The Epiphone Emperor model has taken a few different forms over the decades , but it was originally the company ’ s flagship acoustic archtop model . This 18.5-inch-wide beauty was introduced in 1935 to go headto-head with Gibson ’ s legendary and highly influential Super 400 , which was notable for its booming voice and 18-inch-wide body . It featured a solid spruce top , a three-piece maple-andmahogany neck with inlaid rosewood fretboard , an Epiphone “ Vine of Life ” inlaid headstock , and typically highly figured curly maple back and sides . Prewar models in good condition are quite rare , and are widely considered to be some of the finest factory produced archtop guitars ever made . Pre-Gibson electrified models , outfitted with Epiphone ’ s Tone Spectrum , or “ New Yorker ,” single-coil pickups , are also considered among the best factory electric archtops of all time , and are somewhat less rare . Epiphone has continued the Emperor name into the modern day with its excellent Emperor Regent , an affordable and gorgeous guitar that does great service to the company ’ s archtop legacy .
Emperor
The Epiphone Emperor model has taken a few different forms over the decades , but it was originally the company ’ s flagship acoustic archtop model . This 18.5-inch-wide beauty was introduced in 1935 to go headto-head with Gibson ’ s legendary and highly influential Super 400 , which was notable for its booming voice and 18-inch-wide body . It featured a solid spruce top , a three-piece maple-andmahogany neck with inlaid rosewood fretboard , an Epiphone “ Vine of Life ” inlaid headstock , and typically highly figured curly maple back and sides . Prewar models in good condition are quite rare , and are widely considered to be some of the finest factory produced archtop guitars ever made . Pre-Gibson electrified models , outfitted with Epiphone ’ s Tone Spectrum , or “ New Yorker ,” single-coil pickups , are also considered among the best factory electric archtops of all time , and are somewhat less rare . Epiphone has continued the Emperor name into the modern day with its excellent Emperor Regent , an affordable and gorgeous guitar that does great service to the company ’ s archtop legacy .
26 TONE TALK // 5 Kick-Ass Epis That Aren ’ t Gibbys