Dan Conley Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I'm a dedicated Gibson guy, but I've gotta say ... my new Blak and Blu Gary Clark Jr. Casino matches Gibson quality. All of the cliches about Chinese build quality are out the window, they are making some incredible axes now and the Blak and Blu has build quality as high as the fabled Korean-built Elitist Casino (including Gibson P90s and pots.) A Gibson ES-335 will always have the cachet, but I'm telling you, the Blak and Blu matches it for about $2K less in price. If you can find one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve112 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I'm a dedicated Gibson guy, but I've gotta say ... my new Blak and Blu Gary Clark Jr. Casino matches Gibson quality. All of the cliches about Chinese build quality are out the window, they are making some incredible axes now and the Blak and Blu has build quality as high as the fabled Korean-built Elitist Casino (including Gibson P90s and pots.) A Gibson ES-335 will always have the cachet, but I'm telling you, the Blak and Blu matches it for about $2K less in price. If you can find one. HNGD, Dan Conley. Good to hear about the Blak and Blu, they are very beautiful looking instruments. The playability, tone and fit and finish are critically important to a good, giggable guitar. I've had my first Epiphone electric, an ES339 Pro for about a month now. It's got a few gigs under its belt and I couldn't be happier. Tuning is precise and stable, the tone is outstanding and it has a great neck on it. It is a good guitar, period. Not going to say "for the money"! Well done, Epiphone........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollowdan Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I'm a dedicated Gibson guy, but I've gotta say ... my new Blak and Blu Gary Clark Jr. Casino matches Gibson quality. All of the cliches about Chinese build quality are out the window, they are making some incredible axes now and the Blak and Blu has build quality as high as the fabled Korean-built Elitist Casino (including Gibson P90s and pots.) A Gibson ES-335 will always have the cachet, but I'm telling you, the Blak and Blu matches it for about $2K less in price. If you can find one. Thanks for the quick review of the Gary Clark, Jr. I am glad to know it and happy that it is working out well for you. Now you have me wanting one! B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Congrats on the new Casino. Did you get the Bigsby or Trapeze? Either way, glad to hear that the quality, fit, finish et al is good. I've had a Japanese made Elitist (avatar) for a few years now, and it's my "go to", and frankly, favorite guitar of all that I own. Congrats again. I also have some Chinese and Indonesian Epi's, and they're a pretty good bang for the buck, if you will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rd4m Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I preordered mine on March 12th and just received it last Wednesday May 20th and let me tell you, it was well worth the wait. I've been playing for nearly 30 years and have never even picked up an Epiphone. I've owned Gibsons and a bunch of Fenders and have always called myself a "Fender Guy", they have always fit me and my playing style. Something caught my eye with the Blac and Blu and I figured I would give it a try. I am proud to say that I am now in the Epi family. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Strats and always will, but the Casino is getting all my attention right now. I love everything about this guitar from the sparkling cleans when played softly, to the snarl when you strum a little harder. She plays beautifully and was well setup straight out of the box. The only issue i have is the workmanship on the binding is lacking in two minor spots. If she didn't play so well I might have returned it and tried another one, but there was no way I was gonna send it back over some minor cosmetic flaw when everything else was so perfect. Now that I'm intrigued by Epiphones, what do you suggest I try next? Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rd4m Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Now that I'm intrigued by Epiphones, what do you suggest I try next? Ray Glad your happy with your Casino. I'm digging mine, as well as my Dot, Wildkat, and several acoustics, but depending on what you want, I'm sure there's another Epi in your future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Now that I'm intrigued by Epiphones, what do you suggest I try next? Ray Hi Ray, I spent some time playing an Epiphone Florentine very recently. Its a hollowbody Les Paul with f-holes and split coil humbuckers. It sounds only a little different from a solid LP but I thought it was terrific. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 If you're looking for something with some rockabilly swagger, Swingsters are pretty cool... so isn't the (Already mentioned) Wildkat.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dReit1 Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Now that I'm intrigued by Epiphones, what do you suggest I try next? Ray I haven't tried one yet but, if I was looking right now, I'd have to check out the new EPI Blues Hawk. My Gibby BH is one of my favorite guitars and the new EPIs are made with mahogany which should make them very close to awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundoggie Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Don't get me wrong, I love Gibson and they make extremely great quality guitars and obviously Epiphone's for the most part just don't match the quality. But when it comes to quality for the price, Epiphone is the best manufacturer out there, and they really showed it on this blak and blu casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 the Blak and Blu has build quality as high as the fabled Korean-built Elitist Casino A minor correction: Archtop Elitists such as the Casino are made in Japan by Terada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peskypesky Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Congratulations on the Blak and Blu!!!! That is a gorgeous and very cool guitar. I didn't even know they were available already. If I had more room for guitars, I would be sorely tempted to get one. As for the quality, I'm not too surprised. I bought a Dot last November that is just the bee's knees. I love it. So I imagine the Gary Clark model is damn good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 As for the quality, I'm not too surprised. About the only thing that surprises me these days is the "snoot" factor, if you will, against Epi's. I've got a half dozen of 'em, between acoustics and electrics, and I also own Gibby, PRS, Carvin, Fender, et al. I'll put my Epi's up against any of them for fit/finish/etc. Can they do a bit more with their "electronics"? Yeah, but I think they've been addressing that too. All in all, bang for the buck? Epi pretty much can't be beat, IMHO of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peskypesky Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 About the only thing that surprises me these days is the "snoot" factor, if you will, against Epi's. I've got a half dozen of 'em, between acoustics and electrics, and I also own Gibby, PRS, Carvin, Fender, et al. I'll put my Epi's up against any of them for fit/finish/etc. Can they do a bit more with their "electronics"? Yeah, but I think they've been addressing that too. All in all, bang for the buck? Epi pretty much can't be beat, IMHO of course. Yeah, the "snoot" factor is pretty high on guitar forums. A lot of people just can't, or won't, accept that the Chinese are capable of making some really nice guitars these days. But whatever. I wouldn't hesitate to add another Epiphone to my collection...but I've run out of room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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