Description

The Epiphone Emperor II has been in production since '92, quickly becoming a popular archtop for jazz players thanks to its affordability and tone-rich sound. Its popularity received a boost in '94 when solo master Joe Pass lent his name to it shortly before his death. The guitar you see above is in great condition, and looks remarkable - the gold-plated hardware is a striking feature (check out the Gibson Byrdland-style trapeze tailpeice!) Other highlights to this Epi include the ornate pearl inlay and pinstripe binding throughout - these modern production details make this Epiphone reminiscent of some of the top of the range vintage Gibsons.

Made in the Samick Epiphone plant in Korea, this Joe Pass signature model dates back to '95, the first year in which the line received the silk-screened signature on the pickguard. The body is laminated maple featured here in a natural blonde finish (a non-signature printed sunburst was released a year earlier) and given that it has been actively used by a semi-pro for many years the finish is in remarkable condition. Beautifully figured maple is featured on the top and especially on the back. The tone woods have matured nicely since '95 and has been set up with the jazz player in mind, We have strung it with a set of D'Addario jazz 11s.

The 24 3/4" scale neck is also maple, 20 frets and joining the neck at the 14th fret, with a rosewood fingerboard and block inlay. Coupled with the versatile dual humbucker setup with two tone, two volume knobs and a three-way switch, this is a very playable archtop and comes at an affordable price tag for anyone looking for a faithful jazz sound.

Epi Joe Pass Features

• 16” Wide, arched top body with bound f-holes, natural blonde finish
• Laminated top, maple sides and back with 6 ply ‘pinstripe’ binding
• Raised tortoiseshell pickguard with silk-screened Joe Pass signature and Epiphone logo
• Bound headstock with pearl vine inlay
• 3-piece maple neck
• Bound rosewood fingerboard
• 24 ¾” scale length
• 20 frets with body join at 14th fret
• Abalone fingerboard block inlays
• Solid rosewood adjustable floating bridge
• Two humbuckers
• Gold hardware - stylized trapeze tailpeice, pickup covers, tuners
• Non-original hard case

Joe pass tags

Epiphone Joe Pass, Epiphone, Emperor, Jazz guitar, jazz box, epiphone signature model, jazz player, jazz sound