Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $746
Budget/Beginner
$999
$2500+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Epiphone Emperor Swingster Hollowbody". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Step into the realm of vintage allure with the Epiphone Emperor Swingster Hollowbody Electric Guitar, a masterful blend of classic design and modern versatility. This guitar is not just a nod to the past but a bridge to a myriad of sonic possibilities. The Emperor Swingster is crafted around the iconic body and neck of the Emperor-II, celebrated by jazz virtuoso Joe Pass. But it doesn’t stop there: Epiphone’s SwingBucker pickups are at the core of this instrument, offering a seamless fusion of warmth, bite, and twang. The series/parallel wiring further expands your tonal palette, allowing for effortless transitions from rich, jazzy humbucker sounds to crisp, single-coil-like tones.
A licensed Bigsby vibrato provides a delightful vintage-inspired flair, perfect for adding expressive textures to your playing. Meanwhile, the Tune-o-matic bridge and Grover Rotomatic tuners ensure that your performance remains stable and precise, no matter how dynamic the session gets. Visually, the Swingster stands out with its multi-bound headstock, adorned with a mother-of-pearl vine inlay, and a 22-fret Indian laurel fingerboard accented by block inlays. Whether you're diving into jazz, rockabilly, or country, the Epiphone Emperor Swingster is your ticket to a world of musical exploration.
Key Features:
- Inspired by the body and neck of the renowned Emperor-II
- Equipped with 2 SwingBucker pickups for a unique blend of tones
- Series/parallel wiring for versatile soundscapes
- Licensed Bigsby vibrato for classic vibrato effects
- 22-fret Indian laurel fingerboard with block inlays
- Durable Tune-o-matic bridge and Grover Rotomatic tuners
- Distinctive multi-bound headstock with a mother-of-pearl vine inlay
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Hollowbody |
| Body Shape | Emperor Swingster Singlecut |
| Body Material | Maple |
| Body Finish | Gloss |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Slim Taper |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Pearloid Blocks |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Scale Length | 24.724" |
| Nut Width | 1.692" |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech NuBone |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | LockTone Tune-O-Matic Bridge with pinned Laurel base, Bigsby Vibrato Tailpiece |
| Tuners | Kidney-style Tuners |
| Neck Pickup | Epiphone SwingBucker Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Epiphone SwingBucker Humbucker |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 2 x tone (push/pull series parallel) |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | .11-.50 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Epiphone Emperor Swingster Hollowbody Electric Guitar best suited for?
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The Epiphone Emperor Swingster is ideal for genres like jazz, rockabilly, and blues, thanks to its hollowbody design and SwingBucker pickups, which produce warm, rich tones and a smooth sound perfect for these styles.
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Does the Epiphone Emperor Swingster come with a case or gig bag?
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The Epiphone Emperor Swingster does not include a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately to ensure protection and portability.
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What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Emperor Swingster, and how does it affect playability?
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The Epiphone Emperor Swingster features a Slim Taper neck profile, which provides a comfortable and fast playing experience, particularly beneficial for players who prefer a thinner neck for easier fret access.
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Can the Epiphone Emperor Swingster handle high-gain settings without feedback issues?
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While the hollowbody design of the Epiphone Emperor Swingster can be prone to feedback at high-gain settings, proper amp settings and positioning can help manage and minimize feedback for a smoother performance.
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What are the standout features of the Epiphone Emperor Swingster's electronics?
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The Epiphone Emperor Swingster is equipped with SwingBucker humbuckers and push/pull tone controls for series/parallel switching, offering versatile tonal options from warm, vintage sounds to brighter, more articulate tones.
Videos
PMTVUK
Epiphone Swingster Guitar Demo - PMT
Reviews
PROS
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Stunning aesthetic with beautiful finish and intricate inlays
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Versatile pickups offering a wide range of tones
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Bigsby tremolo provides excellent tuning stability
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Plays well across various genres: jazz, blues, country, rockabilly
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High-quality build with attention to detail from Epiphone Custom Shop
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Great playability, comparable to more expensive guitars
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Push/pull tone controls for versatile pickup options
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Excellent value for a hollowbody electric guitar
CONS
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Stock electronics can be muddy and require upgrades for live performances
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Strings may pop out of the saddle under heavy playing
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Tone pots have limited useful range and are difficult to upgrade
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Some setup work may be needed out of the box
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Large and heavy body may require adjustment for comfort
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Emperor Swingster Hollowbody.
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 16 Ratings
7010
Versatile and Awesome!
I have become enthralled with the great hollow body players like Chet Atkins and Joe Pass. As such, I began looking for a quality Jazz Box at a reasonable price. The Epiphone Emperor Swingster fits the bill perfectly!
Not only is this is a genuine Tone Monster, but it is also absolutely gorgeous! The neck, headstock, and body are all beautifully bound and finished. Speaking of the headstock, the inlay is stunning and headstock shapely. Many of the online photographs fail to do the Red Wine color adequate justice.
One of the best features are the two push/pull Tone controls that allow you to change each pickup's output individually from parallel to series wiring. The Bigsby-licensed B30 tremolo has the original "wire" handle and is pure Chet Atkins!
While it is definitely not suited to heavy rock, the Emperor Swingster excels in Jazz, Blues, Country, and Rockabilly.
If you are thinking about purchasing this particular Jazz Box, do not hesitate! Get it today! You will love it!
Great guitar!!
Not only does it look absolutely stunning, but it's great for pretty much any genre, rock, metal, folk, etc. The Bigsby tail piece is also a great addition, and the guitar stays in tune very well.
41029
There ya go, buddy. That was a reasonably comprehensive review. You told us the guitar's features, strengths, ya skipped the swingster's weaknesses and I'm sure a modern epi has some... but that was short and sweet with only one glaring error, there's no such thing as excessive use of a Bigsby. Not possible.
Now go back and re-do your 80s Sheraton review so its more like this one. Somewhat informative and useful to other musicians.
Artist usage
Add artist
Izzy can be see with his Emperor Swingster guitar in some older photos with Guns 'N Roses.
In the video "Wilbur Soot - Being A Rockstar" on YouTube, Wilbur Soot can be seen with his Epiphone Emperor Swingster in Sunrise Orange. The guitar also appears in the background during his cover of "Fake Tales of San Francisco."
Video del tema Preconicion, en el Canal Oficial https://youtu.be/Pey9CdqNy64
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Epiphone Emperor Swingster Hollowbody, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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