New Jazzbox for me

[Professor]

Nice collection!

[namaste]

I decided that with the gigs I have been playing I need an electric. I decided to order an Epiphone Joe Pass. The ones I played seemed ok for what I need. I'll give an update later.

[Professor]

I got rid of the one that I had...for cause. Not that it didn't sound good or anything, it was fine, but it had tuning problems -- BAD! I tried several different bridges, and it got better, but never correct, and I suspect the tuners were too low quality to be stable.

Also, the production has changed to a different factory since I got mine. Some of the specs and details were changed...and not for the better.

Buyer beware of current production Epiphones. What used to be good quality for the money is now much less quality for more money.

[L4sleeko]

Ahh, it depends on the model. I bought an Emperor Regent in 1999. It was made by Peerles. Just got another cause I missed her. Ran the serial number, and this one is also built by Peerless. She is a beauty, every bit as good as the last one. One thing that is different is the quality of the gold plating seems much better. Looks richer and seems to be coated with something. Fingerprints don't stick. The quality of wood and color match on this one is better as well. The old one looked as though they used scrap maple for the neck. The center piece was red and the headstock and heal were yellow. On a Natural finish guitar, this looks like crap. New one blends with nary a seam. The plating on the old one had a sprayed-on look about it and came off fairly quick. Fingerprints turned brown and tarnished the gold right away. Also, the new one is much lighter in weight and louder accoustically. Plugged in - about the same. Finish on old one had a "poured-on" look about it, particularly where the neck and body meet. It was quite heavy weight-wise as well. New one much less so in both regards.
The only nits to pick is that the binding around the headstock could have matched up better pattern-wise. Also the first inlay is slightly cocked. On the body - perfect. Looks a bit thicker on the new one as well. Old one had the smallest inlay slightly cocked.
I must confess that I like her better than my gibby.

www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx

This site is where to go to run a serial number.
This is some info on Peerles;

Your guitar was made at the
Peerless Plant, Korea
February 2006
Production Number: 0068



Peerless Korea Co., Ltd.
Peerless Korea Co., Ltd. is a Korean-Japanese joint venture company headquartered in South Korea and has been in the guitar-manufacturing industry since 1970. With the core expertise in guitar manufacturing initiated from Japan, Peerless has provided 2.9 million pieces of guitars in the worldwide market so far. Peerless had once manufactured 30,000 pieces of guitars per month in the past in order to meet the order quantity, however have gradually changed their focus from quantity quality. With this in mind they have cut down their manufacturing capacity to 2,000 pieces per month just to ensure the high quality of our products. Peerless produces guitars via OEM for brands such as Epiphone by Gibson, Alvarez, Hoyer and Gretsch by Fender. Note: While not explicitly stated it is believed that Peerless is part owned by Aria of Japan.

The results of what I got when I ran my number. Peerles has slowed production to improve the quality. I've had good luck - with this model anyway. Maybe you got a dud.
These are the dudes I bought from.
www.wichitaband.com/guitar.html
Excellent Price and no tax. My first Emperor cost about $900.00 plus tax back in 1999. This recent one was $560.00 plus $30.00 shipping. Again, no tax, unless in Kansas. Give them a call. (Brian and Brenton were nice and helpful).
I believe that the Joe Pass Emperor II is about $100.00 cheaper than the Emperor Regent. Here is a picture of mine:

My Ibanez Artcore is perfect, and I mean PERFECT in everyway. A good place to look as well.
Hope this helps. - Steve
?;^)~

[namaste]

Funny you say that Prof. Every new one I tried seemed okay. And the Ibanez artcores were terrible. Go figure. I think it depends on what one wants the guitar for. I can get a pretty good sound out of any guitar. If the Epi is no good, it's gone. I don't fret about it. But I based my decision of playing a few and on the incredible reviews it had on the net. That many people can't be wrong.

[Professor]

I'm not really a big fan of the Artcores, either. The one in my avatar is an Artstar. It was made in Japan, it's a high quality guitar with no comparison to the artcore models at all.

[L4sleeko]

Just wanted to share these. Had a blast! ;D
www.gibson.com/products/epiphone/forum/toast.asp?sub=show&action=posts&fid=2&tid=138415

www.gibson.com/products/epiphone/forum/toast.asp?sub=show&action=posts&fid=2&tid=138446
?;^)~

[L4sleeko]

;D One Mo! I'd say I've had ENOUGH for a while. Here is the latest addition:



It's a Campellone Special. Real close to a Gibson Le Grande.
?;^)~

[namaste]

Well, the Epiphone Joe Pass came in. It has flawless construction and a beautiful flame maple back. Tuning and intonation is perfect. The only down side to this guitar are the pickups. I think I'm going to have to replace them eventually. Haven't gigged with it yet, but it does tend to have a little too much "mud" going on. Tried it through a couple of solid states and a Fender tube amp. Sound clarity is missing somewhat. Mind you, I have to gig yet to come to a firm conclusion. Otherwise, a great instrument. And oh, it is from Korea, the Unsung factory.

[L4sleeko]

Cool! How 'bout some pictures?
On another note, are we the only ones here anymore? Say, you may like this forum as well. At least people post!
?;^)~
www.playjazzguitar.com/forum/

[namaste]

I don't know L4. Seems most have disappeared. I'm liking the site you recommended tho. Much more going on there.