Epiphone Elitist 65 Texan ?

[Texan65]

I own an Epiphone Elitist 65 Texan. It was originally owned by Nancy Wilson of the band Heart. It was auctioned off by Julien's in California in 2015.

 

NANCY WILSON EPIPHONE ELITIST GUITAR

An Epiphone Elitist Texan/VS model acoustic guitar in sunburst, serial number T403142. Nancy Wilson used this guitar in recordings and in Hootenannies. Accompanied by a color photograph of Wilson holding the instrument, signed "[heart] Nancy Wilson" in silver marker, and an original hardshell case.

PROVENANCE From the Collection of Nancy Wilson

 

Why can't find any info on this guitar model? Only thing I know is that it was made at the Teradata plant in Japan in 2004.

 

HELP!

[Rich]

Here's a '65 Elitist Texan from the Guitar Center site:

 

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone/Elitist-1965-Texan-Acoustic.gc#productDetail

[bobouz]

Being made in 2004, your guitar is from the first version of the Elitist Texan, made by Terada in Japan. It is not a close reproduction of a '60s Texan, but it is a very good guitar, and it was indeed called the "Elitist '65 Texan."

 

Beginning in 2005 (a few actually made at the end of '04), Terada then built 1,964 instruments as part of McCartney's Adopt-A-Minefield fundraiser. Gibson also built two versions in Bozeman for the fundraiser (one reliced, one not). All versions were called the "Paul McCartney 1964 Texan" & they were all well executed reproductions based on McCartney's original instrument. I happen to own one of these, made by Terada in '05.

 

The most recent version of the Elitist Texan cited on Epiphone's website is also built by Terada, and more closely follows the construction details of their previous McCartney Texan release.

 

The Elitist '65 Texan differs from the McCartney model in the following ways: Poly finish, laminated mahogany sides, Grover tuners, 3-hole Elitist truss rod cover, peghead edge not rounded on the sides, cloud inlay a bit squared off, no aging toner. There most likely are also some internal bracing differences. But again, regardless of any differences, it is a high quality instrument, and the Nancy Wilson connection is very cool!

[Red 333]

Bobooz has given a very accurate and concise description of the Elitist '65 Texan. The only addition I have is that the back and sides may or may not be laminated. Bobooz is correct in that catalog specfications do imply laminated wood, but I have a feeling not all were made that way (which is not unusual in guitar making). I have one made very late in the run, and its sides appear to be solid, judging from the matching grain inside and outside. In fact, the rims are a very close match to my low numbered McCartney Elitist Texan, suggesting they were cut from the same billet of wood!

 

In any case, your Elitist is a very high quality instrument, made in perhaps the best non-boutique guitar making facility in the world. Enjoy it, and it's unique history.

 

Red 333