1941		Epiphone Varichord: April 1941 Flyer, 6 p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1941		New Prices: Oct 7, 1941 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1941		Price Changes: Dec 1, 1941 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection George Gruhn)
1942		Epiphone Musical Instruments / Catalog V (green cover) Catalog, 48 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1942		New Prices (Catalog V): Mar 15, 1942 Flyer, 6 p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1946		New Prices (Catalog V): Apr 1, 1946 + Notice sheet Flyer, 6 p + 1 p Price list: Download PDF Notice sheet: Download PDF (Collection George Gruhn)
1947		Epiphone Strings: Feb 20, 1947 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1947		New Prices (Catalog V): Jun 1, 1947 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Rod McDonald)
1948		New Prices (Catalog V): Mar 15, 1948 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Rod McDonald)
1949		Epiphone Price List: Mar 15, 1949 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1949		Epiphone Basses Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1949		Epiphone Acoustic Guitars and Mandolins Catalog, 8 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1949		Epiphone Electar Electronic Instruments Catalog, 8 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1950		Epiphone Price List: Jul 15, 1950 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1950		Epiphone Masterbilt Strings: Oct 15, 1950 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Mark Anagnostopulos)
1950		Epiphone Price List: Nov 15, 1950 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Mark Anagnostopulos)
1951		Epiphone's Zephyr Emperor Vari-Tone Promo card, 1 p Download PDF (source unknown)
1953		Epiphone Retail Price List: July 1953 Flyer, 4 p Download PDF (Collection Rod McDonald)
1954		Epiphone – dedicated to the best Continental Music Catalog, 16 p Download PDF (Collection Felix Wiedler)
1955		Epiphone Harry Volpe Model Continental Music Catalog insert, 1 p Download JPG (Collection unknown)
1955		Epiphone Harry Volpe Model Promo card, 1 p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1955		Epiphone Professional Amplifiers Continental Music Flyer, 6p Download PDF (Collection Anthony Hendrix)

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2. Adverts:

Click images to enlarge (most photos provided by Anthony Hendrix)

1932
The Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Metronome, Feb 1932	Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Metronome, Mar–May 1932
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Metronome, Jun–Jul 1932	Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Metronome, Aug–Dec 1932
1933
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Metronome, Jan 1933	Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Metronome, Feb–Jun 1933
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Metronome, Sep 1933	You'll like the Epiphone ... Metronome, Oct/Nov 1933
The Choice of the Stars Metronome, Dec 1933
1934
The Choice of the Stars Metronome, Jan 1934	The Stars Who Play Epiphone Metronome, Feb 1934
Our Hat is Off to Them! Metronome, Mar 1934	"Backing Every Epiphone Guitar" Metronome, Apr 1934
"Gilding the Lily" ... Metronome, May 1934	Accepted! Metronome, Jun 1934
Use Epiphone Strings Metronome, Aug 1934	Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Metronome, Sep 1934
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars International Musician, Sep 1934	Our Customers Said It! International Musician, Oct 1934
"When You Want the Best ..." Metronome, Oct 1934	"Some Time, Anyhow ..." Metronome, Nov 1934
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars International Musician, Nov 1934	Give Yourself an Epiphone International Musician, Dec 1934
Epiphone Masterbilt Supreme ... Metronome, Dec 1934
1935
"The Best Guitar Made" Metronome, Jan 1935	"For Hard Service" International Musician, Jan 1935
Your Leader Tells You! Metronome, Feb/Mar 1935	Your Leader Tells You! International Musician, Feb 1935
Write Today ... International Musician, Apr 1935	Write Today ... Metronome, Apr 1935
all stars... and all play Epiphone International Musician, May 1935	These Aces of the Air ... Metronome, May 1935
New Oversize Zenith Metronome, Jun 1935	New Auditorium-Size Blackstone International Musician, Jun 1935
Sorrentino Guitars Metronome, Jul 1935 (Chicago Musical Instruments)
The 2 Top Guitarists Metronome, Sep/Oct 1935	Alright – The New Electar ... Metronome, Nov 1935
2 new and Greater Epiphone ... Metronome, Dec 1935	"The new Electar is sensational!" Metronome, Dec 1935
1936
Perfection+Plus Metronome, Jan 1936	Three Reasons Why Metronome, Jan 1936
No Other Electric Guitar International Musician, Jan 1936	Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars Music Dictionary, Beihoff, 1936
All Ace Swing Bands ... Metronome, Feb 1936	Electar Wins New Artists Metronome, Mar 1936
... Switch to Epiphone Metronome, Apr 1936	Another Epiphone Scoop ...! Metronome, May 1936
Tone – Volume Metronome, Jul 1936	Electar New Design Power ... Metronome, Jul 1936
Epiphone ... Love at First Sound Metronome, Sep 1936	It must be the Best Guitar ... Metronome, Oct 1936
Electar – The Electric Guitar Metronome, Oct 1936	Epiphone Stars Across The Sea Metronome, Nov 1936
Spot The Stars! Melody Maker, Nov 1936 (Handcraft, UK)
A Hit! Metronome, Nov 1936	The Emperor Metronome, Dec 1936
Air Scoop Andy Sannella Metronome, Dec 1936	Announcing Model "C" Electar Music Trades, Dec 1936
1937
Winning with Epiphone ... Metronome, Jan 1937	Electar – The Magic Guitar DownBeat, Jan 1937
Electar – Ralph Collicchio Metronome, Feb 1937	Epiphone – Mike Poveromo Metronome, Feb 1937
Epiphone Star Sammy Friedman DownBeat, Mar 1937	Hilton "Nappy" Lamare Metronome, Mar 1937
Sleepy Hall and his Electar Banjo Metronome, Mar 1937	Epiphone Masterbilt Strings Metronome, Apr 1937
Popularity Champions Metronome, Apr 1937	Metronome Contest Results ... Metronome, Jun 1937
For The Stars Everywhere Metronome, Jul 1937	NAMM Convention, Chicago, 1937 Metronome, Aug 1937
Epiphone Frequensator Metronome, Sep 1937	Rocco ToneExpressor Metronome, Sep 1937
A Short Short Story Metronome, Oct 1937	They asked for the best Metronome, Nov 1937
Do you want the right answers? Metronome, Dec 1937	Epiphone ... Electar Music Trades, Purchaser's, 1937
1938
Pardon Us Metronome, Jan 1938	Presenting Carmen Mastren Metronome, Feb 1938
You Are The Judge... Tempo, Apr 1938	Guitarists! Meet Herb Sunshine Melody Maker, Apr 1938 (Selmer, UK)
The New Emperor Model "400" Tempo, Aug 1938 (Lockie Music Exchange)	We Switched to Epiphone Tempo, Sep 1938 (Lockie Music Exchange)
...on the Air... in the Movies... Metronome, Sep 1938	Epiphone Now Exclusively Used ... Metronome, Oct 1938
At New York Swing Carnival Tempo, Oct 1938	Howard Coan Tempo, Oct 1938 (Lockie Music Exchange)
With The Boys In The Know ... Metronome, Nov 1938	With The Leading Bands ... Metronome, Dec 1938
Epiphone Guitars Can't Be Beat... Music Dictionary, Beihoff, 1938
1939
Contest Winners Metronome, Jan 1939	Don Ricardo Tempo, Jan 1939 (Lockie Music Exchange)
Al Hendrickson Tempo, Feb 1939 (Lockie Music Exchange)	George van Eps Method Metronome, Feb 1939
Epiphone Leads Again Metronome, Feb 1939	They Satisfy Metronome, Mar 1939
I''s an Epiphone... again Metronome, Apr 1939	The Cream of the Crop... Metronome, May 1939
To The Most Exacting Tastes... Metronome, Jun 1939	Epiphone Guitars "Cut Through" Metronome, Jul 1939
Tony Schroeder Tempo, Aug 1939 (Lockie Music Exchange)
Sparkling Tone... Metronome, Aug 1939	Extra Measures of Value Metronome, Sep 1939
"Good News of 1940" Metronome, Oct 1939	Out Front... With The Best... Metronome, Nov 1939
Leaders in the field Metronome, Dec 1939
1940
Carmen Mastren... The Winner Metronome, Jan 1940	With The "Top Hatters" Metronome, Feb 1940
That Extra Something Metronome, Mar 1940	Epiphone Is The Tops Metronome, Apr 1940
Star Performers... Metronome, Jun 1940	Epiphone Basses Metronome, Aug 1940
Smooth Performances Metronome, Sep 1940	A "Star" Combination Metronome, Oct 1940
Epiphone Basses Metronome, Nov 1940	Nothing but the best Metronome, Dec 1940
The Finest Instruments Built Music Trades, Purchaser's, 1940	Epiphone Guitars Can't Be Beat Music Dictionary, Beihoff, 1940
1941
Choice Of The Experts... Metronome, Jan 1941	The best for the best Metronome, Mar 1941
Epiphone Varichord Metronome, Apr 1941	Top Performance! Metronome, May 1941
Out Front Metronome, Jun 1941	Popular Everywhere Metronome, Aug 1941
Follow The Stars... Metronome, Sep 1941	Consistently Popular... Metronome, Oct 1941
Leaders Metronome, Oct 1941	When only the best will do! Metronome, Nov 1941
Constant Popularity Metronome, Dec 1941
1942
With Guitarists Everywhere... Metronome, Jan 1942	The Varichord Metronome, Feb 1942
"Top Notch" Metronome, Mar 1942	Going Places Metronome, Apr 1942
"Best Foot Forward" International Musician, Mar 1942
1943
Epi ... Dies at 49 Metronome, Jul 1943
1947
Epiphon leads the field! Metronome, Sep 1947	It's Out Of This World! Metronome, Dec 1947
1948
Epiphone Has Perfected Metronome, March/Oct 1948	The Tone Spectrum Pick-Up Metronome, May 1948
Lines Of Least Sales Resistance ... Music Trades, Purchaser's, 1948
1949
Epiphone joins Billy Bauer ... Metronome, Jan 1949	Epiphone Bass Viol Metronome, Apr 1949
Electric Guitar Combination Metronome, May 1949	The Geo. Van Eps Bass Bridge Metronome, Apr 1949
1950
The Nation's Most Outstanding ... Metronome, Jan 1950	Something To Sing About... Metronome, May 1950
Zephyr Emperor Vari-Tone Metronome, Nov 1950
1951
Here's The Key To The Greatest... Metronome, Aug 1951	Epiphone Masterbilt Strings Metronome, Nov 1951
1954
Epiphone – Since 1873 ... Metronome, Feb 1954 (Continental Music)	Epiphone – dedicated to the best  Metronome, Apr 1954 (Continental Music)
Harry Volpe ... the Artist plays International Musician, Dec 1954 (Continental Music)
1955
Harry Volpe ... the Artist plays Metronome, Feb 1955 (Continental Music)	Epiphone Harry Volpe Model DownBeat, Mar 1955 (Continental Music)
DeLuxe Cutaway Flat Top Guitar C&W Jamboree, Apr 1955 (Continental Music)	Follow The... Vagabonds  Metronome, May 1955 (Continental Music)
Epiphone Professional Amplifiers Metronome, May 1955 (Continental Music)