Joe Pass Emperor II pro

[Cezza]

Hi people!

Just started seriously getting back in to jazz guitar with an Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor Archtop. Must have been a good day at the factory as this guitar punches way above it's weight.

I'd be really interested to hear other players setups and string gauges, types etc.
I'm currently using it through the clean (acoustic) channel on my Katana MK2s 50w with the top end rolled off on both the amp and guitar. Pretty amazing straight ahead jazz sound. Love nardis, Jordu, standards etc.

Totally adore Bruce Forman, Kurt Rosenwinkle, but ATM listen to Adam Rogers everyday.

Incredible player!

Thanks in advance!

[Sleeko]

Kurt Rosenwinkle, yes indeed! Lovely guitar!

[Doctor Jeff]

I think the phrase "punches above its weight" is accurate. It is a (usually) well-made guitar that hits all the buttons to be a good jazz box, as well as a base for mods if that's your thing.

I had a late-90's Samick-made JP which was beautifully made, with a great neck and very comfortable to play. I did change out the pickups to Stew Mac Parsons St. Alnico 2 HBs, which I think made it even better.

The quality on the Samicks was guite good, and the quality on the recent models is supposed to be good. Pickups and electronics are a matter of preference of course, and are fairly easily upgraded if needed.

[AllanAllen]

I have a modern Epiphone Broadway as my daily guitar. I wish I could buy back my casino and Joe Pass Emperor, all modern, all Epiphone. I never really felt the headstock saying Gibson was worth 10x the money. Maybe 1.5x the money.

[citizenk74]

Hi people!

Just started seriously getting back in to jazz guitar with an Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor Archtop. Must have been a good day at the factory as this guitar punches way above it's weight.

I'd be really interested to hear other players setups and string gauges, types etc.
I'm currently using it through the clean (acoustic) channel on my Katana MK2s 50w with the top end rolled off on both the amp and guitar. Pretty amazing straight ahead jazz sound. Love nardis, Jordu, standards etc.

Totally adore Bruce Forman, Kurt Rosenwinkle, but ATM listen to Adam Rogers everyday.

Incredible player!

Thanks in advance!

[73Fender]

FWIW there is one on the NJ Craig’s list that I have resisted so far. Appears to be nice. Seller says 1980s. Epiphone II "Joe Pass" Emperor - musical instruments - by owner - sale

[garybaldy]

FWIW there is one on the NJ Craig’s list that I have resisted so far. Appears to be nice. Seller says 1980s. Epiphone II "Joe Pass" Emperor - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Don't think the JP was available in the 80s. Think it was more '92 to '94ish.

[73Fender]

[QUOTE=garybaldy;1165818]Don't think the JP was available in the 80s. Think it was more '92 to '94ish.[/QUOTE
I found that curious as well

[garybaldy]

Was the PRO designation only introduced relatively recently? And would that version have a different spec?
Thanks

[MtnCat]

The following links might clear some things up a bit...

Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II - Wikipedia

This page was probably accurate to 2016 (?)
http://www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Main_Page.php

http://www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Joe_Pass_Emperor.php

Joe Pass Emperor
* 1991-1993Joe Pass Emperor II
* 1994-2015 ?

Joe Pass Emperor II Pro
* 2015-2021 ?

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone/Joe-Pass-Emperor-II-PRO-Electric-Guitar.gc
* ProBucker Pickups
* Sound post/ hand scalloped bracing
* Coil taps on Volume controls
* Graph Tech NuBone XL nut

https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Guitars/Archtop Does not show the Joe Pass guitar under
"Archtops".

I have a very late 2014 JP Emperor II made in Indonesia, and that specific SN/example has
what I consider to be tremendous workmanship. A few little glitches with loose jack
and the usual rattle around bridge pickup. Hole was about 1 mm+ too narrow, and after
fixing that, the rattle disappeared. Good acoustic volume with 2+ yr old TI Swing .013's.

Hope this helps some.

[garybaldy]

The following links might clear some things up a bit...

Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II - Wikipedia

This page was probably accurate to 2016 (?)
http://www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Main_Page.php

http://www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Joe_Pass_Emperor.php

Joe Pass Emperor
* 1991-1993Joe Pass Emperor II
* 1994-2015 ?

Joe Pass Emperor II Pro
* 2015-2021 ?

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone/Joe-Pass-Emperor-II-PRO-Electric-Guitar.gc
* ProBucker Pickups
* Sound post/ hand scalloped bracing
* Coil taps on Volume controls
* Graph Tech NuBone XL nut

https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Guitars/Archtop Does not show the Joe Pass guitar under
"Archtops".

I have a very late 2014 JP Emperor II made in Indonesia, and that specific SN/example has
what I consider to be tremendous workmanship. A few little glitches with loose jack
and the usual rattle around bridge pickup. Hole was about 1 mm+ too narrow, and after
fixing that, the rattle disappeared. Good acoustic volume with 2+ yr old TI Swing .013's.

Hope this helps some.

Thanks.
I've also noticed around 1996 (I think) the JP headstock logo change from the Gibson style font with the tail on the n, to the more vintage style.

[Sydex]

The following links might clear some things up a bit...

Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II - Wikipedia

This page was probably accurate to 2016 (?)
http://www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Main_Page.php

http://www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Joe_Pass_Emperor.php

Joe Pass Emperor
* 1991-1993Joe Pass Emperor II
* 1994-2015 ?

Joe Pass Emperor II Pro
* 2015-2021 ?

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone/Joe-Pass-Emperor-II-PRO-Electric-Guitar.gc
* ProBucker Pickups
* Sound post/ hand scalloped bracing
* Coil taps on Volume controls
* Graph Tech NuBone XL nut

https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Guitars/Archtop Does not show the Joe Pass guitar under
"Archtops".

I have a very late 2014 JP Emperor II made in Indonesia, and that specific SN/example has
what I consider to be tremendous workmanship. A few little glitches with loose jack
and the usual rattle around bridge pickup. Hole was about 1 mm+ too narrow, and after
fixing that, the rattle disappeared. Good acoustic volume with 2+ yr old TI Swing .013's.

Hope this helps some.

For what it's worth, I recently picked up a Joe Pass Emperor II Pro with a Sept. 2022 production date.