Opions on epiphone Joe pass?

Conman · #1 08-04-2011, 09:56 AM

Hey guys was wondering if anyone has an opinion on the Joe Pass emperor by eppiphone. It's only $600 and I know it doesnt even compare to the gibsons but is it a good jazz guitar for the money? Also is it worth an extra $200 more than the dot?

Thanks

Jake Hanlon · #2 08-04-2011, 09:59 AM

it sounds and plays like a 600 dollar guitar if it's set up properly. I wouldn't really recommend them but for an affordable instrument that can get you pretty far it's not that bad. I think honestly the Ibanez guitars around that range are a little bit better. I'd probably wait, save up to 1000 and start looking at 2nd hand Eastmans

mr. beaumont · #3 08-04-2011, 10:26 AM

It's a very different guitar than the dot...the JP is much deeper and fully hollow.

It's an OK guitar for the money. I agree that if you want a blingy set humbucker archtop on a budget, ibanez probably gives you even more bang for the buck.

It might be tough to hold out and to find a used eastman for around 1k, but it's in a completely different league than epi's and ibanezes.

mangotango · #4 08-04-2011, 10:35 AM

Have an Epi JP, built by Samick in the early 90's. It took me from starting out on jazz guitar to the point whereby I felt I was getting good enough to move on up. Still keep it as a substitute (have gigged it in "tougher" venues) and am planning on having some work done to it when I return from holiday/vacation over the next couple of weeks (in Hilton Head Island, for those with the slightest cuiosity). Am contemplating having p-90's put in to make it sound totally different from my Vestx D'Angelico NYL-5. Plus as tailpiece that doesn't go "sproing" when you catch it and a scratchplate that looks a bit more normal and doesn't have on it a signature that I will never live up to.......

CaseyW · #5 08-04-2011, 10:42 AM

Just my opinion but having owned one the epi dot was not for me, the electronics were poor and the cost to replace them too difficult to justify. The neck was the chunkier 50s neck as well, which is not my favorite. Never played the Joe Pass but being better than the dot is not saying that much, again, imho.

Conman · #6 08-04-2011, 11:42 AM

I understand why you guys are saying save for the $1000 ibanez and normaly I agree however I would be taking my lessons at college and I don't want to take a 1000 dollar guitar with me there in fear that something might happen to it.

My plan is to get an inexpensive jazz guitar for around $400-$600 to learn on and while I am learning on it save up for a gibson.

RAQ · #7 08-04-2011, 02:37 PM

We're all obsessed with gear - erroneously so. When I logged on there were 30 viewing the gear threads and only a handful of people viewing the rest of the forum. It's nearly always like this. Is the 'Joe Pass' the best jazz archtop - no, of course it isn't; but that's not the point is it. Is it good enough to feel your way into jazz guitar, discover what you like in an archtop so you can make an informed decision when the time comes - yes, of course it is. There's a whole range of good budget guitars these days from Epi and Ibanez. There's the Epi ES175 (deeper body) and various AF and AK models from Ibanez. Yes you can wait and save up, but what does that teach you in the meantime, what are you learning to play on while you do it. I bought the 'Joe Pass' as a step on the way in my musical education. I took the pick-guard off it (don't like pick-guards) and changed the bling-bling tail piece that goes 'boing' for a plain trapeze. I then went slightly mad and put '57 Classics' in it (I'd got rather attached to it by this time). Works OK. I'm a hobby guitarist and probably will never justify moving up to a more expensive archtop - although quality instruments are a joy in themselves, providing you've got the cash. Given the choice between listening to me playing Joe's Gibson or Joe playing my 'Joe Pass', the entire world and his dog would pick Joe Pass playing my 'Joe Pass'. Is it better than the DOT. It's a better archtop than the DOT, but then the DOT is a better semi than the 'Joe Pass'. Maybe if you want a more general purpose guitar for your studies a semi might be better, but if you want an archtop the 'Joe Pass', or any of the good budget guitars, are OK. There are other semi's though - the Shearaton and the Ibanez AS range is particularly good. You learn an awful lot about setting up a guitar with a budget guitar - stuff that will help you pick out a better guitar when the times comes later on.

Vihar · #8 08-04-2011, 02:44 PM

Great post RAQ.

Doctor Jeff · #9 08-04-2011, 02:55 PM

I have an Epi Joe Pass and will go out on a limb and say it's the best jazz guitar for under $1000, when properly set up. I got mine for $400 on Ebay, a 1999 Samick with the plastic still under the bridge. Best $400 I ever spent, as it got me back into jazz playing in a big way.

I agree with the advice for getting out there and playing and learning the craft, then you can trade up or, more likely, get more guitars as you progress.

I also had a Dot which is OK for what it does but I found it deficient as a jazzbox.

lindydanny · #10 08-04-2011, 03:06 PM

I've got the 2008 model which came out of Korea (last year for them there). I think the ones after that came from China. The later Korean made ones like mine are good for the money (but not excellent). However, I've heard lots of bad about the newer ones from China. Mostly with the quality of the finish work and the electronics.

The electronics aren't hot in these. If you do buy one new, I suggest playing the hell out of it as hard and loud as you can to find it's breaking point so you can get warranty work done on it. If you buy it used, get it for under $500 and plan on either upgrading electronics or trading up in a few years.

I'm a pretty staunch supporter of them for the most part, I just figure you want an honest opinion. But, for $700 to $800 you can get an Ibenez or even a better Epi new and be a little happier (or you could get an even better used guitar and be really happy).

Whatever you end up with, take it to your luthier and have them set it up (and ask if you can help/watch).

~DB

mongrel · #11 08-04-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conman

Hey guys was wondering if anyone has an opinion on the Joe Pass emperor by eppiphone. It's only $600 and I know it doesnt even compare to the gibsons but is it a good jazz guitar for the money? Also is it worth an extra $200 more than the dot?

Thanks

I have both. I still play the Joe Pass but the Dot sits in its case. I put humbucker sized P-90ish pickups (Phat Cats) in the Joe Pass and it sounds worlds better than with the factory pickups. My advice would be to get a used Joe Pass made in one of the Korean factories instead of a new one which is likely made in Indonesia or China. It should be several hunred dollars cheaper and you could upgrade pickups and electronics for the cost of a new one that would still be needing all that. Good luck and enjoy whatever you end up with.

Conman · #12 08-04-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongrel

I have both. I still play the Joe Pass but the Dot sits in its case. I put humbucker sized P-90ish pickups (Phat Cats) in the Joe Pass and it sounds worlds better than with the factory pickups. My advice would be to get a used Joe Pass made in one of the Korean factories instead of a new one which is likely made in Indonesia or China. It should be several hunred dollars cheaper and you could upgrade pickups and electronics for the cost of a new one that would still be needing all that. Good luck and enjoy whatever you end up with.

What do you think of the Sheraton?

pghguitar · #13 08-04-2011, 06:58 PM

I've played the JP epi and I can't say I was super impressed, but it was at GC and probably not properly setup . I have a artcore AK95 which I got for $400. It plays better and appeared to be of better quality construction in my opinion.

mongrel · #14 08-04-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conman

What do you think of the Sheraton?

Sheraton is a Dot with bling for more money. I am a kind of "less is more" kind of guy when it comes to guitars and other stuff. I removed the pick guard from my Joe Pass and replaced the tacky filigree "Byrdland" tailpiece with a simple Allparts trapeze. I also installed an old Roland synth guitar tunamatic bridge with nylon saddles that tames the tonal extremes quite nicely.

Kojo27 · #15 08-04-2011, 08:05 PM

You can get Eastman (or very close) quality, IMHO, from "The Loar" LH-600 and LH-650, brand new, for under a grand. The 600 is purely acoustic; the 650 has a humbucker. Solid spruce top, hand-carved to specs of some great violin makers -- and solid flamed maple back & sides. These things are awesome, modeled almost exactly on the 1925 Gibson L-5 (see my avatar pic!). If you're lucky, you might even find one of the LH-700s for under a grand, on eBay. Don't buy the "B" stock unless you're prepared to set it up yourself.

These are essentially acoustic guitars, not ES-175-type electric jazz boxes. Light as a feather, window-busting volume, even with no amp. BTW, "Loar" makes some solid-top/lam sides & back models for under $500. Never tried one, though.

A friend has a Joe Pass Epi. Good for the money. Slim neck. AF-95 Ibanez might be better plugged in.

mr. beaumont · #16 08-04-2011, 08:41 PM

Shucks, shlepping around campus?...give me a tele.

tsar nicholas · #17 08-04-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongrel

Sheraton is a Dot with bling for more money.

^ this isn't really true - the Sheraton has a 5-piece maple neck, which changes the sound and, in my experience, neck stability considerably.

I have a 16-year old Sheraton, and though it's not my favorite guitar, it is pretty good with replaced pickups.

Retroman1969 · #18 08-05-2011, 12:02 AM

I have a JP and I find nothing wrong with it. I set it up myself and it gets a nice deep well modulated sound and looks and feels great. I haven't owned or played anything under a grand that felt and sounded as good and I've tried several at well over a grand that also didn't sound as good (to my ear anyway).
You might be able to find a better jazz guitar for somewhere near that price but you'd have to really work hard at it!
I have a feeling many complaints are made based on limited time with a poorly set-up (or NON set-up) guitar with really crappy strings.

Soon · #19 08-05-2011, 12:50 AM

I can't seem to find any nut width specs for either the JP or Artcore. I play a JP and would guess the nut width is 1 11/16 like Gibsons. For me, I wouldn't want to get any slimmer as I like the 1 3/4 width on my Loar and Taylor.

Anyone have specs for the Artcores?

I play my '04 MIK JP through a JazzAmp PhatCat and although the stock pups are awkward (mushy), I find myself 'proud' of my $425 (used) archtop for what it can do. My proficiency is probably beginner moving into intermediate territory. Right now I've got chrome FW 12s on it but am going to try 13s on the next change. I haven't changed the set up as it came very easy to play.

RAQ · #20 08-05-2011, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vihar

Great post RAQ.

Thank you kindly.

As to the Sheraton: I really don't know how consistent the DOT and Sheraton models have been over the years - not just in quality, but in terms of whether the shape/dimensions etc have changed. Be that as it may - I thought the Sheraton was a little more comfortable to play and had a better feel to it. The DOT was always trying to fight its way out of my grasp. The construction (see tsar nicholas) is different too, so it's not just a DOT with extras.

sparkhall · #21 08-05-2011, 03:39 AM

I have a JP, one of the made in Korea ones have heard these are better than the chinese output but have no experience of this personally. I changed the neck pup for a Bare knuckle manhattan (hand wound single coil in humbucker form) this transformed the sound to the extent that I initially found it hard to play as the sound was so different it kept distracting me!!

Obviously it is still a budget archtop but it is reasonably well made and with the pup upgrade gives me a tone I like.

I also have a epi dot that I bought before the JP, it gets played very seldom as it sounds so muddy compared to the improved JP. This might well also be improved if I changed the stock pickups. I bought the dot as I thought it would be versatile - problem was for me it never nailed the jazz tone I was looking for. With hindsight I should have bought the JP in the first place.

tomassplatch · #22 08-05-2011, 04:47 AM

It depends on what tone you are after.
If you are after a real jazz full hollow body tone, go for JP. Dot and Sheraton are alright and you can get quite a round tone and is quite versatile, but you will never have the sound of a real hollowbody.

That being said, JP is alright for the money, but not a "great" guitar. But I prefer it over Ibanez in the same price range - it sounds sweeter and warmer.

Conman · #23 08-05-2011, 07:16 AM

Thanks for all the imput guys I appreciate it. I guess what I am going to have to do is find a jazz melody and solo then a blues melody and solo. Then
I play those on each guitar at the store and see what sound I like better.

Thanks again

BigMikeinNJ · #24 08-05-2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conman

Thanks for all the imput guys I appreciate it. I guess what I am going to have to do is find a jazz melody and solo then a blues melody and solo. Then
I play those on each guitar at the store and see what sound I like better.

Thanks again

Take your amp when you go guitar shopping - always...
I 2nd the votes for an Eastman - I let got of all my other gear and now have 3 Eastmans and a hand built James A Patterson dread. Pretty set in the g-tar department.

loydb · #25 08-05-2011, 09:21 AM

I picked up a Korean JP II last week @ Guitar Center. It was the best-playing under-$1K archtop they had (I tried 2 Gretch, 2 Godin, and 2 other Epiphones, don't remember the model #s). Once I got it home, put on some new flatwounds, and tweaked the setup, I'm even happier with how it plays.

I'm saving for an Eastman PG-1 or PG-2. In the meantime, this will do, and is far better for learning jazz on than my Taylor 420 that I was using prior.

Conman · #26 08-05-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

Take your amp when you go guitar shopping - always...
I 2nd the votes for an Eastman - I let got of all my other gear and now have 3 Eastmans and a hand built James A Patterson dread. Pretty set in the g-tar department.

Yeah I talked to them at the store they have the exact same amp and they will let me play on it.
I know the Eastman guitars are good but really what I want is a Gibson so I sm just going to stick with a 600 dollar guitar for now and save up for the big Gibson.

Kojo27 · #27 08-06-2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soon

Anyone have specs for the Artcores?

My AF-95 is 1 11/16, I'm pretty sure. My Loars are 1 3/4, and they're definitely wider than the Artcore.

guitar1303 · #28 08-06-2011, 08:47 AM

I'm a big fan of Epi archtops, owning a Dot, Sheraton, ES-175, Joe Pass, and a Broadway (as well as a lot of other guitars, including Ibanez). The JP is an excellent guitar for the money; a good set up and great strings will make it sing for you. You can't go wrong with the ES-175 reissue, either -- and you'll save a hundred bucks toward the Gibson of your dreams. My Epi jazz boxes compare favorably with the more expensive guitars I own.

vinlander · #29 08-07-2011, 04:30 PM

Also a big fan of Epi, I got a Regent and a Joe Pass and tomorrow I finally will have my first semi : a Sheraton.
I might keep that one stock...hmm we will see.
Regarding that Joe Pass specifically, its the one that gets played the most if it tells something.
These affordable guitars are not only fun to play, but also fun to cusomize provided you don't endup putting too much money in them if you plan to sell...

fordfanjpn · #30 08-07-2011, 05:17 PM

I've had both the MIK and MIC JP's and the MIK was a much better made guitar. I unfortunately sold the MIK one and replaced it later with the Chinese one. I planned on upgrading the Chinese one, but when I started stripping the parts off it, it struck me as being little more than a cardboard box with a neck on it, so it got stuffed in the closet and there it remains. Epi used to be a good guitar for the money but I'm not sure that's still true.

Bill