This looks like an ordinary post-war Epiphone Emperor that could date anywhere from 1946 until 1949, but its interior label is clearly stamped with the serial number 5494, which does not conform with the five-digit numbering system that Epiphone was using on its acoustic Emperor guitars throughout the company’s entire pre-Gibson period. The number does however conform to those used on Epiphone’s electric instruments, and 5494 would identify this Emperor as a 1941 model. Perhaps this guitar started out as an electric model but was finished as an acoustic, or maybe an employee made a simple mistake.


If this guitar does indeed date to 1941, it’s also unusual for featuring unsegmented block inlays with abalone V inserts. While this inlay motif did not appear on the Emperor until 1946, it was used on a handful of rare Emperor Soloist cutaway guitars that Epiphone made in 1941. Perhaps the neck on this example was left over after Epiphone decided not to put the Soloist into regular production.



Serial number: 5494
Top: Spruce, natural finish
Back and sides: Maple
Neck: Maple with three mahogany center strips
Fretboard: Ebony
Frets: 20
Bridge/tailpiece: Rosewood, gold-plated Frequensator
Tuners: Gold-plated Epiphone “E” with marbeloid buttons