Guitar - General/Emperador

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Expert: Jim Garber - 6/3/2009


Question

Emperador 12801 Blue J
I have an Emperador 12801. I do not know much about it. Would you reccomend it or should i go get something else. i am just learning to play. also do you know the value of the guitar?

Answer
Hi Dan:
These were imports from Japan from about 1966-1992. Book value is around $125-150.

If you have a teacher, he or she can tell you whether it would be a good guitar to learn on. I don't have the guitar in front o=f me so i cannot tell you what condition it is in.

If you don;t have a teacher, find either a friend who plays or take it to a reputable music store and have them look at it and tell you.

frankly, if you are a beginner, even a few lessons from a good teacher to start with would put you on the right path. It is difficult to learn by yourself, even from books or videos and you may develop bad habits that will get in the way of your progressing later on.

best
Jim

Jim Garber

Expertise

I can answer most questions on fretted instruments, my main area of expertise is in vintage mandolins, guitars and ukuleles. I also know some things about old banjos as well.

I can also answer some questions about mandolin technique and since there is no separate mandolin category, I figure they might be asked under guitar.

I have decided to no longer evaluate instruments -- it is very difficult without the instrument in hand. For guitars and some other American fretted instruments, I recommend the Vintage Guitar Price guide. Also, be aware that most insurance companies want written appraisals so my valuation would not work anyway.

It also truly helps if you can includes a clear photo of your instrument. I think the site will only allow for one photo, but you can email me additional ones to jimg@paperclipdesign.com. I will try to evaluate but there are times that it is impossible without the instrument in hand

NOTE: I have decided that I will mostly answer questions about vintage instruments, generally before 1940. You can send me questions about contemporary guitars, but most likely I will send them to the question pool if I feel that I cannot answer them without extensive research.

Experience

I have been buying, selling, collecting and playing old and antique instruments for over 30 years. My recent specialty has been in European mandolins and classical and Italian mandolin music.Organizations
Classical Mandolin Society of America, active participant on the Mandolin Cafe; Current active expert in the Antique instrument category at Allexperts.com

Organizations
Classical Mandolin Society of America, active participant on the Mandolin Cafe; Current active expert in the Antique instrument category at Allexperts.com

Publications
Guild of American Luthiers, Sing Out Magazine

Education/Credentials
BA, Brandeis University

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