ataylor Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 hi, i'm a big epiphone casino fan and i'd like to get one in the near future. to me, the vintage sunburst finish just epitomizes the casino vibe and that's probably what i'd end up getting. but it seems like maybe they have changed the style of the sunburst on the newest models? it seems like i saw one on ebay fairly recently where the sunburst didn't extend up into the cutaways but instead looked just like the sunbursts on the dot guitars (more of a "gibson" sunburst if you will) with the sunburst only in the lower bout of the guitar. the photo (which is obviously photoshopped) on the gibson website (which now features epiphone guitars) looks this way too. the epiphone page, however, still shows an old elitist photo for the standard casino. in any case, i think this really detracts from the casino look and cheapens the guitar. can anyone confirm or deny that the newer models have an inferior (in my opinion) sunburst finish? is elitist (or ebay) the only way to go for a good sunburst finish on this guitar now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcClane5000 Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Hi, man! I too have a Casino (made in Korea) and have to say it's sort of a hit and miss thing to get one of the "good-looking" normal casinos... I too don't like it when the sunburst isn't really noticable on the horns... The Elitist series has a very nice finish to them. The Lennon Signature guitar would come closest to 'the' sunburst you're looking for, but they're fairly expensive. If I were you, I'd get a 90's Korean Casino (like this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EPIPHONE-CASINO-1996-PEERLESS-FACTORY-NEAR-MINT_W0QQitemZ300297400178QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item300297400178&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318) Or go for a used (korean) Casino... or an elitist... Sincerely Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 just get one like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I also prefer the 'Lennon' finish over the 'Gibson' 330 Tobacco style finish. All three of my casinos have this finish and I think it's generally easier to find. If you're buying from a guitar store it's just a matter of luck but pick up a bargain on ebay. I've bought most of my guitars on ebay and never had any problems. You get a good choice on there too. The Peerless ones have a more reddishness to them than the newer Korean models. Depends on what you prefer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 The (consistently) more accurate, to the original Kalamazoo and Lennon's Casino "burst," is found on the Elitist versions. Horn shape and neck joint location are correct, to the originals, as well...just in case that's of any importance, to you. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 agreed that the lennon 1965 and elitist models have great sunbursts. i also prefer the dark wood coloring on the back/sides/neck on those models too. but they are pretty expensive compared to the standard model. does the sunburst still extend up into the cutaways/horns on the newer made in china models? because it seems like i saw one recently where it didn't and it just didn't look like a casino. the stock photo (that i mentioned earlier) on the gibson website (which has obviously been updated more recently than the epiphone site) shows the casino with the same treatment. it's not very appealing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 agreed that the lennon 1965 and elitist models have great sunbursts. i also prefer the dark wood coloring on the back/sides/neck on those models too. but they are pretty expensive compared to the standard model. does the sunburst still extend up into the cutaways/horns on the newer made in china models? because it seems like i saw one recently where it didn't and it just didn't look like a casino. the stock photo (that i mentioned earlier) on the gibson website (which has obviously been updated more recently than the epiphone site) shows the casino with the same treatment. it's not very appealing. The Gibson site is showing a solid "Red" Casino. Gosh, I hope that's NOT the case, on the Sunburst version. Why would they Do that? You can buy any number of Generic Asian "Casino" types...even some older Asian Epi's, with the "wrong" type burst paint job. We were told here, by one of the Epiphone reps recently, that all Epi's built in China, would now be as faithful to the originals specs, as possible. What's the point of doing a Casino "Burst," that isn't painted like a Casino should be? It's not a 335, or a 330, even if it's based on that. The "real" (Kalamazoo) Epi's were never painted with the points filled in black. Always just around the outside edges! And, quite often, the "black" wasn't even really black...more of a dark brown. Some were "Royal Tan," even. I don't get it! I'd save a bit longer, and get the "Elitist!" CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcClane5000 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I cannot understand why they don't make decent finishes on regular casinos??? Is it cause there are too many models out there that they think: "Let's not spend too much time on the regular casinos, if they want a really good-looking finish, they'll have to buy at least an elitist..." Have you seen the mid 90's Peerless Casinos/Rivieras... those were spectacular guitars. That's the Epiphone finish I would love!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 The Gibson site is showing a solid "Red" Casino. if you go to gibson.com > electric guitars > es > casino' date=' (that's not a url, that's just the sequence of pages you need to go to) you'll see the guitar in red, but then there is a link in the upper right called 'finishes' where you can see the obviously photoshopped casino that shows the burst in question. and i know i've seen actual photos of one like that on ebay which is why i wonder if that's now the standard finish. What's the point of doing a Casino "Burst," that isn't painted like a Casino should be? It's not a 335, ora 330, even if it's based on that. The "real" (Kalamazoo) Epi's were never painted with the points filled in black. Always just around the outside edges! And, quite often, the "black" wasn't even really black...more of a dark brown. Some were "Royal Tan," even. I don't get it! I'd save a bit longer, and get the "Elitist!" I cannot understand why they don't make decent finishes on regular casinos??? Is it cause there are too many models out there that they think: "Let's not spend too much time on the regular casinos' date=' if they want a really good-looking finish, they'll have to buy at least an elitist..."Have you seen the mid 90's Peerless Casinos/Rivieras... those were spectacular guitars. That's the Epiphone finish I would love!!![/quote'] I think you guys may have got it -- perhaps the (apparent) change in the sunburst finish is an attempt to drive more discerning customers toward the elitist casino and even the lennon model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 so... i looked through ebay's completed listings and found an 07 china model with a nice sunburst that goes up into the cutaways/horns... so maybe they haven't changed the sunburst after all? but i know i saw at least one with the gibson/335 sunburst on ebay several months ago. it's kind of confusing. maybe an epiphone moderator or rep can clear this up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcClane5000 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 1. Why can't I see the sunburst/photoshoped Casino anymore (are they already on it to change the pic or is it my computer?). 2. I've seen a few casinos with the 'teardrop' sunburst (like in the catalogues)... here is another one: http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=2013463# --> In my eyes this looks great too (cause it's done properly) here you have a pic of my 2006 Epi Casino made in Korea As you can see, the sunburst goes up to the horns but not as much as I'd like it to be.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcClane5000 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 ... but I think all Casinos should look like this: (90's Peerless Casino) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Don't see any problems with the modern finishes if they go up the horns. They're quite readily available. My only warning would be that the chinese production doesn't seem to be up to scratch with the korean ones so maybe try and get one from the korean factories. Disclaimer*** APOLOGIES FOR THE LIVE PICS!! ON MY FRIENDS' COMPUTER AND HAD TO SOURCE THEM FROM WEBSITES My picture is a 2006 Korean Unsung Casino. I don't see that much difference between the style of this one and my elitist one: But my 90s casinos have all had a nice cherry sunburst finish: Much prefer these to the dot deluxe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 There certainly seems to be way too much black on newer reissues. I'd be happy buying a new guitar if they finished them like these, I'd probably lightly relic it to get rid of the plastic sheen but think I'm going to go vintage to get a finish to match my 63 Rivoli which has no black on it whatsoever...I think that is the difference between Royal Tan Sunburst and Sunburst which is more Tobaccoburst (?) Still carefully considering buying one of either: 1966 E230T http://oogletoogle.com/files/7ifduu9zngi9rupb82rr.jpg 1967 E230TD http://oogletoogle.com/files/pierk20876hw0stienur.jpg Already own: 1963 Epiphone Rivoli Bass http://oogletoogle.com/files/g0te132xlwv9niieo1kh.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcClane5000 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 There certainly seems to be way too much black on newer reissues. I'd be happy buying a new guitar if they finished them like these' date=' I'd probably lightly relic it to get rid of the plastic sheen but think I'm going to go vintage to get a finish to match my 63 Rivoli which has no black on it whatsoever...I think that is the difference between Royal Tan Sunburst and Sunburst which is more Tobaccoburst (?) Still carefully considering buying one of either: 1966 E230T http://oogletoogle.com/files/7ifduu9zngi9rupb82rr.jpg 1967 E230TD http://oogletoogle.com/files/pierk20876hw0stienur.jpg Already own: 1963 Epiphone Rivoli Bass http://oogletoogle.com/files/g0te132xlwv9niieo1kh.jpg[/quote'] Stunning guitars!!! If they'd do 'em like this I'd buy two additional Casinos just for the heck of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy1281734128 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 gimme a cherry red casino everytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 gimme a cherry red casino everytime. Even those vary from time to time... seen ferrari red ones and red wine coloured ones from the Eastern reissue production... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 here's an example of the "gibson" sunburst on a casino that i alluded to earlier in the thread. not as attractive as the sunburst that goes up into the cutaways. i wish the seller listed a serial number, or at least a year and country of manufacture... http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Casino-Electric-Guitar_W0QQitemZ150330858029QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item150330858029&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 i have seen some good sunbursts on china made casinos, so maybe this is from somewhere else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcClane5000 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 here's an example of the "gibson" sunburst on a casino that i alluded to earlier in the thread. not as attractive as the sunburst that goes up into the cutaways. i wish the seller listed a serial number' date=' or at least a year and country of manufacture... http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Casino-Electric-Guitar_W0QQitemZ150330858029QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item150330858029&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 i have seen some good sunbursts on china made casinos, so maybe this is from somewhere else?[/quote'] It's a chinese one. You can identify it 'cause it has this tiny trussrodcover, that Korean Casinos never had... Also, the 'yellow'-ish part of the sunburst isn't honey coloured (as on the Korean ones) which would suggest, that they changed the colour slightly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 interesting. because i have seen some sunbursts on chinese-made casinos that range from quite good to not too shabby as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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