Insalinity,
Enjoy your new JP Jazz-box. May I suggest you google Bill Tyers to see how a vintage "Pre Joe Pass" Epi sounds like. You may not ever need to buy another archtop jazz box again. Sadly he passed away in 2020. But he sure knew how to produce that sought after sound. It was one of his many videos that sold me on my purchase. His style was mainly finger-picking, he seldom did any flat picking. That could possibly be the reason for the rich tones he could produce. And if you look closely at his vids, you'll notice that his pickup select is set for the neck pickup the majority of the time. But of course that pickup selection will also be based on the tune being played.
Since I have been studying and playing classical guitar since the 70s. I figured this just might be the axe I need to learn and play jazz riffs.
I bought my JPII Pro in 2019 for a big chain music store. I purchased mine online and had it shipped since the nearest store was 60 mile away. I had done my research prior to buying it and based on all the specs and stats and comparing it to five other similar priced hollow bodies I choose Epiphone and am glad I did. Mine too was an Indonesia make. And I'll be honest I was a little leery of buying sight unseen/un-played, I had heard so many not so good stories about the detail to construction coming out of none US shops. But I took a chance and I was pleasantly surprised to the quality and detail that was put into it. I of course immediately took it to a luthier friend I have who sets all my guitars actions. He is an authorized Gibson and Martin repair luthier. He also of course builds his own. I was happy to find that he could find no faults. He made sure that it was put together soundly and no fret buzz to be had all along the neck. He even commented on how clean and smooth and finished the frets were. I purchased the all natural finish model, for it's clean look. What surprised me was to learn for reason only Gibson knows, they discontinued making them. I was lucky to get mine with the Epiphone case for under $700 US, shipping was included. And it only cost me an additional $150 to have my luthier friend give it a clean bill of health.
