1994 Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II (MIK)

Known for his work with Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Dizzie Gillespie, Count Basie, and many others, Joe Pass is one of the most influential jazz guitarists of the 20th Century. In 1993—just prior to his death—Joe collaborated with Epiphone to produce the "Joe Pass" signature version of the Emperor archtop.  The Joe Pass Emperor II was originally produced by Samick in Korea, and the Korean examples show much stronger build quality than the later Made-in-China and Made-in-Indonesia stuff. Largely modeled after the ES-175, the Joe Pass Emperor II features a hollow 16"-wide body with a cutaway and two humbucker pickups. Constructed of laminate flame maple, it's a classy-looking jazz box, especially with the Tree of Life inlay and Joe's signature on the pickguard.  This 1994 Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II is an excellent example of the earlier Made-in-Korea production. It sports a gorgeous Heritage Cherry Sunburst, which was only available in the earlier days before Vinta