House of Stathopoulo Instrument

[petty1]

Can anyone help me identify this Greek instrument? Is it a lauto? The label has House of Stathopoulo, New York. I found that the company was eventually bought by Gibson and became Epiphone. The sound hole has a gold colored "rosette" covering it with the initials AS in the middle. I assume it was made around the 1920s, but am not sure. The finish is "alligatored" but overall seems to be structurally intact. I am wondering about the possible value and whether it would be worth having it restored? Thank you in advance. -Michael

[goaty76]

House of Stathopoulo was the name of the company prior to it becoming Epiphone. Much later it was then sold to Gibson and then produced by them. This instrument might be a bit earlier than the 20's. What does the back look like?

If it were a guitar (or possibly mandolin or banjo) it would have a greater value and interest because that is what the Epiphone company went on to be known for. This instrument might hold some value to collectors but not to most others out there. Unless your really into Greek instruments. Just my opinion though.

Phil

[MikeEdgerton]

Anastasios Stathopoulo was from a Greek family that had moved to Turkey. Don't simply assume it's a Greek instrument. You can get the history straight with this timeline:

http://www.epiphone.com/History.aspx

[BBarton]

Interesting example of an early House of Stathopoulo instrument! The company was founded in 1873 by Epaminondes (nickname, Epi) A. Stathopoulo in New York, and were one of the oldest manufacturers on banjos. They renamed themselves Epiphone in the '20s and produced the Recording series of tenor banjos and guitars, among others, during that time; the Recording series of tenor banjos are coveted by Irish trad players. They later focused on guitars to compete with Gibson and built fabulous acoustic jazz-style arch-tops as well as flattops until they were eventually bought out by Gibson. They also produced some very cool mandolins in the '30s. Today's Epiphone instruments I believe are all Pac-Rim.

[DavidKOS]

Can anyone help me identify this Greek instrument? Is it a lauto?...Thank you in advance. -Michael

Yes it is a lauto.

[MikeEdgerton]

Interesting example of an early House of Stathopoulo instrument! The company was founded in 1873 by Epaminondes (nickname, Epi) A. Stathopoulo in New York, and were one of the oldest manufacturers on banjos. They renamed themselves Epiphone in the '20s and produced the Recording series of tenor banjos and guitars, among others, during that time; the Recording series of tenor banjos are coveted by Irish trad players. They later focused on guitars to compete with Gibson and built fabulous acoustic jazz-style arch-tops as well as flattops until they were eventually bought out by Gibson. They also produced some very cool mandolins in the '30s. Today's Epiphone instruments I believe are all Pac-Rim.

You might want to look at the link up above, then this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphone) one, then this (http://www.guitaraficionado.com/the-house-that-epi-built-in-the-140-year-history-of-epiphone-epaminondas-stathopoulo-looms-large.html) one, then this (http://www.guitaristsource.com/guitars/epiphone-history.shtml) one. Epi Stathopoulo inherited his father's business. The father's name was Anastasios.

[DavidKOS]

You might want to look at the link up above, then this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphone) one, then this (http://www.guitaraficionado.com/the-house-that-epi-built-in-the-140-year-history-of-epiphone-epaminondas-stathopoulo-looms-large.html) one, then this (http://www.guitaristsource.com/guitars/epiphone-history.shtml) one. Epi Stathopoulo inherited his father's business. The father's name was Anastasios.

So this is a pre Epiphone lauto!

[MikeEdgerton]

Yes, I know that. The person that I was responding to had the Epiphone history a bit off kilter.

[DavidKOS]

Yes, I know that. The person that I was responding to had the Epiphone history a bit off kilter.

I know you knew this - I think it's pretty cool though to see one of the elder Stathopoulo's instruments.

[BBarton]

Mike -- Thanks for the historical clarification. I initially had thought that Epi was the son, but I got that history from Akira Tsumura's red banjo book so I figured it was correct. Apparently his history was off kilter too!

[MikeEdgerton]

There's a whole lot of bad historical information out there about these companies.

[zedmando]

Wherever & whenever it was made--it does look cool.
And no matter what else--you have that.

[allenhopkins]

There's a whole lot of bad historical information out there about these companies.

Some of it perpetuated by the companies themselves.

However, the company history on the Epiphone website (http://www.epiphone.com/History.aspx) is detailed and pretty honest, though a bit self-congratulatory.

[MikeEdgerton]

Yup, it is. I linked to it in message 3 :cool:

[zedmando]

Some of it perpetuated by the companies themselves.

However, the company history on the Epiphone website (http://www.epiphone.com/History.aspx) is detailed and pretty honest, though a bit self-congratulatory.

They tend to be that way--understandably--but some are worse than others--and hey--I like Epi mandolins...

[BradKlein]

Can anyone help me identify this Greek instrument? Is it a lauto? The label has House of Stathopoulo, New York. … I am wondering about the possible value and whether it would be worth having it restored? Thank you in advance. -Michael

Michael, I would suggest contacting Retrofret in Brooklyn, NY for questions about this instrument, particularly if you might be interested in selling it. They are quite knowledgeable on the early history of this company and have an interest in unconventional instruments.

[Giannis Tsoulogiannis]

This is probably an Anastasios Stathopoulo Laouto made probably before 1914.It seems to me that it had some bad restorations

[DavidKOS]

This is probably an Anastasios Stathopoulo Laouto made probably before 1914.It seems to me that it had some bad restorations

Those are some beautiful bouzoukis on your blog! Thanks.

[Giannis Tsoulogiannis]

Thank you!I have studied Stathopoulo work also.Thank you once more.www.hijaz.gr

[ollaimh]

beautiful instrument, it is indeed a laouto. i have one that took a lot of restoration

142567


very rare and historically important instruments, but it's a small market so they don't sell easily.

mine had the worst repair nightmare i have ever had. had to sue the repairer to get it back!!!! (long story)

so the pick guard is fifties on a pre WWI instrument. yours looks to have had some questionable repair as well.