Epiphone Emperor - Japanese or Korean

[Dfisound]

Hi guys - I am planning to sell this epiphone emperor in the UK

I always thought it was japanese but an online search suggested it was Korean- 1986 April

Before I went ahead and listed it as such I thought it was worth checking here.

Do you agree it's korean?

Could you suggest it's current value?

It is fairly road worn and the volume knob has started to crackle and cut the sound when turned all the way up. When left alone it works fine.

Would you suggest get the volume knob issue fixed before listing for sale or would you sell as is?

I'm not too tech savvy myself

Thank you ?

[Gitterbug]

Can't answer your question and ask the congnoscenti to chime in. All I can say is my Korean Emperor Regent from 1999 is a different animal. (I had a -95 version with similar specs. Your sunburst is much darker.) Yours is classier, with the L-5 style fretboard end and the black paint under the headstock. TOM bridge instead of rosewood. Different script on headstock. But my insight ends here. I thought all Emperor reissues sport a single floating PU, while yours has two set-in humbuckers à la Broadway. What exactly does the sticker under the f-hole state? Neck: which wood, scarf joint? The top looks like maple instead of the spruce veneer. Japan after all?

If I had not taken a 25-year absence from jazz guitar (ca. 1970-1995), a guitar like yours would certainly have attracted me a lot back then. GLWS!

Edit: Apologies for rushing in without checking facts. The 1980s Emperors, whether from Japan or Korea, are indeed different from the later MIK/MIC Emperor Regents. Epiphone's true Golden Era?

[customxke]

That’s Japanese. Apparently the serial numbers for Japanese built Epiphones from the 70s and 80s are all over the map.

[Rickco]

Japanese, most likely a Matsumoku, right about '86 production went to Terada. I believe the Matsumoku guitars were deeper rim 3/3/8" while Terada were 3" both can be of exceptional quality. Problem is Epi were manufactured in a number of plants and good records were not kept. The solid bodies were a completely different story where building was concerned so even harder to pin down. Ive owned and collected quite a few Regents and JDM my faves are the Peerless Regents (floaters) and the Terada "J's" (ces style) The Matsumoku are also great quality but bigger/heavier, theres a bunch of good examples on utube. The unofficial wiki was taken down and was mostly incorrect. I confirmed as much of this as I could with Japan based dealers.

[Dfisound]

Here is a picture of the neck and the sticker on the inside

Thank you and every body who has taken the time to reply - I really do appreciate it

[Rickco]

Matsumoku

[Archie]

Japanese ones usually have the rubber grommet selector switch, spaghetti logo and ebony (or ebonised) boards.
The label is also typical of late 80's MIJ examples.
Plus the stinger on the neck.

I'd say Rickco is right.

Pm me with a price if you want. I'm always interested in MIJ stuff.

[entresz]

Definitely a MIJ Emperor F.
I have a blonde one - they're terrific guitars.