-
I'm a young guitarist who has been into jazz for about a year now.
I currently own an Ibanez AF105NT, but I've been thinking about getting a second jazz box for a while.
Recently found a Joe Pass Emperor II and the pro version for sale for 700 each.
I'm wondering if theres anyone who could help me both with if the Joe Pass is good enough to buy and if so if the pro version or the normal one is better.
I can also say the normal Joe Pass was made in Samick and it's from 1997
-
04-07-2026 05:33 PM
-
Hi - welcome to the Forum!
Sounds like you have a cool guitar right now! A quick look on Reverb shows the Emperor II going from under $500 to about $1200; probably without a link or other pics, people here may not be able to tell you if the one you're looking at is "good enough" to buy, but in general, those are decent guitars.
Since you're young and new to jazz, you may also hear a lot of people here tell you to take lessons, practice, and play with others while saving some money, 'cuz in another year your ears and tastes will change and you'll want a different guitar, so no "need" to buy something now!
And most of all - have fun!
Peace,
Marc
-
Hello and welcome!
I’ve no experience with either of those guitars, but am sure you’ll get kind and useful advice here.
Wishing you all the best!
-
The Joe pass is a mighty fine guitar.
-
The Ibanez you have is probably better than the Joe Pass
The necks on Ibanez are really nice. Any Korean made Artstar from twenty years ago in good condition is a lot better than the Artcores.
-
Is there some reason you need a second jazz guitar?
I think you should save your money until you have a compelling need or desire. Otherwise, you are just spending cash for the sake of GAS (gear accusition syndrome).
Once you decide there is a certain sound you want then you can look at your gear. I dont see the point in another laminated top jazz guitar. Maybe there is a reason but you have not stated it.
-
There aren’t really two versions. They stopped making the Joe Pass for a few years. They then reintroduced it with “Pro” added to the name and with a switch for splitting the pickup coils (a not particularly useful feature IMO). Other than that, they’re the same thing. Assuming they’re in similar condition, get the cheaper one. Not sure where you are, but In the US, you should be able to find either one for $500-ish, so $700 seems a bit high, but maybe not where you are.
Originally Posted by informal1
I tend to agree with others that at this stage in your playing a second archtop is probably not worth it, but it’s your money (and trying to talk people on a guitar forum out of buying a guitar is an even less productive activity than GAS).
-
I think 2 lam archtops is redundant when there are many other options to be found. If you like laminante guitars thats fine and one could, in theory, get one that has significantly different style pickups. Then it would make sense but so far the OP has not suggested any sort of tonal chase.
I think the money would be best spent piling up in a guitar account. For instance...if he gets the hankering for a carved top. That will cost significantly more than a JP Ibanez. It seems he is really looking at a lateral change and with our limited info its kind of random. I
Id suggest that if the OP feels his guitar is lacking it might benefit from a quality setup. That would be a good place to drop a bit of money. If there is nothing wrong with it then just playing is the best option.
The internet is a powerful GAS generator.
-
The JP Ibanez you mentioned is an expensive rare guitar, made in Japan in the 1980s - albeit laminate.
-
The Ibanez you have is likely better, already. I don't see the need in having 2 less expensive laminate archtop guitars? I do own a Joe Pass that is a 1996 made in Samick and I will say it is a pretty good guitar. It's my favorite "budget" archtop I've owned. Mine needed a LOT of work but the bones were very good. $700 seems a touch high unless it has a case and is in decent condition. I will say I have played and owned a number of different Epiphones and the newer Chinese ones impress me less (although there have been exceptions).
I don't see the need in the purchase unless you simply have the funds and want to have some fun.
-
If you want a second Jazz guitar, buy one that is different to your first, not just a variety of the one you have already (laminated, humbuckers). Buy one with P90s or an acoustic archtop with a solid top. Or a thinline ES-330 type, a semi-hollow or even a solid body. Tons of options.
-
Welcome to the club of chasing tonal dreams! It becomes an obsession,like gambling,Lol!
-
My rationale for a second archtop was my lawsuit Howard Roberts is my “vintage” guitar - 50 years old - and stays in the music room.
My “new” Eastman AR371 is 8 years old, super stable and is my daily player. I’ve got it sounding and playing very nice.
For those into the prediction gambling (not me) what will be the price of the new Gibson L5 assuming we see it?
North of $17K?
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos