PRE-OWNED Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II - Heritage Cherry Sunburst with Hardshell Case

The Joe Pass Emperor II: Smooth Sophistication in a Timeless Archtop

Vintage Korean Craftsmanship from the Samick Era

Crafted in the revered Samick factory during the early 1990s, this Pre-Owned Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II represents an exceptional period in Epiphone’s offshore production. It offers a rare glimpse into transitional-era features, combining reliable build quality with the aesthetic grace expected of a signature jazz box. While it boasts excellent structural integrity and playability, it also displays moderate cosmetic wear that adds character and confirms its vintage status.

Iconic Tonewoods and Classic Feel

This hollow body archtop features laminated maple back and sides with a select spruce top, giving it an articulate voice with rich low-end warmth and bright top-end response. The wide 16-inch body resonates naturally, providing the airiness prized by jazz players. The three-piece maple neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard and pearl block inlays, delivering a smooth and classic playing experience across the entire scale length.

Elegant Appointments and Signature Details

The visual styling is classic and ornate. A warm Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish is enhanced by multi-ply binding throughout the body, neck, headstock, and pickguard. The iconic clipped-ear headstock features a vine inlay and “Joe Pass” engraved truss rod cover. A tortoise shell-style pickguard with Joe’s printed signature completes the look, lending a distinctly vintage aesthetic.

Classic Humbucker Warmth with Versatile Control

Equipped with two Alnico Classic humbuckers, this Emperor II delivers full-bodied jazz tones, offering lush lows, creamy mids, and singing highs. Tone-shaping is made easy with individual volume and tone controls per pickup, plus a 3-way selector mounted on the upper bout for effortless access while performing. The guitar retains warmth and clarity whether played clean or pushed through overdrive.

Playwear and Cosmetic Condition

This instrument exhibits wear consistent with its age and usage. There are visible blemishes including playwear on the headstock, top, back, and sides. Specific areas include dents in the finish near the control knob and back treble-side horn, a scratch on the back's bottom bass-side bout, a finish crack and scuff along the neck heel, and a small scratch on the bass side of the fingerboard near the 4th fret. There are also some binding blemishes—especially on the upper bass side bout and lower near the input jack—as well as scratches on both the bass and treble sides of the lower bout. Despite these marks, the guitar remains fully functional with no structural issues and is well-suited for serious players or collectors looking for Samick-era craftsmanship.

Reliable Hardware Built for Expression

Gold Grover die-cast tuners provide smooth and accurate tuning at a 16:1 ratio. The adjustable rosewood bridge on a rosewood base and ornate trapeze tailpiece contribute to both the tone and traditional styling. Gold tophat knobs round out the hardware appointments, ensuring a polished look and responsive control setup.

Specifications

• Body: Laminated Maple back and sides, Select Spruce top, 16" width

• Neck: Set 3-piece Maple, SlimTaper "C" profile, Rosewood fingerboard, Pearl block inlays

• Headstock: Clipped-ear with Vine inlay, 2-ply truss rod cover with “Joe Pass” inscription

• Scale Length: 24.75 inches

• Nut Width: 1.68 inches

• Fingerboard Radius: 12 inches

• Binding: 5-ply on pickguard, body, and headstock; 7-ply on neck; single-ply f-holes

• Electronics: Two Alnico Classic humbuckers, 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way toggle switch

• Hardware: Gold finish, Adjustable rosewood bridge with rosewood base

• Tailpiece: Ornate trapeze

• Tuners: Grover die-cast, 16:1 ratio

• Pickguard: Simulated tortoise shell with “Joe Pass” signature

• Controls: Gold tophat knobs

• Included: Hardshell Case

This Pre-Owned Electric Guitar ships fully insured with signature required.