Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Jerry;
Funny you should mention the JL Casino; My buddy w/ the 6122-12 just scored the JL Casino
as well, and I'm babysitting both while he's in the hospital.Too bad I'm tapped out for $$. I'd have me one of those Casinos.That thing is every bit as perfect build-wise as the Gretsches.

The Tennessee Rose is a nice and comfy player..

Check out Musicians Friend around the holidays, I grabbed my JL '65 Casino for $1500 as a "blem." It looked like someone bought it, then just returned it so they sold it as "blem."

The JL is fantastic, build quality and sound. Recently recorded mine (OK, so it's no longer "unplayed") through my fender Vibrolux RI, man, had that "Revolver" sound, just straight through the amp, no effects.
Would like a beater for everyday use.

I see there's an Casino "Elite '65" model out there. Anyone know if they're worth a try?

So many guitars I'm pondering at the moment, that Gretsch being one.

Jerry: I've said it before in this Forum, and I'll say it again. The Epiphone Casino Elitist is a fantastic guitar. Better than the best original Casino (a '66) that I've ever owned. I got one on eBay with BIN for about $850. It was mint with vintage sunburst and came with a rare factory Bigsby (like George's). It blew away my '66, so I sold it. I'd like to get a natural finish next. I have a line on a dealer who sells them new for $1100. I've got several Korean Casinos, and although they are nice and inexpensive, the Elitist is a much better guitar and a bargain for the price.

I've seen a few on the bay lately, they're calling them Elite '65's, and they are with a natural finish. New, they've been selling in the high 8's (again on the bay, sold by dealers)

So, just Exactly How does the Elitist Casino and the JL compare/differ?Hardware wise, little detail stuff like cutaway profile, arch/radius of tops, neck feel, headstock shape, etc?These are the things that just drive me up the wall if a mfr. doesn't get it all "right".

I've never liked the 'Elitist' name. I suppose 'Elite' sounds better. I've seen Epiphone literature using both names. I have been watching the ones on eBay, but there always seems to be a reason not to bid. One was in Canada, so I didn't want to deal with any shipping or customs hassles. Another had several small headstock chips. Yet another one had the wrong case (these guitars normally come with gorgeous cases, super deluxe). Sometimes $1100 looks better, considering it is a reputable authorized dealer (and not a possible eBay flake).

Don: I think the JL is American, whereas the the Elite comes from Japan with Gibson USA pick-ups and electronics. The JL has correct foil 'E' on pickguard, 'E' on trussrod cover, Kluson tuners, black grommet around pick-up selector, certificate, and special JL case. The Elite has raised 'E' on pickguard, 'Elitist' on trussrod cover, Grover tuners, a deluxe case. At less than half the price of the JL, the Elite is a bargain. The build and finish is flawless. Far nicer than the originals built by Gibson in the 1960's.

Don: I've never checked closely, but the neck on the Elite may meet the body at a different fret than other Casinos I've owned. The case is curiously shorter than all the others lined up along the wall. Overall the fingerboard radius and the body shapes seem very authentic. I'm sure there were many variations in the originals during the 1960's. I know I've seen several oddities.

Here's my Elite:

I like 'em with the Bigbys!

Nice one!

Jerry: At the current time, I have the following Epi thinlines-
Japanese Elite Casino Sunburst With Bigsby
Korean Casino Ebony With 'E' Bigsby
Korean Casino Cherry
Korean Casino Sunburst
Korean Sorrento Orange With 'E' Bigsby

Here's the Sorrento:

Love the Sorrento! Those are full-hollow too, right?

John: Yes, they are. Very similar to the current Casinos, although the body is slightly longer. The pick-up covers look black in this photo, but they actually chrome. I prefer these reissue Sorrentos to the 60's originals, because they have dual P-90's (instead of a single mini-humbucker) and don't use a floating bridge. I added the Epi Bigsby. I was very careful to get it aligned properly. Here's another photo: