Seriously considering an Elitist Casino

Ravelleman

Oh there are so many options available and so little time.

For the last 6 or 7 years I´ve been lusting over an Epiphone Casino, especially since I got a photo encyclopedia of guitars, which features Casinos heavily in its Epiphone section, as a present.

Now, I have been flirting with the idea of a G&L ASAT of some description for a while, and that is still very much on the radar, but there´s something about the Casino that calls me more at the moment.

To be honest, the Chinese Casinos (Standard, Inspired by Lennon, 50th Anniversary) don´t interest me much. They may well be good guitars - the latter two in particular - but what really interests me is the Elitist Casino.

Maybe it´s the fact that I already have a Gretsch Annie, which is made in the same factory, the Terada plant in Japan. My Annie is one of the most perfect guitars I´ve ever played.

It may not be the most versatile instrument; it may not have the best upper-fret access; it may be prone to feedback like all hollowbodies but those are some of the features I like most. I like having to fight it sometimes. It´s not just an instrument, a tool but a wider sonic and tactile experience. It sounds good, it feels good and it looks good. To me this is what makes it feel alive.

Hence me wanting a Casino. I could go for something with better upper-fret access (the Elitist´s neck joins the body at the 16th fret) but I already have my G&L Legacy for that. I could go for something much more practical but I already have instruments like that.

No, I think the Elitist Casino is what I´m looking for. I reckon I may order from MusicStore, where they run at €1100. That´s more than I´ve ever paid for a guitar but it compares very favourably to second hand prices in the States, as a matter of fact. They´re $1800 new over there...

The only mod I´ll make will be to add a P-90 spacer to the bridge pickup to lift it a little and improve its output.

I think the Elitist is an Epiphone that I could truly be proud of.

I´m feeling very romantic today.

boycey

Nearly bought one myself recently but then that Electra came up and I couldn't pass it by. MIJ quality, airy hollowness, P90s - the perfect recipe, I reckon you'd love it. Some great Ibanez too around the same price range, well worth checking out.

Ravelleman

I think I´m ready to dip into the P-90 market, although I have to admit that some of the older-school Ibanez semis do look fantastic, as well as the George Benson model with minis. I love (semi) hollowbodies.

Miklos

If it's Terada made, you just can't lose.

Ravelleman

True that! Just waiting to see if anywhere in Ireland can get it for me for the same price as musicstore. Would be nice to keep it local and all.

Keyzer

I'd research the stock pickups if I were you - I got a similar guitar a couple of years ago (epi Sheraton) and the stock pickups went in the bin immediately after purchase with Gibson 57 classics replacing them...

Ravelleman

The Elitist series aren´t really comparable to the standard MIC Epiphones that are being made now.

Elitist hollowbodies and semi-hollowbodies come from the Terada plant in Japan, where Gretsch Pro Line guitars are made, and have an undeniably higher build quality than standard Epiphones, hence them being twice the price. Sheraton IIs are nice guitars but, as you say, the electronics leave much to be desired.

The old Elitst Sheraton, on the other hand, is a quality guitar straight from the box.

The P-90s in the Elitist Casino are made in the USA and wax potted, presumably by Gibson. Regardless, standard Epiphone P-90s are, apparently, not that bad!

Keyzer

Ravelleman wrote: »

The Elitist series aren´t really comparable to the standard MIC Epiphones that are being made now.

Elitist hollowbodies and semi-hollowbodies come from the Terada plant in Japan, where Gretsch Pro Line guitars are made, and have an undeniably higher build quality than standard Epiphones, hence them being twice the price. Sheraton IIs are nice guitars but, as you say, the electronics leave much to be desired.

The old Elitst Sheraton, on the other hand, is a quality guitar straight from the box.

The P-90s in the Elitist Casino are made in the USA and wax potted, presumably by Gibson. Regardless, standard Epiphone P-90s are, apparently, not that bad!

Just make sure you play one in real life before buying - I had to butcher my Sheraton (pups, electrics) before it sounded decent and boy does it sound good now with the 57 classics...

Dermoth

Just picked up the 61 Casino 50th Anniversary model. Had NO intention of buying one but came across some reviews on the web and they were unanimously good. Similar to an Elitist (with US P90s) for half the price. You may want to check it out.... I bought in Waltons and they had one left. They're limited edition so not sure if they'll get them in stock again.
Only got tonight but first impressions are good.

Ravelleman

Can't say that I'm a fan of the look of the 61, to be honest. The royale tan version looks nothing like old-school royale tan but the features are pretty formidable nonetheless.

That being said, I think I'm going to stick with the Elitist model since I'm really after something Terada made to compliment the perfection that is my Gretsch!

Post some pics of yours if you get a chance!

Ravelleman

Pretty hard to get hold of these for a reasonable price in Europe so I decided to put the Casino on hold and go for something else, which I'll be posting about shortly!