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John Lennon Casino....15K!!!


29Tudor

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Just did my research, you wanna know why its so expensive?

 

ITS GIBSON QUALITY WITH AN EPIPHONE HEADSTOCK!

 

Its made in the same vain as the VOS LP 59's with historically correct parts MANY HAND MADE.

 

This is the 2nd run the 1st one was limited to 1,965 units

 

People forget that Epiphone made the FIRST Les paul and pre 1960's they made high quality, hand made instruments and on some models still do...

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Just did my research, you wanna know why its so expensive?

 

ITS GIBSON QUALITY WITH AN EPIPHONE HEADSTOCK!

 

Its made in the same vain as the VOS LP 59's with historically correct parts MANY HAND MADE.

 

This is the 2nd run the 1st one was limited to 1,965 units

 

People forget that Epiphone made the FIRST Les paul and pre 1960's they made high quality, hand made instruments and on some models still do...

Firstly, as you say, this is the second run of a "historically correct" re-issue so all the tooling for the parts will already be available which will minimise Gibson's set up costs. The first run re-issue retailed in the UK at around the £2000.00 mark. This new re-issue has a recommended retail price of more than £9000.00 UK. If they are both "historically correct" then the only difference is that the new one has a label signed by Yoko and a special inlay at the octave which together will cost you an additional £7000.00 and neither of which are historically correct. If Gibson/Epiphone made these guitars in the US as a stock model instead of limiting them to 35 of each finish, economies of scale would bring the price down to the £2000-£3000 you can buy a 335 for. If collectors want to buy these then fine, but you can pick up original '65 Casino's in the UK for less than £3000.00 each..

 

Secondly, Epiphone didn't make the first Les Paul. Les Paul made his first solid body (The Log) from an Epiphone neck and a plank of wood with Epiphone body parts tacked on. I'm not 100% certain but I don't think Epiphone made any sort of Les Paul before the late 80's or possibly the early 90's.

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Firstly, as you say, this is the second run of a "historically correct" re-issue so all the tooling for the parts will already be available which will minimise Gibson's set up costs. The first run re-issue retailed in the UK at around the £2000.00 mark. This new re-issue has a recommended retail price of more than £9000.00 UK. If they are both "historically correct" then the only difference is that the new one has a label signed by Yoko and a special inlay at the octave which together will cost you an additional £7000.00 and neither of which are historically correct. If Gibson/Epiphone made these guitars in the US as a stock model instead of limiting them to 35 of each finish, economies of scale would bring the price down to the £2000-£3000 you can buy a 335 for. If collectors want to buy these then fine, but you can pick up original '65 Casino's in the UK for less than £3000.00 each..

 

Secondly, Epiphone didn't make the first Les Paul. Les Paul made his first solid body (The Log) from an Epiphone neck and a plank of wood with Epiphone body parts tacked on. I'm not 100% certain but I don't think Epiphone made any sort of Les Paul before the late 80's or possibly the early 90's.

Yeah it is excessive, with the "Signature" ones they are usually WAY over priced compared to how much it cost.

 

Regarding "The Log" which was created at EPI's Factory after hours. I was saying it was the First LP as The Log was the concept to which it was created (With help from Merle Travis and Paul Bigsby)

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How many Lennon models have we now seen that were strictly limited to 1965 units?

 

I reckon there are at least 196,500 limited edition Casinos of various types floating around.

Agreed, I think the more they release, the cheaper those things are worth to me, not more. If they think that crazy lady's sig is worth a $13k premium, they're joking, if anything it lessens the value IMHO.

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I have one of the first 50 1965 Casinos made and after I bought that and my John Lennon EJ-160-E I sent Yoko a letter thanking her for allowing Epiphone to produce the John Lennon guitars.I poured my heart out saying how big an influence John was by inspiring to become a musician and how I tried to live my life by the same philosophies that he had.To my great surprise Yoko responded to my heartfelt letter thanking me for all I'd said about John and gave me a personally autographed picture of John and her at the Montreal Bed-in for peace.Not that I'd ever part with any of these but I doubt very much that I'd get anywhere near 15 grand for them,even though the Casino is probably one of the 5 finest guitars made today.I wonder if there are 70 people with enough scratch to spend 15 large on what was a $2,600 guitar.If so that means that Yoko's autograph is worth over $12,000.

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I'd like to think, that John Lennon, would have insisted they keep the price reasonably affordable.

As in the first issues, of those guitars.

 

CB

Gibson will always find new ways to market Lennon's name, but this seems way over the top. I can't imagine why anyone would go for the instrument in question when they could purchase a fine vintage example of an honest-to-goodness Kalamazoo made Casino for far less money.

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Gibson will always find new ways to market Lennon's name, but this seems way over the top. I can't imagine why anyone would go for the instrument in question when they could purchase a fine vintage example of an honest-to-goodness Kalamazoo made Casino for far less money.

 

Well, even Gibson can't market Lennon's name, without Yoko's permission. It just seems way over

the top, to me...and contrary, to what John would have preferred..at least prior, to Yoko's influence? ;>b

 

CB

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There's a lot of money to be made, being a wife of a workingclass hero.

 

I love The Beatles and like Casinos and if there are people getting off on these things then I say let em have it. No one is forcing me to buy one.

 

With that said I really have a hard time seeing John wanting this done to his legacy…

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There's a lot of money to be made, being a wife of a workingclass hero.

 

I love The Beatles and like Casinos and if there are people getting off on these things then I say let em have it. No one is forcing me to buy one.

 

With that said I really have a hard time seeing John wanting this done to his legacy…

 

 

I love Lennon as much as anybody, but let's face it, the man owned a psychedelic Rolls-Royce at one point; he was not above the trappings or ostentations of the rich, nor do I begrudge him for it. I don't know if there's any evidence whether he would or would not have approved of such a costly collectors' edition, but that's exactly what it is--a guitar for collectors. Epiphone still makes Casinos that musicians can afford, and that's OK by me.

 

Red 333

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I guess, if ALL the proceeds, goes to his music charity, and not to Yoko?

But, 15 Grand, for ANY "re-issue/copy" guitar, is silly...IMHO. Are these

re-issues, 13,000 dollars "better," then the 1st Version?! ???? Insanity,

abounds! But, that's just my opinion...and you know what they say, about

opinions. ;>)

 

CB

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Assuming Gibby/Epi is correct and only 70 are being made, then the Casino becomes a "collectible" rather than a guitar. The value of a collectible item has nothing necessarily to do with better quality, only rarity.

 

They will only be bought by collectors and maybe onsold in future years at a higher price?? Can't see a working muso buying one at that price.

 

StewartB

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Well, Maybe?...if it was an exact copy, of Lennon's Revolution

guitar, with all the appropriate markings, wear, etc., like the

Eric Clapton ES-335, Gibson made, as exact replica's. Maybe

then, I could see $15,000, for it.

 

But, just re-issue 1965 Casino's, "like" his was new, and newly stripped.

That's more like a $3,000, maybe $5,000, at most. But...as long as there

are folks that will spend almost any amount, on a re-issue, I guess you

can't blame them for asking any price, they want. He11, why not $150,000 apiece? [tongue][flapper][biggrin]

 

CB

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