jc1funk Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I was helping my father buy a guitar. He'd settled on the Casino and we found ourselves at another shop trying the Lennon model. That's when the shop-guy pulls us up and says.. "If you're gonna go a Casino, try this." He pulls out this sunburst Casino and the story goes: when the Chinese factory is overloaded, they engage a factory in Korea to make just the sunburst models. In his opinion these Korean made guitars were superior and he actively sourced them whenever they came through his distributor. He wasn't wrong. The difference in feel and sound was immediately apparent... the old man instantly had THAT look on his face and within 5 minutes we were talking cases, straps, strings etc. He'd effectively sold us down about $400 so I can't see how he would benefit too much. Just wondering if anyone can verify this story, or if you've had similar experience with brand new, current MIK vs MIC Casinos... Cheers JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Jc1funk, Tell your dad: Congrats On The New Guitfiddle!!! Some guitars are generally better than others.....STILL...IMHO "A Good Guitar Is Where You Find IT". How about some Pics? Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott0 Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 It's hard for me to hide my enthusiasm for the Epi Casino, xcllnt choice I've not heard about the overflow to mik from mic but it's always nice to get the story behind the snag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ess Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Same here. I had my local store get in a lennon. They also had a std one which was wwwway better in every regard - Sound, feel, finish, etc. Its not just the VS colour I got the natural. I was helping my father buy a guitar. He'd settled on the Casino and we found ourselves at another shop trying the Lennon model. That's when the shop-guy pulls us up and says.. "If you're gonna go a Casino, try this." He pulls out this sunburst Casino and the story goes: when the Chinese factory is overloaded, they engage a factory in Korea to make just the sunburst models. In his opinion these Korean made guitars were superior and he actively sourced them whenever they came through his distributor. He wasn't wrong. The difference in feel and sound was immediately apparent... the old man instantly had THAT look on his face and within 5 minutes we were talking cases, straps, strings etc. He'd effectively sold us down about $400 so I can't see how he would benefit too much. Just wondering if anyone can verify this story, or if you've had similar experience with brand new, current MIK vs MIC Casinos... Cheers JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Same here. I had my local store get in a lennon. They also had a std one which was wwwway better in every regard - Sound, feel, finish, etc. Its not just the VS colour I got the natural. Did you find the Lennon model's finger board was very rough? Was on both the ones we played.. I thought that was weird. Big turn off. Or is that a thing that some players like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Hello Jc1funk, please tell your Dad my congratulations on his fine new guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 It's hard for me to hide my enthusiasm for the Epi Casino, xcllnt choice I've not heard about the overflow to mik from mic but it's always nice to get the story behind the snag! Yes - especially if it's the "story" behind the bra that doesn't even need any, ahem, support! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott0 Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Yes - especially if it's the "story" behind the bra that doesn't even need any, ahem, support! we're a CUPle of jokesters having some fun with word play tonite eh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 we're a CUPle of jokesters having some fun with word play tonite eh. Seems to be some more fun in the world than just playing guitar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 [quote name='Whitmore Willy' timestamp='1389756830' post='1473792' Some guitars are generally better than others.....STILL...IMHO "A Good Guitar Is Where You Find IT". Totally agree. When I purchased my Elitist Casino in '09, I had three to choose from. One outplayed the other two in every way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Well, from my experience, the "Elitist" line is (hands down) the most consistent, quality, and tone wise! The other's are more of a "crap shoot." Although, you can find great guitars, from both countries/factories. But, if you, or your Dad want the "Best" version...it's the Elitist, or the original (Expensive!) "John Lennon" re-issues. NOT the "Inspired by" versions. Those are, as the Korean and Chinese regular edtions, more of a "case by case" basis. The "Inspired by" DO have great USA electronics, and Gibson USA P-90 pickups. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ess Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Did you find the Lennon model's finger board was very rough? Was on both the ones we played.. I thought that was weird. Big turn off. Or is that a thing that some players like? I don't recall the rough fingerboard but there were so many other bad features that it wouldn't surprise me. I found the Lennon definitely had a different shaped neck although the specs say it should be the same - it was not as comfortable IMO. The finish around the f holes was rough and cheap looking. The setup was terrible. The acoustic sound was worse IMO and even thru the amp I liked the tone of the std one better. I wouldn't be surprised if the Lennon came from a different factory to the std ones. They just seemed so different. I was quite prepared to pay the extra for the Lennon but it was just so awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 So the 'Inspired by John Lennon' was made in Korea ? not sure... possibly.. but this post is about the sunburst standard casino being MIK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 So if you bought a sunburst 'IbJl' for more than $600 you got scammed, 'cause it's the 'regular' Casino without the Gibson US-made pickups scammed? We're in Australia.. different pricing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Not every Casino is a 'John Lennon' model..... d'uh.. what's yr point? You've lost me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Well, from my experience, the "Elitist" line is (hands down) the most consistent, quality, and tone wise! The other's are more of a "crap shoot." Although, you can find great guitars, from both countries/factories. Yes CB, I would certainly agree with this. But in my post just above yours, I wanted to point out that even with the very well regarded Elitist model, there can be significant differences. The three I tried side by side were all made in '09. One had a richer acoustic tone as well as more touch sensitive pickups than the other two. Notes were literally popping out of the one, but comparatively dropping out of the other two. The difference really was night & day. As we talk about instruments on these boards, we are frequently dealing in generalizations based on collective wisdom. But once you get a group of similar guitars in hand, the variations present are often astounding. So I am a firm believer when Willy says: "A good guitar is where you find it," and it's what always makes the hunt so much fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Can a valid comparison of different guitars of the same model be made without first putting on new strings of the same brand/type/gauge? One guitar could have arrived recently that would have relatively fresh strings while the other could have been in the store for months, played often and have dead, dirty strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I was thinking the same thing. I have briefly owned an IBJL Casino that I returned due to a bad fret, but other than that I thought it played and sounded great. A bad setup can also give a false impression about a guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 So the 'Inspired by John Lennon' was made in Korea Midtowner, I took his story to mean that they were trying out an IBJL Casino (MIC) when the shop-guy handed them a regular MIK Casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Yes CB, I would certainly agree with this. But in my post just above yours, I wanted to point out that even with the very well regarded Elitist model, there can be significant differences. The three I tried side by side were all made in '09. One had a richer acoustic tone as well as more touch sensitive pickups than the other two. Notes were literally popping out of the one, but comparatively dropping out of the other two. The difference really was night & day. As we talk about instruments on these boards, we are frequently dealing in generalizations based on collective wisdom. But once you get a group of similar guitars in hand, the variations present are often astounding. So I am a firm believer when Willy says: "A good guitar is where you find it," and it's what always makes the hunt so much fun! Granted! It's true, of any model, or brand, really. They're all "Case by Case," but, I just meant the "Elitist" (to me) tend to be better (overall) quality (construction, fit/finish, and materials), consistently. But yeah, I've tried 3 Elitist Casinos, side by side (2 sunburst, 1 "natural"), and the "Natural" finished version was the superior, of the 3. And, that's just in one store. One really can't even count on a consistent superiority, between Gibson CS and the Gibson USA models. One would think, the CS models should be far the surperior versions. But I can say with all certainty, they vary just a much, and as often as the USA versions. When I was shopping for my SG "Original" I had funds to get a CS version, if I wanted. I tried both...the USA "Original" was superior, all around, to the CS 62 "Les Paul Standard, w/Maestro. The CS model was a "dead brick" compared to the Gibson USA "Original." On other "test drives," however, I've found that some CS models are "Stunning" in every detail, as well. So, again, you just have to try out as many as possible to find those "Stunner's!" CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Zeplin Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Glad you are happy with the new guitar. That being said I have no complaints about my MiC Casino. If anything I am quite surprised how good it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Yeah, I think most of the MIC Epiphones are pretty awesome, in quality, now. And,they seem to continue to improve. They had a "rough patch" early on, when they first got into the Chinese factory...but, that's pretty much disappeared, nowadays. I'd LOVE to see them go to "strict" Kalamazoo spec's, on everything Epiphone...including the truss rods, and 2-hole covers. But (maybe?) that's just Me! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 Some guitars are generally better than others.....STILL...IMHO "A Good Guitar Is Where You Find IT". How about some Pics? Willy Wholly agree.. you gotta just keep playing guitars til the right one says "take me home" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 Glad you are happy with the new guitar. That being said I have no complaints about my MiC Casino. If anything I am quite surprised how good it is. Of course... I could have been clearer.. the MIK we played, left the MICs we played for dead. Was curious if this was a general rule, as the shop assist told us... but I agree, generally, with you guys... you can't know til you play a bunch. I picked up a MIC Genesis recently cos I was blown away (and still am) by the quality of it compared to a whole bunch of Epi's I tried that day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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