Frixo basses

[Steve Swan]

After the death of his brother, Epaminondas, in 1943, Frixo Stathopoulo lost out in the resulting power struggle with brother Orphie for control of the Epiphone company. In 1947 Frixo moved his family to Ohio to make basses under his own "Frixo" brand. Not many were made, as Frixo believed that he had been blackballed from suppliers of veneers and other parts. Has anyone on the forum played any of these basses? How do they differ from the basses that Frixo had made at Epiphone?

[Dilbertisme]

Mollykay, calling Mollykay. Come in, please . . .

[MollyKay]

I am here…I have pictures and detailed information of the Frixo bass. I have not seen one in person so I have not played one. To my eye they are a version of the original B-3 or B-4 bass. Frixo was thought to be the “bass man” at Epiphone, maybe even more so then Epi. I would image the Frixo basses are similar in construction and quality to that of the pre-war Epiphone’s. I'll paste here what I have from my website on Frixo basses. I know of only three documented Frixo basses and all three live in Ohio where they were built. If someone out there owns a Frixo bass I would love to know more about it. The Frixo bass is an important piece in my Epiphone history research

In early 1949 Frixo resigned from the company and relocated to Gloucester, OH where he intended to manufacture upright basses under his own label. Frixo tried and failed with his upright bass business. He could not purchase the large widths of fine spruce veneer needed for upright bass making. Apparently “someone” wanted to make it tough for him to build upright basses. I was told by Paul Fox that Frixo was the real bass luthier at the Epiphone Company. Frixo died in 1957 at the age of 52. During my research I have found two examples (possibly a third one) of a Frixo upright bass that was signed with Frixo’s company label from November 1949 and July 1950. I have made contact with both owners and have detailed pictures of both basses. They appear to be clones of the Epiphone B-4 blonde bass with slightly different details. All three known Frixo basses currently reside in Ohio. Additionally, Paul Fox has provided a Christmas card from December 1949 that shows Frixo’s daughter, Barbara holding a Frixo upright bass. The bass in the Christmas photo appears to be a different bass then the two labeled Frixo bass I have in pictures. If there are a few basses that were made by Frixo they will be a unique part of the Epiphone family legend and I would like to know more about them.

After Frixo left the Epiphone Company in 1949 Orphie sought help from the C.G. Conn Company based in Elkhart, Indiana. Conn’s relationship went back to the 1920’s when Continental distributed Epiphone Recording banjos. Orphie granted distribution rights in some territories to Continental and some degree of control. Orphie did retain ownership of Epiphone but the exact financial arrangement was never known. Mounting pressure to unionize prompted Conn to move the Epiphone manufacturing from Manhattan to Philadelphia in 1953. Many of Epiphone craftsmen refused to move from New York and they remained to become the backbone of the newly formed Guild Company in New York. The few skilled workers in Philadelphia plant referred to the less skilled workers as butchers. Without skilled craftsmen and without a dynamic personality in the leadership position, Epiphone was fast becoming a ghost company.





Frixo Bass slide show

[Steve Swan]

Molly,

Thanks a lot for the slide show and historical information. The maple veneers that he used for the bass backs certainly are beautiful. I came across the section on Frixo basses when looking through the company history section in the Jim Fisch and L.B. Fred book, "Epiphone The House of Stathopoulo". The two black and white photos were included in this book. The description of Frixo carefully making the cement press molds for the top and back press machine was particularly fascinating to me. I sure hope to be able to play one of these basses in my lifetime.

[MollyKay]

Originally Posted by Steve Swan

I sure hope to be able to play one of these basses in my lifetime.

Me too! If there are only three known to exist we need to make a pilgrimage to Ohio.

[Steve Swan]

I'd be surprised if some more don't turn up from family estate sales.

[nicechuckh]

Really like the slide show, beautiful details