charlie brown Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 After the introduction of the (very limited edition) USA made '62 Wilshire, and their alluding to the fact that there will be more (models) to come... I can't help but wonder, if Epi will make "limited editions" (say, like 1964 units, or whatever) like they did of the Lennon Casino....IF, perhaps, they'll do USA versions of the Riviera, Original style Sheraton 1 & 2, as well as some other models, that were in the "Elitist" line, to begin with? Maybe they'll use a number of units, to correspond to the year of original's introduction? I don't really see them doing that, to the SG or LP's, probably...but, with the "Archtops," it could be a possibilty....maybe? Only (wishful) thinking/speculation, on my part...but, since Epi isn't talking about why "Elitist" was discontinued...I (simply) cannot help myself. ;>) Any thoughts, ideas, speculations of your own? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generation zero Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I was kind of hoping it would go the other way... Have the "Elitist" models resurface with Gibson headstocks, as a lower priced alternative to Gibson USA products. Sort of like the MIM Fender stuff... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkEpTiKaL Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I was kind of hoping it would go the other way... Have the "Elitist" models resurface with Gibson headstocks' date=' as a lower priced alternative to Gibson USA products. Sort of like the MIM Fender stuff... [/quote'] Don't we all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 I was kind of hoping it would go the other way... Have the "Elitist" models resurface with Gibson headstocks' date=' as a lower priced alternative to Gibson USA products. Sort of like the MIM Fender stuff... [/quote'] But then, they wouldn't really be reintroductions, of "Epiphone" original models! They'd just be cheaper "Gibson" clones..with Epiphone written on the headstock, instead of Gibson...like Epiphone Japan, was producing. And I doubt, seriously, Gibson would allow that. Where they might do it, with true Epiphone models, as in the case of the '62 Wilshire, others of that variety, and the Archtops. But, who knows? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generation zero Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 No, I meant with "Gibson" on the headstock... and a poly finish. Something carrying the Gibson brand, but at a more affordable price point, like the Mexican Fender stuff. I guess, come to think of it, basically an authorized version of the Chinese fakes, with Gibson/Epiphone quality parts and quality control... I'd pay $1000 for a "real" Gibson LP Standard plain top, made in China. Especially if they put Gibson pickups in it... On the other hand, what you're talking about would be nice too... USA made Epiphone original designs. I doubt either option has much of a chance though... either way, it would just further blur the imaginary line that distinguishes just what is a Gibson and what is an Epi. I think Gibson likes the fact that the general public sees "Epiphone" as a "cheaper version of a Gibson". When you start having high end Epi stuff costing more than lower end Gibson stuff, the public gets confused, and the end result is less justification for the price tag on the more expensive Gibson stuff. I'm pretty sure that's why they gave the Elitist line the axe in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Yeah, I don't see Gibson doing "Gibson" in China, or Asia in general. At best, they might do their headstock design, with Epiphone written on it, maybe...like they did in Japan, for awhile. (But, of course, even those weren't meant to be exported, to the U.S.A.) Although, that's probably NOT going to happen? But...Who knows? In a way, I could see that on the actual Gibson clones...LP's, SG's, even the "Dot!" But, on the actual Epiphone signature models...Sheraton(s), Riviera, and Casino...as well as some of the other archtops, I'm sure they'd want to keep those models as accurate as possible, to their originals, even if they don't do a "USA limited edition" version. Anyway...it's something to ponder. Stranger things have happened. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generation zero Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Yeah... I'd be down for a made in mexico Gibson Les Paul too, but that would make even less sense, LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 After the introduction of the (very limited edition) USA made '62 Wilshire' date=' and their eluding to the fact that there will be more (models) to come... Only (wishful) thinking/speculation, on my part...but, since Epi isn't talking about why "Elitist" was discontinued...I (simply) cannot help myself. ;>) Any thoughts, ideas, speculations of your own? CB [/quote'] It's wishful thinking to imagine Gibson building Elitst-quaility in the USA and selling them at Elitist prices. They might as well just slash the prices on the Gibson brand and call it a day. It looks to me like the MIC (I presume) "Pro" line takes over for the Elitists. The marketing conundrum Epiphone faced with the Elitists was that each model had few if any visible differences from the regular production Epis. Sure, they were MUCH higher quality, but try to explain that. The abundance of "Are the Elitists really worth it?", "Gibson vs. Epiphone", and "Why does the Elitst Casino cost $1499 when this other one is $599--they look the same?" threads are evidence of this. If the Thunderbird basses are any indication, the "Pro" moniker lets Epi offer some higher quality alternatives to other body styles already in the line, but the updates in PUPs and electronics and finishes gives Epiphone something unique to talk about in their marketing, and makes it clearer to the buyer why they are different and cost more. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stig Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I was kind of hoping it would go the other way... Have the "Elitist" models resurface with Gibson headstocks' date=' as a lower priced alternative to Gibson USA products. Sort of like the MIM Fender stuff... [/quote'] Strictly speaking, I feel like MIM Fenders and the recent Chinese Epi's are pretty much on the same level of quality and price point. And I mean that as a compliment to both manufacturers. I believe that the equivalent "Mid-Level" Fenders would be their made in Japan models. I recently got one of the Japanese-made Jaguar Basses, and it's fantastic. Pretty much indistinguishable from an American-made product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexygibson Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I too am anxious to see what Epi will do with this new line. Its just a shame that they will only be available in such small quanaties. Us simple men will probably never see one, much less have the chance to purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Yeah' date=' I don't see Gibson doing "Gibson" in ChinaCB[/quote'] and thank god for that=d> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpiSheriMan Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 and thank god for that=d> Would really kill the brand!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Would really kill the brand!!! I concur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alanhindle Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 It's wishful thinking to imagine Gibson building Elitst-quaility in the USA and selling them at Elitist prices. They might as well just slash the prices on the Gibson brand and call it a day. It looks to me like the MIC (I presume) "Pro" line takes over for the Elitists. The marketing conundrum Epiphone faced with the Elitists was that each model had few if any visible differences from the regular production Epis. Sure' date=' they were MUCH higher quality, but try to explain that. The abundance of "Are the Elitists really worth it?", "Gibson vs. Epiphone", and "Why does the Elitst Casino cost $1499 when this other one is $599--they look the same?" threads are evidence of this. If the Thunderbird basses are any indication, the "Pro" moniker lets Epi offer some higher quality alternatives to other body styles already in the line, but the updates in PUPs and electronics and finishes gives Epiphone something unique to talk about in their marketing, and makes it clearer to the buyer why they are different and cost more. Red 333 [/quote'] In the Wilshire thread, I originally raised the point about the possibility a move to 'USA only' for the original Epi models and, playing devil's advocate, about the possibility of Gibson branded MIC versions of 'original' Gibsons: http://forums.epiphone.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=7280&p=1 However, I do think Red's thoughts about the Chinese operation seem to be the most likely option for the Gibson 'copy' models. Indeed, Iba**z have their Prestige range which are made with better quality materials and hardware than the regular range, although I'm unsure whether they are made in the same country. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memphs1978 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Would really kill the brand!!! IMO i think the " robot guitar " and " darkfire" are doing that well nuff... but some of the crap epi is putting out right now '09 catalog again IMO is/will do the same thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Norm Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Strictly speaking' date=' I feel like MIM Fenders and the recent Chinese Epi's are pretty much on the same level of quality and price point. And I mean that as a compliment to both manufacturers. I believe that the equivalent "Mid-Level" Fenders would be their made in Japan models. I recently got one of the Japanese-made Jaguar Basses, and it's fantastic. Pretty much indistinguishable from an American-made product.[/quote'] +1 for that...it's exactly what I was to write. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falko Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 You can see now that the epiphone models of les paul are on the same page of gibson's ones. I've never saw that before. What do you think, after what you had said? I mean , they never put an epi model next to a gibson. And now they are together. Maybe for a future epiphone "elitist" line higher-quality-that-deserve-to-sit-on-the-same-level-of gibson? Dam i feel so bad in english. I hope you see what i mean Edit oups , my mistake, i whas browsing in "all brand" on that page. *sight* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 I recently got one of the Japanese-made Jaguar Basses' date=' and it's fantastic. Pretty much indistinguishable from an American-made product.[/quote'] I'll attest to that. I've got a MIJ 50's Tele with Bigsby. It's sweet. One might say that Fender MIJ is to Fender as the Elitist line is/was to Epiphone, but there's less of a difference in price between MIJ and a Made in USA Fender than there was between the MIJ Elitist and a similar Gibson. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiberna Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 After the introduction of the (very limited edition) USA made '62 Wilshire' date=' and their eluding to the fact that there will be more (models) to come... I can't help but wonder, if Epi will make "limited editions" (say, like 1964 units, or whatever) like they did of the Lennon Casino....IF, perhaps, they'll do USA versions of the Riviera, Original style Sheraton 1 & 2, as well as some other models, that were in the "Elitist" line, to begin with? Maybe they'll use a number of units, to correspond to the year of original's introduction? I don't really see them doing that, to the SG or LP's, probably...but, with the "Archtops," it could be a possibilty....maybe? Only (wishful) thinking/speculation, on my part...but, since Epi isn't talking about why "Elitist" was discontinued...I (simply) cannot help myself. ;>) Any thoughts, ideas, speculations of your own? CB [/quote'] Yeah, and im hoping epiphone will one day not be owned by gibson so that the rich twats (who probably killed their parents for the inherence to buy themselves limitless amounts of gibsons and ****) stop taking the piss and saying that every epiphone (Even my riviera) are gibson wannabes. but it isnt going to happen. Sadly. P.S ****? what the ****? is there some kind of ****ing swearing ban on here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 14, 2009 Author Share Posted January 14, 2009 I don't know....maybe we're just naturally impatient, to see our favorite Archtops return, and more accurate specs, on the "Gibson clones," etc. But, with little to no imput (here) from Epiphone, it's hard NOT to "speculate, dream, BMW," etc. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 I don't know....maybe we're just naturally impatient' date=' to see our favorite Archtops return, and more accurate specs, on the "Gibson clones," etc. But, with little to no input (here) from Epiphone, it's hard NOT to "speculate, dream, BMW," etc. CB[/quote'] I don't know about the archtops.... Over the last 10 years Epi has released some pretty nice Elitist Casino models including the 2000 units of JL Casinos. I think Epi owners have had plenty of time to get themselves a nicely made archtop. I really hope Epi decides to move forward with the American made solid bodies like the Wilshires, Coronets and Crestwood models of the 1960's. If Gibson can produce a mahogany Les Paul Jr with the P90 at a reasonable cost of ($1200 list). There is no reason why Gibson couldn't make an American made Coronet even at a more reasonable price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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