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Hey everybody. I decided to post this here in the hopes that y'all can help me decide between two guitars.

The guitars in question are a pair of Epi's. One is a Joe Pass Emperor II and one is an AlleyKat. I already own the Joe Pass, but last week when I walked into the shop that I bought it from, I noticed they had the AlleyKat for sale.

Both of these guitars are used and they both sound good unplugged, have great finishes, and are overall excellent instruments.

The Alley Kat is transparent black over flame maple, a hollow mahogany body (thinline), and has a mini humbucker in the neck and a full sized humbucker in the bridge.

The Emperor is finished in antique natural, has a spruce top and maple back and sides and is a full sized jazz box. I have already isntalled a Bigsby and Phat Cats in the Emperor.

Here's the deal: I played the AlleyKat and it was much more comfortable to hold than the Emperor. Also, when I added the Phats to the Emperor, it pushed it into this bright twangy pseudo-country voice that, while very cool, is already well covered by my two tele's.

Another wrinkle is that if I put the Emperor back to stock and return it in exchange for the AlleyKat (which is in flawless condition) I will make $200 on the deal.

Along with this, I think that I can push the 'Kat towards a darker voicing (due to the hollow mahogany body) than the Emperor. I was planning on using a JB I have lying around in the 'Kat and having neck pickup rewound or perhaps getting an Antiquity for it.

What do you guys think?

shameless bump.

To me, it sounds like you've already made your decision, but you want someone to push you. Ok, I'll oblige you. AlleyKat.

(The best decisions that you make are the ones that you make for yourself, IMO)

I think you're right. I just don't want to do something I'll regret later, ya know?