Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Anyone seen these: http://www.epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=1635



I'm guessing they'll fall between the bog standard and John Lennon models in price.

Sweet, I want one! Korean-made?

Not sure Dan. I have an early Elitist Chet Atkins Country Deluxe (when they still carried Chet's name on the TRC) which is one of the finest guitars I've ever owned. This new line of guitars looks pretty good...

Have you checked out the new Epi 'Swingster'?

Caught me during editing, lol. I'm pretty sure they're Korean, falling between the base and Japanese Elites.

Finally! An affordable Lennon Casino. I always loved Lennon's Casino, now I can get one without having to pay the hefty price tag.

I'm guessing these are upgraded versions of the Chinese Standard Casinos--Gibson pickups, tweaked paint jobs, the Lennon label, washer, etc.. Includes a case as well. Most of the specs, except for the fret board radius interestingly, match the Chinese Standards, including the 14 deg headstock angle.

I guess it's possible, but I can't see Epi going back to a Korean manufacturer after moving the bulk of their production to China so recently. I also wonder if these might be the death knell for the Elitist Casinos??

Bill

wj350 wrote: I also wonder if these might be the death knell for the Elitist Casinos??

Bill

Not when the Elitist is a top drawer item with an MSRP of $2500.00...these are a grand cheaper.

I hope that it isn't a China casino with a black washer I saw a couple of MIC Casinos in a local shop which were a very poor sunburst, very yellow centre and a skinny sprayed edging. The guitar looked "thick set" with a deep body, if you know what I mean.

The body shape also looked too fat around the bottom - great on Italian ladies, but not so on a Casino.

jingle_jangle wrote:

wj350 wrote: I also wonder if these might be the death knell for the Elitist Casinos??

Bill

Not when the Elitist is a top drawer item with an MSRP of $2500.00...these are a grand cheaper.

Well, they've cut most of the rest of their Elitist line--I think the Casino Elitist is one of, if not the only one they're still producing, so I suspect it's just a matter of time in any case. They quit making the LP and SG Elitists a year or so ago.

These "Inspired" models include most of the key differences between the STD and Elitist lines--pickups, hardware, etc.. When you throw in the HSC with these other factors, it kind of makes up the price diff between the Inspired and Standards. Personally I've got nothing against the Chinese models--I own a natural, and previously owned a Chinese-made EJ-160E. My only criticism, as Jake mentions, is the finish on the Casino is fairly thick--enough so it deadens the guitar unplugged, but plugged in it sounds quite good, even with the Asian pickups.

IMO, the best deal on Casinos are still the Refurb models of the Lennons if you can find one. When MF blew these out last year, you could get one for a little over $1K. They still pop up on the 'bay in this range, maybe a $100 or two more. You give up the Lennon brown case and the candy envelope, but you're getting the same guitar for less than the current price of an Elitist.

Bill

Forgot they switched to China...I was thinking the standards were still made in Korea.

Maybe the Revolution will have a thinner finish?

wj350 wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:

wj350 wrote: I also wonder if these might be the death knell for the Elitist Casinos??

Bill

Not when the Elitist is a top drawer item with an MSRP of $2500.00...these are a grand cheaper.

Well, they've cut most of the rest of their Elitist line--I think the Casino Elitist is one of, if not the only one they're still producing, so I suspect it's just a matter of time in any case. They quit making the LP and SG Elitists a year or so ago.



Bill

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc?

BTW, I think that "Elitist" is a hoot of a name for a guitar. It's like calling the latest Corvette the "Hair Shirt GT".

Not getting the fallacy, but I guess it could be coincidence. I was just thinking it appears Epi has been reducing its Japanese production. With the completion of the Lennon Limited Eds (enough there on that topic to warrant its own thread, LOL), and the introduction of these Chinese Lennons, they might be shutting the door on their Japanese line.

But, who knows?

Bill

Time will tell, Bill. Just pullin' your leg a bit...