Emperador Strat Copy circa 1967

by Daryl
(Australia)

This was my first ever guitar and I have owned it for about 25 years. The guy who I bought it from said he'd owned it for 16 years making it about 42 years old.

It is solid timber construction - read somewhere these guitars were not made from solid timber - but have taken the fret board off and it is definately solid timber.

The pickups are not original but body and neck are in near mint condition.

In trying to value the guitar, I read that Emperador went out of business so I can only guess this will add to the value.

ANSWER

Hi, Daryl--

There is not a lot of info available. The Blue Book has only this:

Instruments previously built in Japan by the Kasuga company between circa 1966 and 1992. Distributed by Westheimer Musical Instruments of Chicago, IL.
The Emperador trademark was a brand name used in the U.S. market by the Westheimer Musical Instruments of Chicago, IL. The Emperador trademark was the Westheimer company's entry level line to their Cort products line through the years. Emperador models are usually shorter-scaled entry level instruments, and the trademark can be found on both jazz-style thinline acoustic/electric archtops and solid body electric guitars and basses. Solid body Emperadors are typically priced between $150 and $250. Archtop electrics are typically priced between $150 and $300.

Hope this helps. The Blue Book prices are based on what collectors are currently paying.

Lynne