Aster1 Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 Hi Ya'll, I have a 5 month old standard Epiphone Casino Sunburst. My questions are for those that have played & can tell me the differences in the Elitist & the Inspired by John Lennon Casino's. 1) The Elitist is right @ $1500 now & the Inspired by $1000. What am I going to notice & gain in moving up to one or the other of these two Casino? (no, I can't spring for the real John Lennon USA version for $2500 and I'm not going on tour either) 2) Which of the two will sound the most like the original 1965 Casino? 3) Are either significantly better made guitars than the standard or each other, & in what way? Any solid advice, impressions, vibes whatever will be appreciated. Big thanks in advance. I guess I'm getting new guitar fever and am curious to make the best decision, even if that's just to play the standard one. :unsure: Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrymac Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Hi Ya'll, I have a 5 month old standard Epiphone Casino Sunburst. My questions are for those that have played & can tell me the differences in the Elitist & the Inspired by John Lennon Casino's. 1) The Elitist is right @ $1500 now & the Inspired by $1000. What am I going to notice & gain in moving up to one or the other of these two Casino? (no, I can't spring for the real John Lennon USA version for $2500 and I'm not going on tour either) 2) Which of the two will sound the most like the original 1965 Casino? 3) Are either significantly better made guitars than the standard or each other, & in what way? Any solid advice, impressions, vibes whatever will be appreciated. Big thanks in advance. I guess I'm getting new guitar fever and am curious to make the best decision, even if that's just to play the standard one. :unsure: Aster The short answer to all your questions: Elitist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 What Jerrymac said. I just got an Elitist that I've had on order for five months. Awesome guitar. Assembled in USA and fit/finish/quality, etc. is on a par with my LP and 339. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 The Elitists have a fantastic reputation, and you pretty much can't go wrong with one of them. An Elitist would probably be the most significant upgrade over the one you have, as the 'Inspired By' Casinos are made in China just like the standard. However, if you've already got a Casino, and are enjoying it, why change? If you like the way your standard Casino sounds and feels, then why spend all that money on something you've essentially already got? You could get a new amp instead, or invest in a few upgrades to your current Casino. Just for the sake of discussion though, have a look at this chart that compares all the different variations of Casinos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g6120 Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 You know all these Casinos are great and the electronics might be a the thing I would be concerned with with the least expensive of the bunch . Ive had them all and to be honest the inspired natural sounded just as good if not better than all of them but I ended up with the Lennon limited sunburst 65 only being is I dont care for the poly finish and bought it used so the cost was about the same as the Elitist . The Inspired felt more comfortable to me the neck felt more natural and sounded every bit as good as the Elitist version and it did not look like it was dipped in a vat of plastic . Both fine instruments and if blindfolded I don't believe you will hear a difference in tone I really dont . Placed Bigsby on my Casino and changed the tuners nice guitar Im just a bit old fashion don't like ploy but I could have been happy with the Inspired version . Personal taste try each and make a decision for yourself . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Electronics and tuners are definitely worth upgrading on the standard models. I personally haven't had any issues with the electronics failing in any Epiphone guitar I've owned, but there was definitely a marked improvement in upgrading them in my standard Casino. An obvious improvement in tone. The pickups are fine, in fact I really like the stock Epiphone P90s. And a set of Kluson tuners are also a great improvement and a direct replacement. Another thing worth replacing is the plastic nut, either with bone or Tusq. I went for a bone nut on mine, and it was another very evident improvement. Better sustain, harmonics and, depending on how you play, a real Tele like twang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed1 Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Agreed. If you do nothing else, change the nut, tuners and electronics. Slightly raising the stock pickups (either the poles or the whole pickup) cleared up the muddiness that some people complain about. At least it did for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted October 23, 2010 Author Share Posted October 23, 2010 Thanks for the feedback so far. I enjoy playing the mid day Beatles tunes with the Casino & EJ160E (wish I had the $$ for a old J160E from those days. Love that sound & can't get that from my new EJ). What improvement with the electronic in sound is that noticeable in the Standard vs the Inspired by or Elitist? I hear you on the "dipped in plastic" look as I don't like that much either but with my playing for fun ( or playing at playing guitar) just keeps me from the USA made 1965 version if available even. The standard seems a little sloppy to me on the finish & fit of things. e.g. the black around the sound holes look like I could have done better w/ a black magic marker than Wong Hung Low did in China. Oh well, just like USA made stuff (except for Chinaware dishes) I guess. Hate seeing any label on my Harley chrome parts that I get that say's Taiwan or foreign made too. Just me. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modern image Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Thanks for the feedback so far. I enjoy playing the mid day Beatles tunes with the Casino & EJ160E (wish I had the $ for a old J160E from those days. Love that sound & can't get that from my new EJ). What improvement with the electronic in sound is that noticeable in the Standard vs the Inspired by or Elitist? I hear you on the "dipped in plastic" look as I don't like that much either but with my playing for fun ( or playing at playing guitar) just keeps me from the USA made 1965 version if available even. The standard seems a little sloppy to me on the finish & fit of things. e.g. the black around the sound holes look like I could have done better w/ a black magic marker than Wong Hung Low did in China. Oh well, just like USA made stuff (except for Chinaware dishes) I guess. Hate seeing any label on my Harley chrome parts that I get that say's Taiwan or foreign made too. Just me. Aster get the elitist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g6120 Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Electronics and tuners are definitely worth upgrading on the standard models. I personally haven't had any issues with the electronics failing in any Epiphone guitar I've owned, but there was definitely a marked improvement in upgrading them in my standard Casino. An obvious improvement in tone. The pickups are fine, in fact I really like the stock Epiphone P90s. And a set of Kluson tuners are also a great improvement and a direct replacement. Another thing worth replacing is the plastic nut, either with bone or Tusq. I went for a bone nut on mine, and it was another very evident improvement. Better sustain, harmonics and, depending on how you play, a real Tele like twang. There you go its here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.