I'm back to comment on my own review. I took a lesson the other day from a pro I consider better than myself and he was playing an EPI Joe Pass proof that it's in the hands and not the instrument. That may be true for some people but not me sorry. When you go into a shop of guitars they have a selection for a reason. People's taste are different. I'm totally spoiled in that when I was a kid these instruments were affordable. Now they're not.
A few of my students have Ibanez guitars and they seem well made and the price very good. There's really nothing wrong with the EPI it's just people saying that they're as good as a Gibson which I don't think is true.
I guess I understand what ur saying in the review BUT the guitar sounds GREAT!!! What amp is being used? cuz it sounds beautiful. And if I can get this guitar "to learn on" that's ok w me. I agree with other commenter re this is a great ad for this guitar. Love it. Thx. I'll get the $3000 to $5000 model as soon as my world tour starts. . . Lol.
This review is hilarious,.... He seems to verbally trash the Epi,... yet through his very talents,... hands down is being the best salesman imaginable! Bottom line, not everyone is going to be able to shell out 5 to 6K on a new 175,... This is great value for the money, 80% the guitar for 20% the cost. I agree with MyLifeChanger, there's plenty of great musicians today playing these 'cheap' Epi's,... think Gary Clark Jr. ( Epi Casino) and Brian Aubert (Epi Sheraton).
I get what John is "saying"....yeah, its a foreign made guitar, and it certainly isn't a 175 (my dream guitar besides a byrdland or L-4 CES), but if he can make it sound that Epi sound that good, then I should be fine learning with it until I get to his level. If you listen to the guitar and not his words, then you'll realize its not a put down of the Epi at all, really. Thanks for the review, Johnhguitar!
Just a comment on the reality of quality. No put down. When you teach guitar for a living people constantly ask you questions about guitar purchasing.This is for educational reasons that I said this. The last lesson I took from a pro he was playing the Epi Emperor. He was a better guitarist than I.
@Broyale26 I agree. I also think this Epiphone sounds stellar. I've been playing the guitar for about 15 years, I've owned many guitars. I understand that John means when he compares the Epiphone to a 175 etc, BUT is it really necessary for everyone to own a high end priced guitar? I don't think so. I'm actually much more impressed by the musicians who use cheaper instrument, and who can turn lemons into lemonade.
Yeah that's great and all but none of my favorite players played cheap guitars. My favorite Joe Pass stuff was done on his ES 175. Wes Montgomery played an L5, Johnny Smith a Gibson Johnny Smith, Pat Martino a Gibson, Jim Hall Gibson ES 175, Al Dimeola a Les Paul Gibson, Bill Connors a Les Paul Gibson Custom. There's a good reason the best play the best. Who are these people that play cheap guitars to prove that it's not the instrument but the man who's playing the music?
@johnhguitar ok that's fair enough but is that really a valid argument? all the players you mentioned grew up in a different time than now... there used to be only a few major big guitar manufactures that were good. times have changed if you ask me. i've seen tons of session/jazz players using cheap gear. guitarplayers are the most nostalgic people ever, and you sound exactly the same ;)
It's a good guitar for the price,got it lately,compared to Ibanez Artcore similar stuff,and chose this baby.....you wanna make it sound better? Put a pair of better Pups and it's done! ( you don't have to spend absurd money,just a couple of SD '59 will do) ;-)
Totally valid comments. I own a '49 Gibson banjo and a newer Gibson mandolin. But the banjo needed a good set up and played on...sounded horrible before setup, now I wouldn't trade it for anything. A friend of mine has a Granada from the 30's but the set up is horrible. He has a 100k+ banjo that could use "tlc". In the hands of two different players it sounds different. Simply saying one can't have a Gibson and expect it to automatically be awesome ( my opinion).
Quality made instruments play better...but I have heard vintage american stuff sound like crap due to poor set up and sloppy hands...players must learn to "pull tone."
I feel this could be my last explanation to a world of people searching for the ultimate instrument.
Let's say you have a traditional guitar maker working for Gibson. He's been making guitars for decades and is now considered a master craftsman. His instruments are made with the finest materials and nothing but love and dedication went into the making of his guitars.
Now let's look at a guitar that's made overseas in a factory that's practically totally automated.
The imported copy/model was made on an assembly line by cutting corners with saving money in mind. The instrument is made of the cheapest materials and most of the woods and finishes are cut and spayed by machines.
People talk about musicians having the feel in their hands and that instruments don't make a difference. Don't you think that perhaps a guitar maker has feelings in his hands and can imbue the instrument with the feel of his soul? I'll work however many hours it takes to own one.
Comparing this guitar to a Gibson ES-175 is kind of pointless. Of course the Gibson is going to be slightly better quality. But does this guitar give a usable archtop tone at a fraction of the price of a Gibson? Hell yes it does. Sure, some players will want to change the pickups or nut or whatever. But figure that in and you're still overpaying for the Gibson. Here's the thing- I own a Gibson and love it. But this guitar is still pretty sweet for the money.
@adamphillips44 if they are flat wound jazz strings i think they are a little harder to bend. i dont think you do too much bending in jazz, i could be wrong, but u you dont hear much bending.
45 years of playing with some of the best players and some not so hot, has taught me one thing, Opinions vary and talent and tone is more in the hands of the player than the headstock. I have an Emporer made in 1989 that I upgraded with a bone nut and saddle. the back is book matched, the electronics are top notch. I also have a L5 Gibson. The Emporer has a better playing neck. Both sound great and I wouldn't trade either one for one of the New Gibsons period. Nothing to this review.
Thanks for the review. I found your opinion honest and enlightening, and not a put-down of the guitar at all. It would be unrealistic to expect an oriental mass-produced guitar to sound like a vintage american instrument. But compared to other guitars in the same price range, this sounded really nice (in your hands, anyway).
A lot of people own these and expect you to say nothing but good things about it. All I'm saying is what you said, it doesn't have the same quality as an American Gibson. True, that people can play great music on the Epi and that soul can come through any instrument. Let's just say the Epi is a good work horse and leave it at that.
I just had a lesson from a top jazz guitarist and he plays the Emperor Epi and there you have it.
Hell yeah! A lot of people dislike this review. But that's all that it is. It means little perhaps nothing. Just a junky opinion. However, most people would rather have the 175 than the Epi.
Great post! I am crazy about all things guitar...don't have nearly close to all the ones I want. Was glad to see this review though. Aside from being outsourced for cheaper labor. The quality of the higher end Eepiphone guitars considering their cost is phenominal in my opinion...Have you had any experience with the Lucille or the Casino? Would love to hear your opinion...:Cheers! :)
@johnhguitar Love the review and loved reading all the passionate AND hostile comments even more. LOL entertianing! I know very little about guitars, even less about playing. I'm a hack tooling around on an scratched Yamaha acoustic. Years ago I bought a South Korea version Joe Pass Epiphone. I hardly had time to use it, until I lent to a recording artist friend, who is not a jazz musician, but wanted to play around with it for a while. He had fun and used it to lay done a few riffs. Good deal.
Perhaps some people just spend too much money on expensive guitars and now they realized they don't sound any better on an inexpensive Epiphone, and than they claim this is just cheap Crap.
Not me. I can tell. When Joe Pass put down his ES 175 and started using his Joe Pass Ibanez that was it. I quit listening as much. To me it wasn't as good as the sound he had before. I identified his playing with the sound of that guitar. This may not mean much to other people who aren't as fussy as I am but that's what I'm saying. There is a difference to me.
John, this is a fair review. What you're catching here is a lot of anger at Gibson because of the current management and the way they're trying to make it into a boutique brand simply by pumping the prices into the stratosphere, without IMHO any accompanying increase in the quality of the product. I'll agree a $5,000 Gibson is better than this guitar, maybe not 10 times better. That being said ... if someone had a chance to get one of these with upgraded pickups and wiring, go for it or not?
We have to be honest, Epiphones are not meant to be Gibsons, they are meant to be entry level instruments at a very honest price point for what you get. My statement about stock holding was targetting collectors not actual musicians. I got 3 epis: a Joe Pass, a Regent and a LP Custom all electronic upgraded and properly setup...can't beat that for the price.
I want you to know that I like your reviews because YOU TELL IT LIKE IT IS ~ and yes it is from your perspective. All reviews are subjective in nature accompanied by technical details and facts. I like your reviews and respect your skills highly. I have been playing for more than 40 years and recognize your skill as a musician and artist. Keep the review online. It is a good one. Don't let a few "children" discourage what you are doing. Your reviews are helpful.
I appreciate your honesty about the Joe Pass Epiphone.... I saw it not to long after i started to listen to Joes playing. I couldn't find one in my area to play and see how it sounded. I agree that is to be played. There are plenty of better guitars to choose from if you got the 2-3K to spend. You get what you pay for. It's a beautiful instrument and the sound of it is ok for the price point. I'm grateful for your video. Thanks for the info. You saved me time and money... keep posting vids :)
I've looked at this video lots of times. I think all the hoopla is a case of not what you say but perhaps how you say it. If a couple of things happen that are in the works I am going to buy a jazz box, but not a physically huge one, that doesn't cost much I can leave at another location and survive financially if someone breaks in and takes it. I'm just getting it to relieve me of multiple trips of carrying around my Gibson L5 CES. For that purpose I think an Epi Joe Pass would be fine.
I think it's a useful and fair, balanced review which i was grateful for. Its tempting to consider the cheaper end of the market, but you won't get a lifetime of use from the guitar.
After plenty of thought and watching videos such as this,I bought an es125 which as a cheaper Gibson didn't break the bank but is good for 100 years, and sounds and plays beautifully.
I don't think people understand what he is trying to say, he is saying it's not good compared to $3000 dollar jazz guitars it is FINE FOR IT'S PRICE RANGE. Nice review John and great playing as usual!
I think I'm going to remove this video. I don't understand why people don't get it. It's fine for $450 if that's what you want. I'd rather keep saving another two or three years and get something better.
@johnhguitar Because there are many dislikes people that dont want to spent more then 500 dollar on a guitar thinking this is a bad guitar, but actually the most dislikes are coming from people that want really expensive guitars and want a perfect sound, your revieuw is like 7 min. Play different styles,say whats good on the guitar and what kinda things not,dont tell al whole story about it,then people dont still know if its a good guitar or not
Wow guys...lots of spare time or what? thanks for a good review johnhguitar. I was on the fence about getting one of these. I think i'll take another look at them now. seems like a good buy if my budget is around five hundo. thanks again.
Yes, the come with crap parts, but how about the box itself? Most new Gibsons need fret leveling too.
Swap the parts out, and is there really a difference nowadays? I don't know.
I'm looking for a Sadowsky Jim Hall right now, because I believe Gibson has dropped the ball and I'm not in love with Heritage. If I'm spending 4 grand, the box better sound great from the get-go.
Still, my question is about the box itself. Something wrong with that or the neck? Mostly curious.
Hey, it's an inexpensive guitar. It compares with other guitars in its class. There's nothing wrong with it from that standpoint. You can't compare it to a good Gibson or USA Epiphone by saying it's in the hands of the player.
When I worked in the repair shop these guitars came in often and need various types of repairwork. They needed the frets topped of replaced and the electronics were cheap. The pickups are a little tacky and didn't have the warmth I like. It might work for others.
just a question. how is this guitar lacking? i've always disliked this model to tell you the truth, but it sounds pretty good in the video. i've got expensive archtops, too, but you know what I play on the gig mostly? an artcore. yup. i souped it up, but it's still and artcore. sound as good as my lawsuit 175 or hofner jazzica? yeah, but different. i've had an es175, wish i still did, but they new ones i've played aren't worth the dough.
John, please don't worry about the negative feedback. I, for one, appreciate your honesty. You're a damn good guitar player, and I enjoy watching and hearing you. The fact that you pass along your knowledge of guitars while entertaining us with your music is a bonus. You may have been venting a bit, as you're obviously a jazz fan and a fan of Joe Pass. That's understandable, and not a problem. Everything's relative. Keep 'em coming.
Whenever I see that someone has commented on this Epiphone review I shudder before I open it. I'm wondering if I can ever be honest about anything anymore. People get so bent out of shape over nothing. Our world is a sad place really. It's strange how we look outside of ourselves for validation. The music comes from within us and you can't touch that with words. Take any guitar and express that inner urge to create. I love hearing people do that. Maybe this review should go away? Yes? No?
Some people are so rude! I have a S Korean version of this, have had for about 10 years, and it's a lovely guitar. Works equally well as a solo instrument as in the video or in a band situation. Very easy to play and sounds good. Some people seem not to have noticed the Law of Diminishing Returns with regard to guitars - a £500 guitar is probably 10 times better than a £50 guitar - but a £5,000 guitar almost certainly isn't 10 times better than a £500 one.
Hahaha this is ridiculous everyone fighting over an epiphone! Dude who cares! Yes it's a cheap guitar, but apparently it was good enough for Joe Pass to put this name to? I have played this and they're fine.
(please note it's Jazzmaster as in the Fender Jazzmaster Guitar. Not as being in the master of jazz)
This is a cheap guitar. It is like all other cheap guitars. Anything purchased from a store for under $500 from overseas is not worth comparing. Find one you like and have fun playing it.
What I said I'll stick by. These cheaper Epiphone guitars aren't as good a an expensive Gibson, Guild, Heritage, Bennedetto, etc. Why all the doubt and hostility?
@johnhguitar I'm on both sides of the fence on your review / opinion. I have been thinking about it and I believe from a seasoned pro's POV your right on. From a non pro, weekend warrier if you will or like me a 50yo semi pro almost [LOL] the epi's are pretty good! I have an Epi LP Custom and it sounds and plays great. I think a semi or full hollow body is a more demanding guitar to build and the % of blemishes in cheaper brands is higher than more expensive,
I think you gave a helpful and honest appraisal. The guitar sounds fine to me for its price for a learner as you said. You'd obvioulsy have to pay a lot more for a really quality instrument, but everyone has to start somewhere. There's a lot of silly point scoring and unnecessary nastiness in youtube comments!
I said what I said because people compare these cheap Epiphone guitars with the finest instruments. They buy the guitar because they can afford it and then say all the great music comes from the soul and the hands which is perfectly true. However, it doesn't mean the guitar is as good as any. For any veteran player the preference is clear; more people who earn a living playing jazz usually use a finer instrument. I don't want to compare a cheap guitar with another cheap guitar. What's the point?
gesshh~ all i can say is thank you john for putting a review of these guitar, i only interested in hearing and seeing how this guitar sound like and form my own opinion about these guitar,and at the same time respect other opinion as well.
first off, you know nothing about jazz. Second, the older joe pass models are fine instruments. These new Indonesia made pieces of shit are of course bad and its not limited to this model. All companies who produce everything in these god for saking foreign countries suck. You suck as a reviewer for not acknowledging anything about the good instruments. Suck it biach And also, your bridge has foam under it and is crocked you dumb fuck
@jazzking66<<<< Jazz King? Jazz King? I've finally found the Jazz King. You say I know nothing about Jazz? I think you know nothing about me. You want to believe that this review sums up the totality of what I am but lets be clear and objective here.
This guitar was handed to me like it is to review. Is it my fault Epiphone or the guitar store didn't remove the foam pad from under the bridge? Why should I fix it up? I'm pretending to be a consumer who just picked the instrument up.
I don't have to prove myself to you. This video doesn't mean anything really. The guitar was handed to me as is to review and I just gave it my honest opinion.
You seem to think I don't know anything about jazz and that might be true. However, Hal Leonard just released an instructional DVD of jazz riffs and I contributed 40 of them. The amount of time and effort that went into that project cost quite a bite. Hal Leonard ran all this music by editors and top professionals. They seemed to like it.
@johnhguitar Hey i understand what you are saying if i had a high end gibson the joe pass wouldn't even compare. you obviously know what your talking I have a les paul that i love however i am starting lessons at college and i dont want to take a $3000 guitar with me. I want a relatively inexpensive jazz guitar for the lessons. Considering the Dot for $400 or this guitar for $600. What do you think is it worth the extra $200. Thanks.
first off, you know nothing about jazz. Second, the older joe pass models are fine instruments. These new Indonesia made pieces of shit are of course bad and its not limited to this model. All companies who produce everything in these god for saking foreign countries suck. You suck as a reviewer for not acknowledging anything about the good instruments. Suck it biach
@jazzking66 wooow... you racist or something... nowadays America is not the only country that can produce good guitars... Go check out Ibanez... Benson, Schofield, and Metheny used it! They are way better than you are I assure you and those instruments are made in japan, stop being so ignorant will you?
you are an fuckin greek asshole oyecarnal, you should go fuck yourself u piece of shit, this guy is posting a free video for Epi review, and go are calling him a moron...fuck you
For anyone interested I have a recording of Epiphone Joe Pass and Roland MIDI GK3/GI-20 in my channel. Look for Band In A Box - MIDI Guitar Audio Recording.
Well, you certainly have got people talking! Like others, I enjoyed your playing and your wit. Do I prefer playing my far better built and sounding Gibsons and Fenders? For sure. But does the Joe Pass also have a place in my guitar life, even as something to take to performances for fear of damage to my Gibsons? Yes. P.S. mine is also a 2004 version, and a more recent model I tried out the other day seemed comparatively lifeless.
i spended some more time watching some other "review" videos that you posted and i came back to tell you that my Hahl guitar isn't made in AMERICA. It's made in Germany... and it is still way better than all american guitars,with the exeption of mr. Bob Benedetto's guitars witch are equally brilliant instruments. comparing an instrument of 500 dollars with an instrument of 5,000 dollars you moron is just stupid. of course the second one is way better in all terms. the country has nothing to do.
The point was about this Epiphone originally being made in America and then being made overseas where the quality dropped off. Originally these great jazz guitars where only being made in the states. Gradually people jumped on the band wagon. I understand how you hate me enough to call me a moron but I'm still a musician and you're not going to stop me from playing no matter what you say. Save the smack talk for the gig. Walk up and tell me that during a performance.
I can tell I'll never get anywhere talking to you. You know, you might be able to learn more if you weren't so full of yourself thinking you know it all. I do this to learn from people but you're not going to share anything but smack.
@johnhguitar now you deserve a propper answer! strangely the way you write isn't rude like the way you talk on those videos... the reason that i commented your videos in a very negative way, was that i saw a guitarist being full of himself... now that's weird! sharing information on the net is always usefull... but i just saw someone going on and on about how bad the replica guitars are and how the companies have a perpose to steal us by selling low quallity instruments! but that is not fare...
@johnhguitar any guy that wants to try some jazzy approach on his playing has the right to do so without spending an arm and a leg! those guitars are starters for jazz and not only that... many players have cheap instruments for live performances. i know i do! and you said it also! the mistake that you do is that you don't review those instruments for what they are. and furthermore you are getting rude to people that maybe...just maybe... don't have the money to purchase something better.
I have no reason to be rude with anyone. I started off playing these guitars and perhaps I'm spoiled.
I worked as a salesman in several music stores and Epiphone was a line we carried so I'm quite familiar with their quality control.
For me at first Joe Pass was using a Gibson 175. He started getting deals and using Ibanez. I felt his tone dropped considerably. He did some of his best solo work when he was using an original D'Angelico, a much more expensive guitar. It's a review about quality.
this is the worst review ever... i own a handmade Hahl archtop way more expensive and better than your shitty "proud to be american" Gibson! so what...? Joe Pass played on a crap ibanez and got his divine melodies and swing feeling lines sound HOT. i play guitar for twentyfive years and have never seen such an arrogant player like you. you know people doesn't always have the money to by the best instruments.but that's ok. i've seen people playing way better than you with cheep guitars like this!
I'm I the only guy in the universe that believes the makers and players of instruments leave their vibes and invisible mark on the instruments they play and create?
Good thoughtful review. The intonation sounds really off. I'm also wondering why the bridge is so tilted.I too would not want to gig with something I didn't feel the musical connection with.
are we reviewing the Epiphone Joe Pass guitar or every other guitar that this guy claims is better? I am going to find a better review to actually learn about the guitar i thought this video was about.
@TheJohnYouKnow The pickups are cheap and they buzz because the covers are not soldered to the frame, I replaced mine with Gibson 57s but that set me back $200. I have a really old Joe Pass, the coloer is a dark yellow from age. The other problem is the truss rod is not adjustable, at least on mine. The workmanship is excellent on mine. I think is an OK guitar but I have to agree with John,it does not have that good ring when you play it like a Gibson or Guild.
I think resonance is very important. These strange woods on these imported guitars don't inspire me to play. I really need the guitar to have a vibration about it and I don't mean vibe as in mental.
lmao. Your review is being used to sell a guitar. Some people don't catch sarcasm that well. //cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Epiphone-Joe-Pass-Emperor-II-Electric-Guitar-/400208502807?pt=Guitar&hash=item5d2e492017
i'm very interested to now what kind of genre this playing fits into. would it be jazz, lounge jazz or something else. i really love your playing style.
@johnhguitar It's nice to hear you say that cause with the dig about him just liking the money didn't really come off like you respected him. It's great that your in love with your Gibson even though were talking apples and oranges here would have been nice if you would have done a side by side with both so we can hear why you love your gibson over this one instead of just the laundry list of why you hate this guitar.
I've owned a Joe Pass Guitar for about a year now and I'm very satisfied and content with it. It's not a high end $2750 Gibson ES-175 but it was what I could afford and it gets the job done. I think this guitar is great and it has a great sound. I love this guitar.
I hope to get a Gibson ES 175 someday (when I can save up the money) but even then, I will still always play this Joe Pass Guitar because it really is a great guitar (especially for the price).
Thoughtful comment and I thank you for that. People could learn a lot from your approach. You don't try and work the commentator into the ground when you don't like or agree with what's been said.
Your review was not very useful at all. It made you look like high end guitar snob that is simply amused by the "lesser quality" guitars that the average Joe (pun intended) can afford. You sir are a very talented player but pull your head out of the clouds and realize that its not always about the guitar in hands but more about the hands on the guitar. Enjoy your $4000 guitar....I'll keep and enjoy my Epiphone Joe Pass guitar.
My idea of a high end guitar snob is someone who has guitars but can't play. Since I've been playing for over forty years it's helpful to have an instrument that's excellent to play. It really just comes down to that. Of all the cheap jazz guitars out there these in particular I don't like and don't recommend them to my students. One student recently bought a beautiful Ibanez and it was $300. I like it so much I considered buying one myself. I'm glad you like your Joe Pass it's just personal.
Interesting and useful video, thought about getting one of these, putting on some flatwounds and changing the pickups, it would sound different to the standard. Smoothness and play ability being an issue if there is one.
I (still) own my Joe Pass from 1995. And I still have my Gibsons ES 175 and ES 335 but I sold my Les Paul since it was poor craftmanship compared to the Epiphone LP I owned in the nineties. Now I am waiting for my new L5 to arrive, but the Joe Pass is not a bad guitar. To my opinion you get a lot more than you pay for compared to the Gibsons. PS. Shouldn't we try to keep up the polite tone in the argumentation? Kind regards from Denmark
My God what a clown you are! why did you bother, this is not a "review" this is an assasination! It's built in America so it's better than anything built anywhere else, you complete clown.
I have a epiphone les paul junior that I bought for 50 dollars. I set the neck, replaced the pots, jack, and tuners for about 30 dollars. Then I bought a Gibson P-94 used for 60 bucks and put it in. I kid you not, it sounds better than any guitar I've ever played in the sub-1,500 range. DIY and you will not be let down.
Reality check picking up any guitar off the rack and reviewing it misses what most good players do any way. They often change the pickups, work on the action, intonation, maybe change out the bridge (with bone or...) etc.. A combination of these tricks can make a good guitar, even a relatively cheap one, sound much better, that is so long as the foundation is solid.
Your elitist dismissal of a purposely inexpensive guitar, coupled with comments that it doesn't compare to a US-built L5 or Super 400 isn't helpful, nor, in the latter case, remotely relevant. Trust me, 'Made in USA' is no guarantor of quality. I too owned a laminated 175 for a whole 24 hours before I sent the woefully built thing back.
If you're going to post a meaningful review then at least try to do so. I heard nothing but dismissive and unqualified negatives and, as a review, it failed...
Nice try but you missed it. Go back and listen to the review again because I do address those issues but I may have said it in a way you don't understand or didn't catch the first time. Basically the guitar is cheap. It's good for the money but doesn't compare to a classier Gibson. If you think it does compare that doesn't mean I haven't a right to my opinion which is all this is. There's lots of things about it I don't like but do I have to go into detail again?
It's a shame that you have to basicly slam the guitar with a verbal barrage of negative and off the cuff comments.You never even told the reasons why you didn't like it .Was the neck too wide or narrow, was the body weight not centered, did the pickups not give the sound you wanted. I think you had too much "I love me" potion. Get over yourself already. BTW, my benedetto is worlds better than any gibson 175, but I could still find good points with the gibson. Grow up!
I think in several return comments I make clear that I don't like the quality of these guitars. The Gibson I have is without a shadow of a doubt better in every way.
@johnhguitar I fully understand what you are saying about gibson being better. .that is true. its american made, which to me is worth the price. but i will be honest. i dont have the money to buy a 6000 dollar guitar. and that is where i think epiphone comes in handy.
OK, I accept that a professional musician is likely to want to play a more expensive, better quality and higher specification instrument. Let's take that as read. BUT, in your review you never really get to explain WHY the Epiphone Joe Pass is inferior - your review was not objective and that's a real shame. You do play very well, but what is the payback you get from the Gibson(s) you mentioned?
Are we saying that a guy in the USA named Fred can operate a CNC machine better than a guy in Indonesia named Chang? I doubt it. Can Fred wind rubber bands better, or use a better glue ? Can Fred file things more professionally. And sadly Fred is worried about the Super Bowl, weekend beer parties, and how long it is till 5:00 on Friday. Chang on the other hand thinks his families reputation rides on every guitar that he builds.
@Vermillion2176 You are funny. But really Fred has better choice of woods and materials. He probably has better skills and is simply not limited to a CNC...etc... etc.... I like the Joe Pass for the money and would like to find one of the earlier models.
@Vermillion2176 Well, I don't know bout that, but one thing i'm sure that anyone who worries about "family reputation" or "losing face" doesn't worth anyone consideration and will bring shit to this world. You do what you do and put bullshit fake values away. If you call it cultural, well, it is not. Just a way to keep people in line. Get over this kind of feel good, exotic, honorable sounding east asian stupid fucking shit already.
I can understand people voicing their opinions about guitars. It's perfectly OK to say whatever about the guitars.
How on earth it leads to these chops and put downs I'll never figure out.
I was on a surf trip and spotted a guy drowning. I paddled over and helped him out of the water. I didn't know anything about him. From the sound of these comments it seems you might leave me out there to die simply by knowing how I feel about a guitar.
This whole youtube free comment stuff is an eyeopener.
@johnhguitar touche" [if thats spelled right]. I left a few comments dont know if they made it on here buti think your right on this one. Its just a review and everyone thinks your god or the devil. WTF! I'll only comment that you should preface "for seasoned pro's" or something like that. I think most folks who look at rfeview from youtube are probably not at your level. I think you insluted alot of us Epi lovers. Not intentionally, becuase of what I seaid before. Dont stop you play great!
@Vermillion2176 hey, i dont know fred but chang doesnt get credit for building the guitar! he gets paid and for him thats life for his family. your not totally off base with fred but the issue is that the labor cost for fred is so much higher than chang that chnage can build a dinky cheapo that sounds pretty good but freds guitar will be so much more expensive that the price value relationship is totally skewed towards chang.
Don't you just hear Blue Moon, you've got me under your spell, hiding under the chords of this...?
When it gets going...that is.
Maybe I'll just come here to tune my guitar from now on. (Gibson ES 350)
Something about more expensive bracing, etc. brings out a meatier sound. Even roundwounds get richer...you mentioned top Guilds. I have an early Guild X-500 that just plays...and that finish is now turning a deep orange yellow...They should sell guitars with that color to begin with.
If you know what the first epiphone emperor used to be....bigger than 18inch bout...then there's a world of difference between them. Great to hear this kind of sound finally on youtube.
I'm back to comment on my own review. I took a lesson the other day from a pro I consider better than myself and he was playing an EPI Joe Pass proof that it's in the hands and not the instrument. That may be true for some people but not me sorry. When you go into a shop of guitars they have a selection for a reason. People's taste are different. I'm totally spoiled in that when I was a kid these instruments were affordable. Now they're not.
johnhguitar 3 weeks ago
@johnhguitar
Thankyou for the fair review. What do You suggest to buy in the same range of price? Ibanez maybe? Thankyou again.
qwfwq2 6 days ago
A few of my students have Ibanez guitars and they seem well made and the price very good. There's really nothing wrong with the EPI it's just people saying that they're as good as a Gibson which I don't think is true.
johnhguitar 1 day ago
Roland Cube 40 amp I think.
johnhguitar 3 weeks ago
I guess I understand what ur saying in the review BUT the guitar sounds GREAT!!! What amp is being used? cuz it sounds beautiful. And if I can get this guitar "to learn on" that's ok w me. I agree with other commenter re this is a great ad for this guitar. Love it. Thx. I'll get the $3000 to $5000 model as soon as my world tour starts. . . Lol.
joelg125 3 weeks ago
It sounds like heaven (L)
Lalairu 1 month ago
wow, sweet sound
trevinor3 1 month ago
good to know jazz isn't still predominately a bunch of dull stuck up gobshite dickheads
majorkeybaree 1 month ago
This review is hilarious,.... He seems to verbally trash the Epi,... yet through his very talents,... hands down is being the best salesman imaginable! Bottom line, not everyone is going to be able to shell out 5 to 6K on a new 175,... This is great value for the money, 80% the guitar for 20% the cost. I agree with MyLifeChanger, there's plenty of great musicians today playing these 'cheap' Epi's,... think Gary Clark Jr. ( Epi Casino) and Brian Aubert (Epi Sheraton).
clanky44 1 month ago
You know what?
I get what John is "saying"....yeah, its a foreign made guitar, and it certainly isn't a 175 (my dream guitar besides a byrdland or L-4 CES), but if he can make it sound that Epi sound that good, then I should be fine learning with it until I get to his level. If you listen to the guitar and not his words, then you'll realize its not a put down of the Epi at all, really. Thanks for the review, Johnhguitar!
Broyale26 2 months ago
Just a comment on the reality of quality. No put down. When you teach guitar for a living people constantly ask you questions about guitar purchasing.This is for educational reasons that I said this. The last lesson I took from a pro he was playing the Epi Emperor. He was a better guitarist than I.
johnhguitar 2 months ago
@Broyale26 I agree. I also think this Epiphone sounds stellar. I've been playing the guitar for about 15 years, I've owned many guitars. I understand that John means when he compares the Epiphone to a 175 etc, BUT is it really necessary for everyone to own a high end priced guitar? I don't think so. I'm actually much more impressed by the musicians who use cheaper instrument, and who can turn lemons into lemonade.
MyLifeChanger 2 months ago
Yeah that's great and all but none of my favorite players played cheap guitars. My favorite Joe Pass stuff was done on his ES 175. Wes Montgomery played an L5, Johnny Smith a Gibson Johnny Smith, Pat Martino a Gibson, Jim Hall Gibson ES 175, Al Dimeola a Les Paul Gibson, Bill Connors a Les Paul Gibson Custom. There's a good reason the best play the best. Who are these people that play cheap guitars to prove that it's not the instrument but the man who's playing the music?
johnhguitar 2 months ago
@johnhguitar ok that's fair enough but is that really a valid argument? all the players you mentioned grew up in a different time than now... there used to be only a few major big guitar manufactures that were good. times have changed if you ask me. i've seen tons of session/jazz players using cheap gear. guitarplayers are the most nostalgic people ever, and you sound exactly the same ;)
MyLifeChanger 1 month ago
@MyLifeChanger right on, if your stuck in the pastt...stay there. So you don't sound like some famous guy...Waaaah...isn't that American Idol logic?
Jazz + Blues + Pricks = 99.999% of world loves metal.
majorkeybaree 1 month ago
It's a good guitar for the price,got it lately,compared to Ibanez Artcore similar stuff,and chose this baby.....you wanna make it sound better? Put a pair of better Pups and it's done! ( you don't have to spend absurd money,just a couple of SD '59 will do) ;-)
but with the right amp is good as it is!
Narada57 2 months ago
Forgot to mention ....great playing!
pickngrining 2 months ago
You cant compare a 600$ guitar to a Gibson! But this sound really nice, im getting one. My first archtop!
simonwestoon 2 months ago
Dear Santa...
WhatEverHD 2 months ago
I agree with you...handcrafted is best (that's why I own two Gibsons). But the performer still has to pull tone. :-)
pickngrining 2 months ago
Totally valid comments. I own a '49 Gibson banjo and a newer Gibson mandolin. But the banjo needed a good set up and played on...sounded horrible before setup, now I wouldn't trade it for anything. A friend of mine has a Granada from the 30's but the set up is horrible. He has a 100k+ banjo that could use "tlc". In the hands of two different players it sounds different. Simply saying one can't have a Gibson and expect it to automatically be awesome ( my opinion).
pickngrining 2 months ago
Quality made instruments play better...but I have heard vintage american stuff sound like crap due to poor set up and sloppy hands...players must learn to "pull tone."
pickngrining 2 months ago
I feel this could be my last explanation to a world of people searching for the ultimate instrument.
Let's say you have a traditional guitar maker working for Gibson. He's been making guitars for decades and is now considered a master craftsman. His instruments are made with the finest materials and nothing but love and dedication went into the making of his guitars.
Now let's look at a guitar that's made overseas in a factory that's practically totally automated.
johnhguitar 2 months ago
The imported copy/model was made on an assembly line by cutting corners with saving money in mind. The instrument is made of the cheapest materials and most of the woods and finishes are cut and spayed by machines.
People talk about musicians having the feel in their hands and that instruments don't make a difference. Don't you think that perhaps a guitar maker has feelings in his hands and can imbue the instrument with the feel of his soul? I'll work however many hours it takes to own one.
johnhguitar 2 months ago
would this one be good for, blues, rock and pop punk?
TineSxoxo 2 months ago
Comparing this guitar to a Gibson ES-175 is kind of pointless. Of course the Gibson is going to be slightly better quality. But does this guitar give a usable archtop tone at a fraction of the price of a Gibson? Hell yes it does. Sure, some players will want to change the pickups or nut or whatever. But figure that in and you're still overpaying for the Gibson. Here's the thing- I own a Gibson and love it. But this guitar is still pretty sweet for the money.
jacobtheguitarfreak 3 months ago
You make that guitar sound good, despite saying it's nothing like an L-5 or its like.
kenjames64 3 months ago
Are the strings hard to bend ?
adamphillips44 3 months ago
@adamphillips44 if they are flat wound jazz strings i think they are a little harder to bend. i dont think you do too much bending in jazz, i could be wrong, but u you dont hear much bending.
rwbrdms1 3 months ago
pinche altanero de mierda
loscavaz 3 months ago
45 years of playing with some of the best players and some not so hot, has taught me one thing, Opinions vary and talent and tone is more in the hands of the player than the headstock. I have an Emporer made in 1989 that I upgraded with a bone nut and saddle. the back is book matched, the electronics are top notch. I also have a L5 Gibson. The Emporer has a better playing neck. Both sound great and I wouldn't trade either one for one of the New Gibsons period. Nothing to this review.
ksbradford65 3 months ago
Hey John, I really liked your video and the sincere review. I was wondering if there is any Jazz guitar up to 1200 USD you would recommend? Cheers!
joshi666 4 months ago
Favorably any used Gibson.
johnhguitar 4 months ago
Thanks for the review. I found your opinion honest and enlightening, and not a put-down of the guitar at all. It would be unrealistic to expect an oriental mass-produced guitar to sound like a vintage american instrument. But compared to other guitars in the same price range, this sounded really nice (in your hands, anyway).
moro60 4 months ago
A lot of people own these and expect you to say nothing but good things about it. All I'm saying is what you said, it doesn't have the same quality as an American Gibson. True, that people can play great music on the Epi and that soul can come through any instrument. Let's just say the Epi is a good work horse and leave it at that.
I just had a lesson from a top jazz guitarist and he plays the Emperor Epi and there you have it.
johnhguitar 4 months ago
@yankwilliams he is using a cube 30 so i doubt it was the the amp itself, rather the settings=)
ABOratorium 4 months ago
Gear snob!!!! Oh look at me I have a real Gibson.
TheJbenwaa 4 months ago
Hell yeah! A lot of people dislike this review. But that's all that it is. It means little perhaps nothing. Just a junky opinion. However, most people would rather have the 175 than the Epi.
johnhguitar 4 months ago
Comment removed
i0200107 4 months ago
Comment removed
i0200107 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great review! I Appreciate the honesty! Very nice tunes also!
adnb77 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great review! I Appreciate the honesty! Very nice tunes also!
adnb77 5 months ago
Great review! I Appreciate the honesty! Very nice tunes also!
adnb77 5 months ago
Great post! I am crazy about all things guitar...don't have nearly close to all the ones I want. Was glad to see this review though. Aside from being outsourced for cheaper labor. The quality of the higher end Eepiphone guitars considering their cost is phenominal in my opinion...Have you had any experience with the Lucille or the Casino? Would love to hear your opinion...:Cheers! :)
thelonius23 5 months ago
Next time I'm at a dealer who carries these guitars I'll check them out.
Thanks,
John
johnhguitar 5 months ago
a gibson may be better but not 20x better.
i'll take an epiphone, or a fender.
ms3bani 6 months ago
Just Change the electronics and you have a Semi-Gibson, at least that worked on an Ibanez AS73 & an Epi Les Paul Studio
LionelV86 6 months ago
@johnhguitar Love the review and loved reading all the passionate AND hostile comments even more. LOL entertianing! I know very little about guitars, even less about playing. I'm a hack tooling around on an scratched Yamaha acoustic. Years ago I bought a South Korea version Joe Pass Epiphone. I hardly had time to use it, until I lent to a recording artist friend, who is not a jazz musician, but wanted to play around with it for a while. He had fun and used it to lay done a few riffs. Good deal.
remsearch 6 months ago
I'm considering to buy this beautiful guitar, but I'm not sure if it's a vey good one...
DUDEFROMDUTCHLAND 6 months ago
Perhaps some people just spend too much money on expensive guitars and now they realized they don't sound any better on an inexpensive Epiphone, and than they claim this is just cheap Crap.
MeinKomponist 6 months ago
Not me. I can tell. When Joe Pass put down his ES 175 and started using his Joe Pass Ibanez that was it. I quit listening as much. To me it wasn't as good as the sound he had before. I identified his playing with the sound of that guitar. This may not mean much to other people who aren't as fussy as I am but that's what I'm saying. There is a difference to me.
johnhguitar 6 months ago
John, this is a fair review. What you're catching here is a lot of anger at Gibson because of the current management and the way they're trying to make it into a boutique brand simply by pumping the prices into the stratosphere, without IMHO any accompanying increase in the quality of the product. I'll agree a $5,000 Gibson is better than this guitar, maybe not 10 times better. That being said ... if someone had a chance to get one of these with upgraded pickups and wiring, go for it or not?
PRW1 6 months ago
We have to be honest, Epiphones are not meant to be Gibsons, they are meant to be entry level instruments at a very honest price point for what you get. My statement about stock holding was targetting collectors not actual musicians. I got 3 epis: a Joe Pass, a Regent and a LP Custom all electronic upgraded and properly setup...can't beat that for the price.
vinlandr 6 months ago
I want you to know that I like your reviews because YOU TELL IT LIKE IT IS ~ and yes it is from your perspective. All reviews are subjective in nature accompanied by technical details and facts. I like your reviews and respect your skills highly. I have been playing for more than 40 years and recognize your skill as a musician and artist. Keep the review online. It is a good one. Don't let a few "children" discourage what you are doing. Your reviews are helpful.
TheSwatmachine 7 months ago
I appreciate your honesty about the Joe Pass Epiphone.... I saw it not to long after i started to listen to Joes playing. I couldn't find one in my area to play and see how it sounded. I agree that is to be played. There are plenty of better guitars to choose from if you got the 2-3K to spend. You get what you pay for. It's a beautiful instrument and the sound of it is ok for the price point. I'm grateful for your video. Thanks for the info. You saved me time and money... keep posting vids :)
2GreenThumb76 7 months ago
Impressive amount of people who don't get it :)
edudzzaj 7 months ago
I've looked at this video lots of times. I think all the hoopla is a case of not what you say but perhaps how you say it. If a couple of things happen that are in the works I am going to buy a jazz box, but not a physically huge one, that doesn't cost much I can leave at another location and survive financially if someone breaks in and takes it. I'm just getting it to relieve me of multiple trips of carrying around my Gibson L5 CES. For that purpose I think an Epi Joe Pass would be fine.
Big Ron
BIgRon2176 7 months ago
I think it's a useful and fair, balanced review which i was grateful for. Its tempting to consider the cheaper end of the market, but you won't get a lifetime of use from the guitar.
After plenty of thought and watching videos such as this,I bought an es125 which as a cheaper Gibson didn't break the bank but is good for 100 years, and sounds and plays beautifully.
elsdonsmithers 7 months ago
I don't think people understand what he is trying to say, he is saying it's not good compared to $3000 dollar jazz guitars it is FINE FOR IT'S PRICE RANGE. Nice review John and great playing as usual!
PinkFZeppelin 7 months ago
how can someone dislike this video? we have some weird peolpe in the world
cantelli11 7 months ago
what a piece of cheap shit. As if Joe Pass would ever have played that heap o' junk, lol!
Terry1969ism 7 months ago
So the epiphone emperror Li joe is bad guitar to buy for $440?Why is that?
TheAcousticcapo 7 months ago 2
I think I'm going to remove this video. I don't understand why people don't get it. It's fine for $450 if that's what you want. I'd rather keep saving another two or three years and get something better.
johnhguitar 7 months ago
@johnhguitar Because there are many dislikes people that dont want to spent more then 500 dollar on a guitar thinking this is a bad guitar, but actually the most dislikes are coming from people that want really expensive guitars and want a perfect sound, your revieuw is like 7 min. Play different styles,say whats good on the guitar and what kinda things not,dont tell al whole story about it,then people dont still know if its a good guitar or not
TheAcousticcapo 7 months ago
@johnhguitar Life is too short to let 3 years slip by while waiting for a more expensive guitar.
Philtration 6 months ago 9
Wow guys...lots of spare time or what? thanks for a good review johnhguitar. I was on the fence about getting one of these. I think i'll take another look at them now. seems like a good buy if my budget is around five hundo. thanks again.
fendertele1988 7 months ago
Probably because of the low payment for the Labor... Indonesia has some of the best guitar brand in the world
abidyo 7 months ago
I think you've done a very nice, decent review with hints of pros and cons. Also, I thought the older ones were Ibanez!
memphist1 7 months ago
ps. thanks for the reply. much obliged.
jonjimusic 7 months ago
Yes, the come with crap parts, but how about the box itself? Most new Gibsons need fret leveling too.
Swap the parts out, and is there really a difference nowadays? I don't know.
I'm looking for a Sadowsky Jim Hall right now, because I believe Gibson has dropped the ball and I'm not in love with Heritage. If I'm spending 4 grand, the box better sound great from the get-go.
Still, my question is about the box itself. Something wrong with that or the neck? Mostly curious.
jonjimusic 7 months ago
anyway, what is wrong with this guitar?
i know what i don't like, but i didn't here what you didn't like, just that it was foreign made.
jonjimusic 7 months ago
Hey, it's an inexpensive guitar. It compares with other guitars in its class. There's nothing wrong with it from that standpoint. You can't compare it to a good Gibson or USA Epiphone by saying it's in the hands of the player.
When I worked in the repair shop these guitars came in often and need various types of repairwork. They needed the frets topped of replaced and the electronics were cheap. The pickups are a little tacky and didn't have the warmth I like. It might work for others.
johnhguitar 7 months ago
just a question. how is this guitar lacking? i've always disliked this model to tell you the truth, but it sounds pretty good in the video. i've got expensive archtops, too, but you know what I play on the gig mostly? an artcore. yup. i souped it up, but it's still and artcore. sound as good as my lawsuit 175 or hofner jazzica? yeah, but different. i've had an es175, wish i still did, but they new ones i've played aren't worth the dough.
jonjimusic 7 months ago
John, please don't worry about the negative feedback. I, for one, appreciate your honesty. You're a damn good guitar player, and I enjoy watching and hearing you. The fact that you pass along your knowledge of guitars while entertaining us with your music is a bonus. You may have been venting a bit, as you're obviously a jazz fan and a fan of Joe Pass. That's understandable, and not a problem. Everything's relative. Keep 'em coming.
mediatoon1 7 months ago
The intro to this review makes me really happy.
btbamnez11 7 months ago
Your guitar playing sounds good to me, mate.
fekkinloud66 7 months ago
yes guitar are mean to be played, I love that statement ... not some stupid stock holding...
vinlandr 8 months ago 2
Whenever I see that someone has commented on this Epiphone review I shudder before I open it. I'm wondering if I can ever be honest about anything anymore. People get so bent out of shape over nothing. Our world is a sad place really. It's strange how we look outside of ourselves for validation. The music comes from within us and you can't touch that with words. Take any guitar and express that inner urge to create. I love hearing people do that. Maybe this review should go away? Yes? No?
johnhguitar 8 months ago 3
Some people are so rude! I have a S Korean version of this, have had for about 10 years, and it's a lovely guitar. Works equally well as a solo instrument as in the video or in a band situation. Very easy to play and sounds good. Some people seem not to have noticed the Law of Diminishing Returns with regard to guitars - a £500 guitar is probably 10 times better than a £50 guitar - but a £5,000 guitar almost certainly isn't 10 times better than a £500 one.
lgu954k 8 months ago 2
Hahaha this is ridiculous everyone fighting over an epiphone! Dude who cares! Yes it's a cheap guitar, but apparently it was good enough for Joe Pass to put this name to? I have played this and they're fine.
(please note it's Jazzmaster as in the Fender Jazzmaster Guitar. Not as being in the master of jazz)
jazzmaster341 8 months ago
This is a cheap guitar. It is like all other cheap guitars. Anything purchased from a store for under $500 from overseas is not worth comparing. Find one you like and have fun playing it.
What I said I'll stick by. These cheaper Epiphone guitars aren't as good a an expensive Gibson, Guild, Heritage, Bennedetto, etc. Why all the doubt and hostility?
johnhguitar 8 months ago
@johnhguitar I'm on both sides of the fence on your review / opinion. I have been thinking about it and I believe from a seasoned pro's POV your right on. From a non pro, weekend warrier if you will or like me a 50yo semi pro almost [LOL] the epi's are pretty good! I have an Epi LP Custom and it sounds and plays great. I think a semi or full hollow body is a more demanding guitar to build and the % of blemishes in cheaper brands is higher than more expensive,
robiandolo 8 months ago
I think you gave a helpful and honest appraisal. The guitar sounds fine to me for its price for a learner as you said. You'd obvioulsy have to pay a lot more for a really quality instrument, but everyone has to start somewhere. There's a lot of silly point scoring and unnecessary nastiness in youtube comments!
MrTobytwirl 8 months ago
I said what I said because people compare these cheap Epiphone guitars with the finest instruments. They buy the guitar because they can afford it and then say all the great music comes from the soul and the hands which is perfectly true. However, it doesn't mean the guitar is as good as any. For any veteran player the preference is clear; more people who earn a living playing jazz usually use a finer instrument. I don't want to compare a cheap guitar with another cheap guitar. What's the point?
johnhguitar 8 months ago
gesshh~ all i can say is thank you john for putting a review of these guitar, i only interested in hearing and seeing how this guitar sound like and form my own opinion about these guitar,and at the same time respect other opinion as well.
Orbsee 8 months ago
first off, you know nothing about jazz. Second, the older joe pass models are fine instruments. These new Indonesia made pieces of shit are of course bad and its not limited to this model. All companies who produce everything in these god for saking foreign countries suck. You suck as a reviewer for not acknowledging anything about the good instruments. Suck it biach And also, your bridge has foam under it and is crocked you dumb fuck
jazzking66 8 months ago
@jazzking66<<<< Jazz King? Jazz King? I've finally found the Jazz King. You say I know nothing about Jazz? I think you know nothing about me. You want to believe that this review sums up the totality of what I am but lets be clear and objective here.
This guitar was handed to me like it is to review. Is it my fault Epiphone or the guitar store didn't remove the foam pad from under the bridge? Why should I fix it up? I'm pretending to be a consumer who just picked the instrument up.
johnhguitar 8 months ago
I don't have to prove myself to you. This video doesn't mean anything really. The guitar was handed to me as is to review and I just gave it my honest opinion.
You seem to think I don't know anything about jazz and that might be true. However, Hal Leonard just released an instructional DVD of jazz riffs and I contributed 40 of them. The amount of time and effort that went into that project cost quite a bite. Hal Leonard ran all this music by editors and top professionals. They seemed to like it.
johnhguitar 8 months ago 7
@johnhguitar Hey i understand what you are saying if i had a high end gibson the joe pass wouldn't even compare. you obviously know what your talking I have a les paul that i love however i am starting lessons at college and i dont want to take a $3000 guitar with me. I want a relatively inexpensive jazz guitar for the lessons. Considering the Dot for $400 or this guitar for $600. What do you think is it worth the extra $200. Thanks.
USPSAman 6 months ago
first off, you know nothing about jazz. Second, the older joe pass models are fine instruments. These new Indonesia made pieces of shit are of course bad and its not limited to this model. All companies who produce everything in these god for saking foreign countries suck. You suck as a reviewer for not acknowledging anything about the good instruments. Suck it biach
jazzking66 8 months ago
@jazzking66 wooow... you racist or something... nowadays America is not the only country that can produce good guitars... Go check out Ibanez... Benson, Schofield, and Metheny used it! They are way better than you are I assure you and those instruments are made in japan, stop being so ignorant will you?
abidyo 7 months ago
you are an fuckin greek asshole oyecarnal, you should go fuck yourself u piece of shit, this guy is posting a free video for Epi review, and go are calling him a moron...fuck you
UnceBobTouchedMe 8 months ago
For anyone interested I have a recording of Epiphone Joe Pass and Roland MIDI GK3/GI-20 in my channel. Look for Band In A Box - MIDI Guitar Audio Recording.
carlosjazzpick 8 months ago
Well, you certainly have got people talking! Like others, I enjoyed your playing and your wit. Do I prefer playing my far better built and sounding Gibsons and Fenders? For sure. But does the Joe Pass also have a place in my guitar life, even as something to take to performances for fear of damage to my Gibsons? Yes. P.S. mine is also a 2004 version, and a more recent model I tried out the other day seemed comparatively lifeless.
pyrrho1000 8 months ago
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pyrrho1000 8 months ago
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pyrrho1000 8 months ago
Thanks for being objective. This video is just meant to get people talking, sharing what they know.
Thanks again.
johnhguitar 8 months ago
i spended some more time watching some other "review" videos that you posted and i came back to tell you that my Hahl guitar isn't made in AMERICA. It's made in Germany... and it is still way better than all american guitars,with the exeption of mr. Bob Benedetto's guitars witch are equally brilliant instruments. comparing an instrument of 500 dollars with an instrument of 5,000 dollars you moron is just stupid. of course the second one is way better in all terms. the country has nothing to do.
oyecarnal 9 months ago
The point was about this Epiphone originally being made in America and then being made overseas where the quality dropped off. Originally these great jazz guitars where only being made in the states. Gradually people jumped on the band wagon. I understand how you hate me enough to call me a moron but I'm still a musician and you're not going to stop me from playing no matter what you say. Save the smack talk for the gig. Walk up and tell me that during a performance.
johnhguitar 9 months ago
@johnhguitar "Walk up and tell me that during a performance." As if i would come to one of your performances........!
oyecarnal 9 months ago
I can tell I'll never get anywhere talking to you. You know, you might be able to learn more if you weren't so full of yourself thinking you know it all. I do this to learn from people but you're not going to share anything but smack.
johnhguitar 8 months ago
@johnhguitar now you deserve a propper answer! strangely the way you write isn't rude like the way you talk on those videos... the reason that i commented your videos in a very negative way, was that i saw a guitarist being full of himself... now that's weird! sharing information on the net is always usefull... but i just saw someone going on and on about how bad the replica guitars are and how the companies have a perpose to steal us by selling low quallity instruments! but that is not fare...
oyecarnal 8 months ago
@johnhguitar any guy that wants to try some jazzy approach on his playing has the right to do so without spending an arm and a leg! those guitars are starters for jazz and not only that... many players have cheap instruments for live performances. i know i do! and you said it also! the mistake that you do is that you don't review those instruments for what they are. and furthermore you are getting rude to people that maybe...just maybe... don't have the money to purchase something better.
oyecarnal 8 months ago
I have no reason to be rude with anyone. I started off playing these guitars and perhaps I'm spoiled.
I worked as a salesman in several music stores and Epiphone was a line we carried so I'm quite familiar with their quality control.
For me at first Joe Pass was using a Gibson 175. He started getting deals and using Ibanez. I felt his tone dropped considerably. He did some of his best solo work when he was using an original D'Angelico, a much more expensive guitar. It's a review about quality.
johnhguitar 8 months ago
@oyecarnal you're an asshole oyecarnal
MaximusDowns 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MaximusDowns and of course you are american...
oyecarnal 8 months ago
this is the worst review ever... i own a handmade Hahl archtop way more expensive and better than your shitty "proud to be american" Gibson! so what...? Joe Pass played on a crap ibanez and got his divine melodies and swing feeling lines sound HOT. i play guitar for twentyfive years and have never seen such an arrogant player like you. you know people doesn't always have the money to by the best instruments.but that's ok. i've seen people playing way better than you with cheep guitars like this!
oyecarnal 9 months ago
this review left a bad taste in my mouth
bluesBro18 9 months ago
No offence, I didn't mean that :) I'd actually found this review pretty useful :) That was a friend of mine commenting :))
animumaurarium 9 months ago
Oh my, you await a guitar to give you the feeling?
animumaurarium 9 months ago
I'm I the only guy in the universe that believes the makers and players of instruments leave their vibes and invisible mark on the instruments they play and create?
johnhguitar 9 months ago
@johnhguitar a guitar is just a piece of wood with strings on it
78locomocion 9 months ago
@johnhguitar Awsome reviews bro keep them comin.
MightyZumba23 9 months ago
OH the L5 and the Vintage Gibson 175 sound better then the $500 Epi? Great review.
Shifty0601 9 months ago
Good thoughtful review. The intonation sounds really off. I'm also wondering why the bridge is so tilted.I too would not want to gig with something I didn't feel the musical connection with.
alltruenews 9 months ago
I dont get that you compare this guitar to guitars that cost 10 times more money :S
Schagenaren 9 months ago
are we reviewing the Epiphone Joe Pass guitar or every other guitar that this guy claims is better? I am going to find a better review to actually learn about the guitar i thought this video was about.
TheJohnYouKnow 10 months ago
Do the research but for god sakes play them too.
Who cares what I say if you like it or not?
Opinions, opinions that's all.
johnhguitar 10 months ago
@TheJohnYouKnow The pickups are cheap and they buzz because the covers are not soldered to the frame, I replaced mine with Gibson 57s but that set me back $200. I have a really old Joe Pass, the coloer is a dark yellow from age. The other problem is the truss rod is not adjustable, at least on mine. The workmanship is excellent on mine. I think is an OK guitar but I have to agree with John,it does not have that good ring when you play it like a Gibson or Guild.
123kitl 10 months ago
I think resonance is very important. These strange woods on these imported guitars don't inspire me to play. I really need the guitar to have a vibration about it and I don't mean vibe as in mental.
Thanks for the comments.
johnhguitar 10 months ago
@johnhguitar Ok, when I toured the Gibson factory in Memphis I saw the Es-175 being made. It is plywood
construction, top and back, so as far as wood resonance..the difference is the finish (Gibson uses nitro vs
Korean/Indonesian factories use a form of epoxy urethane..better scratch resistance, but it doesn't
'breathe" as well as nitro, so the tone isn't the same..The rest is electrics and the nut and tp. Get some
good aftermarket parts for it and you will be surprised at the difference.
SuperCarver2011 9 months ago
Why would I do that when I already have the Gibson?
johnhguitar 9 months ago
I have a '95 model MIK (cherry burst0, that I picked up from a pawnshop. It had some buzzing issues
with the p_ups, which I replaced and rewired with better quality pots and p_ups, an aftermarket
T-O-M and a better after market TP. It is a solid player now and almost comparable to an ES-175.
Inexpensive, well yes, but how can you compare a $600 guitar to an equivalent $3500-$4500 Gibson?
Both are plywood construction, both are similar sized..the difference is the nut, tuners, p_ups and
TP.
SuperCarver2011 9 months ago
@123kitl Yes the Epi pups are cheap. I noticed that as soon as I got mine off Flea-Bay, tuned it up and
plugged it in. The height adjustment p_up springs rattled, and so did the lyre style oem tp. The wiring
was not too good and the mini-pots scratchy...BUT you can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse,IF you
know how to do it yourself..which I can. I have owned several Epiphones over the years, and even make
my own Les Paul types...anyway. The truss rod IS adjustable.
SuperCarver2011 9 months ago
lmao. Your review is being used to sell a guitar. Some people don't catch sarcasm that well. //cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Epiphone-Joe-Pass-Emperor-II-Electric-Guitar-/400208502807?pt=Guitar&hash=item5d2e492017
JazzyJunior 10 months ago
i'm very interested to now what kind of genre this playing fits into. would it be jazz, lounge jazz or something else. i really love your playing style.
0871356005 10 months ago
Study Joe Pass. I'm just touching on it. The man himself was an outstanding musician. Joe Pass, check him out.
johnhguitar 10 months ago 2
@johnhguitar cheers thanks.
0871356005 10 months ago
@johnhguitar It's nice to hear you say that cause with the dig about him just liking the money didn't really come off like you respected him. It's great that your in love with your Gibson even though were talking apples and oranges here would have been nice if you would have done a side by side with both so we can hear why you love your gibson over this one instead of just the laundry list of why you hate this guitar.
MichaelRivetteTV 9 months ago
By the way, I believe this guitar is still for sale at the shop where I work. It's been there quite a while.
johnhguitar 11 months ago
I've owned a Joe Pass Guitar for about a year now and I'm very satisfied and content with it. It's not a high end $2750 Gibson ES-175 but it was what I could afford and it gets the job done. I think this guitar is great and it has a great sound. I love this guitar.
I hope to get a Gibson ES 175 someday (when I can save up the money) but even then, I will still always play this Joe Pass Guitar because it really is a great guitar (especially for the price).
rawbeautifulswing 11 months ago
Thoughtful comment and I thank you for that. People could learn a lot from your approach. You don't try and work the commentator into the ground when you don't like or agree with what's been said.
johnhguitar 11 months ago
Your review was not very useful at all. It made you look like high end guitar snob that is simply amused by the "lesser quality" guitars that the average Joe (pun intended) can afford. You sir are a very talented player but pull your head out of the clouds and realize that its not always about the guitar in hands but more about the hands on the guitar. Enjoy your $4000 guitar....I'll keep and enjoy my Epiphone Joe Pass guitar.
rocketaxe 11 months ago 2
My idea of a high end guitar snob is someone who has guitars but can't play. Since I've been playing for over forty years it's helpful to have an instrument that's excellent to play. It really just comes down to that. Of all the cheap jazz guitars out there these in particular I don't like and don't recommend them to my students. One student recently bought a beautiful Ibanez and it was $300. I like it so much I considered buying one myself. I'm glad you like your Joe Pass it's just personal.
johnhguitar 11 months ago
Interesting and useful video, thought about getting one of these, putting on some flatwounds and changing the pickups, it would sound different to the standard. Smoothness and play ability being an issue if there is one.
BuddLightbrain 11 months ago
I (still) own my Joe Pass from 1995. And I still have my Gibsons ES 175 and ES 335 but I sold my Les Paul since it was poor craftmanship compared to the Epiphone LP I owned in the nineties. Now I am waiting for my new L5 to arrive, but the Joe Pass is not a bad guitar. To my opinion you get a lot more than you pay for compared to the Gibsons. PS. Shouldn't we try to keep up the polite tone in the argumentation? Kind regards from Denmark
klaustand 11 months ago
My God what a clown you are! why did you bother, this is not a "review" this is an assasination! It's built in America so it's better than anything built anywhere else, you complete clown.
scosystems 11 months ago
I have a epiphone les paul junior that I bought for 50 dollars. I set the neck, replaced the pots, jack, and tuners for about 30 dollars. Then I bought a Gibson P-94 used for 60 bucks and put it in. I kid you not, it sounds better than any guitar I've ever played in the sub-1,500 range. DIY and you will not be let down.
bikeage9 11 months ago
Im looking to buy this guiar and this may be a random question and probably stupid but is this the natural sound of the guitar.
a5stealther40 11 months ago
Reality check picking up any guitar off the rack and reviewing it misses what most good players do any way. They often change the pickups, work on the action, intonation, maybe change out the bridge (with bone or...) etc.. A combination of these tricks can make a good guitar, even a relatively cheap one, sound much better, that is so long as the foundation is solid.
qmechanics 11 months ago
Your elitist dismissal of a purposely inexpensive guitar, coupled with comments that it doesn't compare to a US-built L5 or Super 400 isn't helpful, nor, in the latter case, remotely relevant. Trust me, 'Made in USA' is no guarantor of quality. I too owned a laminated 175 for a whole 24 hours before I sent the woefully built thing back.
If you're going to post a meaningful review then at least try to do so. I heard nothing but dismissive and unqualified negatives and, as a review, it failed...
radioroidar 11 months ago
Nice try but you missed it. Go back and listen to the review again because I do address those issues but I may have said it in a way you don't understand or didn't catch the first time. Basically the guitar is cheap. It's good for the money but doesn't compare to a classier Gibson. If you think it does compare that doesn't mean I haven't a right to my opinion which is all this is. There's lots of things about it I don't like but do I have to go into detail again?
johnhguitar 11 months ago 3
@johnhguitar
the problem is ...that you are a fantastic guitarplayer. Every cheap guitar sounds good in your hands!
You've right. This is not a Gibson!
peterdewaele2 11 months ago
It's a shame that you have to basicly slam the guitar with a verbal barrage of negative and off the cuff comments.You never even told the reasons why you didn't like it .Was the neck too wide or narrow, was the body weight not centered, did the pickups not give the sound you wanted. I think you had too much "I love me" potion. Get over yourself already. BTW, my benedetto is worlds better than any gibson 175, but I could still find good points with the gibson. Grow up!
pauljsales 11 months ago
You could take off the protection under the bridge... Sounds better without it !
Fed42 11 months ago
This isn't much of a review. It contains no useful information, except that the reviewer likes $2,000 guitars better than $600 guitars. Who doesn't?
apainfulcase 1 year ago
I think in several return comments I make clear that I don't like the quality of these guitars. The Gibson I have is without a shadow of a doubt better in every way.
johnhguitar 1 year ago
@johnhguitar I fully understand what you are saying about gibson being better. .that is true. its american made, which to me is worth the price. but i will be honest. i dont have the money to buy a 6000 dollar guitar. and that is where i think epiphone comes in handy.
n8rtot7 1 year ago
OK, I accept that a professional musician is likely to want to play a more expensive, better quality and higher specification instrument. Let's take that as read. BUT, in your review you never really get to explain WHY the Epiphone Joe Pass is inferior - your review was not objective and that's a real shame. You do play very well, but what is the payback you get from the Gibson(s) you mentioned?
StonyRC 1 year ago
please review the Peerless Monarch jazz guitar
Barry
Montreal
TheBarry33 1 year ago
please review the Perrless Monarch jazz guitar
Barry
Montreal
TheBarry33 1 year ago
looks so much like the 175. even similar sound
soupismylover13 1 year ago
at the end he was trying so hard not to laugh just look at his face haha good review though man
IsaacJ0901 1 year ago
Are we saying that a guy in the USA named Fred can operate a CNC machine better than a guy in Indonesia named Chang? I doubt it. Can Fred wind rubber bands better, or use a better glue ? Can Fred file things more professionally. And sadly Fred is worried about the Super Bowl, weekend beer parties, and how long it is till 5:00 on Friday. Chang on the other hand thinks his families reputation rides on every guitar that he builds.
Big Ron
Vermillion2176 1 year ago 39
Yeah but that monkey wood doesn't sound as nice as maple or mahogony.
johnhguitar 1 year ago
@johnhguitar - Monkey wood? Isn't that rosewood fretboard. Try out the Hofner HCT- J17...made in China, okay?
Spruce top, ebony fretboard, all ebony appointments (hard tail, bridge), floating p/u..all for around 7 bills!
Listen, you, MONKEY UP-SNART...I'm a pro musician and we all need GOOD QUALITY GEAR OUT AFFORDABLE PRICE...
novanine9 1 year ago 3
@Vermillion2176 Try out the Hofner HCT- J17...made in China
Spruce top, ebony fretboard, all ebony appointments (hard tail, bridge), floating p/u..all for around 7 bills!
novanine9 1 year ago
Comment removed
qmechanics 11 months ago
@Vermillion2176 You are funny. But really Fred has better choice of woods and materials. He probably has better skills and is simply not limited to a CNC...etc... etc.... I like the Joe Pass for the money and would like to find one of the earlier models.
qmechanics 11 months ago
@Vermillion2176 Well, I don't know bout that, but one thing i'm sure that anyone who worries about "family reputation" or "losing face" doesn't worth anyone consideration and will bring shit to this world. You do what you do and put bullshit fake values away. If you call it cultural, well, it is not. Just a way to keep people in line. Get over this kind of feel good, exotic, honorable sounding east asian stupid fucking shit already.
CroissantOrange 8 months ago
I can understand people voicing their opinions about guitars. It's perfectly OK to say whatever about the guitars.
How on earth it leads to these chops and put downs I'll never figure out.
I was on a surf trip and spotted a guy drowning. I paddled over and helped him out of the water. I didn't know anything about him. From the sound of these comments it seems you might leave me out there to die simply by knowing how I feel about a guitar.
This whole youtube free comment stuff is an eyeopener.
johnhguitar 8 months ago
@johnhguitar touche" [if thats spelled right]. I left a few comments dont know if they made it on here buti think your right on this one. Its just a review and everyone thinks your god or the devil. WTF! I'll only comment that you should preface "for seasoned pro's" or something like that. I think most folks who look at rfeview from youtube are probably not at your level. I think you insluted alot of us Epi lovers. Not intentionally, becuase of what I seaid before. Dont stop you play great!
robiandolo 8 months ago
@Vermillion2176 hey, i dont know fred but chang doesnt get credit for building the guitar! he gets paid and for him thats life for his family. your not totally off base with fred but the issue is that the labor cost for fred is so much higher than chang that chnage can build a dinky cheapo that sounds pretty good but freds guitar will be so much more expensive that the price value relationship is totally skewed towards chang.
robiandolo 8 months ago
Don't you just hear Blue Moon, you've got me under your spell, hiding under the chords of this...?
When it gets going...that is.
Maybe I'll just come here to tune my guitar from now on. (Gibson ES 350)
Something about more expensive bracing, etc. brings out a meatier sound. Even roundwounds get richer...you mentioned top Guilds. I have an early Guild X-500 that just plays...and that finish is now turning a deep orange yellow...They should sell guitars with that color to begin with.
sclogse1 1 year ago
Don't you just hear Blue Moon, you've got me under your spell, hiding under the chords of this...?
When it gets going...that is.
Maybe I'll just come here to tune my guitar from now on. (ES 350 1951)
sclogse1 1 year ago
If you know what the first epiphone emperor used to be....bigger than 18inch bout...then there's a world of difference between them. Great to hear this kind of sound finally on youtube.