sachi Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 Hi all - first post. I used to own a 1966 Casino, with the Bigsby vibrato. I loved it but I eventually gave up playing for many years, and I gave it (yes, gave it) to a friend who was a wonderful player. Now I've picked up the guitar again (Martins!) and have a hankering to replace my old friend. I know a bit about the different versions of Casino, and I'm definitely not going to spend for a limited run Lennons. But I'd be interested in either an Elitist or a IBJL model. I looked through the forum and didn't get a clear sense of the tradeoffs between the two. What say you all? And where ought I to look for a new or used one? I live in San Diego, by the way, but I'll buy from elsewhere if it works best. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 YEAH!!!! Post #1 - WELCOME to our "house of madness and advice"! Pics are always welcome on ANY git you purchase. You mentioned BIGSBY, and Casino, and Elitist... I started thinking, then I remembered a Guitar I had seen while browsing the "Musicians Friend" website. I know the Casinos start at $599, and go up from there. This may NOT be where you're headed, but it's on Clearance for $449, has Bigsby, Gold hardware.... Epiphone Limited Edition Riviera Custom P93 Electric Guitar (Wine Red), has 3 P-90 pups instead of 2, etc. Hate to see someone miss a bargain if it ends up being something they want: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Riviera-Custom-P93-Electric-Guitar?sku=516284 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 Just spent the day, in my favorite guitar shop, in Wichita (KS)...E.M. Shorts. (AKA Wichita Band Instrument Co.) Played several Casino's (it was "Gibson Days" today, in their store). They were all quite decent! The IBJL was amazing...they had one "Revolution" Natural, and another in '65 Sunburst. Plugged them into a Fender Deluxe Reverb (Reissue) and was in "Tone Heaven," the whole time I played them. Around 700+ bucks, too! Great prices, helpful, friendly folks, and they do ship all over the world. Call Cody, or Lance...@ 1-800-835-3006 (M-F 10AM-6PM CST) Saturdays (10AM-2PM CST) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 $700???? I would run, RUN to the phone and order that guitar this instant (or whenever they are around to answer the phone)! That is $300 off the regular price for that guitar ... and only $100 more than the standard model. Are you still reading this? STOP and go order that guitar! By the way, welcome to the forum, Sachi! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 $700???? I would run' date=' RUN to the phone and order that guitar this instant (or whenever they are around to answer the phone)! That is $300 off the regular price for that guitar ... and only $100 more than the standard model. Are you still reading this? STOP and go order that guitar! By the way, welcome to the forum, Sachi! Jim Yeah, their prices are consistently less, than any store I've delt with. Sometimes, by quite a substantial margin, too. They set them up, to customer preferences, as best they can, via e-mail or phone info.. give you a choice of strings, as well. And, shipping is only what it costs them, to do it...no "added fees," to the best of my knowledge. And, as they are not a "chain" store, with stores in every state, there's no tax, unless you live in Kansas! (No, I don't work for them....LOL....but, I have 6 wonderful guitars, that I've purchased, from them, over the years! 4 Gibson's, 1 Gretsch (Duo Jet TSP), and 1 Fender Telecaster.) Ironically, I bought all of them, when I lived in So Cal, via their 800# order line. Wasn't a "lemon" in the bunch, either. Ooops, make that (7) guitars...I forgot about the '50's Tribute Gold Top LP Studio, that's on order. ;>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sachi Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 Thanks everyone! That $700 does sound like a great price . . . I've heard of EM Shorts from the acoustic forums I'm on. I'll give it a look. Animalfarm, thanks for the link -- I'd seen that one but I have to say, I'm on a nostalgia kick here. I'd be most satisfied with something closely similar to my old sunburst. While I check out EM Shorts, can anyone explain the relevant differences between the Elitist and the IBJL? What makes the Elitist worth $500 more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 ...can anyone explain the relevant differences between the Elitist and the IBJL? What makes the Elitist worth $500 more? Cannot explain $$$ valuation' date=' but can point you in a direction that may or may not be useful regarding differences. From EPI Lounge "Do-it-Yourself" Sticky, Cross-Reference/Comparison subsection...... EPIPHONE CASINO and Similar Style Guitars (All credit for work on this goes to brianh!!!) http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=11079 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sachi Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 Not much of a difference as far as specs go . . . looks like the IBJL is the better deal. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 What makes the Elitist worth $500 more? "Worth" is a subjective concept' date=' but the Elitist undoubtedly costs more to manufacture, as it is made in Japan rather than China. Doubtless other people here with more knowledge than I, could give you reasons [i']why[/i] a Terada, Japan made guitar is better constructed than a Qingdao, China made guitar - which may address your question of why the Japanese made guitar is worth more. But either way, when you consider that the Terada, Japan factory is where the Gretsch Country Gentleman is also made these days, and they are unbelievably expensive ($2500 at Sweetwater) - the Elitist Casino starts to look like a heck of a deal (as, indeed, all the Elitists did when they were available). Factory tour - link nabbed from the Gretsch forums: http://www.gretschguitars.com/terada/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legs Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 Musician's Friend and Zzouds zre good reliable mail- order stores. I'm buying my G400 from Zzounds and just bought my Dot Studio from Musician's Friend last month!! Good luck! (and say hello to my pappy in Vista) Legs[biggrin] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sachi Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 zZounds has a blem IBJL for $719 . . . but I do know of Terada's rep for quality. Hmmm, something to think about for a while! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 zZounds has a blem IBJL for $719 . . . but I do know of Terada's rep for quality. Hmmm' date=' something to think about for a while! [/quote']Sachi, here's a Link to a bunch of opinions about the IBJL I got a few months ago: http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=12932 I ended up getting an IBJL on sale from MF and it's a good guitar for the $, but I'd really rather have an Elitist... Also, here's the Casino comparison spreadsheet I did some months ago when I was shopping: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sachi Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 Brian, thanks for the link - that was a good discussion. I think I need to go find an IBJL before I do anything more. I had to take my partner to the aeropuerto this morning at 4:30 so I'm too out of it to do it today! I should have time later this week to go check out the GC in La Mesa. (I'm interested in trying out a Broadway too . . . I like those fat jazz boxes. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 I ended up getting an IBJL on sale from MF and it's a good guitar for the $' date=' but I'd really rather have an Elitist... [/quote'] The Elitist is one of the last 2 or 3 guitars on my GAS list (well, okay, at least today). Couple months ago, my Sweetwater rep ran a promo. Sort of a "what's on your wish list" thing. I asked him how much for an Elitist Casino? $1299. Sold. Due in mid September. I just think that one of these days, Epi is going to pull the plug on this, and it's just too iconic to not get one before they do. And if they don't, oh well... And thanks for that comparison brian, good info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Brian' date=' thanks for the link - that was a good discussion. I think I need to go find an IBJL before I do anything more. I had to take my partner to the aeropuerto this morning at 4:30 so I'm too out of it to do it today! [biggrin'] I should have time later this week to go check out the GC in La Mesa. (I'm interested in trying out a Broadway too . . . I like those fat jazz boxes. ) You might want to call them first if it's a long drive - In my experience GC doesn't stock IBJLs or Elitists, just standard Casinos (on a good day). But Sweetwater has 7 of them - 3 naturals and 4 sunburst, complete with high-res pics of each unit: http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery/electric (Also notice the 4 Nick Valensi Rivieras...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motowntom Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 suchi, I own a 66" and I say bite the bullet and buy a 66" the vintage market is down riht now! life is short have fun!!!! cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sachi Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 suchi' date=' I own a 66" and I say bite the bullet and buy a 66" the vintage market is down riht now! life is short have fun!!!![/quote'] I'd love to do that but I haven't seen one for less than silly money (defined as rather more than I am willing to pay!). Our GC is only a few miles down the freeway so it wouldn't be much trouble to check it out. I've actually never been there! Given my love for Martins I gravitate to the acoustic shops here in Sandy Eggo. I figure I should at least look in to the GC and see what it has, and try out whatever Epis it has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motowntom Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 silly money my ***! pony up i have see 60's casino players for less than 1500/00 layley on evilbay buy amd live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deejman Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Saw that someone mentioned the Riviera. Very much worth the money! It's cheaper than the casino, and it plays just as good. Stays in tune quite nicely, even with the bigsby. Sounds INCREDIBLE, on top of the fact that it's a gorgeous guitar! And it fits perfectly in the PR5E acoustic case, bigsby and all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sachi Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 silly money my ***! pony up i have see 60's casino players for less than 1500/00 layley on evilbay buy amd live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!cheers The ones I've seen have all been single pickups . . . Hmmm. Maybe I should just wait. Thanks for the encouragement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 sachi, I was going through the same comparison as you a month or so ago. I bought both the IBJL and the Elitist, and ended up keeping the Elitist. I wrote a comparison towards the end of the this thread. Hope it helps, and good luck! Tom http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=11079 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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