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Hi all,
I am deciding between a new Epiphone JP Emperor II pro ($700usd) and a lightly used D’Angelico Excel EXL-1, MIK 2015 ($820usd) for my first Jazz Box. I consider myself in a beginner ~ intermediate level and have a 16" dreadnought guitar which is quite comfortable for me.
Any thoughts and comments on the above guitar are welcomed
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05-13-2024 11:08 PM
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I 'd take the D'Angelico if I'm sure that It has no problems. Otherwise the Epi is a good guitar!
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D'Angelico is a higher end guitar and it'll cost you less in the long run. Once you get more experience if you move onto another jazz box, you can sell D'Angelico for the same price or more. JP is new so it'll lose it's value after the purchase.
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I lean towards the sound of set pickups, so my gut instinct would be to go with the JP, but those have never been my favorite.
The D'Angelicos are quite nice and that's a pretty good price.
Have you investigated the Epiphone Broadway?
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To oversimplify, archtops have these basic parameters (the values for JP / D'A in parens).
Originally Posted by Andrek
Hi all,
I am deciding between a new Epiphone JP Emperor II pro ($700usd) and a lightly used D’Angelico Excel EXL-1, MIK 2015 ($820usd) for my first Jazz Box. I consider myself in a beginner ~ intermediate level and have a 16" dreadnought guitar which is quite comfortable for me.
Any thoughts and comments on the above guitar are welcomed
Lower bout width (16" / 17")
Body depth (2.75" / 3")
Scale length (24.75" / 25.5")
Top material (spruce/ spruce
Top construction (laminated / laminated)
Pickup attachment (set-in / floating)
Pickup type (full-size HB / mini-HB)
Number of pickups. (2 / 1)
These two guitars are different in all those parameters except top material and construction, which makes this something of an apples to oranges comparison. IMO, if you're even asking how to decide between the two you kind of need to spend some time figuring how these parameters matter for you.
For me, the most important differences between these two guitars are the pickups and the body size. I prefer 16" bodies and set-in pickup so I'd go for the JP, even though I think a case can be made that the D'A is "better" in overall quality. I'd also look for a used one (there are a zillion online). But that's an entirely subjective preference; if you prefer 17" bodies with floaters, the D'A is the guitar for you. You have to figure out that preference on your own.Last edited by John A.; 05-14-2024 at 02:59 PM.
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I have one of the Epi JP II Pro's from the last year they were made, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
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I prefer set-in pickups to floaters, so I of these two would favor the Epiphone.
I prefer 16" bodies to 17" bodies, so there again I would favor the Epiphone.
There are other brands and models in this same general category and price range that you didn't mention. Why did you narrow your interest to just these two?
Examples: Godin 5th Avenue, Ibanez AF and AG models, Sire H7F (new model, don't know about availability).
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Excellent post. Originally Posted by John A.
While there may be some way to objectively compare overall quality, John A. points out a bunch of factors that could swing the decision.
I'd add this. The first thing I do when I check out a guitar is to see how the neck feels in my hand. Scale length, of course, matters and you aren't going to be able to change it. But, so do fingerboard radius and every other dimension of the neck. And, if two guitars were equal in feel, you'd still have to figure out which one sounds better to you -- and that can change over time. And with archtops, feedback can be an issue and you have to evaluate that.
So, I think the best thing is to play them both and buy one with a return privilege so you can live with it for a few weeks.
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Choosing is so difficult, using fortunately less so. Body size and scale length tip the scales for many. I'm about average size and happy with any body size and depth up to 17". I love my ES-175, but equally the EPI Emperor Regent and Benedetto Bravo - three different scale lengths. I know pro players who don't even know theirs. As for the tone, the guitar has 2-4 knobs to adjust it, the amp has a few more. Strings matter a lot, and so do speakers. I venture to say that either (or any) archtop with good setup and right strings will fit the bill.
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No experience with the Emperor ii pro, but as i am currently looking for something hollow or semi-hollow myself, i had a look at current production Epi Casino and when it comes to craftsmanship it is sorely lacking. the state of the pickup cavity was shockingly bad... and the insides were even more so (came prepared with one of those little endoscope cameras u can hook up to ur phone, thanks to some YT vids that showed similar issues; seller didn't mind because he was trying to get me to buy a 335 instead)
I did try d'Angelico exl-1 and it was a work of art, i couldn't see a single flaw in the craftsmanship or finish and the sound was pretty amazing both unplugged and through a tube amp. Ultimately i didn't get it because at 17in it felt a bit too big for me; i also tried a D'Angelico Excel DC and again, fit & finish no complaints but this particular semi-hollow sounded a bit sterile.
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I had a Korean-made Epi JP, and I would consider it a solid instrument. My impression based on what I've read is that the first models after they moved production to Indonesia (about 20 years ago IIRC) were not as well-made, but quality steadily improved. Most things I've read about the recent crops of JPs has been favorable.
I have played the D'Angelico, and it seemed nice and well-made. Korean quality is usually very good. Whether you want a larger guitar with a floater vs set-in pickups is up to your personal preference. You will be fine playing jazz, but maybe not ideal for other forms of music.
I think you just have to try one of each and see which one feels/sounds better.
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Thanks everyone for your invaluable sharing guidance!
After trying out the DA, i found the 17" body is a little big for me and would be narrowing down my choices to 16" guitars.
The Godin 5th avenue kingpin p90 recently came into consideration and am wondering if anyone has experience with it?
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I had a Kingpin also. 2 in fact. Love those guitars--excellent ergonomics, and very well made. That would certainly be a good choice for a first jazzbox, in fact I'd recommend it over the Epi JP. Originally Posted by Andrek
The only thing is that it is single coil, and if you are playing in an environment with a lot of older electrical wiring you may get a lot of ground-level hum. When I first got mine I was very disappointed, til I got an EHX Hum Debugger, which took care of it quite effectively.
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Ditto on all points. I was very happy with mine (which is still in the family). Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
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I have a single pickup Kingpin that I bought in 2008. I still play it often...
I think the Godin's are definitely worth a look.
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You could also consider the Epiphone Zephyr Regent Re-issue, which is an ES175 body with a single pickup. I have one and reach for it all the time. It's a great player and on Reverb you can find them for under $1000. You might want to replace the stock pickup, but for a while I just had a StewMac Parsons Street PAF on mine and loved it. Now I have a Seymour Duncan PhatCat and it's my "single coil" archtop. But seriously a lot of people pass by this guitar but it's really a great option for jazz.
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I wonder sometimes if Epiphone stopped making those because they were too good. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
You could also consider the Epiphone Zephyr Regent Re-issue, which is an ES175 body with a single pickup. I have one and reach for it all the time. It's a great player and on Reverb you can find them for under $1000. You might want to replace the stock pickup, but for a while I just had a StewMac Parsons Street PAF on mine and loved it. Now I have a Seymour Duncan PhatCat and it's my "single coil" archtop. But seriously a lot of people pass by this guitar but it's really a great option for jazz.
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I would not be at all surprised. This guitar is also very light. I think it's mahogany but I"m not certain. It is a wonderful instrument. Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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IKR? Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
Anything “we” like too much they stop making. Story of my (our) life.
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Back, sides and neck are mahogany. It definitely is a fairly light guitar. I love the neck. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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Probably a mahogany skin on poplar and or birch. Originally Posted by va3ux
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Recommend replacing the pickups if you get the JP Emperor.
Team Zephyr reissue, baby! Originally Posted by lawson-stone
...a lot of people pass by this guitar but it's really a great option for jazz.
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