Common problems with IBJL Casinos.

[narc999]

Hello everyone,

 

I went to my local guitar center (WallMart of guitars) and played the IBJL casino guitar.

 

I was very impressed by it. It was nice and easy to play.

 

I am sold on that model. (Casino)

 

I also noticed alot of flaws on that guitar(IBJL) at guitar center.

I am hoping that was the result of guitar centers quality control rather than the overall sample of the guitar.

 

I noticed:

1) F holes not painted all that great.

2) varnish painted unevenly.

 

I also noticed that the regular casino didnt have any of these flaws...

 

Makes me ask the question, what are the common problems with the IBJL casino?

-and-

Is the Casino standard have better quality?

 

Let me know.

 

THanks,

Narco!

[Z]

Hey there narco I belive that the epi casino standards are of much higher quality since im not a jazz or blues guy im not an expert but ive played a couple and I think they are. Hope thats awnsers ur question[biggrin]

[mamm7215]

The f holes on my IBJL are fine, exact with no overspray. I have even poly all around the body, neck and head. There is literally not a flaw on mine so perhaps it's an anomaly? They are made in China so perhaps it's factory specific or eluded QC. I've noticed the opposite, the IBJL's are a step up in sound and feel to stock casinos. JMHO.

[Anthony_JB]

Funny, I played a IBJL Casino at my local guitar center yesterday and I thought it was perfect. Very well made and this one had a BEAUTIFUL sunburst on it.

 

It was an amazing guitar. Very unique open sound unplugged and very tight growl with those P-90s through an AC15.

 

I was about to walk out with it. Then I realized I couldn't pay for it..LOL

 

I have satisfied this GAS. For noooww..

[cookieman15061]

I own an IBJL Casino and just sold off my standard. Without a doubt the IBJL is a superior instrument in every way. The entire feel of the guitar screams better quality. Tone and playability are superb. The higher quality electronics and pups are immediately evident and the neck is my favorite of my 13 guitars. Its a huge step up and well worth the cash.

 

JMHO of course. cookie

[brianh]

I got a sunburst IBJL last week from MF, a customer return in perfect condition. With Xmas day discount the shipped price with a black standard Epi case was $747.25, no tax. But I think I'm going to send it back. Out of the box, the action was 0.10 at fret 12, and the intonation was way out. It's no wonder it was returned, it sounded and played awful.

 

I spent a couple of hours to put new D'Addario 10s on it, lowered the action to 0.06 and got the intonation dead on, and it's not bad now, but jeeze it should have been set up from the factory for the $1k they're charging. Also the top wood was not particularly inspiring, just looks like B-stock Home Depot plywood. I've not owned a std Casino, but it appears the electronics on the IBJL are superior - the wiring doesn't show through the f-holes, and what you can see appears to be braided shield type. Pots feel good and are quiet. The wiring has a funny idiosyncracy - if you turn one pickup all the way off, the middle selector position acts like a kill switch - no sound.

 

Anyway, nothing terribly wrong with it, but it was just meh, not the amazing guitar I had hoped it would be. Even for $747, it's too much for an average quality Chinese-made guitar. I thought the finish work was OK, not spectacular, but slightly better than the finish on the only other Epi I've ever bought new/mail-order - a MIC P94 Riviera (which I did keep).

 

I'm going to give it one more chance tomorrow when the kids go back to school and I can crank it up through my tube amps but right now at least, I think I'll send it back and save the money for a used Elitist.

 

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow so you can judge the top wood and finish for yourself.

 

Cheers, Brian.

[Lord Summerisle]

 

I am sold on that model. (Casino)

 

I also noticed alot of flaws on that guitar(IBJL) at guitar center.

I am hoping that was the result of guitar centers quality control rather than the overall sample of the guitar.

 

I noticed:

1) F holes not painted all that great.

2) varnish painted unevenly.

 

 

Not sure how the flaws you mentioned could be the fault of "Guitar Center's quality control." Guitar Center just sells them, it doesn't build them! The only issues you are likely to encounter at GC (or any store-based instrument retailer, for that matter) are dings, scratches, and other damage caused by careless customers. The owner of the local music store I frequent asks customers to take off their jackets and any large belt-buckles before playing his guitars. At GC I think it's pretty much a free-for-all.

 

But back to Casinos. I also played an IBJL over the holidays, as a friend of mine has acquired a sunburst one.

I'm still not at all convinced that these are worth the price difference over and above a standard model...

and I'm sure the price reflects the "idol-worship factor" which was mentioned on another thread here, quite recently, as a I recall.

 

However, the one I played was still quite a nice guitar, and seemed well finished. Perhaps you were just unlucky enough to find a "lemon" that passed through Epis QC by mistake?

[narc999]

Let me clarify the IBJL model.

I was looking at the natural one not the sunburst.

 

I feel the sunburst one was even less finished than the natural one.

 

I have traveled to just about every guitar store in my area. And I have compared the quality look and finish of the same guitar at different locations.

I have noticed that guitars at guitar centers tend to not be finished as well as ones sold at private guitar shops.

 

I ignored the dings and scratches at guitar center because that is the nature of that shop.

 

However overspray, paint details, and sloppy wiring is more prevalent at those shops.

 

Not sure if that is due to the lack of attention to detail at that shop or not.

 

Private guitar shops have less of an inventory and are more meticulous on their inspections when they get new guitars.

 

They are also more willing to return to the manufacturer any guitars that dont match their expectations.

[bonzoboy]

I have a 65 John Lennon Casino and it's by far my best and favourite out of 24.It is quite possible that the guitar you tried somehow got past Quality control(Q.C. at Chinese plants is inconsistant at the best of times)that guitar certainly was an exception as I have heard few if any negative comments about any John Lennon Casinos.As far as I'm concerned the $2600 I paid for my 65 was money well spent,the build quality and tone and playability are up to the standards of the vintage Casinos costing more than twice the price.I know there are nay sayers who look at the price as gouging people for idol worship but having said that the guitar is well worth the price even if there was no famous name connection.A good part of the procedes goes to helping young gifted musicians further their careers where it wouldn't be possible otherwise,that also helped me decide on the 65.In 1964 when I was 9yrs old John Lennon inspired me to pursue a career that has brought me more joy and satisfaction than anything else in thisworld(excepting my family and friends of course)and I'm glad to have been able to buy a guitar identical to the one he used to bring so much great music to the masses

-----------------------------------------------

[charlie brown]

If you want Vintage USA quality, it will have to be the regular Lennon (USA) guitars! Elitist, would be the same, save the Poly finish, and no "Lennon" appointments. (black ring under switch, gold Grovers or matte finish on the "Natural" Revolution guitar, nylon saddles, etc.)

What the Heck, none of US are "John Lennon," anyway! But...if you look around, and are patient, I dare say you'll find a IBJL or even a standard Casino, that will fill the bill for you. I would NEVER judge a guitar model line, by what I see in Guitar Center! The models I see in my "mom & pop" store, are far superior, in set up, and finish, than ANY of the same models, I've seen in Guitar Center. The "mom & pop" shop, sends back inferior versions, immediately, unpon recieving such. They never put them out, for display, much less for sale. Maybe "Midiman" can dispute this, since he works in GC, in Vegas...but I suspect GC, at the Corporate level, isn't quite that picky? I do think, certain Guitar Center stores, with the right manager and staff, are better about it, than others...in all fairness.

 

CB

[narc999]

THanks Charlie!

That is exactly the trend Im seeing.

Mom and pop shops have better quality guitars.

(At least is my area. San Francisco Bay Area.)

 

I love the IBJL guitar... I will try to be patient...

But this Xmass moneiz is burning a hole in my pocket!

[ataylor]

My guess is that you picked up a bad one. Aside from brianh, everyone I've heard reviews from thinks they're great. I have one in sunburst and while it's not (a) a $3000 USA-made Lennon model or (:- a $3000 vintage model, it's an awesome guitar.

 

It's basically a standard model with vintage specs (neck joins body at 16th fret instead of 17th, larger headstock), vintage finish (dark walnut stain on back and sides and burst faded neck, and while it's poly finish, it's pretty thin), better electronics (Gibson USA pickups, switchcraft jack, etc), better hardware (nickel), and a decent hardshell case.

 

I thought those upgrades were definitely worth the $300-$400 or so extra. Hope you find one you like.