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Epiphone Casino & I J Lennon model etc

supernova1281734074

By supernova1281734074
in Epiphone Electrics

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supernova1281734074

supernova1281734074

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On the old Epiphone forum someone did a comparision of various Casino's ie a Matsomuka model, Elitist etc with nut width etc - has anyone still got this saved anywhere?? if so could they either re-post it or email it??

 

I'm looking at the sunburst Inspired John Lennon Casino, is it sunburst on the back or is it a rosewood type finish?? someone said they owned a J Lennon limited 1965 model - and it had a dark finish on the rear. Has anyone got any pics of either??

 

I always thought the Casino was sunburst at the back, as when John's was stripped it was a blonde back - like the front.

 

Anyone care to comment??

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supernova1281734074

supernova1281734074

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Thanks bluelake07 for that - yes that was thlist I required, and thanks for eveyone who posted.

 

I've been reading 'Beatles Gear' by Andy Babiuk - Absolutely Fab!!!!! - thanks for saying the back of the Lennon Inspired 1965, Elitist & John Lennon limited 1965 USA model were dyed backs, I was confused as my local guitar shop said the back ofthe Lennon Insppired was Rosewood - and thought how could that be when the later blonde Casino was blonde all over - and from looking around the internet I noticed Paul Weller's & Dave Davies of the Kinks Casino's were also stained brown to the rear.

 

I've some more questions - has anyone got avintage Casino from Beatles period???

 

1)According to Andy Babiuk's book Macca's Casino ws a 1962 model, with a British Bigsby arm, Gibson type headstock. and sunburst to rear. When did Epiphone change to the longer headstock, and was this when the rosewood stained back was introduced??

 

2) Was George's Casino brown on the rear- and what Bigsby was fitted?

 

3) What colour backs of the guitar are on the modern Chineese Casino?? as I thought Korean ones had a sunburst back, but may be wrong?

 

4) When did John Lennon change the guitar tuners??

 

5) Does the Inspired Revolution have holes to the rear of the headstock, where the Kluson type tuners were??

 

6) What are peoples opinions on Grover/Kluson tuners - which are better?

 

7) Are there any sites/books other than Andy Babiuk's book which discuss what hardware was on each of the Beatles Casino's??

 

I know these questions sound a bit nurdy - but am seriously thinking of buying a Casino. I live in Lancashire, England and went to my latest guitar shop - they have ordered 15 Revolution & 15 Inspired 65 models and received 3 of each so far, and sell them for £699. They have 2 cherry Casino's in stock, and their other shop has a natural and sunburst Chineese model - not the inspired models.

 

Have tried, GAK & Dawsons and both have no idea when the inspired casino will be in stock, same as my local guitar shop - so either buy from a seller online who has them, or wait, until the right guitar comes along.

 

In England, in my shop the normal Casino sells for £450 without a case, the limited Bigsby model £499 (but dont like the 2 tone sunburst) on it, the inspired sell for £675 ish, a Elitist £1000 if you can find them, and the USA J Lennon Casino about £1750 on ebay.

 

I'm possibly leaning towards the Lennon inspired 65 model, as you get a hard case, USA pickups and better hardware generally - and just wondered what others thoughts were?? Is the inspired Casino woth £250 more??, or would I be better keep searching for a Elitist model, and then modding it by adding the black gromet?

 

Apreciate anyones input

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brianh

brianh

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I'm possibly leaning towards the Lennon inspired 65 model, as you get a hard case, USA pickups and better hardware generally - and just wondered what others thoughts were?? Is the inspired Casino woth £250 more??, or would I be better keep searching for a Elitist model, and then modding it by adding the black gromet?

Wow, and I thought I got nerdy when shopping for my Casino. I have been totally dethroned.

 

I am feeling very ill-informed about Casinos at this point, but I can answer one question: The £250 for the Chinese IBJL is definitely worth it - besides the USA pickups, electronics, and case, you get a guitar built to the original specs (neck meets body at 16th fret) . But I would still rather have an Japanese-made Elitist - the build quality is better.

 

Here's another thread on the same subject: http://forum.gibson....page__p__733536

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Dennis G

Dennis G

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But I would still rather have an Japanese-made Elitist - the build quality is better.

 

I've had an Elitist Casino on order with Sweetwater for a few months now. Got a good price during a promo, so thought "why not?". I'd done a good bit of comparing all the variations and in the end decided I wanted the Elitist before Epi ever decides to kill that one too.

 

To answer an earlier question, it arrived at SW last week and during their inspection they found a ding in the back. [crying] From the photos they sent, the back was definitely walnut stain.

 

I'm now anxiously waiting on the next one to arrive!

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hlarry14

hlarry14

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5) Does the Inspired Revolution have holes to the rear of the headstock, where the Kluson type tuners were??

 

6) What are peoples opinions on Grover/Kluson tuners - which are better?

 

 

I'm possibly leaning towards the Lennon inspired 65 model, as you get a hard case, USA pickups and better hardware generally - and just wondered what others thoughts were?? Is the inspired Casino woth £250 more??, or would I be better keep searching for a Elitist model, and then modding it by adding the black gromet?

 

Apreciate anyones input

 

 

I bought an Inspired by Revolution a few months ago, so I can answer at least #5 - there are no extra or unused holes where the Kluson tuners would have been. As for #6, I have guitars with Klusons, and guitars with Grovers, and have not had a bit of trouble with either (I'm not a gigging musician - just play at home.) The pickups and finish on the Revolution model appealed to me more than the sunburst model, and I have never played (or even seen in person) an Elitist model so I can't comment on those. I will say that the Revolution has become one of my favorite guitars, and I have several guitars that were many times the price. I can't think of one thing that I don't like about it - it's just a joy to play.

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frenchie 63

frenchie 63

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I can answer question 4, John changed the Kluson tuners to Gold Grovers in 1970. Both the Beatles January 69 rooftop gig, and the Plastic Ono band Toronto gig of November 69, involved John using his stripped down Casino, still carrying the original Klusons.

 

Steve.

 

P.S. I have a John Lennon 65 reissue Casino (Assembled in the USA) and it has the Walnut stained back.

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supernova1281734074

supernova1281734074

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Thanks for the posts. In England both the Revolution & 1965 model are about £699-£689, and are out of stock at Dawsons, GAK, HW Music - Preston & Bolton. Epiphones stocks are erratic - you never know what's coming in to your shop.

 

I spoke to GAK, Dawsons & HW Music - they've not had the inspired guitar in stock for ages, and no idea when they'll be getting any in. I tried a 1965 model in HW Music a few months back and was quite impressed, however it was sold, and was £699.

 

GAK will match any European shop which has them in stock - and a few weeks ago was in Liverpoolfor Beatles week, and I love the sound and look of the mid 60's Casino played by John & George on Rubber Soul & Revolver.

 

If shops have a Casino in, it'll be in cherry red. The cherry ones aren't popular or so i'm told, as it isn't the colour used by Paul Weller, Beatles, Kinks etc, Brian Jones - Rolling Stones.

 

I'd seen the Bigsby variant in Dawsons, Liverpool for £499, plus you need to buy a hard case on top of it - so all my nerdy questions were trying to find out as much as I can before taking a plunge and buying some sort of Casino on the net.

 

Thomann's in Germany have the 1965 model for 645 Euros - £538 approx, and the Revolution model 50 euros more. They also had the bog standard Sunburst Casino for £360, plus £50 or so for a case (the sunburst made in China Casino) is now out of stock. Anyway I took the plunge and opted for a 1965 sunburst model, ordered it on Monday, shipped midday Tues & just waiting delivery to England.

 

Will let people on the site know when it comes as it'll be a HNGD hopefully!!!!

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