carlosjuan62 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Allo Everyone I'm in the process of buying a Casino for myself, a big Lennon devotee. I have looked into the Lennon inspired and the Elitist series. Is the Lennon inspired really made in China? How about the Elitist? Can one even compare these two guitars to a Gibson ES 335? Thanks, carlosjuan62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Hello & welcome, The Inspired By is Made in China and isn't bad (but to me ain't great). The Elitist is Made in Japan and IMHO is great and I'd hold up to any of my Gibson's. I don't think it's a fair race between the two Casinos and I opted for the Elitist over the IB Lennon version. Love my Elitist and "like" my Reissue 50th Annie Casino. To me, it's much like the IB Casino in fit/finish, playing, & sound. Maybe that's just me but that's my opinion on the items. There is almost $1000 difference in price in the Elitist & IBJL Casino so there had better be a difference. I'll keep my Casino as one of the only keepers if I ever reduce inventory around here. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I can't speak for the IBJL but my Elitist Casino is my absolute favorite, and I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. The 335 is a semi with humbuckers, the Casino is a hollow with P90's so you're talking apples and oranges, so buy a Casino and a Dot and your problems are solved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spamonkis Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I have not played an Elitist, but I'm sure the IBJL is about like the standard Casino as far as quality goes. That said, I tried a sunburst Casino that was unimpressive to play and resonated like a cow patty. Then I picked up the red one next to it and it rang like angelic chimes and played! I took it home and did a bit of work on it. All in all I have about as much invested in it as an IBJL would have cost. But I would put it up against any Gibson 330 out there. The point? Guitars are like women. They are all individuals. You can't just say, "I want a blonde" and think that if you get a blonde you will be happy. I never buy a guitar without playing it first. I've said it before; life is too short to play average guitars! God bless, Spamonkis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDTRFB Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I have not played an Elitist, but I'm sure the IBJL is about like the standard Casino as far as quality goes. The IBJL is a pretty good step up from the standard. It has Gibson USA P90s and electronics, Switchcraft input jack and toggle switch, a hard case included, and a nicer fit and finish over all. Plus the natural version has Grover tuners. It is well worth the extra price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosjuan62 Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Hello & welcome, The Inspired By is Made in China and isn't bad (but to me ain't great). The Elitist is Made in Japan and IMHO is great and I'd hold up to any of my Gibson's. I don't think it's a fair race between the two Casinos and I opted for the Elitist over the IB Lennon version. Love my Elitist and "like" my Reissue 50th Annie Casino. To me, it's much like the IB Casino in fit/finish, playing, & sound. Maybe that's just me but that's my opinion on the items. There is almost $1000 difference in price in the Elitist & IBJL Casino so there had better be a difference. I'll keep my Casino as one of the only keepers if I ever reduce inventory around here. Aster Thank you much Aster. I played the Gibson ES 330 today and it basically has the same electronics of the other two Casinos. I must admit that the sound of this baby is fantastic!!! The big bucks difference is what's keeping me. What do you think? carlosjuan62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thank you much Aster. I played the Gibson ES 330 today and it basically has the same electronics of the other two Casinos. I must admit that the sound of this baby is fantastic!!! The big bucks difference is what's keeping me. What do you think? carlosjuan62 Well not really!! The ES has Humbucking pickups (dual coil) and the Casino's use P-90 single coils. To most of us they sound a bunch different. The single coil PUP's are brighter & can growl more. I have Humbucker pup guitars but will admit my favs are Single coil electrics. I wouldn't dis a 335 but it should sound quite a bit different than the Casino. And yes, the price is close to 2x the Elitist Casino. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 The ES-330 has P-90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Sorry, my mistake as I didn't think the 330 was even made anymore. And when I did a search and only came up with a 335. The big question is, why would you want a GIBSON copy of an EPIPHONE Casino for more $$$? [biggrin] I know it preceded the Casino by a few years but it kinda belly-flopped vs. the Casino didn't it? Why buy a custom shop 330 when you can buy an Elitist for 1/2 the price that's every bit the guitar IMHO? Not like a standard Casino MIC vs. a Gibson type of deal. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosjuan62 Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 The problem seems to be that the Elitist Casino is not available from Epiphone anumore, they are not making it for some reason. I tried contacting the compâny to no avail. Anyone has some info? carlosjuan62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spamonkis Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I played the Gibson ES 330 today ... That is the key. With the "Big Bucks" Gibson, you should be able to expect it to be a great guitar. With a cheaper version (Casino), you may have to be patient and kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince, but they are out there. Personally, I would never play a great guitar and then buy an inferior one because of money. I would regret it every time I picked the guitar up. If you have the money, buy the Gibson. If not, start saving and in the mean time, pick up every Casino you see and play it. If you come across one that is everything the Gibson is before you save enough for the Gibson, great. If not, get the Gibson and never look back. God bless, Spamonkis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosjuan62 Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 That is the key. With the "Big Bucks" Gibson, you should be able to expect it to be a great guitar. With a cheaper version (Casino), you may have to be patient and kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince, but they are out there. Personally, I would never play a great guitar and then buy an inferior one because of money. I would regret it every time I picked the guitar up. If you have the money, buy the Gibson. If not, start saving and in the mean time, pick up every Casino you see and play it. If you come across one that is everything the Gibson is before you save enough for the Gibson, great. If not, get the Gibson and never look back. God bless, Spamonkis Thanks Spamonkis The ELItist, are they still making it? I understans what you mean, I am 5 minutes away from going after the Gibson. Thanks for your help carlosjuan62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 I don't know where you live but I can get my hands on several Elitist Casino's from many sellers. Spamonkis, I would say you're spot on when it comes to the MIC version of the Casino. I haven't played a poor MIJ Elitist (not saying there are NONE out there)!! I have had several Gibson's that I've had issues with (but they fixed to my satisfaction of course). If ya got the $$$, and it's burning a hole in your pocket carlos, then by all means jump on the Gibson 330!!! I just prefer the look of the Casino better but that's just for me. I don't know if the output/sound of the listed P-90's on the Gibson will ring as nice & crisp as the Casino, but "what am I know" as my friends old Italy born Grandmother use to say!! Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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