Jeffery Smith Posted September 21, 2014 Posted September 21, 2014 Yesterday, Epiphone publicized this limited edition Elitist Riviera on their Facebook page. Early reports were that it would be sold only in Japan. Has anyone heard anything to the contrary? It seems bizarre to draw attention again to a guitar that won't be available outside of Japan.
charlie brown Posted September 21, 2014 Posted September 21, 2014 Jeffery, Here's what's listed for my state, and (on the Right Side) listed "OnLine" dealer's, as well. http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Elitist-1966-Custom-Riviera-Outfit/Buy-Now.aspx?mappath=/Support/Dealers/North-America/United-States/Kansas So...??? Hopefully that's true, and they'll be available in all those dealer's listed. Time will tell... CB
Jeffery Smith Posted September 21, 2014 Author Posted September 21, 2014 They have my local Guitar Center listed as a place to buy them. I really hate going there. When I have gone there before, most of the staff are early 20s and primarily interested in helping customers who look like Dave Navarro. I assume that they think I wandered in for directions to the nearest bus stop. Sweetwater gave me a price of $1,899 for the guitar, so they have at least looked into getting them.
charlie brown Posted September 21, 2014 Posted September 21, 2014 Yeah, I just e-mail E.M. Shorts, again...to see if they had any further information, beyond what they told me, earlier this Summer. Should get a reply tomorrow (Monday) or sometime during this next week, depending on what they've found out. CB
charlie brown Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Hi All, Just got an e-mail, on Friday last, that the Epi Riviera "outfit," and the Texan, recently announced are (for now) ONLY for the Japanese Market! My dealer's Epi Rep, did say there has been a LOT of interest in those models, so they may release them, at some future time, here in America, and possibly Canada and Europe, as well? Time will tell, but I certainly hope they will do that! CB
JefferySmith Posted September 30, 2014 Posted September 30, 2014 Drat! I thought the only guitar model the Japanese went crazy for was Mosrite "Ventures" models.
Jeffery Smith Posted September 30, 2014 Author Posted September 30, 2014 Oops! I signed in under my old 2008 name. Wondered why my avatar suddenly changed to a cherry burst Agile!
LPS1976 Posted October 2, 2014 Posted October 2, 2014 another Elitist... http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Elitist-1965-Casino-Vintage-Outfit.aspx
Jeffery Smith Posted October 2, 2014 Author Posted October 2, 2014 another Elitist... http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Elitist-1965-Casino-Vintage-Outfit.aspx I had the foresight a few years ago to order an Elitist Casino when I sensed that the Elitist line was being phased out, but this model you are showing here has mine beat by having a nitro finish.
bobouz Posted October 2, 2014 Posted October 2, 2014 another Elitist... http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Ltd-Ed-Elitist-1965-Casino-Vintage-Outfit.aspx Very interesting. So this one seems to virtually be bringing back the pre-"Revolution" version of the earlier John Lennon USA Collection (AIUSA) '65 Casino. As with the recently released Riviera, the nitro finish, two-hole TRC, and plasticy saddles are nice touches. We can only hope these new Elitists see the light of day worldwide.
bobouz Posted October 2, 2014 Posted October 2, 2014 I had the foresight a few years ago to order an Elitist Casino when I sensed that the Elitist line was being phased out I did the same thing in '09 when all the other Elitist models were disappearing, and the Elitist Casino was very hard to come by. I eventually found a regional dealer who had three in stock, so I was able to select the best of the bunch, and in a natural finish, which I prefer on this model. In 2012, Gibson's ES-330 VOS was released. Similarly, I found three to compare side by side, and a natural finish example completely stole my heart both in tone and playability. Even still, the Elitist Casino remains with me, and it's a wonderful instrument.
LPS1976 Posted October 2, 2014 Posted October 2, 2014 Very interesting. So this one seems to virtually be bringing back the pre-"Revolution" version of the earlier John Lennon USA Collection (AIUSA) '65 Casino. As with the recently released Riviera, the nitro finish, two-hole TRC, and plasticy saddles are nice touches. We can only hope these new Elitists see the light of day worldwide. I asked a friend of mine that works at Epiphone and they said that the new Elitist models WILL be sold in the U.S.
charlie brown Posted October 2, 2014 Posted October 2, 2014 I asked a friend of mine that works at Epiphone and they said that the new Elitist models WILL be sold in the U.S. Hope he's right! CB
charlie brown Posted October 2, 2014 Posted October 2, 2014 That Nitro "Elitist" Casino looks awesome, as well! Guess I'd better try the Lotto, again? CB
Bliggick Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Anybody know what the prices will be like for these?
Jeffery Smith Posted October 6, 2014 Author Posted October 6, 2014 Anybody know what the prices will be like for these? $1899 (street)
bobouz Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 $1899 (street) That seems low, considering that the current poly finish Elitist Casino is going for $1999.
Jeffery Smith Posted October 8, 2014 Author Posted October 8, 2014 In Japan, I see them advertised for 180,000 yen, which is about $1,661 US.
Jeffery Smith Posted November 12, 2014 Author Posted November 12, 2014 UPDATE: Sweetwater called today to confirm that this will not be available in the future. Looks like the "Japan market only" reports were true.
byrds1965 Posted November 12, 2014 Posted November 12, 2014 UPDATE: Sweetwater called today to confirm that this will not be available in the future. Looks like the "Japan market only" reports were true. My Sweetwater rep told me the same thing. Fine by me as I have been replacing most of my Epiphone's with the faded Gibson's lately $449 for an SGJ is just a stupid price for a Gibson. Except for stuff like my 61 Casino reissue and the 62 Sheraton RI if they don't offer something that can stand up to a Gibson again going to have to take a pass. The Japanese market demands accuracy and quality so they get it, should be a lesson to us here. They will offer what sells in what market and if no problems with what they are offering us here then no changes. Kind or our own fault in my opinion.
LPS1976 Posted November 14, 2014 Posted November 14, 2014 Sweetwater probably doesn't want to go through the same hounding they've gotten over the Union Jack.
Jeffery Smith Posted November 14, 2014 Author Posted November 14, 2014 I think that the Epiphone marketing department needs to synchronize their announcements more accurately with the rest of the company. In my state, colleges are not allowed to advertise the existence of an academic program before the program is actually "in place". Announcing a great new guitar or amp a year or more before it is realized is inviting disappointment.
LPS1976 Posted November 17, 2014 Posted November 17, 2014 I agree that they should synch their announcements a little better but the fact is they deal with factories an circumstances that are sometimes beyond their control. releasing of any item for retail is completely different from a college announcing a course.
bobouz Posted November 17, 2014 Posted November 17, 2014 I agree that they should synch their announcements a little better but the fact is they deal with factories an circumstances that are sometimes beyond their control. True to varying degrees I'm sure, but in the case of this new Elitist Riviera (and possibly the new Elitist Texan as well), the instrument has been included on the USA website while dealers are saying it will not be available for purchase. I believe Gibson/Epiphone can do better than that.
Jeffery Smith Posted November 17, 2014 Author Posted November 17, 2014 I agree that they should synch their announcements a little better but the fact is they deal with factories an circumstances that are sometimes beyond their control. releasing of any item for retail is completely different from a college announcing a course. I didn't say announcing a course. I said announcing a new program. A new program requires approval all the way up to the Board of Regents level. You can do all of the preparatory work leading up to it, but if the Board of Regents won't fund it, it is dead in the water. Think of it as a 3-year investment of time and energy that may be ultimately rejected in the state capitol.
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