Howlin4Hubert Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I came across an archtop that I'm very interested in purchasing. It is being advertised as a Broadway. However all the pictures and descriptions I've found of Broadways don't match up with the picture of this archtop. I've tried to figure out what it is but have been unsuccessful so far. The serial number indicates it was made in 1989 in Korea. Anyone know what it is? Is it a Broadway or something else? I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could help me. Thank you very much in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howlin4Hubert Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share Posted August 19, 2011 Thank you Pete.R! I think you're correct. When I first searched on Emperor the pictures matched with one exception, the three-position switch was on the opposite side. However when you suggested it was an Emperor I did some more searching and found pictures of Emperors that match exactly. Thanks again Pete.R! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicmaker99 Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Here's my 80's something Emperor for comparison (sitting right next to it's successor the Joe Pass Emperor with switch moved). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howlin4Hubert Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share Posted August 19, 2011 Wow musicmaker99 that is a mighty beautiful group of guitars you have there. Thanks for sharing that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 It is an Emperor II. The original Emperor was a pre-Gibson Epiphone design, and the Emperor name was also used for a very high-end Matsumoku model in the 80's which was essentially an L-5 CES copy. This design later became the current Broadway (with a few cosmetic changes). The Emperor II is a smaller-bodied guitar, and when it acquired the "Joe Pass" designation, the selector switch was moved from the cutaway horn to the bass bout, but otherwise the Emperor II and the Joe Pass Emperor II are essentially the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Here is the 1980's Matsumoku Emperor. It looks very much like a Byrdland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Nope, not a Byrdland, an L-5 CES. They have the same basic shape and appointments except for the tailpiece, but the Byrdland is a thin-bodied guitar (2 1/4")with a short scale (23.5") while the Emperor, like the L-5, is a full-depth body (3" +)with a 25.5" scale. A quick glance at a Byrdland will show the pickups much closer together and the bridge much higher up the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Agreed, that is more like a Broadway than a Byrdland. This is an Epiphone Elitist Byrdland: Elitist Broadway: Epiphone Elitists Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howlin4Hubert Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share Posted August 19, 2011 Thanks for all the help everyone. Looks like Pete.R is correct, it is an Emperor. From the information I could find the re-issued Emperor models were 1982-1992 as Emperor, 1993-94 as Emperor II, and 1995-current as Joe Pass Emperor II. Some awesome pics of the different guitars! Thank you for sharing! Archtops sure are beautiful works of art! Can't wait to own one. Sadly I didn't win this one, went a bit too high for me. But hopefully someday soon I will procure one :) If anyone else has pics of their archtops please share! Thanks again everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Geez Svet, I hope someday you're able to get your hands on a few really nice guitars instead of those wannabee Elitists. All kidding aside, a beautiful collection indeed! Where's my drool bib when I need it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Geez Svet, I hope someday you're able to get your hands on a few really nice guitars instead of those wannabee Elitists. All kidding aside, a beautiful collection indeed! Where's my drool bib when I need it? LOL thanks Bobouz, I have a few others too: } Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I have a few others too: } Yes, I see that Gibson headstock trying to sneak in there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Yes, I see that Gibson headstock trying to sneak in there! I think that's my SG. Here are my Gibson's: I sold the Zoot suit a few weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howlin4Hubert Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share Posted August 20, 2011 WOW WOW WOW Svet that is an awesome collection you have!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 I sold the Zoot suit a few weeks ago. Good call. LOL It just doesn't belong with all of those other beauties. Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 WOW WOW WOW Svet that is an awesome collection you have!!! Um well, that's not all of em, but Ill post a few more arch top pictures for you. The Backs are usually the best! Broadway Back Byrdland Back Eastman's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Good call. LOL It just doesn't belong with all of those other beauties. Very nice. LOL, I kind of liked it! The Ebony fingerboard was one of the best I've ever played though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howlin4Hubert Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share Posted August 20, 2011 Um well, that's not all of em, if you want to see the rest just ask as this is your thread. OK I way jealous! :D I'm also very interested in seeing what all you have so please feel free to post 'em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Nope, not a Byrdland, an L-5 CES. They have the same basic shape and appointments except for the tailpiece, but the Byrdland is a thin-bodied guitar (2 1/4")with a short scale (23.5") while the Emperor, like the L-5, is a full-depth body (3" +)with a 25.5" scale. A quick glance at a Byrdland will show the pickups much closer together and the bridge much higher up the body. Yeah, I just meant at a glance as far as the body shape is concerned. But I guess its closer to a Broadway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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