khross Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Hi I'm new to the forum, I am very interested in getting my hands on one of the japanese semi-hollows epiphones, and I need some help guys, I stumble across an epiphone from one of the japanese auction website, that ticks all the boxes in my little GAShead. But I am not sure whether it is a genuine japanese made casino epi, I asked the seller whether its a matsumoku made epi, and he said he's not sure but he's pretty positive that its a domestic (japanese) made epi casino. The guitar has been painted over so the I am not sure if the serial number that should b evident behind the headstock is painted over too, although he reckon its produced in 1986, and that serial number starts with 6093***. Any help would be highly appreciated! Cheers dudes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 you sure you want something that's been painted over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Hi,Khross.Yes that is Matsumoku made,from September 1986 if the serial is correct.This is one of those made specifically for the U.K.distributor J.H.S.(John Hornby Skewes).Usually the Matsumoku made Casino`s had a three piece laminated Maple neck,but the other JHS versions i`ve seen have a one piece Mahogany neck!!(so worth finding out).This guitar has all the Matsumoku traits of a 16th fret neck/body joint,two screw truss rod cover,Nickel pickup covers,and the Gretsch like body outline,with wider waist and smaller horns.According to the label this guitar was originally natural,so i don`t know the reason for any refinish,but i will say that i own three Matsumoku Casino`s and find them to be amongst the best Casino`s made!!.Hope this is of some use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 you sure you want something that's been painted over? That's a good question. Was it painted to hide some repaired damage? Hmmm. The price would have to be low for me to part with my money on an item like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Khross,this is my 1983 Matsumoku Casino,with three piece Maple neck,notice the details i mentioned in my previous reply which identify the Matsumoku Casino`s.The JHS ones are quite rare,and funnily enough there is another on ebay at the moment see auction number 170248046156 the seller being Koiz-guitar,check it out.Hopefully the one you are looking at is a lot cheaper!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrds1965 Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 If it is a MIJ it is worth getting, but same here the refinish ruined the value so if you can get it cheap a stripping might get you a nice Natural Lennon Casino. The question is what is the refin hiding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khross Posted August 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 The guitar would probably cost me around 800 usd in total plus shipping, do you think its worth it? cause my girlfriend is definetely going to kill me if I get another guitar, do you guys reckon its worth the probable 2 months or even more of nagging? My point is, Is this guitar THAT GOOD? cause I am willing to take the risk if it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Hi Khross.That price is within reason as far as i can see,i once bought a messed around one from the U.S for $250,that the owner thought was Korean,i know i took a punt but it`s now my main guitar!.I think these Matsumoku`s are fabulous,on a par with Elite/Elitist,with really raunchy pickups,and a more vintage feel.The three i own all have slightly different feeling necks which is testament to the amount of hands on lutherie involved in these guitars,the wood is top notch(These Matsumoku`s were 60% hand built!!!).I personally see nothing wrong with it,the JHS version is rarer than the standard Matsumoku model.Is it definitely a refinish??only it looks factory to me(i once owned a Westone Rainbow I,also Matsumoku with the same finish and that was factory applied.The Casino you are looking at is one of the last Matsumoku ones made,and was a collaboration with Taniguchi,specifically to supply a higher end model (hence the one piece Mahogany neck)for John Hornby Skewes(JHS)the U.K based distributor(although we never seemed to get them in the U.K.).So it is a bit rarer,and i think $750-1250 is the price range for these with the normal Matsumoku being $600-1150.In fact i`m tempted to get it myself,and yes they are that good!!.Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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