I was sort of surprised

[BSAKing]

I have a number of guitars here, but I must admit, my Epi Joe Pass (96 Samick flavor) is my preferred. It sits next to a Gretsch 6120 and I almost always choose the Pass.

 

Lately I have been looking into an Epi Emperor and after reading up a bit about them, went to the local guitar store to try one out.

 

While a nice guitar (2008 vintage), I was sort of surprised. I was expecting it to have a lot more stand alone volume and presence than the Pass, but that was not the case. Obviously a lot has to do with string choice and familiarization, but like I say I was sort of surprised. I had expected a large difference in favor of the Regent. I play a lot unamplified, so it was that stage setting that I tried, not jacked into an amp at all.

 

I also found the neck, while not objectionable, a little "blockier" than the Pass.

 

Overall a very nice guitar, but now I am not sure it will get me where I want to go and the Pass may be an actual better choice to stick with.

 

I'll have to try it out again - maybe an earlier model if I can find one. Just to see if there are any differences that way. I know I have two Sheratons and I prefer the earlier one to the more recent build year ... Again - neither is a bad guitar - au contraire. It is just that there are differences, albeit subtle between them. Maybe the same applies to the Emperor lines.

[HarpBoy]

Have you checked out the new Swingster? I understand it's based on the Joe Pass; kind of a cool looking guitar. I prefer the thin bodies myself, hence my Riviera, but I'd be curious as to how you think the Swingster compares to what you're looking for.

 

Cheers

[ladyscaglyc]

Thanks for the review.

I've been drooling* over the Regent.

Thought it would be a nice compliment to the '06 JP

& my '05 Gretsch WF.

I'm still looking for the same body style with one or 2 miniHBs.

 

 

Have you seen, or even considered a Kona?

There's a KE(something) black/gold model that seems like a reasonable ticket.

 

(note: *drooling= GAS without revenue)