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Epiphone Casino..normal VS elitist

Luap

By Luap
in Epiphone Electrics

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Luap

Luap

Posted
Posted

Hi everyone! Maybe this is another boring discussion, but, could you guys tell me what the main difference in quality is?

Thanks.

MelodyMaker1

MelodyMaker1

Posted
Posted

The main difference or so I've been told, is the overall quality of materials used. From the wood to the electronics. Everything on the elitist is on par with Gibson. And the elitist is finished in America.

Whitmore Willy

Whitmore Willy

Posted
Posted

Elitist:

5 ply body and top, P-90 R and T pickups (U.S.), Bone nut, Nickel hardware instead of chrome. I believe all hardware is also U.S. but I'm not sure about that one. And I am guessing that the quality of the wood is better, although I am not sure what qualifies as "quality wood" these days. Most apparent difference: $800.

rafaelh

rafaelh

Posted
Posted

Well...I've never been a fan or impressed with the Elite line, or Elitist as they are called now....so with that said. As far as playability once they are ALL set up to YOUR liking, and the sound I get from my amp with either one...only difference for me is in the price.

 

Casinos are indeed fantastic guitars, Chinese, Korean, Elitist...a flavor, and budget, for everybody. Just I buy guitars to play with and either will give me the same thing as far as what I need, or want....so don't see any reason to pay more for the same thing.

 

Anyhow hope I didn't offend anybody, not my intent or way. Just my opinion, as always, on the subject.

duane v

duane v

Posted
Posted

My JL REV is basically an Elitist, and I can tell you from doing a direct comparison, the MIK Casinos aren't in the same league. The MIK's are great for the price, but don't sound or perform as well as an Elitist Casino. If funds allow, go for the Elitist

Just Strum

Just Strum

Posted
Posted
Well...I've never been a fan or impressed with the Elite line' date=' or Elitist as they are called now....so with that said. As far as playability once they are ALL set up to YOUR liking, and the sound I get from my amp with either one...only difference for me is in the price.

 

Casinos are indeed fantastic guitars, Chinese, Korean, Elitist...a flavor, and budget, for everybody. Just I buy guitars to play with and either will give me the same thing as far as what I need, or want....so don't see any reason to pay more for the same thing.

 

Anyhow hope I didn't offend anybody, not my intent or way. Just my opinion, as always, on the subject.[/quote']

 

Interesting view rafael. I sort of look at it the same way with the Sheraton and the Dot, but I realize that besides the bling there are some differences. Since I am not one for flashy guitars, I put no value in the bling, so I always question if I will get full enjoyment or more enjoyment by spending the extra cash.

 

Like you, I don't mean to offend anyone here, it's just the old "bang for the buck" comment.

AS90

AS90

Posted
Posted

 

So what? So was my G-400' date=' by "No.31" apparently. And it's no Elitist... [/quote']

 

Unless you bought your G400 from the US I doubt it has ever been anywhere near there.

leicester35

leicester35

Posted
Posted

 

Unless you bought your G400 from the US I doubt it has ever been anywhere near there.

 

Fair enough. I bought it in Raleigh NC' date=' when I was a grad student at UNC Chapel Hill.

 

[Go Heels beat Dook (for the benefit of American forum members)']

rafaelh

rafaelh

Posted
Posted

Oh for sure Mark...not ever intended to offend, just voicing opinions. Look at Duane, he does feel and hear a difference....that's what a forum's all about in my opinion. Be a boring world if all us God chitlins like the same identical thing everytime all the time:)

 

The bottom line regardles is a person after gathering some info needs to do the leg work with the demo thing, and find out what the fuss is we make about some of the guitars for themselves.

 

FWIW...I feel the same between the DOT and Sherry. Sure like the way the Sheraton looks, but for me the DOT is more of a work horse. I'd spend the extra cash on gear if it made me sound or play better, and have played some rather expensive gear, but so far all the ones I've tried I still sound and play the same(like caca)...so no need for me to spend anymore than I need to.

Ron G

Ron G

Posted
Posted

Like Mark and Raf, I try to be as objective as possible about the differences in these guitars. Sure, there are differences between levels/price points of a given model but I think those differences are often overstated. In my mind, there is not a world of difference between a Dot and a Sheraton. Yes, the Sheraton neck is 3 or 5-piece. Yes, the neck is slimmer. Yes, it has nicer inlays. And so on. The bottom line is that they are both Epiphone semi-hollow guitars. The similarities exist because of this basic fact, which of course, makes sense. They are certainly more similar than different. I haven't seen or played any Elitist models, so I profess ignorance. But I suspect that there isn't a world of difference there, either. The Gibson pickups would certainly be pretty big, though. And I find it interesting that the Elitist line was discontinued, meaning it was unsuccessful for Gibson, regardless of the reason (please, no conjecture). None of this is to say that an Elitist model isn't worth it. It's just that the differences mean different things to different people.

Just Strum

Just Strum

Posted
Posted
It's just that the differences mean different things to different people.

 

That sums it up and really should be considered in many of our "what's better" discussions. The increase in cost may not be worthwhile for me, but that is not to say if it is worthwhile to someone else. GAS is a powerful thing and a feature of a more expensive model can be exactly what a buyer is looking for. Bottom line, the money comes out of your pocket, so in the end, it's your decision.

rafaelh

rafaelh

Posted
Posted

Darn Ron. Never mentioned it before, but everytime I see that Avatar(?spelling) of yours...hell, I got to get me a pretzel now...with mustard...and a cold Michelob...O yeah O:)

Ron G

Ron G

Posted
Posted
Darn Ron. Never mentioned it before' date=' but everytime I see that Avatar(?spelling) of yours...hell, I got to get me a pretzel now...with mustard...and a cold Michelob...O yeah O:) [/quote']

F**king A! I was born and raised in Philly, arguably the soft pretzel capitol of the world. Been in Oregon four years and would give my left nut for a fresh one.

leicester35

leicester35

Posted
Posted

 

FWIW...I feel the same between the DOT and Sherry. Sure like the way the Sheraton looks' date=' but for me the DOT is more of a work horse. I'd spend the extra cash on gear if it made me sound or play better[/quote']

 

A Dot with a better neck (slimmer, 3-piece maple); neck-binding; and Grovers; cheaper than a Sherry and lacking the rest of the Sherry's bling...now that guitar I would buy in a heartbeat.

 

There's a lot more to the differences between the Sherry and the Dot than just 'bling' right now...which is why I'm in the Sheraton camp.

 

But if the Dot works for you, then more power to your arm. To each his own.

charlie brown

charlie brown

Posted
Posted

 

A Dot with a better neck (slimmer' date=' 3-piece maple); neck-binding; and Grovers; cheaper than a Sherry and lacking the rest of the Sherry's bling...now that guitar I [b']would [/b]buy in a heartbeat.

 

There's a lot more to the differences between the Sherry and the Dot than just 'bling' right now...which is why I'm in the Sheraton camp.

 

But if the Dot works for you, then more power to your arm. To each his own.

 

Well, you pretty much just described the (unfortunately discontinued) Riviera! Especially the ones with

Full Size Humbuckers. I (personally) prefer the Mini's on the Riviera, but that's just me. But, the slimmer

and bound neck, but less "flash" is a good description, of the Riviera. One reason I'm hoping they'll re-introduce it,

in the not too distant future.

 

CB

TWANG

TWANG

Posted
Posted

not to start an argument,

but there's a lot of difference between

plywood

and laminated hardwood/tonewood

which is what is used on guitars.

 

The elitist will be better looking, and will have better electronics and pickups and most likely be much better set up right out of the box.

 

both are very nice guitars though. the eletist will have resale value that's higher, I'd say, than the other.

 

TWANG

JefferySmith

JefferySmith

Posted
Posted
not to start an argument' date='

but there's a lot of difference between

plywood

and laminated hardwood/tonewood

which is what is used on guitars.

 

The elitist will be better looking, and will have better electronics and pickups and most likely be much better set up right out of the box.

 

both are very nice guitars though. the eletist will have resale value that's higher, I'd say, than the other.

 

TWANG[/quote']

And the finish is less likely to look like the entire body was dipped in poly.

charlie brown

charlie brown

Posted
Posted

Also, the Elitist Casino (except for the "Poly" finish) are much closer (to spot on) Kalamazoo specs, for

the original '65 version, they're patterned after. Body/neck joint is correct (16th fret), as are the horn size-shapes.

Elitist have Grover tuners, the originals had KLuson. Elitist (and others) have 3 hole TRC's, where the

originals, and the "Lennon" models, have 2 hole versions. Original's had longer trapeze tailpiece...Elitist

do also, but some Korean versions seem to have the shorter version. No big deal, it can be changed!

 

What else??? Oh yeah, original '65's and previous (and Lennon models) had nylon bridge saddles...

the Elitist, and Korean and later Chinese, have metal.

 

CB

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