Emperador

[walter brocheler]

Hello,

I've bouhgt a Emperador mandolin M 18 for 30 dollars
he is in very mint condition. I thouht is was full wood maple, but its is plywood laminated.
I'am very surprised by hearing the sound, its very loud and has a clear warm sound.
I've had many mandolins who are much expensive Gibson
and Ibanez but the Emperador has the same sound or better sound.
How is this possible?
Who knows something about the Emperador M 18 mandolin?

Walter From The Netherlands
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[allenhopkins]

Well, not much on Emperador mandolins, but here's a Harmony Central (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Emperador/57-12801/10/1) take on the label:

Instruments previously built in Japan by the Kasuga company circa 1966 to 1992. Distributed by Westheimer Musical Instruments of Chicago, Illinois.
The Emperador trademark was a brand name used in the U.S. market by the Westheimer Musical Instruments of Chicago, Illinois. 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.

Most of the discussion of Emperador is of their electric and acoustic-electric guitars, which apparently were built in Korea in the '80's and were knock-offs of Gibson instruments in many cases. #One post stated that Gibson sued Emperador for product infringement, but stories of Gibson lawsuits of Asian manufacturers are often told, and I've never seen real details of the cases.

The general reviews of Emperador instruments have been quite positive (see the link), and apparently they were quality products. #Also seems that the company (or at least the nameplate) is now out of business. #You may have a nice instrument there; there are quality Asian mandolins that compare quite well with the more established US and European brands. #There are, however, some inherent limitations to a laminated instrument that probably preclude it from reaching the top level of sound.

Hope others can chime in with more information.