NGD: Lefty Joe Pass

[foglesre]

Darn it, after swearing I wouldn't buy another Epiphone because of the way they've been treating us lefties recently, I caved and picked up this used Joe Pass on Ebay. Will go well with my MiK Sheraton II and MIK Les Paul (a 1994 which I am less impressed with).

 

I gotta say, it is a gorgeous guitar. Made in Saein Inchon in 2005. Previous owner rewired it and put in Giovani Alnico 3 pickups. Lovely sound. The size of the body and set of the neck makes it very easy to play. A couple of irritations is that it smells of smoke and the pick guard holes are poorly filled with putty. But the finish is exquisite. Beautiful book matching of the spruce top and maple back.

 

I had seen a comment that the newer Joe Passes have a less arched top. Sure enough, on this MiK, the soundboard curves up in the area of the pickups such the it is almost parallel with the neck. The binding sits almost flush. Looking a new Joe Pass in Guitar Center (can't remember if MiC or K), the soundboard is much flatter with the fretboard rising well above the guitar face. Also on the new one they ran a little bit of binding down the seam at the end by the strap button, where on this one the wood is flush together.

 

Very happy.

 

Bob

 

[Sleeko]

Very nice. Congrats!

[bluelake07]

I check the listings for lefty guitars on Ebay regularly and saw and liked that one. Have fun with it!

[foglesre]

Yes, I probably paid a bit too much for it, but I would have rewired it myself and put in some GFS pickups (more or less the same as the Giovanis). That's what I did with my Sheraton (Mean 90s...cause Epi won't make a lefty Casino).

 

But this Joe Pass is really a joy to play, and quite pretty too.

 

Bob