clarkuss Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Been looking at a few lately and want to buy yet another archtop. I love the look of this one: I prefer the tailpiece and won't have to have the tacky sig on it either! Anyone else got one? I want a variation on the usual dot/casino/sheraton double cut. I was going to go for a wildkat but I'm not so keen on playing a guitar that looks like tigger from winnie the pooh and so would be looking for a red one. but i also fancy this Antoria Jazz Star: And I've had my eye on this for ages: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 The first picture looks like it's a 1983 Made in Japan Emperor. Those are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarrabri Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Been looking at a few lately and want to buy yet another archtop. I love the look of this one: I prefer the tailpiece and won't have to have the tacky sig on it either! Anyone else got one? I want a variation on the usual dot/casino/sheraton double cut. I was going to go for a wildkat but I'm not so keen on playing a guitar that looks like tigger from winnie the pooh and so would be looking for a red one. but i also fancy this Antoria Jazz Star: http://i.ebayimg.com/08/!BO,V!nw!2k~$(KGrHgoOKjYEjlLmZ5C3BJuj4utmkw~~_1.JPG' alt='!BO,V!nw!2k~$(KGrHgoOKjYEjlLmZ5C3BJuj4utmkw~~_1.JPG'> And I've had my eye on this for ages: wow if i was going to buy one this is the one i would want oozes class,beautiful commands respect,and if you dont want it for yourself ,you can always buy it me,best wishes scarrabri ,the one in the first pic is my choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 The Emperor that is current in Epiphone's lineup is a single floating pick up design with the controls mounted straight to the pick guard. I have a Korean manufactured one that is superb for the price. If you want a two pickup box like in your picture you will have to look at either the Joe Pass or the Broadway. If you have some extra scratch you may even want to look on EBay for used examples of the Elitist Broadway or Byrdland. I have one of each of those and they are as good as it gets. My Emperor Regent: Elitist Broadway: Byrdland: My Eastmans: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valriver40 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 wow!!!! great looking collection of guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hi Paruwi, yes they are stock. I thought they were strange too but oddly enough they have grown on me. http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Elitist-Broadway?sku=518442 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Lovely collection! I'm not so keen on the Joe Passe but wouldn't mind a broadway or a byrdland. I think I'll go for this Emperor. It's on ebay at the moment. I believe it's a 1984 Matsumoku! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Those knobs are subtle, def. not flashy but I think they go together really well with the overall look of both Emperor models. mgm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunriver Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hey Svet, Every time I see that Byrdland I kick myself for not buying it myself! LOL. Ever since I saw that guitar, I have wanted one in Vintage Sunburst but the only ones I see lately are the natural finish. With Epiphone discontinuing that model, the only place I see them is on EBay, and they aren't cheap. I'm sure you have given that one a good home and baby it something cruel LOL. I love seeing that guitar every time you post pictures of it. Enjoy it. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hey Sunriver, I sent you a pm with a lead.....Check it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsideMan Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Svet, Any other leads? I, too, confess I have had a jones for the VS Byrdland--perversely after Epiphone stopped making them. I have an L-5 WM, but the thinner body and shorter scale is appealing. Yours is a knockout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carverman Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Been looking at a few lately and want to buy yet another archtop. but i also fancy this Antoria Jazz Star: http://i.ebayimg.com/08/!BO' date='V!nw!2k~$(KGrHgoOKjYEjlLmZ5C3BJuj4utmkw~~_1.JPG[/img'] Wasn't this is just an L5 clone made by (probably?) Ibanez for a while. Not sure of the year but from the copy of the Gibson proprietary L5 tail piece it could be perhaps one of the Ibanez law suit guitars where Ibanez for a while was blantantly copying Gibson including the proprietary trademarked open book design headstock. The lawsuit was settled and Ibanez later on came up with their own designs, including a L5 version/clone called the George Benson GB200 which is still basically based on the Gibson L5 with a different headstock shape and trappings. It may have some historic interest, but Epiphone does have it's own Elitist "L5 version", the Epiphone Elitist Broadway/and Broadway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Yes but an elitist is rare to find and expensive to buy. The anotira jazz star is a great guitar and its cheap although very well made! I played one a few weeks ago and was blown away by the quality/price ratio. They were made in Japan by, as you rightly pointed out, Ibanez. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Yes but an elitist is rare to find and expensive to buy. The anotira jazz star is a great guitar and its cheap although very well made! I played one a few weeks ago and was blown away by the quality/price ratio. They were made in Japan by' date=' as you rightly pointed out, Ibanez.[/quote'] Well the Epiphone Emperor from your first post is actually Japanese, made by Matsumoku, in January 84 according to the serial (4014230) and of similar build quality to the Elite/Elitists. These are relatively rare, have very nice MMK 61 pickups which showed up in a lot of good early 80`s guitars such as the Westone Rainbows, Session II and Prestige models, the Aria ProII TA-60 semi from 81-84, Aria ProII Herb Ellis model, as well as the Matsumoku made Epiphone Riviera. As for the Antoria Jazzstar, be careful because most of them are Korean made, although as you rightly say the ones made in Japan were made by Fuji Gen Gakki, who also badged them as Ibanez. Having seen all the photos of that particular Antoria Jazzstar on eBay, I can confirm it is Korean! although there is a Japanese one on eBay at present too, check out item number 220377947521. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Hi Insideman, I sent you a PM too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Here are some more Emperor Regent pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Hi Frenchie, Thanks for the advice. All I meant was that I could have the Antoria Jazzstar for £250, knowing it to be of half decent quality for the money and put my guitar obsession on hold for a few weeks. On the other hand I'll probably put in a reasonable effort getting this Emperor for all the obvious reasons - matsumoku, discontinued, nicer style, more respectable make and selling on value and generally my preference but I don't think I could affort another elitist right now and they don't come around to often in the uk so I was saying that a cheapish antoria would be enough to subside the jazz box feeling in my stomach.. haha I apprecitate your information though and didn't realise that some of the antoria jazz stars were korean as well (not that I have anything against that!) I've got my heart set on this emperor though. Just something about it. We'll see if my bank balance can help me out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carverman Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 The octogon pointy knob is a re-issue of the original Epiphone knobs used on the Zephyr Deluxe Regent and the Electric Emperor back in the late 40s/ early 50s. The Broadway being an acoustic non cutaway didn't have those knobs until Gibson started to re-issue them fashioned after their L5 in some respects. It would be nice if Epiphone-Gibson would offer the original vintage tp as a re-issue as well on their Broadways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 Someone's let the cat out of the bag.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200321054172 He'll get a lot more money out of that one... but not from me if it gets too high now that about a million other people will want it. Oh well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyscaglyc Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I don't ever like to be the "doom & gloom" guy but, do we have an assumption as to why the seller mentions "AS is" ? His explanation on wanting an acoustic is plausable, that's how I got the Joe Pass , and yes, the VS (vintage sunburst) is veeery pretty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 "AS" means the colour, in this instance Antique Sunburst. I was watching that guitar as well, but as Clarkuss has noticed, he has been informed, and although still a reasonable price, it`s too much for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyscaglyc Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Thanks Frenchie. I shuddered to think it was one of those where the photos don't show the "Gorilla glue", black sharpie to match, headstock repair ! All of the Emperor, Sheraton styles, old & new, sunburst to blond, really say class to me. Even the "Gibby only"types can't help but crowd around an EPI hollow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 I put in a bid at £490 but i can't afford to pay any more than £500. I would pay £500+ for a matsumoku sunburst casino though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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