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Are all the Elitist series gone?

djroge1

By djroge1
in Epiphone Electrics

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stan 58

stan 58

Posted
Posted

I would buy a 70s Gibson in a heartbeat if I played it and liked it,but I think the Norlin Co.was not the best fit for them. I too loved the fat wide frets of that era, and I also changed my share of PUs( but no single coils)LOL. I have a 2002 studio plus and its a little heavy but it barks like a bad doggie, I love it. Stan.

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Prospero

Prospero

Posted
Posted
The reason Epi Elitists are gone?

 

Gibson has 14 solid body guitars on the market (15 if you include the Melody Maker) for under a 1000 dollars.

 

And there you go.

 

The biggest problem though is when it comes to semi-hollows/archtops. The jump from a Dot or Sheraton II to a Gibson ES-335 is ludicrous.

 

You've got the small ES 339s at something approaching a reasonable price (sometimes), but if you want a full-size 335 you're looking at $2000 and up and up and up.

 

As has been mentioned, killing off the Elitists means we're going have to go to other companies for our semi-hollows. I don't see Gibson coming out with a 335 in the $1000~$1500 range anytime soon, whether as an Epiphone or mainline Gibson after murdering the Elitists.

 

So $400 for an Epi Dot or $2400 for a Gibson? Yeah, right. Good luck there, Gibson & Epiphone.

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JefferySmith

JefferySmith

Posted
Posted

 

The biggest problem though is when it comes to semi-hollows/archtops. The jump from a Dot or Sheraton II to a Gibson ES-335 is ludicrous.

 

You've got the small ES 339s at something approaching a reasonable price (sometimes)' date=' but if you want a full-size 335 you're looking at $2000 and up and up and up.

 

As has been mentioned, killing off the Elitists means we're going have to go to other companies for our semi-hollows. I don't see Gibson coming out with a 335 in the $1000~$1500 range anytime soon, whether as an Epiphone or mainline Gibson after murdering the Elitists.

 

So $400 for an Epi Dot or $2400 for a Gibson? Yeah, right. Good luck there, Gibson & Epiphone.[/quote']

 

The Eastmans are about $1300-$1400, in Elitist territory. The Heritage semihollows are probably around $2K.

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Henry Mars

Henry Mars

Posted
Posted

I have played the Washburn 335 clone and it isnt bad. Carvin makes some really nice guitars.

 

Samik has some nice axes too.

 

The elimination of Elitist in a typical corporate blunder. Gibson should have been pushing sales on these axes.

 

I have a real 335 and I like the Elitist version(s) better. I mean to the people at Gibson .. what in the hell do I know? I mean I have only been playing fo 50 years. I am still going to buy the Casino Elitist. That will be my last Gibson or Epiphone purchase.

 

If they are going to shake me down .... I'll have one made.

 

Then again my brother just bought a Shector and it is one hell of a guitar.

 

Gibson gives me no alternative but to shop another brand.

 

The standard Sheraton and Casino are put together with Elmers Glue and the electronic components suck.

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The_Sentry

The_Sentry

Posted
Posted

 

The biggest problem though is when it comes to semi-hollows/archtops. The jump from a Dot or Sheraton II to a Gibson ES-335 is ludicrous.

 

You've got the small ES 339s at something approaching a reasonable price (sometimes)' date=' but if you want a full-size 335 you're looking at $2000 and up and up and up.

 

As has been mentioned, killing off the Elitists means we're going have to go to other companies for our semi-hollows. I don't see Gibson coming out with a 335 in the $1000~$1500 range anytime soon, whether as an Epiphone or mainline Gibson after murdering the Elitists.

 

So $400 for an Epi Dot or $2400 for a Gibson? Yeah, right. Good luck there, Gibson & Epiphone.[/quote']

 

The Eastmans are about $1300-$1400' date=' in Elitist territory. The Heritage semihollows are probably around $2K.[/quote']

 

I have to agree that the biggest losers in all of these changes are the archtop and semi hollow body consumers. Which is too bad because for years that was Epiphone's bread and butter.

 

As for Heritage? *drools*....I didn't realize they could even be sniffed for that price. That's definitely worth checking out, as are the Eastmans!

 

I was also going to add that Ibanez has 2 models, including the PM35NT which is Metheny's sig for just over 1000 dollars. Beautiful guitar, and it would definitely help fill a hole for those who are already lamenting the demise of the Zephyr. (Hagstrom also has the Viking....but eh, I guess other than the Sheraton II or Dot, there never was a whole lot of choices for someone like me. I know of one company that makes an ES-330 clone. I might have to check 'em out.)

 

And yeah...if Epiphone isn't going to keep up this side of their manufacturing, don't be suprised if those customers which brought Epiphone BACK to prominence through their hard earned dollars start shopping elsewhere. Such is business....

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The_Sentry

The_Sentry

Posted
Posted
I have played the Washburn 335 clone and it isnt bad. Carvin makes some really nice guitars.

 

Samik has some nice axes too.

 

The elimination of Elitist in a typical corporate blunder. Gibson should have been pushing sales on these axes.

 

I have a real 335 and I like the Elitist version(s) better. I mean to the people at Gibson .. what in the hell do I know? I mean I have only been playing fo 50 years. I am still going to buy the Casino Elitist. That will be my last Gibson or Epiphone purchase.

 

If they are going to shake me down .... I'll have one made.

 

Then again my brother just bought a Shector and it is one hell of a guitar.

 

Gibson gives me no alternative but to shop another brand.

 

The standard Sheraton and Casino are put together with Elmers Glue and the electronic components suck.

 

It wouldn't be AS BAD if Gibson had a few archtop models that were in the price range of the demised Elitists. But they don't.

 

IMHO that's where the ball was dropped.

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charlie brown

charlie brown

Posted
Posted

Yeah, and some of us LIKE/LOVE the Mini-humbucker equipped guitars like the Elitist Sheraton and Riviera...even

though the Riviera had been gone, for some time, now. But, to take away the Sheraton, too....that's really

unfortunate, IMHO. At least, we still are able to get the Elitist Casino's...(for now, anyway).

 

CB

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JefferySmith

JefferySmith

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Posted
Yeah' date=' and some of us LIKE/LOVE the Mini-humbucker equipped guitars like the Elitist Sheraton and Riviera...even

though the Riviera had been gone, for some time, now. But, to take away the Sheraton, too....that's really

unfortunate, IMHO. At least, we still are able to get the Elitist Casino's...(for now, anyway).

 

CB[/quote']

They could have cut back to fewer models rather than eliminating the entire line. For the past few days, my brain has been focusing on guitars that the Elitist lovers can turn to now that they are no longer going to be sold.

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The_Sentry

The_Sentry

Posted
Posted
The Edwards ESP guitars are a bit more expensive than the Elitists' date=' but they sure look to be nice (Japanese-made) instruments, with SD pickups. And I believe they are nitro finished.

 

[img']http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/7/8/3/0/5/8/webimg/168788958_o.jpg[/img]

168788269_o.jpg

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167812581_o.jpg

 

There's a company that's cheaper than that. They're offering a LP model with a guaranteed 1/2" maple cap, solid mahogany body (not pressed plywood) and hand filed frets. I'm not going to mention names, but I will say that the name typically invites apathy upon being heard.

 

But hey....it's something to consider.

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JefferySmith

JefferySmith

Posted
Posted

 

There's a company that's cheaper than that. They're offering a LP model with a guaranteed 1/2" maple cap' date=' solid mahogany body (not pressed plywood) and hand filed frets. I'm not going to mention names, but I will say that the name typically invites apathy upon being heard.

 

But hey....it's something to consider.[/quote']

Is it run by a dude named Kurt?

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The_Sentry

The_Sentry

Posted
Posted

Is it run by a dude named Kurt?

 

Why, yes it is....

 

BTW:

 

In light of how we can overexpress anger in this thread, and resentment that archtops are getting a raw deal here, what's your opinion of the Gretsch Electromatic? It appears to be right in the same price range as the Sheraton II. (But yeah, full hollow-bodied guitar....)

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Ron G

Ron G

Posted
Posted
In light of how we can overexpress anger in this thread' date=' and resentment that archtops are getting a raw deal here, what's your opinion of the Gretsch Electromatic? It appears to be right in the same price range as the Sheraton II. (But yeah, full hollow-bodied guitar....)[/quote']

A guy I jam with occasionally just got a Gretsch Electromatic single cut in that wonderful Gretsch orange color. And he paid $300 used, in perfect condition!!!! Korean built, the workmanship was impressive as was the playability. Weighed more than I thought it would for a full hollow, not much less than my Dot. Very comfortable to play. There's also a walnut-finished double-cutaway model that looks very much like George's Country Gent. I WANT ONE!

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JefferySmith

JefferySmith

Posted
Posted

 

Why' date=' yes it is....

 

BTW:

 

In light of how we can overexpress anger in this thread, and resentment that archtops are getting a raw deal here, what's your opinion of the Gretsch Electromatic? It appears to be right in the same price range as the Sheraton II. (But yeah, full hollow-bodied guitar....)[/quote']

It is much better than the Ibanez Artcore of that variety. The action and fit and finish are good. I would have preferred the painted f-holes of the Tennessean (I was hoping that it would be a clone of the Tennessean), but the scale length and the rest of the guitar are good. Still, I'll probably get that Tennessean if I can ever find it in maroon.

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Just Strum

Just Strum

Posted
Posted

I sent another e-mail to Gibson linking the thread beginning at page 3. If you have any additional comments regarding the Elitist, make your case.

 

So they may either read it or not, and then again the mods may delete it.

 

Edit: My thought was that it would make for a good read because what normally would be high praise about the Elitist, has now turned into discussion about other manufacturers and how they may stack up. Obviously six to twelve people aren't going to change a business decision, but each person actually represents hundreds of others that aren't on the forum joining in this discussion.

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