Allenjason95 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Sorry, I don't know much about Epiphones but I love the look and sound of the Casino, Sheraton etc. I notice the Elitist models are a lot more expensive than standard Epiphones. Are all Elitists made in Japan with USA pickups and electronics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Yep. They have "Made in the USA" pickups and USA strings. Epiphone Elitist also have higher grade woods, bone nuts, hand-rubbed finishes. From what I hear, they are very nice guitars. Don't think they make any more Elitist Sheratons. But you can get a used one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allenjason95 Posted August 15, 2017 Author Share Posted August 15, 2017 Yep. They have "Made in the USA" pickups and USA strings. Epiphone Elitist also have higher grade woods, bone nuts, hand-rubbed finishes. From what I hear, they are very nice guitars. Don't think they make any more Elitist Sheratons. But you can get a used one. Yeah I never buy new anyway, waste of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 The biggest diff with the Elitist is they were made in Japan verses made in Korea, China, Indo, etc.. most of them are discontinued now, w/the exception of the casino afaik. There used to be quite a full line up of Elitist. Broadways, Brydlands, Chet Atkins / Country Gent, Casino, Sheraton Dot, Les Paul.. These were built with (if you read the hype from Epiphone) select woods and components and have a bit more "by hand" crafting to them. USA electronics, Grover tuners (which are standard issue machine heads these days, but not when the Elitists were in production) I still have my Chet Atkins Elitist that I bought in 2004. Excellent guitar. These do seem to hold their value, if you are in the market, and can find one for a good price, definitely grab it. They were head and shoulders above any of the other Epi production runs coming from Korea, China, etc in that era.. I check the going prices for the Chet Atkins, or Country Gents, as these are identified by both names, just to see (curious mostly) what they are going for.. Seems that they tend to go for around 1,500 give or take, which is just a bit more than I paid for mine when I bought it new in 04. (around ~1,300 as I recall.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Yeah I never buy new anyway, waste of money. Yes and no, and generally I'd agree, BUT, I bought an Elitist Casino 7 years ago for $1299 new. They're now going for twice that new. Great guitar btw. If you can snag an anything Elitist, grab it; you won't be disappointed if my Casino is any indication of quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allenjason95 Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 Yes and no, and generally I'd agree, BUT, I bought an Elitist Casino 7 years ago for $1299 new. They're now going for twice that new. Great guitar btw. If you can snag an anything Elitist, grab it; you won't be disappointed if my Casino is any indication of quality. Well obviously if there's a smoking deal on a new guitar I wanted I'd buy it, I just mean in general. I did buy a new Gibson EB and a new Revstar in the last few years but they were great deals. I should have said I never pay anything near MSRP for a guitar. I always keep an eye out for deals on guitars and I try to buy all my guitars at a price that I can definitely recoup. I don't see them as investments or anything but I don't see any reason to lose money on them either. I'll definitely check out more of the Elitist Epiphones. I think the hollow and semi hollow Epiphones are really cool guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I still kick myself for not seeking out a Brydland when they were in production. Used they fetch some big bucks these days. Here's my Chet Atkins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allenjason95 Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 I still kick myself for not seeking out a Brydland when they were in production. Used they fetch some big bucks these days. Here's my Chet Atkins. Nice looking guitar. I always thought Chet Atkins were Gretsches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleeko Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I came to my senses at the last minute and bought the last Elitist Byrdland and Broadway Fullers Music had. Brand new, both of these cost me $1600.00 each. On ebay a used one usually goes between $2000.00 - $2500.00 depending on who's bidding. Great purchases and this is the kind of wood you can expect when dealing with these . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allenjason95 Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 I came to my senses at the last minute and bought the last Elitist Byrdland and Broadway Fullers Music had. Brand new, both of these cost me $1600.00 each. On ebay a used one usually goes between $2000.00 - $2500.00 depending on who's bidding. Great purchases and this is the kind of wood you can expect when dealing with these . . . Nice. I would love a vintage Casino but they seem to go for $4-6,000. I want to get a better acoustic but after that I'll probably go Casino shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Nice looking guitar. I always thought Chet Atkins were Gretsches? he did for sure play Gretch guitars too (country gents I believe), but Gibson made the signature Chet Atkins as well. They looked just like the Elitist. There's a few guys on this board who have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleeko Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Nice. I would love a vintage Casino but they seem to go for $4-6,000. I want to get a better acoustic but after that I'll probably go Casino shopping. Thank you, happy hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRS11 Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Nice looking guitar. I always thought Chet Atkins were Gretsches? He had a deal with Gretsch for many years. Later he and Gibson got together.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 I came to my senses at the last minute and bought the last Elitist Byrdland and Broadway Fullers Music had. Brand new, both of these cost me $1600.00 each. On ebay a used one usually goes between $2000.00 - $2500.00 depending on who's bidding. Great purchases and this is the kind of wood you can expect when dealing with these . . . right on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleeko Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Well thankyouverymuchahhh ! First one is my fiddle back, second is my foil back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 world class instruments right there ...imho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 A sleeper to look for would be the two Assembled In USA (AIUSA) models produced in the early 2000s. They were called the USA Series, which featured the John Lee Hooker 1964 Sheraton (one model with Frequensator, one without), and the John Lennon 1965 Casino (Standard and Revolution models). These two limited run models are like Elitists on steroids: Superb attention to original spec details, and top quality throughout. The bodies were made in Japan by Terada with a nitro finish, and then shipped to Gibson in Nashville for installation of Gibson pickups & hardware, as well as final assembly. I'm fortunate enough to own one of the Sheratons (Frequensator model), as well as an Elitist Casino. As fine of an instrument as the Elitist is, the AIUSA models crack it up another notch and are truly stellar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRS11 Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 A sleeper to look for would be the two Assembled In USA (AIUSA) models produced in the early 2000s. They were called the USA Series, which featured the John Lee Hooker 1964 Sheraton (one model with Frequensator, one without), and the John Lennon 1965 Casino (Standard and Revolution models). These two limited run models are like Elitists on steroids: Superb attention to original spec details, and top quality throughout. The bodies were made in Japan by Terada with a nitro finish, and then shipped to Gibson in Nashville for installation of Gibson pickups & hardware, as well as final assembly. I'm fortunate enough to own one of the Sheratons (Frequensator model), as well as an Elitist Casino. As fine of an instrument as the Elitist is, the AIUSA models crack it up another notch and are truly stellar. The Casino would make me happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRS11 Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 A sleeper to look for would be the two Assembled In USA (AIUSA) models produced in the early 2000s. They were called the USA Series, which featured the John Lee Hooker 1964 Sheraton (one model with Frequensator, one without), and the John Lennon 1965 Casino (Standard and Revolution models). These two limited run models are like Elitists on steroids: Superb attention to original spec details, and top quality throughout. The bodies were made in Japan by Terada with a nitro finish, and then shipped to Gibson in Nashville for installation of Gibson pickups & hardware, as well as final assembly. I'm fortunate enough to own one of the Sheratons (Frequensator model), as well as an Elitist Casino. As fine of an instrument as the Elitist is, the AIUSA models crack it up another notch and are truly stellar. The Casino would make me happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yogi_Sizzle Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 A sleeper to look for would be the two Assembled In USA (AIUSA) models produced in the early 2000s. They were called the USA Series, which featured the John Lee Hooker 1964 Sheraton (one model with Frequensator, one without), and the John Lennon 1965 Casino (Standard and Revolution models). These two limited run models are like Elitists on steroids: Superb attention to original spec details, and top quality throughout. The bodies were made in Japan by Terada with a nitro finish, and then shipped to Gibson in Nashville for installation of Gibson pickups & hardware, as well as final assembly. I'm fortunate enough to own one of the Sheratons (Frequensator model), as well as an Elitist Casino. As fine of an instrument as the Elitist is, the AIUSA models crack it up another notch and are truly stellar. I have a AIUSA Sheraton. 2 of them popped up for sale in Atlanta at Atlanta Vintage Guitars. I immediately drove over and got to choose between a sunburst and natural model. I played both for about an hour going back and forth, ultimately deciding on the Sunburst as it just happened to have a bit more mojo. Its seriously my favorite Sheraton. I paid about 900 bucks and I feel like I stole it. My only regret is that I didn't buy both of them at the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 I have a AIUSA Sheraton. 2 of them popped up for sale in Atlanta at Atlanta Vintage Guitars. I immediately drove over and got to choose between a sunburst and natural model. I played both for about an hour going back and forth, ultimately deciding on the Sunburst as it just happened to have a bit more mojo. Its seriously my favorite Sheraton. I paid about 900 bucks and I feel like I stole it. My only regret is that I didn't buy both of them at the time For $900 bucks, you did "Steal it!" Congratulations! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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