Zentar Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Casino Specs Andertons UK Andertons has a popular Youtube channel where they demo guitars. He sometimes misidentifies wood on the show but then will go research the wood type. He has in his spec sheet for the Casino that the top is Spruce which I think is wrong. However who knows? If you know then tell us. Is the Casino top and bottom Maple or Spruce? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Laminated Maple all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 It's funny, that they say "basswood" top, in one part of the description, then Spruce, in the "spec's" part! (According to Epiphone, the "basswood" is only used in the bracing, inside!) All Laminated Maple body...according to the Epi webpage: http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Casino.aspx And, the Japanese made 1965 Elitist Casino "Outfit" is and all laminated maple body, as well. http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Elitist-1965-Casino-Vintage-Outfit.aspx It sports the correct 2-hole TRC, and a "Nitro" finish, as well! And, a Gibson like price, accordingly. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 It's funny, that they say "basswood" top, in one part of the description, then Spruce, in the "spec's" part! (According to Epiphone, the "basswood" is only used in the bracing, inside!) All Laminated Maple body...according to the Epi webpage: http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Casino.aspx And, the Japanese made 1965 Elitist Casino "Outfit" is and all laminated maple body, as well. http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Elitist-1965-Casino-Vintage-Outfit.aspx It sports the correct 2-hole TRC, and a "Nitro" finish, as well! And, a Gibson like price, accordingly. CB Elitist comes with Gibby PUs. Gotoh tuners, ABR1 bridge. As far as top and bottom laminates Epi seems to be saying they are using different laminates than the standard Casino which I am skeptical. I think Ive seen Poplar mentioned in the lamination process in the standard Casino. There would need to be two production lines if everything is true about the Elitist. Where is the second production line if the first is in Quangdoc(sp) China? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Aren't some Casino's still made in Korea? At least, that's the impression I've gotten, over the years... given the demand, even after the Qingdao plant was up and running smoothly. So, there are several factories, that still produce the "regular" Casino line. Japan is (primarily) producing the "Elitist" version...limited edition, or otherwise. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Aren't some Casino's still made in Korea? At least, that's the impression I've gotten, over the years... given the demand, even after the Qingdao plant was up and running smoothly. So, there are several factories, that still produce the "regular" Casino line. Japan is (primarily) producing the "Elitist" version...limited edition, or otherwise. CB CB I didn't know the Japs still made Casinos. Thanks. Perhaps the reason you can't buy aftermarket Gibby P90's is because people wouldn't buy the Elitist Casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 CB I didn't know the Japs still made Casinos. Thanks. Perhaps the reason you can't buy aftermarket Gibby P90's is because people wouldn't buy the Elitist Casino. I think people would still opt for the Elitist. even if you can't buy aftermarket Gibson P90's, there are still other options for hot-rodding the standard Casino. Personally, I think Elitist Casinos are not even in the same league as the standard Chinese ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 I think people would still opt for the Elitist. even if you can't buy aftermarket Gibson P90's, there are still other options for hot-rodding the standard Casino. Personally, I think Elitist Casinos are not even in the same league as the standard Chinese ones. Elitists Casino You are talking $2000 for an Elitist vs a $600 regular Chinese Casino. The Elitist comes with a case, all different electronics, different PU's better tuners. Also take note the neck is slightly more narrow. There may or not be differences in the construction of the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Elitists Casino You are talking $2000 for an Elitist vs a $600 regular Chinese Casino. The Elitist comes with a case, all different electronics, different PU's better tuners. Also take note the neck is slightly more narrow. There may or not be differences in the construction of the body. i'm not sure what point you're trying to make. I know the differences and having played both; I would pick the Elitist every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 i'm not sure what point you're trying to make. I know the differences and having played both; I would pick the Elitist every time. Not sure? LOL Being one od the masses I can't spend $2k on a guitar but I have a Chinese Casino and have added a case, replaced tuners and internal electronics and one day will have different PUs. Don't think you can't get a really nice guitar out of the Chinese Casino and end up with something very similar to an Elitist. The standard Casino is still my nomination for the best buy on the market right now. From talking with people locally I'm not so sure the Gibby P90's are better than Epi P90's. They seem to be very similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Not sure? LOL Being one od the masses I can't spend $2k on a guitar but I have a Chinese Casino and have added a case, replaced tuners and internal electronics and one day will have different PUs. Don't think you can't get a really nice guitar out of the Chinese Casino and end up with something very similar to an Elitist. The standard Casino is still my nomination for the best buy on the market right now. From talking with people locally I'm not so sure the Gibby P90's are better than Epi P90's. They seem to be very similar. no doubt you can change out the hardware, electronics, and add a case and have a fine guitar especially if you don't want to spend 2k on one. I think the only similarity would be that they're both Casinos. if you get the chance to play one you'll understand what I'm talking about. as far as which pickup is better...it's all in your ears. whichever you think sounds better. if you haven't played both, I wouldn't form an opinion just yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 And (for me), of the "Elitist" versions, I'd get the one they designate "Elitist 1965 Casino Vintage Outfit!" http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Elitist-1965-Casino-Vintage-Outfit.aspx Correct Kalamazoo spec's, including truss rod, and 2-screw cover, and Nitro paint job, as well. If I was going to spend that kind of "coin," on a Casino, it had better be "accurate" to all spec's. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 And (for me), of the "Elitist" versions, I'd get the one they designate "Elitist 1965 Casino Vintage Outfit!" http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Elitist-1965-Casino-Vintage-Outfit.aspx Correct Kalamazoo spec's, including truss rod, and 2-screw cover, and Nitro paint job, as well. If I was going to spend that kind of "coin," on a Casino, it had better be "accurate" to all spec's. CB I agree...the closest I'm going to get will be the AIUSA Lennon I picked up years ago. but yeah; that's the one!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 The Casino Elitist arrives with everything on it but you can take a regular Casino and add a few things to get a very nice guitar because the regular Casino is at the moment a well kept secret. The secret is that the Chinese are putting out some nice Casinos right now as we speak. Ive seen this type thing go on before but sadly I wasn't aware of it until everybody else knew it too so the prices had risen. In this case I ended up with a very nice guitar at a price that usually only gets you piece of junk with a purdy paint job. BTW LPS congrats on your Elitist. Sounds like you ended up with a guitar you can brag about. .All guitars should be like that but they aren't. Let me add to what I just said. I would say that right now Epiphone is producing some of the best electric guitars in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 The Casino Elitist arrives with everything on it but you can take a regular Casino and add a few things to get a very nice guitar because the regular Casino is at the moment a well kept secret. The secret is that the Chinese are putting out some nice Casinos right now as we speak. Ive seen this type thing go on before but sadly I wasn't aware of it until everybody else knew it too so the prices had risen. In this case I ended up with a very nice guitar at a price that usually only gets you piece of junk with a purdy paint job. BTW LPS congrats on your Elitist. Sounds like you ended up with a guitar you can brag about. .All guitars should be like that but they aren't. I am in no way dogging the Chinese Casinos. you are absolutely correct about them. the secret is out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 I added to my previous post LPS with an edit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 You know, if a guitar is made well, I don't have any real problem, with country of origin. Having said that, IF that country is producing brands, and models of American made originals, they need to do so ACCURATELY, in ALL details...IMHO. How much could it cost them, to do that...they're so close now, anyway! I can live with a thin Poly finish! Just go to the Gibson truss rod, and accurate 2-hole covers, and, in the case of the Sheraton, back to either the '62, or different '63-69 head stock shapes. Leave the over-sized "clipped corner" headstocks, for the original "Jazz box" models that came that way, originally. IMHO, it costs no more, to do it right, in the long run. But (maybe?) that's just me?! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 You know, if a guitar is made well, I don't have any real problem, with country of origin. Having said that, IF that country is producing brands, and models of American made originals, they need to do so ACCURATELY, in ALL details...IMHO. How much could it cost them, to do that...they're so close now, anyway! I can live with a thin Poly finish! Just go to the Gibson truss rod, and accurate 2-hole covers, and, in the case of the Sheraton, back to either the '62, or different '63-69 head stock shapes. Leave the over-sized "clipped corner" headstocks, for the original "Jazz box" models that came that way, originally. IMHO, it costs no more, to do it right, in the long run. But (maybe?) that's just me?! CB SPEAK ON IT!! I could not agree more. the '60's specs can't cost any more than what is currently being done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 What I find extremely interesting about Epiphone guitars is their reputation is that of a inexpensive guitar. They had this same second rate reputation in the 1960s. Epiphoe was a middle of the road guitar as far as price yet the Beatles were loaded with money but they owned and played 3 Epiphones. They didn't have three Les Pauls. They didn't have three Stratocasters. Yet they had three regular Casinos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 The 2015 Epiphone print catalog says the Elitist Casino has Spruce in the top. Anderton's was right about Casinos and Spruce tops but only partially. It is the Japanese made Casinos currently using Spruce. The standard Chinese made Casinos are not using Spruce. I also suspect that the Elitist does not use Spruce on the outside visable plys. For instance one of the plys is Spruce and the other plys are Maple. The Chinese made Casinos may use Poplar in the internal plys on the top. Poplar is a very functional wood as far as workability and sonically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 and a "Nitro" finish, as well! CB I wouldn't have a nitro finish if it was the last thing on the planet That's the reason I will never buy a "Real" Gibson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I wouldn't have a nitro finish if it was the last thing on the planet That's the reason I will never buy a "Real" Gibson Well, that's your right. To each his/her own. I (personally) still prefer the Nitro finishes. But, a good Poly, that's applied sparingly, so it doesn't look like formed plastic, is OK. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_L Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 CB I didn't know the Japs... Nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zentar Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Nice PC has become so thick you can suffocate on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjc0 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 But, a good Poly, that's applied sparingly, so it doesn't look like formed plastic, is OK. CB +1, the finish on my 2014 MIC Casino is just that to my eyes, applied sparingly, much better than the earlier Peerless Songbird I have which looks much more glassy and over done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.