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Hi guys,
I had one of these once years ago and I really wanted to love it. But it came to me with a twisted neck and I sent it back.
This one was advertised at a fair price with Gotoh tuners and a Kent Armstrong pickup at a fair price so I bought it.
When I received it it was in excellent cosmetic condition. But the pickup install was a mess and the frets needed a level. The bridge was carved to 20 degrees which doesn’t match the 12degree fretboard radius so that was corrected. My Super tech, Brian Kirkner completed the work in a day. When I picked up the guitar I was SHOCKED by its sound, playability and how comfortable it was to sit with or stand with it.
The Kent Armstrong pickup is an Asian made "Jazzy Joe". It sounds nice and clear but it doesn’t have much volume. Since I play this through my GT-001 with headphones, I am able to increase the volume on the EQ a bit to compensate for the poor output of the pickup. But I am happy with it overall.
After spending a couple of weeks with this guitar it has proved to me without question that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a truly nice guitar. The neck is extraordinarily nice. Not too thin. Right in the middle of my GB100 and L5. Will it replace Any of my other Guitars? Nope. But I’ll tell you this, I will play the heck out of this guitar and it will be my baby for a long time.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a wonderful guitar. With the proper setup and electronic tweaks this guitar will stand up to anything.
Here is a Video that I recorded. No Amp. Just the Boss GT_001. No Amp Simulation. I only use the EQ and Reverb. The EQ is set flat as always, but I use the overall Level on the EQ to add volume, without colorizing the sound at all.
I hope you like..
Seriously guys, this is an OUTSTANDING value for 4 times the price.
Thanks for looking. I will add some pictures later on.
Joe D
I added another video because I am excited about the sound and the use of the crystal clear camera on my iPhone 12 Max Pro.
I hope you like..
Thanks for looking..
JDLast edited by Max405; 01-24-2021 at 03:17 PM.
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01-18-2021 06:56 PM
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Joe congratulations! That sounds fantastic as does everything you put in your hands. I have never played one but if I ever have the chance I will be sure to check one out. Thanks for the recommendation! As usual you make it sound like a million bucks.
Doug
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It's not the bow, it's the archer!
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nice Joe D...wonderful playing, recording and write up as usual...a lesson for those that think quality guitar tones have to be big $$$$....
a well done set-up can really make guitars sing..and those red silk strings! hah
and you can always get a different floater pickup down the line
well done pal
cheers
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Epiphone makes some very nice guitars. Always have, even after Gibson sent them overseas. IME they're as good as Gibsons, just with a different headstock.
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That sounds great Joe. You played beautifully!
Keith
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i've never had an Epiphone I didn't really like. I currently have 2, the Broadway is I think the same basic body as the Emperor Regent, just with routed pickups. I love that guitar. You really show here that a capable guitar in the hands of a fine player makes for a superb combination. Just beautiful.
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ps- you also got it shinier than any factory fresh epi i've ever seen!!..hah
cheers
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Wow! JD, you sound great brother! The guitar sounds good too! Just amazing.
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Originally Posted by Gitpicker
Thank you for the beautiful things you say bro. I’ll send you a check soon..
L’J
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Originally Posted by neatomic
Originally Posted by neatomic
If anyone in the NJ area wants a GREAT luthier, my guy Brian Kirkner is the one for you. If you buy a new guitar, let Brian make it into a perfect guitar. He is incredible. And reasonable too.
You are right, I am considering the 12 pole Hand wound KA. Kent told me it’s as good as the original Gibson Johnny Smith floater. He recommended that pickup to me specifically. Right now I don’t think I need it, but it’s on the list..
And yes, I detailed the crap out of it. Meguires 101, 105 and Menzerna P085rd. Then topped with Virtuoso. The metalwork got 100% Carnuba. It sits on my wall and it thinks it’s a Monteleone!!
Take care buddy.
Joe D
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Originally Posted by Cunamara
Originally Posted by sgosnell
Originally Posted by floatingpickup
Joe D
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Originally Posted by lawson-stone
Originally Posted by skykomishone
Thank you bro,
Joe D
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Beautiful playing ... and a gorgeous guitar. Play it in good health!
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Originally Posted by Max405
cheers
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Wow, that sounds beautiful, Joe! Love the song, and the arrangement, and the way you play it, too. I like that tone as much as any you've posted. I remember playing one of those when they first came out and thinking it was great. It sticks in my mind to this day. I think you'll be very happy with that as your "beater."
John
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great pics!...i'm big fan of frequensator tailpiece..not only looks cool but really affects tone...all that space between bridge and tailpiece on heavy strings...really lets them resonate!
they work best with heavy strings!
expert finish shine Joe D! unreal! bravo
cheers
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Really lovely playing.
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Lovely playing, thanks! I've said this a few times before: the Emperor Regent is grossly underrated. Mine is a Korean -99, impeccable in finish and detail. All-maple construction and a floating mini-humbucker result in a bright tone, which is fine for e.g. swing comping. There are limits to how much darker/mellower the tone gets from upgrading the electronics; you can't alter completely the nature of an instrument with a strong acoustic presence. Heavy flatwounds will probably do just as much. I've said this, too: when it's time to wind down, the Regent will be the last one to leave.
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Originally Posted by Max405
congratulations on a very nice rendition and this acquisition.I applaud all of the compliments that
you rightly deserve. Very well done my friend, Ill wager Elaine likes it also.
Best , Alan
,
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Originally Posted by John A.
I feel in love with the song when searching through my albums for something new to learn. This is a bonus track on the Bad Benson Album. I know Cole Porter wrote a song called From Now On, but the melody was way different. I am thinking that this is a George Benson Original. Maybe I am wrong.
Yeah, like I said, I had one of these EER's and I wanted so much to love it. But, it was abused and the neck was twisted. This one has been made right by my friend and Super Tech Brian Kirkner. A great setup makes all the difference on a guitar that has a dead straight neck.
I just want to clarify something. I didnt mean to sound like a snob when I said the word "beater". When I bought my GB100, I wanted that guitar to be a guitar that I really didnt care about "cosmetically". I needed something that I could take with me places without caring so much if I dinged it up. But after I got it, I did what I always do.. I made it perfect. So I figured ya know, if I bought an inexpensive guitar, I wouldnt want to make it into a masterpiece. Well, that was another epic failure! This guitar is just as cared for as my other babies. I've come to a final conclusion.. I could never own a beater guitar. I take ridiculous care of my stuff all the same, regardless of how much its worth!
Thank You John. I appreciate what you said. I really do.
JD
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Originally Posted by customxke
Originally Posted by Gitterbug
I could definitely see how this guitar would be the last to leave. Its all the guitar anyone who loves Jazz and Chord Melody could ever really need.
Thank you for what you said. I appreciate it.
JD
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Originally Posted by silverfoxx
My wife said I look sexy in the video and she said the song is the most romantic one I've ever played.. Can you imagine if it was, "Love Walked In", by the Flamingo's? Oh boy.. I'd be in trouble!
As always, thanks for always being there my man. I am blessed to have you as a friend.
L,J
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Originally Posted by neatomic
Thanks for noticing the Shiny-ness on my purdied up baby. Nothing beats touching a slick, smooth finish on a guitar.
JD
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Originally Posted by 3rdwaverider
Your name implies that you are a surfer. Is that true?
IF so, I hope to be helping you out some day soon on my GP1800R HO! Good times ahead!
JD
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When you can get past the “G” stigma on the headstock you can be greatly rewarded for far less $$$.
As usual Bro, a most stellar and beautiful rendition. Bravo !!!
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Dear Joey,
Great player for a great guitar. You've squeezed the best out of it. You know I own the same model and, just like you, I highly praise this guitar. This is a lovely guitar in every sense.
Best to you my friend.
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Originally Posted by Max405
John
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Excellent playing Joe!! Like I’ve said- you make any guitar sound great. The quality of Asian imports continues to improve and you can’t beat the value.
Wishing you many hours of enjoyment!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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the frequensator tailpiece came from- frequency compensator!...
its designer for epi, herb sunshine said-
"i got the idea from the piano, which had different string lengths. i studied the harmonic content of the string at the bridge, and when you vary the rear string length, you changed the harmonics. it's simple really: changing the length changed the vibration patterns, and that changed the harmonics coming off the string at the bridge"
he used an oscilloscope to fine tune it!
epi marketed it simpler, saying- "the short fork on the bass side results in deeper tone. a longer fork is used on the treble for the extra brilliance desired"
the master guitarist, george van eps said- "the most openly logical improvement in years"
*quotes from the great epi guitar book- epiphone- the house of stathopoulo by fisch & fred
cheers
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
Thank you Bro.
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Originally Posted by Fred Archtop
The one thing I like about this guitar is its "even" tone across all strings AND up and down the neck. No dead spots.
Thank You Fred. Thanks from my heart.
Joe D
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Originally Posted by QAman
You are right. A young player can save for a month or two and get a really guitar right now. I guarantee I will run out of talent before this guitar runs out of capabilities.
Thanks again. JD
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Originally Posted by neatomic
I live up the hill from where George was born in Plainfield NJ. It was a very different time back then. Me and my son hike the Watchung mountains which is also in my backyard. At one time that was the best vacation destination in the area, because the was no malaria. When George was born the automobile made other parts of the area more accessible, mostly the New Jersey Shore - which basically put the Watchung mountains out of business.
George Van Eps was a tremendous player. Highly under-rated. Sadly he never gets much mention as he was not a single note player like Django and Charlie Christian. He basically played the piano on the Guitar. 7 strings in fact.. An absolute virtuoso.
JD
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Frequensators look cool and are supposedly sonically good but are unfortunately a bad design in the end. Not so much the thought of using forks which seems like a good idea, but you'll find more vintage Epi's w/a cracked or broken base than not. Maybe if they had made that part of the t.p. thicker/sturdier, but as is they're flawed. The hooks are prone to breaking as well, though I've seen less examples of that. Johnny Smith used one w/2 long forks when he had his Epi.
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Originally Posted by Max405
greater clarity....truer tone..eliminates deadspots!
cheers
ps- & nice appreciation of maestro van eps and his old stomping grounds!
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Originally Posted by wintermoon
the larger issue is some wound strings are too short from ball to silk...so choice of strings can be an issue...fortunately the great thomastik pure nickel jazz swing has no such problem!
cheers
ps- i'd imagine johnny smith changed his bass side to longer fork, over string length issues..he was a string experimenter..and often tuned his low E down to D...mixed rounds and flats etc
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Originally Posted by neatomic
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also the heavy gauge high tension strings of that vintage era probably contributed to that breakage..these days strings are lighter gauged and lower tension...big improvements in design and manufacturing
cheers
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Originally Posted by neatomic
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Geez, Joe, you make some beautiful music with this guitar. It looks just like mine I got in the early 2000s; but it sounds so much better in your hands. I've always said the neck is the best I have, and I've only played one better - on an ES-137 DeLuxe - the one with the Vari-Tone - that I passed up while shopping for a bass amp for my youngest granddaughter (I had just dropped 2k at that store the week before on a Golden Era D-18. I finally got an ES-137 Custom a few years later). I digress.
The Epiphone Emperor Regent remains a sleeper. A couple upgrades and you can have a first-rate gigging jazz guitar.
Congratulations, and play it in good health!
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Beautiful playing on a beautiful guitar. Nothing else matters.
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What are the differences (if any) between a Peerless made Epiphone Emperor Regent and a 17" Peerless Monarch with a floater, other than I guess the trim level? I ask because I think they'd be close, but the EER in good shape sells for a bit more than a used Peerless Monarch, which I find really fascinating.
Joe clearly knows how to pick 'em in both senses of the phrase.
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Originally Posted by citizenk74
I didn’t know you have one. Early 2000’s. Maybe from the same batch! I like the way the guitar responds to a soft touch and when I put the hammer down. I played it tonight. 25 arrangements straight through. Like a old pair gloves already. I am very satisfied with this guitar.
Thank you my good man!
Joe D
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Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
JD
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Originally Posted by lawson-stone
I wonder if anyone here has one.
JD
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Originally Posted by Max405
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Joe,
Sounding great, as always! These Epis are great. My Korean made EER was acoustically the best sounding laminate guitar I’ve heard. A joy to play. May she continue to reward you for years to come!
Roli
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Originally Posted by wintermoon
My 10 pack Daddario .011 for trade against your...
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