Inspired by Lennon and Lennon Casinos

[Chris the Gent]

is the only difference between these two the 'inspired by' has a laminated top? also is the inspired by that much different to cost nearly a 3rd of the 1965 casino?

 

-Chris.

 

just need to add, are the inspired bys that much better than the normal casinos to warrent an extra £200?

 

-Chris.

[brianh]

All Casinos have laminated tops, sides and backs AFIK, even the vintage ones.

 

The Lennon Casinos are made in the US. The "Inspired By" are the same as the $599 made-in-China Casinos, but with nickle-plated US PUPs and electronics and it comes with a nice Epiphone case. Also hase a little John Lennon silk screen logo on the back of the headstock. Here's a breakdown:

 

 

just need to add' date=' are the inspired bys that much better than the normal casinos to warrent an extra £200?[/quote']

The case and the US electronics are probably worth it. Both will need a good set up on arrival, based on mine and what almost everyone else here says. But neither is as good as the Elitist (I am told), and if you're buying it as an investment, then the US-made 1965s are probably your best bet....

 

Here's a Link to a bunch of opinions about the IBJL I got a few weeks ago:

 

http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=12932

[cookieman15061]

I've owned 3 casinos (standard, sunburst w/bigs, IBJL). The IBJL is a huge step up in quality compared to my other 2.

 

I replaced the tuners, nut, 3 way switch, pots and wiring to get the sunburst to sound as good as it looked. Add in the Epi case I bought when I got the guitar and cost wise I've probably surpassed the IBJL.

 

If was was still gigging regularly I'd go with the elitist.

 

If I was just a collector it would be the Lennon

 

I've always wanted one like Johns since I was a kid and still do play alot so the IBJL was a perfect choice for me and saved me from sinking a bundle into my natural std to make it a guitar I would be happy with. I sold my natural standard and don't miss it at all.

[Chris the Gent]

so, do you think I would be better off stretching myself and going for the inspired by, rather than a normal casino?

 

- Chris.

[brianh]

I think so, you won't be wanting to upgrade the pickups and electronics later.

 

But look for a sale or something. I wouldn't have paid $1,000 USD for mine.

 

For that $$ you can get a perfect condition used Elitist Casino (made in Japan) which is supposed to be a far better guitar than the IBJL.

[mamm7215]

$800 or so should get you decent one, less if you're lucky. The IBJL's are 5-ply, the regular Casino's are 3. Fit and finish are better on the IBJL's (jme), tho there's a recent post here where that's not the case...Switch, pots and pups are def a step up on the IBJL as well. You can get a drop in set of Kluson's to replace the stock Epi tuners if you REALLY want to...(I may do this as well).

[frenchie1281734003]

 

The Lennon Casinos are made in the US. The "Inspired By" are the same as the $599 made-in-China Casinos' date=' but with nickle-plated US PUPs and electronics and it comes with a nice Epiphone case. Also hase a little John Lennon silk screen logo on the back of the headstock. Here's a breakdown:

 

 

 

 

The case and the US electronics are probably worth it. Both will need a good set up on arrival, based on mine and what almost everyone else here says. But neither is as good as the Elitist (I am told), and if you're buying it as an investment, then the US-made 1965s are probably your best bet....[/quote']

 

The Lennon Casino`s, both the Revolution and the 65 are made and finished in the Terada Factory Japan, just like the Elitist`s. The finished carcasses are then shipped to the U.S.A. where the hardware is installed and final set up carried out. This is why the sticker on the back of their necks states "Assembled in the U.S.A." and not "Made in the U.S.A."

[brianh]

Thanks for the clarification frenchie, I will correct and repost the spreadsheet.

 

The Epi website is a little unclear about that particular distinction...

[frenchie1281734003]

Thanks for the clarification frenchie' date=' I will correct and repost the spreadsheet.

 

The Epi website is a little unclear about that particular distinction...[/quote']

 

Gibson/Epiphone, have always been a bit vague regarding the production origins of the signature guitars. It is my understanding that they initially intended to produce these Casino`s in the U.S., but couldn`t bring them in at the right retail price, (below $5000 what with all the case candy etc) so they instead went for the next best option.

 

The guitars themselves are pretty much built to mid 60`s specs, and probably benefit from modern production methods, but they are not 100% faithful, with the main culprits being the wrong shape "Epiphone" headstock inlay, which should be MOP and not pearloid. And the lack of Brazillian Rosewood for the fretboards, which the originals had (Although the cost of Brazillian now prohibits it`s use). Of course this is all nitpicking and the Casino`s themselves are very fine guitars indeed, but it would be fair to say Gibson are happy for us to believe these are 100% Casino reissues made in the U.S. when infact that is not the case.