Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $900
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$500
$1201+
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Description
Introducing the Epiphone Emperor, a true embodiment of elegance and sonic prowess. This semi-hollowbody electric guitar seamlessly blends vintage aesthetics with contemporary craftsmanship. With its beautifully arched maple body, the Emperor promises a warm and resonant tone that is both rich and articulate. The mahogany neck combined with a rosewood fingerboard ensures smooth playability, making every note feel effortless.
At the heart of the Epiphone Emperor lies its mini-humbucker pickups, designed to capture the guitar's full-bodied sound while minimizing feedback, a common challenge in semi-hollow bodies. The guitar's trapeze tailpiece adds a classic touch, enhancing sustain and giving it a distinctive vintage vibe. Meanwhile, beautifully crafted F-holes and block inlays on the neck provide a visual appeal that is as striking as its sound.
Perfect for jazz, blues, or rock, this guitar is equipped with gold-plated hardware that not only looks stunning but also offers durability and reliability. The Emperor's controls are intuitively built into the pickguard, allowing for seamless adjustments during live performances or recording sessions. Whether you’re an aspiring musician or a seasoned player, the Epiphone Emperor is designed to inspire and elevate your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Archtop body style
- Maple body with a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard
- Mini-humbucker pickups for warm, articulate tones
- Trapeze tailpiece for enhanced sustain
- F-holes and block inlays for a classic aesthetic
- Gold-plated hardware for durability and style
- Intuitive controls built into the pickguard
Product specs
| Brand | Epiphone |
| Model | Emperor |
| Finish | Cherry Sunburst, Natural, Vintage Sunburst |
| Year | 1984 - 1990 |
| Made In | Korea, Republic of |
| Categories | Hollow Body Guitars |
| Body Material | Maple |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Brown, Red, Tan |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Epiphone Emperor |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Epiphone Emperor best suited for?
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The Epiphone Emperor, with its hollow body design and warm tone, is ideal for jazz, blues, and rockabilly. Its smooth sound and elegant aesthetics make it a favorite among players looking for a versatile guitar that excels in these genres.
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Epiphone Emperor's pickups?
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The Epiphone Emperor features dual humbucker pickups that provide a rich, warm tone with excellent sustain. These pickups offer a balanced sound, making them suitable for clean jazz tones as well as more driven rock sounds.
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Is the Epiphone Emperor suitable for beginners?
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While the Epiphone Emperor is a high-quality instrument, its size and hollow body design may be more comfortable for intermediate to advanced players. Beginners looking for a jazz or blues guitar might find it rewarding, but should consider their comfort with the larger body style.
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How does the neck profile of the Epiphone Emperor affect playability?
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The Epiphone Emperor features a set-neck construction with a maple neck, offering a comfortable grip and smooth playability. Its neck profile is designed to facilitate easy chord changes and fast lead playing, making it suitable for various playing styles.
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What type of finish options are available for the Epiphone Emperor?
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The Epiphone Emperor is available in Cherry Sunburst, Natural, and Vintage Sunburst finishes. Each option provides a classic look that enhances the guitar's visual appeal while maintaining a high-gloss finish for durability.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
Jonathan Stout playing our Epiphone Emperor at Norman's Rare Guitars
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Emperor.
Features and functionality
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The Emperor's tone knobs can be pulled up to switch pickups between humbucker and single-coil modes, providing versatile sound options.
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Owners are curious about how the guitar handles feedback when pickups are split, indicating that this is a key area of interest for potential buyers.
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The absence of a center block results in feedback at higher amplified volumes, especially when playing at loud levels.
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User experience
Value and pricing
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A user acquired an Epiphone Emperor in mint condition with a case for $375, suggesting strong value for the quality received.
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Comparisons
Build quality
Use cases and applications
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Its thick body allows it to play like a regular f-hole acoustic, ideal for jazz progressions with the neck pickup tone rolled back.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
In the YouTube video titled "A Tour Of Jimmy's Guitars" on the Jimmy Buffett Official channel, guitar tech Dan Cook confirms that Jimmy Buffett uses an Epiphone Emperor, as he shares stories about the instruments.
In an Instagram post by Deke Dickerson, he is seen using an Epiphone Emperor guitar. The post's caption reads: "Well, that was a blast! I got to be a Texas Playboy for a night. What’s even more fun is that I get to do it again tomorrow in Fort Worth. Thanks again to Brett Bingham, Jason Roberts, and all the rest of the band. I was just trying to hold my own and not cause any train wrecks, all the people in the band were super nice and supportive. I had a blast!" The image, uploaded on November 7, 2025, shows Deke playing the Epiphone Emperor.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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