Epiphone Emperor 1986 MIJ price?

**haiku** · 03-26-2021, 01:36 PM

Hi,

I’ve found a great sounding sunburst MIJ 1986 Epiphone Emperor in my local guitar shop. It’s in great condition. It basically looks new, except for a tiny imperfection close to the edge, where the lacquer has risen.

Hardly noticeable but still there. Sorry for the bad picture, but it seems it was the only one I got of it...

They want €2000 for it. Is that a reasonable price? Can’t really find any similar ones that has sold online.

Thanks in advance
Haiku

**Gitterbug** · 03-26-2021, 02:08 PM

I'm a great fan of the 90's Korean Emperor Regents. They go for well under 1K. This one should be a notch or two above. I'm sure it's intrinsically worth the asking price, but what the market thinks is a different thing. A 2K Epi is unheard of. For that price, you should get the finest Matsumoku ES-175 clone there is. This is a lonely voice from the Tundra; let's hear what others say.

**haiku** · 03-26-2021, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Gitterbug

I'm a great fan of the 90's Korean Emperor Regents. They go for well under 1K. This one should be a notch or two above. I'm sure it's intrinsically worth the asking price, but what the market thinks is a different thing. A 2K Epi is unheard of. For that price, you should get the finest Matsumoku ES-175 clone there is. This is a lonely voice from the Tundra; let's hear what others say.

Thanks for your reply. The store said this one is made in Japan and it has a carved top, so shouldn't it fetch the same sort of price as a Matsumoku 175?

**haiku** · 03-26-2021, 02:45 PM

The plot thickens... I checked the serial number and according to the guitar dater project this is a korean made guitar from 1994.

Would that always be correct? Guitar dater project has a disclaimer that Japan made models aren't supported. Were there even Emperors made in Matsumoku in the 80s?

**canadiandave** · 03-26-2021, 03:20 PM

That's a LOT of money, but if you're in love, well there you are ! If she sings for you just bite the bullet and bring her home, otherwise, do some more shopping, many more truss rods in the sea

**citizenk74** · 03-26-2021, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by haiku

Hi,

I’ve found a great sounding sunburst MIJ 1986 Epiphone Emperor in my local guitar shop. It’s in great condition. It basically looks new, except for a tiny imperfection close to the edge, where the lacquer has risen.

Hardly noticeable but still there. Sorry for the bad picture, but it seems it was the only one I got of it...

They want €2000 for it. Is that a reasonable price? Can’t really find any similar ones that has sold online.

Thanks in advance
Haiku

More pix, please!

**DMgolf66** · 03-26-2021, 03:55 PM

Is it the guitar that i own and recently posted?
1982 Epiphone Emperor "F".....

**haiku** · 03-26-2021, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by DMgolf66

Is it the guitar that i own and recently posted?
1982 Epiphone Emperor "F".....

The shop states it is a 1986 made in Japan Epi Emperor. It feels and sounds great.

I'm wondering if it is what they say and mostly if the 2000€ price tag is right?

**DMgolf66** · 03-26-2021, 05:00 PM

If you look at mine, its the same.
The model is "Emperor F" and is made in Japan. Im a beginner/hack but have had others who were good players say how much they like the guitar. Anyway. Your question on price i cant answer in that its a $2,000 +/- a little here in the States. I dont know how that translates over there as availability comes into play more.

That looks in amazing shape and looks all original. I think its one of the best looking guitars ever iutside of some custombuilds.

**haiku** · 03-26-2021, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by DMgolf66

If you look at mine, its the same.
The model is "Emperor F" and is made in Japan. Im a beginner/hack but have had others who were good players say how much they like the guitar. Anyway. Your question on price i cant answer in that its a $2,000 +/- a little here in the States. I dont know how that translates over there as availability comes into play more.

That looks in amazing shape and looks all original. I think its one of the best looking guitars ever iutside of some custombuilds.

Thanks so much for you reply. It's indeed a great guitar. It's really hard to find sold listings for these. All of the ones I've found have been in the $1000-2000 range. This one, being priced at $2300, is considerably more.

I guess I have some thinking to do...

**feet** · 03-27-2021, 01:22 AM

any pics of the label? can you take a peek at it? the eras and countries of origins have different labels- i think the 80s mij ones were like a splotchy tan on off white? or orange. something kinda odd.

as for the price? it's very not unheard of for an mij epiphone to go north of $2000 if it says "elitist" on it. the 80s mij ones have also increased, but a lot of that is seller optimism. but considering you're in the euro zone, i don't doubt someone could ask for that much. whether that's warranted is up to your ears (and whatever research and facts you could come up with). but if it's an mik, walk. i wouldn't pay half that, no matter how good it was.

quick eyeball test tells me it might be an 80s mik, like in that transition-y period in the late 80s, when they first started up in korea. but that's just a guess. i'm both uneducated and out of date with the info i had; been years since i followed it.

**Gitterbug** · 03-27-2021, 04:21 AM

I'm sure this is Nippon. The MIK twin-PU versions are Broadways. MIK Emperors have one Johnny Smith and the pots mounted on pickguard. Straight instead of teardrop fretboard end. Brighter, more contrasted burst. Also the appearance of the top grain points to solid wood rather than a thin veneer.

**feet** · 03-27-2021, 12:45 PM

the finish, grain, pickguard and bits make me think mij, but things like the tuners give me pause. let's hope you're right. could be something interesting here.

**redcap** · 03-27-2021, 12:49 PM

I'm in agreement with other members here that it certainly looks like a Made in Japan Emperor F

Note the vintage style "e" on the headstock -the one that looks like a backwards 3. It doesn't have the line going through the Epiphone "e" like the newer Epiphones from circa 1990 to present. Perhaps others can chime in and correct me if I'm wrong, but I have yet to see a Made in Korea Emperor line guitar that had the older style "e" on the headstock.

As feet suggested, you should look at the label inside the guitar for further clues.

I'm not inclined to put a lot of credence in the accuracy of the guitar dater sites when it comes to some of the Japanese guitars of the the 1980's. Apparently production records were not always meticulously recorded and in some cases not retained by the manufacturer.