I would check out the Project 1999 server, its at the top of the server list when you login to EQ Emu.
Its a completly classic progression server, currently there are no expansions unlocked and we are in a completly classic state as it was on Day 1 1999. They plan on releasing Kunark and Velious eventually as well as the Plane of Fear/Hate/Sky etc. No plans to go past Velious currently which is great!
It has 300-400 players online on average, they broke 500 players online at once today I believe. Its one of the most popular emu servers out there if not THE most popular. The community is growing rapidly. And keep in mind that two boxing is not allowed on this server, you actually have to ask a GM for an exemption if your planning on having more than one account playing at the same time from the same IP so those numbers are not inflated at all.
Check out
www.project1999.org for instructions on how to get started.