gwb Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I have been told by a few that Epiphone will stop production of the Casino Elitist soon............... And that could be the full Elitist line....? Any news of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Yes sir, that's the rumor. Many think Gibson wants to eliminate the Elitist competition for their low-end line up. Do a search on Elitist topics if you want the full forum scuttlebutt over the past.... WELCOME to the forum -- gwb! If you foresee an Elitist in your future, maybe right now is the time. BTW -- they are very, very fine instruments. My '03 EPI Elite LP is the best LP I have ever touched (and that includes all of the Gibsons over the years). Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansmitchell Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I'm hoping gibson will realize they need to compete with fender's american series, and try to beat out quality for the price. A fender top-of the line american strat costs less than a gibson les paul studio. Gibson needs to have the elitist line to compete with these, and win out in quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrds1965 Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I hope they don't discontinue the the Elitist line, but there is not much we can do if they do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muskank Sally Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 The little guy's been getting off too easy these days paying $1100 for an Elitist LPC when Gibson wants $3399 for theirs. It's a crime I tell ya. I know what it really is though, I've been gassing for an Elitist extre BAD lately and that's where the threat of them stopping production comes from. The moment I get the money will be the day they are no longer available ... (LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Sentry Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I'm hoping gibson will realize they need to compete with fender's american series' date=' and try to beat out quality for the price.A fender top-of the line american strat costs less than a gibson les paul studio. Gibson needs to have the elitist line to compete with these, and win out in quality.[/quote'] I don't know if that's going to happen. But, at the same time? Gibson is coming out with some really great models at an affordable price. They're just not the top of the line stuff. (But at the same time? Fender gouges its customers over customs. Gibsons are expensive, but they aren't asking for 19000 dollars for their work...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Yes sir' date=' that's the rumor. Many think Gibson wants to eliminate the Elitist competition for their low-end line up. Do a search on Elitist topics if you want the full forum scuttlebutt over the past.... [b']WELCOME to the forum -- gwb![/b] If you foresee an Elitist in your future, maybe right now is the time. BTW -- they are very, very fine instruments. My '03 EPI Elite LP is the best LP I have ever touched (and that includes all of the Gibsons over the years). Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" They have introduced some semi-hollows that are in the $2k range. What a shame to see the Elitists go. I guess my second concern is whether or not, to fill the money void, the entry-level Epiphones will have their prices raised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I hope they don't discontinue the the Elitist line' date=' but there is not much we can do if they do.[/quote'] With production shifted to China for the more recent Epiphones, I'm beginning to think that MIK will be the new MIJ. But I do read good reports of Chinese-made Hagstroms, and the Eastmans are nicely made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrds1965 Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 With production shifted to China for the more recent Epiphones' date=' I'm beginning to think that MIK will be the new MIJ. But I do read good reports of Chinese-made Hagstroms, and the Eastmans are nicely made.[/quote'] Ding Ding Ding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacBratt Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I have been told by a few that Epiphone will stop production of the Casino Elitist soon...............And that could be the full Elitist line....? Any news of this? Phew, am I glad I already have a Casino Elitist :D Now finding a Dot Elitist.... That's another task Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxst1281733995 Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Epiphone doesn't seem to be known for making smart business decisions lately... They set up forums like this, yet they don't listen to what their loyal customers want... Doesn't make any sense... I guess they're too busy deleting posts, and threads, and banning members who threaten their insecurities by voicing their opinions to actually give a damn about the desires of the people who pay for this forum... They'll keep pumping crap down your throat for too much money and tell you it's marmalade... And people will line up to buy it, because they already drank the Kool-Ade.. My what a wonderful tea party! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunBlues Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 With production shifted to China for the more recent Epiphones' date=' I'm beginning to think that MIK will be the new MIJ. But I do read good reports of Chinese-made Hagstroms, and the Eastmans are nicely made.[/quote'] It doesn't matter what country you make a guitar... Just as long as the Korean Factories have the same materials, tools, and quality control... (which should be an easy thing to have)... MIK will be just as good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Sentry Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Epiphone doesn't seem to be known for making smart business decisions lately... They set up forums like this' date=' yet they don't listen to what their loyal customers want... Doesn't make any sense... I guess they're too busy deleting posts, and threads, and banning members who threaten their insecurities by voicing their opinions to actually give a damn about the desires of the people who pay for this forum... They'll keep pumping crap down your throat for too much money and tell you it's marmalade... And people will line up to buy it, because they already drank the Kool-Ade.. My what a wonderful tea party! [/quote'] Hmm......Eh, I don't know. We can argue about whatever here, but at the end of the day we're not looking at sales, nor do we have any knowledge of the global markets, or what distributors and vendors are moving out in terms of units. Based on what I've seen between this, and the 2009 catalog, I'm sort of getting this impression: 1. Gibson is going to try to push multiple models that were in the price range of the Elitists....It's the question of getting the Gibson...so, the Gibson is the Gibson is the Gibson. I also believe that they'll try to keep as much of the Les Paul/SG market to themselves as possible for consumers who are willing to spend over a 1000 dollars on a guitar. 2. Maestro is probably going to get the push in terms of the lower end stuff....which frees up Epiphone. 3. In terms of Epihone? I am getting the impression that they are trying to cater to not only the metal market with their newer models, but are being used as a testbed for some of the newer products and technologies....I actually think that's kind of cool. But...it's probably going to come at the expense of their archtop lines as well as products that are Gibson clones and the Elitists. Other than the Casino, I don't see an Epiphone archtop model that is getting a major push right now. But at the end of the day, I don't think it's about making Epiphone the cheaper Gibson alternative vs. creating a niche or a role for Epiphone that competes with other guitar manufacturers like ESP, Washburn, and Ibanez. That's certain the impression I got after looking at that 2009 catalog...And, the implication here would probably be to NOT have another division that competes with the flagship brand, but have it establish its own identity at this point. And as great as the Elitists are, they do just this. Moving Epiphone more into the experimental/metal models also sort of puts pressure off of Gibson to do the same...while having models of guitars that compete in those markets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookelputz Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Well, if you hear it here, either its just a rumour or you're the last to find out, because official word almost never comes down this pipeline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Well' date=' if you hear it here, either its just a rumour or you're the last to find out, because official word almost never comes down this pipeline.[/quote'] Yeah, instead we learn by trying to order a guitar from MF only to see the words "This model as been discontinued". A heads-up would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulsaslim Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 As many of you already know I am the proud owner of 9 elitists. One of the things rarely mentioned but appreciated by we 'old guys' is the fact that the only 'production' LP still made closest to the 'original' method of the magic 'bursts' with a solid body & long neck tenon is the elitist LP. Now you can still get a few custom shop models built that way but they'll cost you at least 5 grand. Not that there's anything wrong with the new chambered models, but if you're looking for an LP built like the old ones, the elitist is the way to go. BTW, I owned 3 Gibby LPs and consider my elitists every bit as good as any of my Gibbys were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotcanX Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Well, the Casino is still on the Canadian distributor price list, along with the Sheraton, the Byrdland, the LP Standard Plus and the LP Custom. And that's it. Looks like the Dot is history. I've expressed my thoughts on this subject before and I'm not about to reiterate here, but in a nutshell there's a perception problem between the potential customers and the Epiphone brand. Other than a few cognoscenti, no-one is willing to invest in a 'non-Gibson' at these prices. Which is really a shame, because with a little smarter marketing Gibson could have made a lot more money and even more importantly a lot more people could be owning top-quality guitars without breaking the bank. It's true that there is a huge gap in niche between the MICOK* Epis and the Gibson product line and I think it's pretty obvious that Gibson needs a line to fill that gap. However they either need to have (1) an 'upscale' Epi line that won't cost more than twice the regular Epis or else (2) a Japanese Gibson/Epiphone line (with the brand name/headstock to suit the models, e.g. LP = Gibson, Casino = Epi) priced as per the current Elitists. Or both, even. *MICOK = Made In China Or Korea; pronounced 'my cock'. :- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpiEric Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 As many of you already know I am the proud owner of 9 elitists. One of the things rarely mentioned but appreciated by we 'old guys' is the fact that the only 'production' LP still made closest to the 'original' method of the magic 'bursts' with a solid body & long neck tenon is the elitist LP. Now you can still get a few custom shop models built that way but they'll cost you at least 5 grand.. The Gibson Custom Historic 1957 Gold Top is a solid body with long-tenon. The darkback runs around 3 grand. Nonetheless, the Elitists are still certainly the bargain as far as the historic method of construction... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Check this out--> Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Speaking of stopping Elitists... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 What is this "Krystallnacht?" CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrds1965 Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Well' date=' the Casino is still on the Canadian distributor price list, along with the Sheraton, the Byrdland, the LP Standard Plus and the LP Custom. And that's it. Looks like the Dot is history. I've expressed my thoughts on this subject before and I'm not about to reiterate here, but in a nutshell there's a perception problem between the potential customers and the Epiphone brand. Other than a few cognoscenti, no-one is willing to invest in a 'non-Gibson' at these prices. Which is really a shame, because with a little smarter marketing Gibson could have made a lot more money and even more importantly a lot more people could be owning top-quality guitars without breaking the bank. It's true that there is a huge gap in niche between the MICOK* Epis and the Gibson product line and I think it's pretty obvious that Gibson needs a line to fill that gap. However they either need to have (1) an 'upscale' Epi line that won't cost more than [b']twice[/b] the regular Epis or else (2) a Japanese Gibson/Epiphone line (with the brand name/headstock to suit the models, e.g. LP = Gibson, Casino = Epi) priced as per the current Elitists. Or both, even. *MICOK = Made In China Or Korea; pronounced 'my cock'. You forgot the suck! I agree with this and this is what a few of us have been saying or guessing. I would not be surprised at some point they finaly give in and go the way of Fender. MIJ Gibson and Epiphone stuff where correct and possibly upscale the MIk line a bit with real Gibson PUs but not change wood or construction and MIC the current line. The MIJ Epiphone line is really Gibson anyway now minus the Gibson on the headstock. Maybe they do watch the forum maybe they don't, but if they do they will know that a lot of us are getting or want those Epiphone SGs. If they pulled the Elitist stuff from the 2009 catalog it can't be that hard for 2010 to tell that Japanese plant start slapping Gibson on the Gibson design stuff that is all you really need to change. Maybe they are not crazy? It's possible and we can hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custer Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 All they have to do is put Gibson on the headstock and the Elitist line will sell big time. Lets face it, the Elitist line of guitars are awsome but when you are putting out that kind of cash people also want t know if they choose to sell it at a later date, that their investment is protected and Gibson on the headstock will assure that. I'm a big fan of Gibson and Epiphone guitars and would love to see that happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 As many of you already know I am the proud owner of 9 elitists. One of the things rarely mentioned but appreciated by we 'old guys' is the fact that the only 'production' LP still made closest to the 'original' method of the magic 'bursts' with a solid body & long neck tenon is the elitist LP. Now you can still get a few custom shop models built that way but they'll cost you at least 5 grand. Not that there's anything wrong with the new chambered models' date=' but if you're looking for an LP built like the old ones, the elitist is the way to go. BTW, I owned 3 Gibby LPs and consider my elitists every bit as good as any of my Gibbys were.[/quote'] Damn! I only have three! There's no way I'm going to be able to get 6 more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Damn! I only have three! There's no way I'm going to be able to get 6 more! Ah, that's OK, Jeff. It's not (really) a contest! LOL! Fun, though! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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