ant7629 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Hi all I am going checking out a used 2002 Casino Elite soon and wondered if there was anything specific I should be looking for apart from the obvious checks. I've owned a few Casinos before, but this will be my first Elite/Elitist. The guy selling sent me some pics, see below. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 She's a beauty-if the price is right go for it as you already know she'll sound and play great as long as the previous owner hasn't messed with anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diverden Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I have it, and love it. Hope you get a good price. Only issue; you can get a slight rattle from that retaining wire on the from of the saddle. Nothing major. The fit & finish on the 02 & 03's are very nice. Even the edges on the F-holes are finished. Enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Be sure you can live with the size of the neck. They're pretty skinny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 I have it, and love it. Hope you get a good price. Only issue; you can get a slight rattle from that retaining wire on the from of the saddle. Nothing major. The fit & finish on the 02 & 03's are very nice. Even the edges on the F-holes are finished. Enjoy it. By finished due you painted black or finished in the clear coat? I ask because from the pics he sent, the sides of the F holes look clear. Are there any differences between the Elite and Elitists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Even the edges on the F-holes are finished. Big deal, haven't the cheapskates heard of binding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 By finished due you painted black or finished in the clear coat? I ask because from the pics he sent, the sides of the F holes look clear. Are there any differences between the Elite and Elitists? The Elite and Elitist models are constructed in the same manner (at least every sample I've ever seen). The F-holes are unbound and unpainted, with a bit of clear finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diverden Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 As stated above; clear coat. Better than raw or sloppy painted edges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Just bought it! Pics to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Took some new pics this morning after a clean and setup. Still debating whether or not to refit the pickguard: This is my first Elite/Elitist and I absolutely love it. Compared to previous Casino's I have had in the past; yes there is a difference in sound/playability/built/finish etc, but more so on some than others. I have owned a MIK, MIC and an IBJL. The Korean was very well built, but the electronics weren't great. The MIC was one of the first to come from China and was poor, very poor indeed. That said I did own a MIC Inspired by John Lennon in sunburst, which was excellent. Just need a good setup. The only thing I didn't like about that one was the extremely dark back. If you look at vintage examples and the Elitist and USA models, you should be able to see the beautiful wood clearly underneath the finish. That said, I do miss that one. Not really had chance to have a "real" play of the Elite yet, but I am very impressed so far. Beautiful case too. I did notice the neck pickup was louder than the bridge so maybe I'll have to adjust the pole pieces. I hear this is common for Casinos. Thanks for all the advice prior to purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 That's a wonderful looking guitar Ant, good to see you went ahead and bought it, if it plays anything like it looks you've picked a winner for sure, HNGD to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 That's a wonderful looking guitar Ant, good to see you went ahead and bought it, if it plays anything like it looks you've picked a winner for sure, HNGD to you. Thanks! Its pretty much mint, not bad for almost 10 years old. I had to think long and hard about it because I bought an SG two weeks ago, but I couldn't leave it at this price. My guitar account is officially cleaned out now though....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 My guitar account is officially cleaned out now though....! Oh no, perish the thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Took some new pics this morning after a clean and setup. Still debating whether or not to refit the pickguard Clear suggestion: Leave it off. This guitar just looks wonderful and perfectly balanced in its plain beauty. The white pickguard would destroy that balance from my point of view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Clear suggestion: Leave it off. This guitar just looks wonderful and perfectly balanced in its plain beauty. The white pickguard would destroy that balance from my point of view. I'm inclined to agree. And congrats on a great looking Casino! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I did notice the neck pickup was louder than the bridge so maybe I'll have to adjust the pole pieces. I hear this is common for Casinos. You may have to shim the bridge pickup to get them to balance. You can get shims from Allparts, or some people have made them themselves. On mine the pole piece adjustment wasn't enough. I guess I'm in the minority, but I love the white pickguard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 I've screwed the neck pole pieces right down and brought the bridge ones right up. I think they are just about balanced. Just. It's weird because I never had this on my other Casinos. Is it just the elitists? I've heard people have trouble with es 330s too..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 My guitar account is officially cleaned out now though....! Can't you just print more $$ or raise your debt ceiling like the Fed? It's beautiful. I love the white guard on my sunburst Elitist, but that's a different look all together. Looking at a 50th Aniv. MIC Casino (why, I don't know. Just like the look I guess). Don't know about you, but everytime I get a new git it's promised that this gal comes with the deal. Never has happened yet!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Can't you just print more $$ or raise your debt ceiling like the Fed? It's beautiful. I love the white guard on my sunburst Elitist, but that's a different look all together. Looking at a 50th Aniv. MIC Casino (why, I don't know. Just like the look I guess). Don't know about you, but everytime I get a new git it's promised that this gal comes with the deal. Never has happened yet!! Now that WOULD be a Happy New Guitar Day! I was considering the new ES 355 or maybe ES 345 next, but I am so impressed with the Elitist, I may have to just save for a sunburst one as well. I am blown away by this guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Re the pickguard, I like it on there (but without the big E). I also put a matching white truss rod cover on mine. As for the pickup distance, the Elitist's top is less arched than many other Casino versions. I also have a 330L, which comes from the factory with a spacer under the bridge pickup. This has been a non-issue for me, as I'm happy with the tone I'm getting from both guitars, but if you think something's lacking, there's no harm in experimenting with reversible mods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I don't know about ya'll, but I just love the orchid color of the "fur" on the inside of the Elitist case. Looks great to me esp. w/ the sunburst finish IMHO. I'm still looking for a 2 hole E for the TRC instead of the "Elitist" TRC it came with. Anyone know how to get one? Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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