** Casino Sunburst Finish **

[nicobravo]

I just have a question about the finish of the standard sunburst Casino. I purchased one last year and was aware the finish (sunburst pattern) on the standard model was quite a bit different from the one on the Elitist/Lennon models. However, today I saw a video review on gearwire.com of what was claimed to be a standard Casino and the finish looked exactly like the higher end Elitist/Lennon models. So, I was wondering if anybody knows if the finish on the standard Casino was recently changed or if there are some flukes out there?

 

Sorry if this was covered before. I did a search and didn't see anything about it..

[charlie brown]

I just have a question about the finish of the standard sunburst Casino. I purchased one last year and was aware the finish (sunburst pattern) on the standard model was quite a bit different from the one on the Elitist/Lennon models. However' date=' today I saw a video review on gearwire.com of what was claimed to be a standard Casino and the finish looked exactly like the higher end Elitist/Lennon models. So, I was wondering if anybody knows if the finish on the standard Casino was recently changed or if there are some flukes out there?

 

Sorry if this was covered before. I did a search and didn't see anything about it..[/quote']

 

The newer versions I've seen, mostly from Quingdao China, do indeed have the correct Epiphone

sunburst, where the dark outlining follows the curves of the horns, so that they're not just "black"

(dark brown, whatever), as in some previous versions. Also, the wideness of the darker color,

seems to have lessened, as well...more like the original "Kalamazoo" models, of the '60's. EPi1,

who is an administrator/commenter (we've only recently had the priviledge of hearing from) has

stated, that Epiphone has gone to great lengths, to come back to those original "mid '60's"

specs, on the newly produced guitars...now that they have the dedicated factory, in Quingdao.

So, we're all hopeful, I think, that the quality from that factory, as well as the authenticity, to the

original models, will just get better and better...as it seems to be doing, already.

 

CB

[nicobravo]

Thanks for the info. I wish the local GC had one in stock, I'd like to check it out.

[Stig]

Here's my recently-purchased 2006 Ltd. Edition: They called this Vintage Sunburst. Do they do them all like this now?

This is sunburst on the back, as well, not just a solid color.

[charlie brown]

Here's my recently-purchased 2006 Ltd. Edition: They called this Vintage Sunburst. Do they do them all like this now?

This is sunburst on the back' date=' as well, not just a solid color.[/quote']

 

On the Casino, it's my understanding that your's will be most typical. As that's closer to

the originals. Some of the earlier ones had a version that was called "Royal Tan," that

was almost like a darker "Honeyburst," but the one your's has is the most common,

from back in the day. The outside dark area, did vary a bit...but, that's always the case

with hand painted (as they were in those days, at least).

 

CB

[Stig]

 

On the Casino' date=' it's my understanding that your's will be most typical. As that's closer to

the originals. Some of the earlier ones had a version that was called "Royal Tan," that

was almost like a darker "Honeyburst," but the one your's has is the most common,

from back in the day. The outside dark area, did vary a bit...but, that's always the case

with hand painted (as they were in those days, at least).

 

CB[/quote']

 

I've seen some where the darkest color totally covers the horns, and the lighter part is just like a circle in the middle. I REALLY hate those, and wouldn't have bought a sunburst if that was all that was available.

[charlie brown]

 

I've seen some where the darkest color totally covers the horns' date=' and the lighter part is just like a circle in the middle. I REALLY hate those, and wouldn't have bought a sunburst if that was all that was available.[/quote']

 

Yeah, I didn't care for those, either...just seemed "wrong" for a Casino. It was quite common on ES-335's,

and...of course, the "Dot's," but just seemed wrong, for the Casino...IMHO.

 

CB

[taxman]

I've seen some where the darkest color totally covers the horns' date=' and the lighter part is just like a circle in the middle. I REALLY hate those.[/quote']

I agree and actually held off buying one because of that terrible finish. When I ordered my Casino and first opened the box, had I seen that bad finish I would immediately have said, "No sale." I am so happy I opened the box and saw a beautifully finished Casino.

[Nelson]

 

On the Casino' date=' it's my understanding that your's will be most typical. As that's closer to

the originals. Some of the earlier ones had a version that was called "Royal Tan," that

was almost like a darker "Honeyburst," but the one your's has is the most common,

from back in the day. The outside dark area, did vary a bit...but, that's always the case

with hand painted (as they were in those days, at least).

 

CB[/quote']

Royal Tan? a darker honeyburst? I guess you've never actually seen a Royal Tan Epiphone huh? OK here you go:

 

Here's a Casino in Royal Tan:

 

 

Not to be confused with a sunburst model that has had the red aniline dyes fade a bit:

 

 

and a very cool and VERY rare early Riviera in Royal Tan:

 

and another early Casino with an early sunburst pattern:

 

 

and another:

 

 

Here's a Casino from the mid-60 when they started to darken up a bit:

 

and the late 60's when some really got dark...pssssttt darker and wider sunbursting patterns allowed Gibson to use much lower grades of wood because much could be hidden by sun bursting...

 

 

 

Today it's a crap shoot as to what bursting pattern you're going to get with these Asian/Chinese-made models since the specs are really wide and ambiguous on everything about them....what I'm positive you won't get is one that looks too much like an actual vintage Casino because Gibson is going to charge more for that...and the bursting patter used on the Lennon Casino still isn't quite what was happening in 1965 but pretty close.

 

 

Nelson

[charlie brown]

Well, some of those photos look pretty much like my Gibson LP Classic, in "Honeyburst!" So Yeah, I have seen "Royal Tan,"

and I still say it looks kinda like a darker version (in some of your photos) of "Honeyburst!" Not ALL of them, of course,

but as with today's finishes, they vary a bit! Plus, being "Nitro" back then, they've faded some, since new! So, sorry Nelson,

I stand by my initial statement....

 

CB

[Nelson]

Well' date=' some of those photos look pretty much like my Gibson LP Classic, in "Honeyburst!" So Yeah, I have seen "Royal Tan,"

and I still say it looks kinda like a darker version (in some of your photos) of "Honeyburst!" Not ALL of them, of course,

but as with today's finishes, they vary a bit! Plus, being "Nitro" back then, they've faded some, since new! So, sorry Nelson,

I stand by my initial statement....

 

CB[/quote']

There's a similarity but it depends on whether the "honey burst" burst is a burst or a "no burst"..Royal Tan is a solid color with no bursting. In person it is a golden tan to sometimes almost blond and the nitro doing the UV yellowing thing actually lightens them up so no, I don't see them as a "DARKER" honey burst...if anything a lighter honey burst. I sure would love to see some of this guitar collection of yours. Sounds fabulous.

 

Nelson

[charlie brown]

There's a similarity but it depends on whether the "honey burst" burst is a burst or a "no burst"..Royal Tan is a solid color with no bursting. In person it is a golden tan to sometimes almost blond and the nitro doing the UV yellowing thing actually lightens them up so no' date=' I don't see them as a "DARKER" honey burst...if anything a lighter honey burst. I sure would love to see some of this guitar collection of yours. Sounds fabulous.

 

Nelson[/quote']

 

OK...I'll give you that, explaining it as you have. It's just that initially, the ones I had seen, in person

and in photos, that were described to me, as "Royal Tan" were in fact faded bursts, apparently? And

they looked quite a bit like my "Honeyburst" LP. But, I understand (now) where you're coming from,

and don't disagree, that way. "Honeybust," is a relative new comer, for "bursts" anyway...that Gibson

came up with, to simulate a faded "Cherry Burst," or so the copy read. LOL!

 

CB