frenchie1281734003 Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 John' date='...the nut width is not like any '64 original or Elitist/Macca I've played, it's a lot wider which may work for some peeps but is not true to the original. [/quote'] Quite a few early to mid 60`s Epiphones had the 1and 11/16ths nut width, but maybe not the depth of this new Texan neck. I know my Lennon 65 reissue Casino is 1 and 11/16ths. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpiSheriMan Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Quite a few early to mid 60`s Epiphones had the 1and 11/16ths nut width' date=' but maybe not the depth of this new Texan neck. I know my Lennon 65 reissue Casino is 1 and 11/16ths. Steve. [/quote'] Steve, what that in mm? I can't do nut converstions, never could... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Steve' date=' what that in mm? I can't do nut converstions, never could... EpiSheriMan, 1 and 11/16ths is 43mm. Those mid to late 60`s thin Epiphone necks were 1 and 5/8ths, which is just over 41mm, which is very narrow. Probably the most comfortable for fingerpicking is 1 and 3/4 which is dead inbetween 44-45mm. Now a question for you, I see from your signature you have an Elite Texan, and one of the McCartney ones, how do they compare soundwise? and does the Poly vs Nitro finishes make any difference in your opinion? Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 EpiSheriMan' date=' 1 and 11/16ths is 43mm. Those mid to late 60`s thin Epiphone necks were 1 and 5/8ths, which is just over 41mm, which is very narrow. Probably the most comfortable for fingerpicking is 1 and 3/4 which is dead inbetween 44-45mm. Now a question for you, I see from your signature you have an Elite Texan, and one of the McCartney ones, how do they compare soundwise? and does the Poly vs Nitro finishes make any difference in your opinion? Steve. [/quote'] I'm not entirely sure whether a well formulated and applied poly finish is too much different than a nitro finish, especially when the guitar is new; I expect there would be some diference as the guitar ages, though, as the nitro starts to sink into the wood or deteriorate. That said, the finish on the Elitists is very thin. You can see and feel the corduroy pattern of the spruce's top, which is usually a pretty good indication (though can also have something to do with the nature of the particular species of spruce used). My Elitist sounds similar to both of my two McCartneys, though I would say the McCartneys are warmer and have a sweeter top end (though one of the two McCartney's is "better" sounding to me than the other). The difference between the Elitist and the McCartneys may just be the difference between any two similar guitars, rather than an indication of how the poly effects the tone. The McCartney's also have a nylon nut, which, as on the Lennon USA Casinos, lends a rounder tone and modifies the attack and decay characteristics (the Elitist's nut is bone). So, there's not a night and day difference between the Elitist and McCartney Texan, though there is some. But, there are too many slight differences in construction between them to pinpoint the source. I also have an Elitist J200 (which has a poly finish, as you'd expect). I was discussing this guitar on the UMG forum, and a very well-respected member there commented that he had played one, and remembered it sounded "at least as good as a very good Gibson J200." I have always thought so, too. So, by themselves, a poly finish is not bad, as long as it's not so thick (and soft, I would imagine) as to dampen the guitar's vibration to the detriment of the tone. Of course, whether a guitar sounds good or not is not usually determined by any one feature alone. The guitar is a system, and how well all the pieces work together is what ultimately make the difference. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 Thanks for that Red, with more and more companies using variations on a Poly type finish, or even for that matter the use of plasticizers in Nitro, I just wanted to know how two guitars of the same basic build, but different finish would compare. I for one have never noticed much difference between the Lennon Casino`s and the Elite/Elitist version. As for this new "Inspired by" Texan, I have had mine 10 days now, and I am just as impressed with it`s sonic capabilities. Tuned down a whole step, like McCartney`s Texan is, it gets fairly close in terms of tone, although as you say a Corian nut would make a difference. My own feeling is that this guitar is probably closer to a Masterbilt AJ-500M than a Texan (Laminated rims aside), which is no bad thing, what with March 2006 issue of Total guitar magazine(UK), stating that the AJ-500M was one of the finest guitars to pass through their offices period, irrespective of price or place of manufacture! I have toyed with this guitar, and tried a few things out, I put some Ebony bridge pins in, only to find I actually preferred the tone with the stock plastic ones! The three screw TRC has gone, and it now sports the classic two screw one (Even though one screw goes into thin air!). The three on a plate tuners are it`s weak point, because the holes are not in a straight line, so it now sports Nickel buttoned individual Kluson copies (I would guess the same drill set up used for the "Inspired by" Casino`s tuner holes, was used on these Texans too!). Photo`s to follow soon. I think this version of the Texan is a very fine guitar in it`s own right, and at this frankly ridiculous price, deserves some serious consideration, and don`t forget, it is also an electro-acoustic. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el capitan Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 To get back to Elitist v. Macca-I had both for a while-Elitist was Sunburst,which would have been an excuse for keeping it!But the Macca is so much better.Elitist was a very good guitar-better than a 70's Gibson J50 I also had at the time,but the McCartney is lighter and just played & sounded better right out of the box. It's up there with my Bozeman Hummingbird,honest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Still' date=' looking through the sound hole of mine, I think I can clearly see the same specific grain markings on both the inside and outside of the rims, and in the same place, so I can't be 100% sure. Red 333[/quote'] I spent some more time examining the sides of my Elitist Texan today. I'm 100% certain now that they are solid on this particulat guitar. All the grain markings line up inside and out. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billlybrazil Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Hello all. I am (obviously) a total newbie here, and have enjoyed reading many of your posts on this thread and others. I'm probably not in the right place, but recognizing several of you from the other "Texan" threads, I just wanted to ask for your input on the value of my 1978 Epi Texan. It's a 1978 Left Hand model, but not sure if it has the reversed bridge you've written about. I am going blind and have trouble playing it anymore and would like to place it with someone who will. I'm not looking to make a mint on it, but just to get a fair price. My friend has done a lot of research on it and tried to find comparable guitar prices, but we're still pretty much in the dark on it. Would really appreciate your suggestions on value, or better places to check. I can post pics if they would help, but it's a used natural finish in excellent condition. Many thanks, Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 A 70s Japanese Texan would be an FT-145, rather than a Kalamazoo-made FT-79. They sell for around $300 on the used market... they're really just Texans in name only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billlybrazil Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Many thanks for your prompt reply, Pohatu. Yes, it is definitely an FT-145, and that was about what I figured it would be worth, but just wanted some confirmation by one (or more!) who knows. Thanks again, Billly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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