What is story on this early Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor?

[Lkdog]

Ran across this locally as I am thinking of grabbing a solid basic (around $1000 or less used) jazz guitar (too many choices by the way). I am a casual jazz player.

It is advertised as a year 2000 JP Emperor but does not have the JP signature on the pickguard and the selector switch is in lower place on guitar.
I saw another thread here that says the font used on the headstock is pre 96-97. I do not think this is a year 2000.

Serial number on a sticker is 0110370. No factory code.

What can anyone tell me about these early JP models? I like a traditional darker but clear jazz sound and had a Ibanez PM20 that I liked.
Have also played a friend's Gibson ES 175 VOS one pickup model and liked it in general but honestly the PM20 sounded and played almost as good.
Have has a Ibanez AF105 but a little bright. The Epi Es 175 Premium interests me except people claim the neck is very thin.

Here is the Epi JP Emperor. I am guessing it is early version they made? I do like the way it looks. Thanks for any input.

[Cunamara]

Well, here's Joe:

That is a nice looking guitar. I notice that the truss rod cover has been replaced with one that says "Gibson." Possible that pickguard has been replaced or that may be the original. It's possible that this is an Epiphone Emperor rather than the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II. Note that the guitar Joe is playing in the above video has the pickup switch by the cutaway like this one does. I don't know whether Joe is playing one of his signature guitars there. His truss rod cover reads "Custom." Later versions of the JP moved to the pickup switch to the bass side upper bout, like an ES 175.

Here's Rich Severson:

Great tones are possible with this guitar. Great tones are possible with the Ibanez, as well.

[Lkdog]

Found another similar one on REVERB.

Apparently this is an Epiphone Emperor and predates the Joe Pass versions which started around 93/94.


Epiphone 1989 Emperor Hollowbody Electric Guitar W/Case - (Used)


Just a moment...

[AllanAllen]

That looks like a pre-Joe Pass endorsement Emperor. Like this.

I've never played an Epi I didn't love.

[garybaldy]

Found another similar one on REVERB.

Apparently this is an Epiphone Emperor and predates the Joe Pass versions which started around 93/94.


Epiphone 1989 Emperor Hollowbody Electric Guitar W/Case - (Used)


Just a moment...

Mine has the switch on the bass side which suggests it's an EEJP but it's a '92. The pg is missing and the trc is blank.

[Doctor Jeff]

Was this one made in Korea? Not seeing the S in the serial number, which indicates made in the Samick factory (as mine was).

They’re very good guitars. My impression is that the first years made in Indonesia were inconsistent, but other than that pretty good quality. The electronics are generic, and the pickups are OK—Epiphone copies of Gibson Classic 57s.

Anyway, assuming the neck and body are fine and no issues with electronics, should be worth considering if the price were right.

Here was mine after upgrading with Stew Mac Parsons Street pickups and some wooden knobs and pickguard.

[floatingpickup]

That looks like a pre-Joe Pass endorsement Emperor. Like this.

I've never played an Epi I didn't love.

I remember the early version of the Emperor being available for a period of time before the Joe Pass endorsement. Those early versions did not have his name on the pickguard. When it became a “Joe Pass” Emperor, they basically added his name to an existing model. That seemed strange to me at the time.
Keith

[Lkdog]

Thanks for the input.
These appear to be Korean made (although there were some Japanese versions also with different tailpieces)
and folks are correct that when they made it a JP signature they moved the selector switch and added his name on the pg.

Most out there in the wild seem to be '89 models and there is no factory letter code in the serial number.

[Boze]

The serial number site I used dates yours to 1980 MIK.

I owned nearly this exact guitar briefly this year. It's very good looking, doesn't have much of an acoustic voice to speak of, neck a tad D chunky for me but nothing extreme.

As usual with Korean hollowbodies of this vintage I couldn't stand the stock pickups. I replaced them with some Fralin Pure PAFs and replaced the bridge with a budget compensated rosewood one and thought it made a sweet budget jazz guitar with those upgrades. I still prefer the neck and acoustic tone of my MIK Epiphone Zephyr and the x-braced Eastman AR403ce.

I do love the Emperor's curly brace styling on the end of the neck binding, which is unique to that model.

[JeanSut]

Bruce Forman told the following in a recent interview: in the Eighties he played an Ibanez guitar. One of the guys who worked on his guitar then went to work with Epiphone and developed the Joe Pass Model.

I owned one in the 90s and wish I never had sold it.

[Archie]

The serial number site I used dates yours to 1980 MIK.

I owned nearly this exact guitar briefly this year. It's very good looking, doesn't have much of an acoustic voice to speak of, neck a tad D chunky for me but nothing extreme.

As usual with Korean hollowbodies of this vintage I couldn't stand the stock pickups. I replaced them with some Fralin Pure PAFs and replaced the bridge with a budget compensated rosewood one and thought it made a sweet budget jazz guitar with those upgrades. I still prefer the neck and acoustic tone of my MIK Epiphone Zephyr and the x-braced Eastman AR403ce.

I do love the Emperor's curly brace styling on the end of the neck binding, which is unique to that model.

Hey Boze, that site must be wrong.
Epiphones weren't made in Korea in 1980 (as far as I know).
Joe Pass at that point was playing a D’Aquisto and would then in 1981/2 enter into contract with Ibanez.
The Epiphone model you’re referring to, came about in the early to mid 90's
The Ibanez JP finished in 92?
As far as I know, they were never made in Japan.

[stelflip]

This is my 1989 Japanese built that I bought new in ‘89. Of course the cosmetics were changed; pickup rings; knobs switch cover truss rod cover.

The original truss rod cover is the same as the one you are showing. Someone here said that it is not original; but mine has it. Also someone mentioned that the pickguard is not original; but again; mine has the same one. (I just don’t like it so prefer it off)

From what I have read, the Joe Pass model and the original Emperor actually overlapped in production. In 1989 or 1990. Epiphone just slapped the JP credential on the stock Emperor. Later in 1993/94 they released the Joe Paas Emperor 2 with what ever changes they put in to it.

That’s what I know about that deal. I think you are looking at a model year similar to mine. If you buy it you’ll love it! I absolutely love mine! I still play it regularly. I wore out the frets years ago and had them replaced. I wore them out again; but for now I got away doing a level and recrowning.
So; this is two months from your post; what did you do?

[garybaldy]

Here's my EE JP. From the serial number it looks to be a '92.
Clearly the pics don't show! I'll try again!

[SetPhasersToSwing]

+1 for the Epi Joe Pass appreciation

I struggled with it for a long time before having it put back to bone stock, ironically to sell it, but then fell in love with it again!

[garybaldy]

EEJP poss '92

[GuyBoden]

I had an Korean made Epiphone Joe Pass in the 1990's, Nice guitars for the low price. My friend still plays one, loves it.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

The original truss rod cover is the same as the one you are showing. Someone here said that it is not original; but mine has it.

Some Epiphones from the '90s had truss rod covers with "Gibson" on them. I bought my Epi LP new in '94 or 5, and it came with one just like that. FWIW, I still have it and gig with it regularly. I replaced the tuners, pickups, wiring, controls, jack and nut because the originals were cheap junk. But the basic instrument is very well made and has held up remarkably well as my beater and dive bar blues guitar for 30 years.

[SetPhasersToSwing]

@garybaldy look at the back on that!

I have this slightly mad idea, hear me out. I kind of want to get another Joe Pass, take the bridge pickup and electronics out, patch up the holes and have something like Joe’s custom ES-175 that should have been a signature model.

I kind of did to my JP in 2023 when I was very unhappy with it, totally botched the wiring, it buzzed like a horde of angry bees all through a gig and cost a small fortune to get repaired ????

[Mick-7]

EEJP poss '92

Yes, 1992, and S = Samick factory, generally quite good.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I have this slightly mad idea, hear me out. I kind of want to get another Joe Pass, take the bridge pickup and electronics out, patch up the holes and have something like Joe’s custom ES-175 that should have been a signature model.

”Patching up the holes” is not a simple matter, especially in an archtop with a poly finish. At least a solid body offers enough surrounding support surface to which filler can adhere. But cutting, fitting, securing and blending a plug into an archtop is a job for a skilled luthier.

I did this to my Epi LP and turned it into a poor man’s Benny. Removing a thick poly finish is difficult. I realized in the nick of time that I wasn’t even sure the top wasn’t photo flame, so I didn’t start sanding it down. Instead, I cut a plug of 1/2” pine, glued it into the rout, and used Bondo (auto body filler) to get a smooth and solid fill.

I used furniture touch up markers to add grain, and I covered it with “vintage” Minwax poly gloss. The poly caused the grain stain to spread out and darken a little, so the match with the top isn’t as good as it should be. It’s good enough for a Frankenpaul, but I wouldn’t even consider doing this to a nice archtop. I’d sooner leave the hole as it is.

[guitar1303]

I have an Epi JP made in the Samick factory in 1996 and still own (and love) it and I have seen a number of them over the years. Mine has the autographed pick guard and the truss rod cover says, "Joe Pass." I agree the OP's guitar is not a 2000 model. I've also never seen a JP with the serial number on a sticker. I note that the left side of the serial number sticker in the picture has been trimmed off where the factory code would be. Don't know what that may mean.

[garybaldy]

@garybaldy look at the back on that!

I have this slightly mad idea, hear me out. I kind of want to get another Joe Pass, take the bridge pickup and electronics out, patch up the holes and have something like Joe’s custom ES-175 that should have been a signature model.

I kind of did to my JP in 2023 when I was very unhappy with it, totally botched the wiring, it buzzed like a horde of angry bees all through a gig and cost a small fortune to get repaired ????

I'm so pleased I'm not the only one with sideways pics!

[garybaldy]

I have an Epi JP made in the Samick factory in 1996 and still own (and love) it and I have seen a number of them over the years. Mine has the autographed pick guard and the truss rod cover says, "Joe Pass." I agree the OP's guitar is not a 2000 model. I've also never seen a JP with the serial number on a sticker. I note that the left side of the serial number sticker in the picture has been trimmed off where the factory code would be. Don't know what that may mean.

Yes. A 2000 model wouldn't have the Gibson style font for Epiphone on the headstock. By about 96/97 the font changed and the 'n' didn't have the Gibson tail.

[garybaldy]

Yes, 1992, and S = Samick factory, generally quite good.

One day I'll completely change the wiring and pickups.

[Mick-7]

I'm so pleased I'm not the only one with sideways pics!

Sideways is o.k. if it's bottom side down as below. Personally I rather like floating guitars and would not object at all if a guitar like yours floated through an open window in my home one day - however if it was top side down I'd probably just ignore it, because generally speaking, only counterfeit guitars float like that.

Re: the sticker on the op's guitar, bogus looking stickers like that usually have one intent: to cover up what is beneath them, or if the guitar lacks a serial number, the sticker provides one - not one I'd trust though.