Emperor Trans-Swingster

[Berek]

So I picked up an 1990's Epiphone Emperor (BJP - Before Joe Pass) for ridiculously cheap. Wouldn't have even considered it but it was just such a good deal. Was considering upgrading the pups and my first thought was of classic 57's or some other PAF type.

 

But as I take stock of my collection and needs, I am thinking of basically turning this Emperor into a Swingster. I already have (just got in December) an Epiphone ES-175 reissue and an Emperor Regent. That pretty much covers any mellow jazz tones I would ever need. The big jazz band I am in does do some Brian Setzer style stuff on occasion, so I am thinking of putting GFS Retrotrons (Nashville ?) in the Emperor and maybe even adding their vintage tremolo. Does this makes sense? I imagine I would have to get at least a tune-a-matic bridge if not a roller and lose the current rosewood fixed bridge if I add the tremolo though. I don't think the real Swingster has a center block, so the Emperor's lack of one should not be a problem for the tremolo, right?

 

I would also put in push-pull pots for coil splitting and parallel/series switching. The diagrams I have found at the Seymor Duncan site, etc area bit confusing. Is it too much to ask to have BOTH coil splitting and parallel/serial controls? Should I settle on just one of those options?

 

Thanks for any input or shared experiences.

 

 

-berek

[kidblast]

Well I would assume it's ok since new Swingters have bigsby's, and don't they look like very interesting rides??

 

 

But these do have the adjustable bridges with the wood base.

 

see here:

http://www.epiphone.com/News-Features/News/2009/Swing-Like-a-Pro-with-the-NEW-Epiphone-Swingster-.aspx