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Blak and Blu Casino


Dan Conley

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I'm a dedicated Gibson guy, but I've gotta say ... my new Blak and Blu Gary Clark Jr. Casino matches Gibson quality. All of the cliches about Chinese build quality are out the window, they are making some incredible axes now and the Blak and Blu has build quality as high as the fabled Korean-built Elitist Casino (including Gibson P90s and pots.) A Gibson ES-335 will always have the cachet, but I'm telling you, the Blak and Blu matches it for about $2K less in price. If you can find one.

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I'm a dedicated Gibson guy, but I've gotta say ... my new Blak and Blu Gary Clark Jr. Casino matches Gibson quality. All of the cliches about Chinese build quality are out the window, they are making some incredible axes now and the Blak and Blu has build quality as high as the fabled Korean-built Elitist Casino (including Gibson P90s and pots.) A Gibson ES-335 will always have the cachet, but I'm telling you, the Blak and Blu matches it for about $2K less in price. If you can find one.

HNGD, Dan Conley. Good to hear about the Blak and Blu, they are very beautiful looking instruments. [thumbup] The playability, tone and fit and finish are critically important to a good, giggable guitar.

I've had my first Epiphone electric, an ES339 Pro for about a month now. It's got a few gigs under its belt and I couldn't be happier. Tuning is precise and stable, the tone is outstanding and it has a great neck on it. It is a good guitar, period. Not going to say "for the money"! Well done, Epiphone........ [cool]

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I'm a dedicated Gibson guy, but I've gotta say ... my new Blak and Blu Gary Clark Jr. Casino matches Gibson quality. All of the cliches about Chinese build quality are out the window, they are making some incredible axes now and the Blak and Blu has build quality as high as the fabled Korean-built Elitist Casino (including Gibson P90s and pots.) A Gibson ES-335 will always have the cachet, but I'm telling you, the Blak and Blu matches it for about $2K less in price. If you can find one.

 

Thanks for the quick review of the Gary Clark, Jr. I am glad to know it and happy that it is working out well for you. Now you have me wanting one! B)

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Congrats on the new Casino. Did you get the Bigsby or Trapeze? Either way, glad to hear that the quality, fit, finish et al is good. I've had a Japanese made Elitist (avatar) for a few years now, and it's my "go to", and frankly, favorite guitar of all that I own. Congrats again.

 

I also have some Chinese and Indonesian Epi's, and they're a pretty good bang for the buck, if you will.

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I preordered mine on March 12th and just received it last Wednesday May 20th and let me tell you, it was well worth the wait. I've been playing for nearly 30 years and have never even picked up an Epiphone. I've owned Gibsons and a bunch of Fenders and have always called myself a "Fender Guy", they have always fit me and my playing style.

Something caught my eye with the Blac and Blu and I figured I would give it a try. I am proud to say that I am now in the Epi family. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Strats and always will, but the Casino is getting all my attention right now. I love everything about this guitar from the sparkling cleans when played softly, to the snarl when you strum a little harder.

She plays beautifully and was well setup straight out of the box. The only issue i have is the workmanship on the binding is lacking in two minor spots. If she didn't play so well I might have returned it and tried another one, but there was no way I was gonna send it back over some minor cosmetic flaw when everything else was so perfect.

 

Now that I'm intrigued by Epiphones, what do you suggest I try next?

 

Ray

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Now that I'm intrigued by Epiphones, what do you suggest I try next?

 

Ray

Glad your happy with your Casino. I'm digging mine, as well as my Dot, Wildkat, and several acoustics, but depending on what you want, I'm sure there's another Epi in your future.

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Now that I'm intrigued by Epiphones, what do you suggest I try next?

 

Ray

 

Hi Ray,

 

I spent some time playing an Epiphone Florentine very recently. Its a hollowbody Les Paul with f-holes and split coil humbuckers. It sounds only a little different from a solid LP but I thought it was terrific.

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Now that I'm intrigued by Epiphones, what do you suggest I try next?

 

Ray

 

I haven't tried one yet but, if I was looking right now, I'd have to check out the new EPI Blues Hawk.

 

My Gibby BH is one of my favorite guitars and the new EPIs are made with mahogany which should make them very close to awesome!

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Don't get me wrong, I love Gibson and they make extremely great quality guitars and obviously Epiphone's for the most part just don't match the quality. But when it comes to quality for the price, Epiphone is the best manufacturer out there, and they really showed it on this blak and blu casino.

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Congratulations on the Blak and Blu!!!! That is a gorgeous and very cool guitar. I didn't even know they were available already. If I had more room for guitars, I would be sorely tempted to get one.

 

As for the quality, I'm not too surprised. I bought a Dot last November that is just the bee's knees. I love it. So I imagine the Gary Clark model is damn good too.

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As for the quality, I'm not too surprised.

About the only thing that surprises me these days is the "snoot" factor, if you will, against Epi's. I've got a half dozen of 'em, between acoustics and electrics, and I also own Gibby, PRS, Carvin, Fender, et al. I'll put my Epi's up against any of them for fit/finish/etc. Can they do a bit more with their "electronics"? Yeah, but I think they've been addressing that too. All in all, bang for the buck? Epi pretty much can't be beat, IMHO of course.

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About the only thing that surprises me these days is the "snoot" factor, if you will, against Epi's. I've got a half dozen of 'em, between acoustics and electrics, and I also own Gibby, PRS, Carvin, Fender, et al. I'll put my Epi's up against any of them for fit/finish/etc. Can they do a bit more with their "electronics"? Yeah, but I think they've been addressing that too. All in all, bang for the buck? Epi pretty much can't be beat, IMHO of course.

 

Yeah, the "snoot" factor is pretty high on guitar forums. A lot of people just can't, or won't, accept that the Chinese are capable of making some really nice guitars these days. But whatever. I wouldn't hesitate to add another Epiphone to my collection...but I've run out of room.

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