leicester35 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Does anyone have any opinions on how recent made in China Casinos are shaping up? I've been looking at these forums from a little while ago, and I guess I was a little suprised to see a fair few negative comments about them. I have a G-400 with an EE serial number and it's an absolute beauty - way, way better than an old Korean Epi Firebird I used to have a few years ago. So what's the deal with the Casino - has the Chinese factory finally cracked it yet? Basically, I would love an Elitist Casino, but I just can't find $1350 down the back of the sofa. Looking at these forums, it seems that if I ordered a new natural made in China Casino from G.C. for $599, then I'm looking at: $55 for new tuners: http://www.kluson.com/PRODUCTS.htm $20 for the 500K pots: http://www.guitarelectronics.com/product/CPC500/CTS_500K_Audio_Pot.html $64 to replace the ever-rattling ABR-1 bridge: http://www.guitarpartsdepot.com/Bridges-AVR2.html ...so basically around $740 for the whole job. Provided of course, that the guitar itself and the Epiphone P90s are OK. So what does anyone think? Have I missed anything out? Is this a good way to go...or should I just save up another $700.00 and go for an Elitist? Thanks for your thoughts / advice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvdv Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Hi leicester35 I'm having a similar dilemma, although I think that I will eventually end up with an Elitist, regardless of whether or not I buy a Chinese or Korean made Casino now. I'd be very interested in hearing about the quality of the Chinese made Casinos. And is there a difference between the Chinese made Casinos and the Korean ones (i.e. would I be better off looking for a M.I.K. used?). I have read universally good reviews of the Elitists, and very mixed reviews of the M.I.K. Casinos. Also, quite a few people who have owned and tried both say that the Elitist Casino is much better sounding than the M.I.K. model (because of its construction), and that the parts (pickups, toggle selector switch) are far more durable. The Elitist is apparently also lighter (in weight). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 leicester35, I own both a MIK and a MIC, both in natural... and yes, there are some differnces between the two: 1. The MIC is much lighter in colour, whether this is good or bad thing is a matter of taste. This goes for the neck too, it is darker than the body, but still much lighter than the MIK. 2. The setup out of the box is much worse on the MIC. But if you bought a Gibson or Rickenbacker for example, they would probably require setting up too. 3. The tuners aren't as good on the MIC. They stay in tune ok, but the responsiveness is lacking when compared to the MIK. And thats it. The pups, pots and switch are identical i.e. very good.... I still don't why people feel the need to replace them unless faulty. Bottom line: if you can afford (and can find) an Elitist, then go with that. But, if you're budget won't stretch that far. the MIC is still a really great guitar. The MIC Vs MIK argument is a common one, but I think the Chinese have it sorted now. Remember when guitars started being made in Japan? People didn't like it, now they are very sought after. The same goes for Korean made guitars.... now people favor those over the Chinese ones. Whichever you decide to get, make sure you try as many as possible to find the right one. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 ...thanks ant7269 one quick question though...how do the necks on your M.I.K. and M.I.C. compare? I've heard that the Chinese necks are a lot beefier. Is this the case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I haven't experienced the ABR-1 rattling bridge problem on my MIK Casino, so you might want to hold off ordering that with your guitar until you can play it. The pickup selector switch feels cheap and you could replace it with a Switchcraft model immediately or just use it until you can't stand it anymore. If you replace the stock pots with CTS, you'll also have to get new knobs because the CTS pots have fine-spline shafts and the imports have coarse-spline. If you think a Casino will be your main or secondary instrument, I think it is worthwhile to hold off and buy an Elitist. I'm a lefty and sadly don't have that option. This could be a guitar you keep the rest of your life and owning a high-quality guitar is a wonderful thing. If, however, this Casino will be one of many guitars or you just expect it will get little use, get the MIC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I have a sunburst casino w/ bigsby and a natural, both MIC and yes the toggle switches do feel cheap and i will eventually replace these in both. That being said the P90's are kickin' in both guitars. the necks are both fast and sound terrific. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrds1965 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 My bandmate has one of the new MIC casinos in natural. The only difference is the yellowed wood that has no real grain to it and the trapeze does a little bend at the top where the bolts screw on and seems just slightly thinner guage steel. Plugged in there is no tone difference between our two though playing standing his seems a bit lighter than my MIK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 ...thanks ant7269 one quick question though...how do the necks on your M.I.K. and M.I.C. compare? I've heard that the Chinese necks are a lot beefier. Is this the case? If I am being REALLY scrutinizing, the MIC does feel SLIGHTLY thicker. But only very slightly. Nothing like the huge neck of the Dot or Les Paul. Also, there seems to be a better fret job on the MIC. Although, as I said before, this could just be this guitar...so try as many as you can to find the right one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 The naturals like mine look fine, but that sunburst is a beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 The naturals like mine look fine' date=' but that sunburst is a beauty. [/quote'] +1 Loving that Bigsby too! I wonder if that was factory fitted or added on later? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansmitchell Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 The tuners aren't the problem, it's the nut. Get Bone or graphite. If you're getting new pots, get a new switch, too, it needs one. Bridge ain't bad, but getting a bigsby and roller bridge isn't a bad plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I was in E.M. Shorts (in Wichita), not long ago, and saw a Chinese made Casino, right along side an Elitist Version. Very different feeling and looking, too. Elitist was as you'd expect, flawless, solid, and beautiful. The Chinese version was...I hate to say it, pretty lackluster, in all those areas, by comparison. I never felt that way, before...when they were made in Korea. They weren't up to Elitist standards, but were still pretty darned good! Maybe it's the pale color of the Chinese versions? Not sure. The Elitist sounded really "rich" and full toned...the Chinese one, was kind of "tinny," too...by comparison. If I was in the market for one, I'd save more, and get the Elitist! But, that's just me. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 That sunburst was factory installed. I saw they were coming out as a special limited edition. I called my brother who used to manage a guitar center in boston (please don't throw anything he's a good kid) and still has friends in high places. He was able to nab me one the day they became available at a great price I might add. Somedays I find myself just staring at her......jeeeez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I have a sunburst casino w/ bigsby and a natural' date=' both MIC and yes the toggle switches do feel cheap and i will eventually replace these in both. That being said the P90's are kickin' in both guitars. the necks are both fast and sound terrific.[img']http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk107/cookieman15061/100_2298.jpg[/img] Now THOSE, don't look anything like the Chinese version, I saw! Your's are much nicer looking. Maybe they just got in a less than stellar batch? Glad to hear they both sound great, too! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 leicester35' date=' I own both a MIK and a MIC, both in natural... and yes, there are some differnces between the two: 1. The MIC is much lighter in colour, whether this is good or bad thing is a matter of taste. This goes for the neck too, it is darker than the body, but still much lighter than the MIK. <...> [/quote'] I agree that it is a matter of taste, but looking at your pictures, I personally prefer the looks of the MIK Casino. I like the honey-golden tone of the wood. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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