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Average Price: $537
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$999
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Description
The Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II is the perfect blend of elegance and functionality, capturing the essence of its legendary namesake. This acoustic-electric guitar boasts a rich, resonant sound that makes it ideal for jazz aficionados and versatile enough for any genre. Its Spruce Top ensures a warm, dynamic tone, while the slim taper "C" profile maple neck offers a smooth and comfortable playing experience. The eye-catching truss rod cover proudly displays the "Joe Pass" inscription, a tribute to the virtuoso himself. Whether you're performing on stage or practicing at home, the Emperor II delivers a seamless transition from acoustic warmth to electric brilliance with its high-quality pickup system.
With its striking design and impeccable craftsmanship, the Joe Pass Emperor II not only sounds great but also looks stunning. It features intricate binding and gold hardware that adds a touch of sophistication, making it a standout instrument in any musician's collection. This guitar is both a nod to the past and a step into the future, enticing guitarists who seek a reliable companion for their musical journey.
Key Features:
- Spruce Top with Maple Body
- Slim Taper "C" Profile Maple Neck
- Truss Rod Cover with "Joe Pass" Inscription
- High-Quality Pickup System for Acoustic-Electric Use
- Intricate Binding and Gold Hardware
Product specs
| Brand | Epiphone |
| Model | Joe Pass Signature Emperor II |
| Finish | Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Natural, Vintage Sunburst |
| Year | 1994 - 2015 |
| Made In | Korea, Republic of |
| Categories | Hollow Body Guitars |
| Artist | Joe Pass |
| Body Material | Maple |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Brown, Red, Tan |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 12" |
| Model Family | Epiphone Emperor |
| Model Sub-Family | Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Series | Epiphone Artist Collection |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II best suited for?
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The Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II is ideal for jazz and blues music, thanks to its warm, rich tones and hollow body design that enhances resonance and sustain.
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What is the neck profile like on the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II?
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The Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II features a comfortable "C" shaped neck profile, making it suitable for smooth jazz chord progressions and intricate soloing.
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Is the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II suitable for beginners?
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While the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II is designed with professional jazz musicians in mind, its playability and tonal quality can also benefit dedicated beginners interested in jazz guitar.
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What pickups are used in the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II, and what tones do they produce?
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The Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, which produce warm, full-bodied tones with minimal feedback, perfect for jazz and blues styles.
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Does the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II come with a case?
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The Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II typically does not include a case, so purchasing a compatible hard or soft case is recommended for protection during transport.
Videos
Wildwood Guitars
Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II • SN: 1211211304
Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II • SN: 1211211304
Wildwood Guitars
Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II review by Pavlo for monkeymusic.com.ua
Володимир Павловський
Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II Showcase
gibsonshopru
The Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor-II PRO
OfficialEpiphone
The Girl From Ipanema | Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II | Low-Priced!
Rich Severson
Reviews
PROS
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Great hollow body design with visually appealing aesthetics
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Easy playable neck perfect for jazz
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Offers a nice dark mellow tone suitable for jazz
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Lightweight and comfortable for long playing sessions
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Versatile sound suitable for multiple genres beyond jazz
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Good option for students or as a gigging guitar
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Cost-effective alternative to higher-end models like the ES-175
CONS
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Inlays may appear cheesy and lack refinement
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Electronics may require upgrades for optimal performance
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Variation in action and fingerboard issues across different models
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Not comparable to Gibson ES-175 in terms of tone quality
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II.
Mods and upgrades
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Owners have successfully installed Seymour Duncan Benedetto pickups to enhance jazz tone, indicating a popular mod choice for this model.
Source
Comparisons
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A user shifted preference from the Joe Pass Emperor II to the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro due to its coil-splitting feature and overall value.
Source -
One owner compared their experience with a "non-Joe Pass" Emperor, noting its durability and the appealing patina developed on the hardware over time.
Source
Build quality
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The neck joint on some models may lack the distinctive squiggle seen in most Joe Pass guitars, raising authenticity concerns among owners.
Source -
Imperfect binding is noted as a common issue, suggesting variability in quality control for this model.
Source -
A user noted the exceptional construction quality of the non-Joe Pass Epiphone Emperor, particularly praising the humbuckers and overall craftsmanship from the late '80s model.
Source
Other
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Some headstock designs may appear less refined, leading to suspicions about authenticity even in genuine models.
Source
User experience
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 12 Ratings
483
Passable after upgrades
Mine is pre Joe Pass, made in Korea in 1989. A decent guitar, but the electronics were close to useless, rattly weak pickups, dubious pots and wiring. Replaced with a couple of Epiphone ProBuckers and decent wire, switches and pots. I customised it further by swapping the magnet of the neck pickup with an Alnico III and the bridge with an Alnico IV magnet. This did not convert the guitar into a great guitar, but now it is OK.
Joe Pass must have been really penniless when "endorsing" this guitar in its stock form a year or so after this one!
243
Amazing Jazz Guitar
Although its a jazz guitar, it plays rock, funk, latin, and many other genres well. The clean base tones sound amazing. This is guitar is a true testiment to the Late Mistro, Joe Pass
Artist usage
Add artist
His old electric guitar. RIP. It's hanging on his back wall.
Guitarist Mike Campbell owns an Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II, as confirmed by its listing on Reverb. The guitar features general scuffs and scratches, tarnished gold hardware, and a relocated strap button from the side to the back of the neck. Despite these cosmetic details, the pickups function as expected.
At 1:10 - The Jazz Kat. He use this Joe Pass Emperor (Natural Finish)
Here is a picture of Joe playing the Epiphone "Joe Pass" at the clinic I referred to, approximately a year before he died. They had just started putting his name on the guitar at that time. Keith
"Epiphone has a couple of guitars that I play in the studio too — the Joe Pass are amazingly nice sounding, but Gibsons are really the ones that hold up." - Isaak to Gibson.com
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En el videoclip del tema "Sexo Con Amor" se ve a Álvaro Henríquez utilizando una Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II
In this Youtube video (recorded in 2018), Pomme can be seen playing a Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II. We can see at 2:42 into the video its peculiar fancy, gold trapeze tailpiece and read at 2:44 into the video the Joe Pass' signature on the pickguard. This is the only time I've seen Pomme use this guitar.
Gabriel Aragão used the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II during a performance featured in the linked video.
From musicradar.com:
The building’s burning down - what one guitar do you save? “Hmm... seems silly, but my 'Blond'. It's a Joe Pass Epiphone from the early 90's. Cheaply made and constantly in need of a tune-up. But I've hot-rodded it over the years with vintage pickups and a Bigsby, and five classic Gibson machineheads. I only play five strings (the high E is removed). I do this because 'I never want the chord to be final'... ahem.. stupid post-rock romanticism.”
Source: https://www.musicradar.com/news/10-questions-for-do-make-say-thinks-justin-small
In the video (2:28) you can see Kero Uno playing a sunburst Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II.
In a studio photo, Flavio Cianciarullo is seen with an Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II guitar.
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 Joe Pass Emperor II, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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