Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor Identification

[himself]

Hi guys,

yesterday I played a guitar which I want to buy. I liked it overaly, but it has some pot issues, which the current owner will solve. Meanwhile I'd like to ask you for help with identification. The only hints I currently have is a serial number S4554090 and two pictures.
It's is definitely Korean (Samick) made guitar, but according to different SN databases it could be 1994 or 2004 (or something else). The significant think is a TOM bridge as you can see.
Any additional info will be much appreciated.

Thanks you!

[garybaldy]

I don't think they used the Gibson font after around '96/'97

[GuyBoden]

I had an Epiphone Joe Pass in the 1990's that looked the same as that guitar. Yes, Made in Korean, it was a nice guitar for the money.

[va3ux]

I believe the serial number would begin with S94 if was made in 1994. I have a 1999 Samick-made Joe Pass with serial # S99xxxxxx. Your S45xxxx serial # is quite likely 2004. I don't know if any of that matters because Samick generally made a decent product regardless of year of manufacture.

[garybaldy]

I believe the serial number would begin with S94 if was made in 1994. I have a 1999 Samick-made Joe Pass with serial # S99xxxxxx. Your S45xxxx serial # is quite likely 2004. I don't know if any of that matters because Samick generally made a decent product regardless of year of manufacture.

The Gibson font on the headstock is wrong for 2004

[himself]

Thank all of you for hints. Now I have the guitar at home already, so I can do an additional photo, if needed.

[tomazg]

Hi. How ended this guitar please? Because I’ve found it now on sale now in Czechia on Hudebnibazar cz

[Doctor Jeff]

The Joe Pass was my first "real" jazz guitar. Mine was Samick-made, and very well constructed.

I did replace the pickups with Stewart Mac Alnico 2's. Replacing the neck pickup is a fairly cheap upgrade to make it into an even better player.

[GNAPPI]

I "think" that the first digit is the year from Samick. My JP is one of my fave watch the tube and play.

[garybaldy]

I believe the serial number would begin with S94 if was made in 1994. I have a 1999 Samick-made Joe Pass with serial # S99xxxx. Your S45xxxx serial # is quite likely 2004. I don't know if any of that matters because Samick generally made a decent product regardless of year of manufacture.

My EEJP is a 1992 and the serial no. is S9206xxx. The no. is one digit short to be recognised by the data bases (unless anyone can enlighten me). The font used on the headstock is the Gibson type (as in the pic below) with the tail on the letter n. This font was changed around '96/'97 to the more vintage style. The OP's guitar has the Gibson font so it can't be from 2004.