Elitist Casino owners?

[sloop_john_b]

Got one on the way. Would love to hear your thoughts, bad or good. I have heard so many glowing reviews that I'm starting to get skeptical.

[jdogric12]

Ask Koelling!!!! I can't stop playing his whenever I visit. It's one of the most resonant electrics (acoustically played) I've ever put hands on. Now I don't know exactly which one he has... I think it's an "Inspired By" which is some kind of variation, or overrun, or something. But it has nylon saddles, which I imagine play no small part.

[sloop_john_b]

No one?!

[jps]

No one?!

Maybe no one is willing to admit they are elitist.

[sloop_john_b]

I can always rely on you Jeff. I'll take the bump.

[jps]

I couldn't resist this one, John!

[johneek]

I have played 3 of the Casino models; Standard (Made in China), Elitist (Made completely in Japan...contrary to Wikipedia) and the John Lennon 1965/Revolution limited editions (which I think are crafted in Japan, but finished and assembled in the US...could be wrong about some of this).

IMHO, there is a big difference between all three. For the money (especially if you get a used one) the Chinese made Casinos are great little guitars. The pickups are Asian and can be a bit "bite-y" but still a great value. The Elitists have American electronics and are really high quality. The 1965/Revolution Casinos are also made in Japan, but finished and assembled in the US. The biggest difference between this and the Elitist is the finish which is lacquer, while the Elitists are poly. Its my personal opinion that this is the reason for the acoustic resonance Jason mentions. Don't get me wrong, the Elitists are wonderful guitars and I came very close to buying one a couple of times. They play great and are very well made. I think the poly finish is thinner than the Chinese made ones which are kind of caked on. As a result its more vibrant. Again...my opinion.

I own a John Lennon 1965 Casino that was an over-run. Which means that it has an "R" stamped on the back of the headstock and doesn't have all the fancy limited edition stickers in the guitar, certificate or fancy case. Would have a really hard time parting with it. I have it strung with 11 gauge strings.

JB - I'm guessing you'll enjoy the mess out of yours when it arrives. Let me know what you think....

[jdogric12]

Not to steal thunder, but JB and I both received Casinos yesterday... how funny. My new one is a MIK '05 sunburst with no vibrato. I am changing my position... I think the difference is the spruce top. Because the one I just got is super loud and resonant, just like I remember yours, John (Koelling). So now I need to A/B my '05 with your overrun! We'll get to the bottom of this!!! In 14 years I never realized how much the vibrato was killing the sweet sweet tone of that spruce top!

[sloop_john_b]

Yep, my Elitist arrived yesterday. It is nice but it needs some setup work. The 15th fret bend on the high E-string is being choked out and I'm not sure why - I've only ever had this issue on guitars with really curved radii. Strange. Action is not too low either.

It sounds really really good and is nice and light obviously. I was debating putting a B7 on it last night but J may have talked me out of it.

[johneek]

Not to steal thunder, but JB and I both received Casinos yesterday... how funny. My new one is a MIK '05 sunburst with no vibrato. I am changing my position... I think the difference is the spruce top. Because the one I just got is super loud and resonant, just like I remember yours, John (Koelling). So now I need to A/B my '05 with your overrun! We'll get to the bottom of this!!! In 14 years I never realized how much the vibrato was killing the sweet sweet tone of that spruce top!

I'm ready to A-B them anytime you are!

Yep, my Elitist arrived yesterday. It is nice but it needs some setup work. The 15th fret bend on the high E-string is being choked out and I'm not sure why - I've only ever had this issue on guitars with really curved radii. Strange. Action is not too low either.

It sounds really really good and is nice and light obviously. I was debating putting a B7 on it last night but J may have talked me out of it.

That seems a bit weird to me too...Are the frets level? Perhaps one of them is a bit high?

[sloop_john_b]

I am thinking that has to be it John. There is just a touch of relief in the neck and the action is on the high side enough to still be playing well. It *should* be tip-top. I'll spend more time on it this weekend.

[JakeK]

Congrats to both of you guys for getting Casinos. Arrived the same day, too. Freaky!

Jdog, how exactly do you mean that the Bigsby is killing the tone? Forgive the stupid question, but it has me thinking all vibrato tails that are a second option (such as Bigsby, Accent) kill the tone.

JB, what color is your Casino? I've got it pegged as Natural...

[sloop_john_b]

Congrats to both of you guys for getting Casinos. Arrived the same day
Jdog, how exactly do you mean that the Bigsby is killing the tone? Forgive the stupid question, but it has me thinking all vibrato tails that are a second option (such as Bigsby, Accent) kill the tone.

What Jason is saying is that the unplugged or “acoustic” tone is deadened by the Bigsby being drilled into the top. I am quite certain there would be very little amplified difference.

[jdogric12]

Yes, I notice little to no diff in the plugged tone.

The Bigsby is an enormous hunk of aluminum affixed to that beautiful bright spruce. That's sure to be killing it. Another thing to consider... my '97 with the vib is a solid finish... maybe thicker than this sunburst '05??? Could that play a significant part?

[sloop_john_b]

Another thing to consider... my '97 with the vib is a solid finish... maybe thicker than this sunburst '05??? Could that play a significant part?

It certainly could! There are a ton of factors you could analyze here. The biggest though may be the fact that you have new zingy roundwounds on one and old dead flatwounds on the other. Next time you're going through a string change, do a *real* AB test with strings of identical type and age.