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elitist casino vs lennon reissue


elsewherejacob

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I've been wondering if there's a big difference between the elitist casino (in natural) and the limited john lennon revolution reissue. Anybody played both???

As far as I can see there are hardly any differences concerning material and hardware..am I wrong? and what about the sound then? help anyone?

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I've been wondering if there's a big difference between the elitist casino (in natural) and the limited john lennon revolution reissue. Anybody played both???

As far as I can see there are hardly any differences concerning material and hardware..am I wrong? and what about the sound then? help anyone?

Lennon had his finish stripped and replaced with a thin coat of lacquer. The revolution reissue does the same. Lennon was convinced that doing so changed the tone of it. Who knows?

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Big difference? No...not really. Some difference, sure. Mostly "Cosmetic."

 

Elitist: Glossy Poly finish, metal saddles in the bridge, a bit narrower headstock (at the top) with

somewhat wider "Epiphone" lettering. Electronics are USA, though. Grover (chrome/nickel) Rotomatic tuners. 3-hole truss rod cover

 

Lennon: Thin matte lacquer finish, nylon saddles in the bridge (period correct), wider headstock (at the top)

Thinner "Epiphone" lettering. Electronics are USA, as well. "Goof ring" washer (black) under the pickup

selector switch nut, Gold Grover Rotomatics. 2-hole truss rod cover. "Lennon" case, and case candy.

 

Sound: Well, the ones I've played were very similar, in sound/tone. The "Lennon" one had a bit more "growl," (very slight)

and "liveliness," that some attibute to the thinner finish, and nylon bridge saddles. The "Elitist" had a bit more sustain, and

still wonderful "growl"/ tone. The slight sustain gain, could be due to the metal saddles, in the bridge?

 

Essentially, the same guitar...as the bodies of the "Lennon" versions, are made in Japan, in the same factory as the Elitists,

apparently. They ship them here, for painting, and the added "Lennon" touches. BOTH are excellent guitars! They differ

in appearance to the standard Casino's, in neck joint location (Elitist/Lennon) at the 16th fret, Standards at the 17th fret.

Also, prior to being produced in China (Quingdao), the horns on the standard Casino were a bit different, than the Elitist,

or Lennon verions. More a "generic" type, while the Lennon/Elitist were accurate to the "Kalamazoo" (pre '66) versions.

Sometime in 1966, both Gibson ES-330, 335, 345, 355, and the Casino's, Riviera's adopted a slighly more "pointed" horn shape. Which they kept, until being sent to Japan for production, early 70's.

 

CB

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cheers charlie brown! that's been a very competent reply and helped me a lot!

 

You're most welcome...

 

Another slight difference, in appearance, is that the "Lennon" headstock is slightly beveled or edge rounded,

between the lower and upper bouts. The Elitists are sharper edged, all the way around. Won't effect any

thing at all, of course, except appearance! But, in trying to be as accurate, as I can remember...I wanted

to mention it. The "Poly" finish, on the Elitist is very well done..light, and not thick or heavy, at all. As I

said, previously, they're both wonderful guitars!

 

Cheers,

CB

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