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New to the forum,... with Casino questions??

Clanky44

By Clanky44
in Epiphone Electrics

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Clanky44

Clanky44

Posted
Posted

Hey folks,

 

I'm new to the forum,... heck,... I'm new to guitars!! I'm 45 years old, and I've been playing for a 2 months. Rocksmith (Ubisoft x-box game) has been the incentive that finally motivated me to pick up a guitar. My first purchase was the Epi SG G400, great guitar, but a bit on the heavy side (sound and weight wise). I decided I wanted a second guitar about a month ago, and visited a few of the higher end stores around my area (Toronto), specifically looking for either a Casino or the Sheraton. To my dismay, all of the $700 to $900 range (made in China) hollow and semi-hollow bodied Epi's I saw had build deficiencies that I just could not overlook for what I thought was more than a decent sum of money. I ended up taking a real shine on a Gretsch 5122 (made in Korea) the guitar is stunning and solidly built. I've had the Gretcsh for a month now and love the sound and feel of it..... .... My question is that I still really want either a Casino or a Sheraton, and since I'm not too thrilled at the made in China selection, I've looked at the made in Japan Elitist Casino line, pricier, but I'll gladly pay more for added value. There's plenty available on line, but since my preference is to support the local economy, decided to check in with my local shops,... twice I've been told that they cannot order them in as the Elitist Casino's are discontinued and no longer made. Is this true, or are they just messing with me.

 

thanks,

Frank

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Aster1

Aster1

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Hello Clanky and welcome to the forum!!

 

I too have heard the Casino Elitist as being discontinued. I remember when I heard that the price went from $1499 to $1799 at the MF & 123 and others almost overnight. I had purchased on about 6 months prior to that increase so I was grateful to have secured on.

 

If you have a good dealer that will work with you, and has a return policy if something is ordered in that is sub par, that is great. I just love the Casino and have a Gretsch G5122DC as well. Totally different sounding rigs for sure. Love both but if I had to par down to just one the Casino would win.

 

Merry Christmas to you and best of luck in the search for a Casino E. Lot's of nice people here with great opinions and experience with the gits.

 

Aster

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Clanky44

Clanky44

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Thanks for the input Pete,

 

Didn't even bother looking at Gibson hollow bodies,... thought they would be way too pricy for my budget. The midtown does look tasty! How would the burstbuckers compare to the P90's? ... the hollowed out mahogany body should give it a denser (darker?) tone?

 

I'm still leaning to the Elitist Casino,.... my wife is even edging me on. I have been looking at ordering one from Sweetwater. Anyone had dealings with them?

 

thanks,

Frank

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Clanky44

Clanky44

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Merry Christmas to you too Aster,

 

Thanks for the comments,.... maybe I had better order the Elitist sooner than later!

 

P.S. Have you had any bridge buzz issues with the Gretsch G5122, mine is going in after boxing day and I'm thinking of upgrading the bridge.

 

thanks,

Frank

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Dennis G

Dennis G

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I'm still leaning to the Elitist Casino,.... my wife is even edging me on. I have been looking at ordering one from Sweetwater. Anyone had dealings with them?

 

thanks,

Frank

Frank,

 

I ordered an Elitist Casino from Sweetwater around Spring of 2010. It arrived in Sept. During their 55 point checklist (basically a good going over and setup) they found a ding about 1/8" on the back. My SW rep called me and emailed pics. Left the decision to me as to take a discount or wait for the next one. I waited. Could not be happier with the EC. It is one of my 2-3 favorite guitars.

 

Body-1-1.jpg

 

Point with Sweetwater, most places would have just shipped the damaged one (more than likely sight unseen) and I'd have had to hassle with that. My opinion is that SW is the best as far as customer service, etc. My first online choice. I've bought about 4 guitars and a couple of amps from them as well. Hope that helps.

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bonzoboy

bonzoboy

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Hi Clanky welcome to the forum.I'm sorry that you found some MIC Epis with QC issues.I have a MIC Casino and it is flawless and it plays and sounds like a dream.I also have the 1965 John Lennon Casino that I imagine is on par with the Elitist as far as build quality etc. goes.My 1965 is my favourite out of 30 guitars that I own and is by far the easiest to play.I checked out a 1961 reissue a couple of weeks ago in my local Mom & Pop store and was amazed by the quality that went into it for the price they were asking.I forget what the price was but it was well below the MSRP. So maybe one of these would be worth checking out.

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Clanky44

Clanky44

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Thank you all for your replies.

 

The '61 reissue is stunningly beautiful, The light sunburst (Royal Tan) is heads above my pick. I could not find the '61 reissue available, I know it's a limited (1961) re-issue, is it still available?

 

Thanks Dennis, your dealings with Sweetwater has eased my mind about ordering the Elitist,.... it's now between the '61 reissue (Royal tan) if I can find one, and the Elitist Casino in the natural finish.

 

 

thanks,

Frank

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Aster1

Aster1

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P.S. Have you had any bridge buzz issues with the Gretsch G5122, mine is going in after boxing day and I'm thinking of upgrading the bridge.

 

thanks,

Frank

 

I haven't had any Gretsch buzzing issues. Have a Duo-Jet, Pro-Jet & the Double Cutaway 5122. I know that many on the Gretsch forum love that Compton bridge in various metal builds. Also I'd heard that it's been overselling and trouble keeping up with the demand for a while. Hope the fellow is okay that designed/builds them. It's www.comptonbridges.com for their website.

 

I really love my Royal Tan 50th Aniv Casino, but not as much as the vintage sunburst '65 Elitist. Totally different fit & finish IMHO anyway. Love the cool classic look of the '61 with the old school T name badge. Only downside is I went thru 3 of them to make one that was really what I'd keep. Something wrong with each of the three I was sent. I still don't believe in the overall consistency of quality out of China. Also, I've decided that this will be my last Chinese made guitar (and anything else that I can buy made other than China). Won't contribute $$ so they can keep building up their military and buying out America.

 

Aster

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Parabar

Parabar

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Just a few weeks ago I bought a NOS Elitist Broadway from Sweetwater through eBay. The communications were excellent, the guitar was even better than described, and they emailed me a couple of times after delivery to make sure everything was fine. I'm a VERY satisfied customer.

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