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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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Dougie, this guitar is an important one for me. It marks the official end of my guitar buying. My L5 is my crown jewel. My 165 is the apple of my eye and a guitar that I will always hold dear to my heart. The Gb100 was supposed be my beater and then I turned it into a masterpiece. This EER is going to do what the GB was supposed to do. Be the guitar I take with me wherever I go and will be the one I end up playing the most. I told Steve that I will still take care of like it’s a Monteleone. But I’m gonna wear this one out.
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
N, you are so right buddy. 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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Nice! I like it! Thank you C. Originally Posted by Cunamara
Epi makes nice guitars for sure. The manufacturing facilities in Korea, Japan and China are loaded with hard workers who take pride in what they make. As long as the workers are treated fairly, I am a fan! Originally Posted by sgosnell
Keith as always, that means a lot to me coming from you. You are an outstanding player and a really good guy. Thanks buddy, Originally Posted by floatingpickup
Joe D
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Yes you’ve said it before. Epiphones are quality guitars. The Japanese models are special. And these Peerless built guitars are really good too. They are extremely well built. The neck on this guitar is pretty much perfect. Thank you Lawson. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
Sky, thank you my good man. We are very fortunate. Our hero Johnny Smith set the bar waaayy up there and we constantly have a high level of playing that we try to match up too. In my case I never come close but each time I get a little better. I am happy. Very happy. 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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haha...keep encouragin' it! 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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Joe. What a great start to the day. The Epi sounds top notch and after a little !! buffing looks like new 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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Hi John, 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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Thank You CXKE! Its a very romantic melody. Easy to like.. Originally Posted by customxke
You are so right GB. This one is one of the last of the Peerless built Epiphone Guitars. Surprisingly light weight. But very well made. The neck is actually very perfect. Between my L5 and my GB100, yet a hair closer to the L5. 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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Foxman, Thank you my good friend. We are sooo blessed to be able to make music. I couldn't imagine a life without this priviledge. A gift from God. 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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Hi N, I never thought about the tone difference that the frequensator brings. Ive actually come to appreciate how easy it is to change the strings with it. The pieces just come right out. And the sexy Ti red silk wrappings fit comfortably in the slots. Good Stuff. 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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Thank You! 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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I didn't take it as snobbery or anything negative at all, and understood what you were getting at. Anyway, one of the great things about these less expensive Korean guitars is that those thick polyester finishes some people kvetch about are very tough. So you can detail it to perfection, and it actually has a good chance of staying that way if you take it out into the wide world. 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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Bro, If you remember, you and I were on the phone going over George's albums when I decided this is was the next song I was going to tackle. Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
Thank you Bro.
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Freddy, Believe it or not, Your video's influenced me to buy this guitar. After I saw you doing your thing on yours, I thought, "If my man Fred likes this guitar then I can work with this.." 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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Thank you Steve. 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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Wow! Thanks for that Neatomic! 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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funny you should write that Joe D...as the epi frequensator ad copy read- 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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yes hopefully the modern era asian made versions are less prone to breakage...and if they do, they are at least a common stock item these days..can be had for around 25$ 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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the old ones are made of brass which isn't the strongest metal to begin with, I don't know what they're using today, could be something as weak as pot metal or strong as steel, I have no idea. 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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maybe, but I've owned old Epi's w/unbroken Frequensators when I purchased them develop cracks while I owned them and I never use anything heavier than 13-56 gauge. whether the metal was already fatigued when I purchased the guitar but didn't show any sign of cracking I can't say. 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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Thank you C74. Originally Posted by citizenk74
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!
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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Robster! Thank you sir. It’s a beautiful song. You need to play this one boss. Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
JD
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Hey Lawson, thanks buddy. I just checked Reverb and there are no used Monarchs. And they are solid wood whereas the EER’s are laminated throughout. I thought you had a Monarch? They are nice. They are around $1500 brand new for a solid wood guitar. They are nice. I like the Jazz City guitars too. They blinged out with abalone. And they are dull finished. I would polish one of those right up. Nice color too.. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
I wonder if anyone here has one.
JD
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Yes, indeed, I have surfed most of my life, from Baja Mexicao to British Columbia, but I've never dropped into a wave that I didn't paddle into ... tow-in is an entirely different ball of wax! 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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Actually, I've found the frequensator quite annoying on my Epi, making background noise on some frequences. So, I've decided to dampen it with cork pieces. Now it's fine. Originally Posted by wintermoon
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Chris Thile
Today, 01:09 PM in Other Styles / Instruments