charlie brown Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 There was an item, in the Gibson forum, about the "Elitist" line, being re-introduced, this year??! (Wishful thinking, or fact?) Anyone know? I know this rumor comes up, every now and then. And, I keep hoping, someday it might actually be true! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 There was an item, in the Gibson forum, about the "Elitist" line, being re-introduced, this year??! (Wishful thinking, or fact?) Anyone know? Don't know, but imho, the $300 price spike for the Elitist Casino last year (or the going price for the rather odd Dwight Trash Elitist Casino) gets these models too close to a ES-330L. If more Elitists are released, the $1500 ballpark would seem ideal to maximize sales volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Elitist what? Since the Casino is still around and the Dwight Trash is new, the Elists havent been completely discontinued, per se. A full blown Elitist line? I doubt it. Its only been three or four years. Give it another six or seven and I'll say yes. I think we are more likely to see individual custom run Elitists like the DT Casino in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 Well, IF (big IF) they do, I hope they'll concentrate on Epiphone models, as opposed to the Gibson clones. Be nice to see some Elitist Wilshire's, Coronet's, and... of course, the Sheraton, and Riviera (including the 12-string), Elitist models, as well. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 That would be cool. With the success of the 1961 USA Casino and USA Wilshire, an Elitist line would probably sell very well. Also, it seems that a Coronet would be a good choice for this. Maybe a Sorrento as well. People seem to like those a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny_2_owls Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I really hope this is true! I think it's time a 'proper' epi riviera was available, not just the European limited editions and p93 versions. And the 12 string riviera needs to come back! The same for a 60's spec Sheraton! I remember something on the Epi blog about a potential rivoli reissue too so maybe something is in the pipeline??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strav's_fire Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Wishful thninking maybe. But would love to see a few more original Epiphones released - Sheratons and Rivieras the big ones for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Byrdland, Broadway, Emperor, Sheraton, and an Elitist Zephyr Blues Deluxe would do it for me. And bring back the Sorrento and ES-295! I don't think there is 'room' price-wise for a MiJ Elitist-line... What price do you think this Elitist line should be ? Elitist Broadway and Byrdlands are fetching close to $2,500 US in mint condition used. Their Gibby counterparts are $8,000 and up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I think this would be a fantastic idea. I always liked the Elitist line and think it's a shame that they got rid of the majority of model. I agree that if they brought it back then they should concentrate on the Pre-70s models. You can get a high grade copy of all of Gretsch's classic models MIJ so why not a company like Epiphone with the legacy it has? The pricing of 1300 EUR for a MIJ Casino is not to me wholly unreasonable... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morkolo Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I don't think there is 'room' price-wise for a MiJ Elitist-line... speaking in Euro Epi LPs with Gibson pups are around 500-550 Gibson LPs start at 650 regular Studios are 1100-1200 Classic Customs are 1600 Semi/Hollow MiC Casino is 750 Elitist Casino is 1300 Twight Trash is 1600 Gibson Midtown is 1100-1200 ES-137 Classic is 1550 My thoughts exactly, as much as I'd like to see new higher quality Epiphones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 The strength of the Elitist line is twofold: 1. The high quality 2. There is a huge market of buyers who would prefer to buy an Epiphone over a Gibson if the quality is MIJ/USA, irrespective of price... The cult like following of 60s Epiphone models is massive and plenty of people would pay Gibson prices for MIJ 60s specs models just as they do when they buy a Gretsch. Look at the scarcity of the Lennon/Macca/John Lee Hooker "USA" models these days... If they were putting out 60s specs Elitist models as well as a range of other popular models they would have no problem selling them. Gibson have spent 50 years pushing Epiphone underneath the Gibson banner (in both senses) but it's obvious many still regard Epiphone as a legitimate company with a great legacy and a uniqueness that can't be eclipsed by it's parent company. They should exploit that as much as possible. Perhaps they feel that after investing in China so much they'd be shooting themselves in the foot by doubling up too many models but I'd be quite happy to see all the LP, SG and entry level guitars MIC with some select classics being upgraded to MIJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted February 1, 2012 Author Share Posted February 1, 2012 With all the old '60's color (and tail piece) options, too! A nice "cherry" colored option, for the Sheraton (I&II) would be awesome!! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilm3 Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 The strength of the Elitist line is twofold: 1. The high quality 2. There is a huge market of buyers who would prefer to buy an Epiphone over a Gibson if the quality is MIJ/USA, irrespective of price... The cult like following of 60s Epiphone models is massive and plenty of people would pay Gibson prices for MIJ 60s specs models just as they do when they buy a Gretsch. Look at the scarcity of the Lennon/Macca/John Lee Hooker "USA" models these days... If they were putting out 60s specs Elitist models as well as a range of other popular models they would have no problem selling them. Gibson have spent 50 years pushing Epiphone underneath the Gibson banner (in both senses) but it's obvious many still regard Epiphone as a legitimate company with a great legacy and a uniqueness that can't be eclipsed by it's parent company. They should exploit that as much as possible. Perhaps they feel that after investing in China so much they'd be shooting themselves in the foot by doubling up too many models but I'd be quite happy to see all the LP, SG and entry level guitars MIC with some select classics being upgraded to MIJ. +1! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcham Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I think that rumour got started when Gibson posted a pic of a bunch of Les Pauls on their Facebook page and right up near the front was of all things, a beautiful Epi Elitist LP. Ever since that pic was posted everyone seems to think they were trying to hint at something. I doubt they will be bringing them back and think that someone was just having fun when they took the picture. This is the pic: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clanky44 Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I would absolutely love to see the Elitist line make a comeback. With this said, I doubt that Gibson with it's current quality issues would knowingly allow a MIJ Epiphone product line to reside side by side with their Gibson counterparts. The inevitable comparisons might not be appreciated by Gibson. As someone recently noted, they already seem to use photographic ploys to make the current crop of MIC Epiphones look inferior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I saw the guitarist with Imelda May playing what sure looked like an orange Epi Wildkat with an "Elitist" headstock..... The brand name was taped over............... ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I saw the guitarist with Imelda May playing what sure looked like an orange Epi Wildkat with an "Elitist" headstock..... The brand name was taped over............... ... That's Darrel Higham, Imelda's husband. He pretty much plays Gretschs, maybe that's what you saw? He also has a White Falcon, a Heritage with P90s and a Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster. Here he is with a J200 and some other dude thinks he can play guitar in the background: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 Yup..........The Gretsch is what he was playing......Good looking guitar......Very talented couple..... Thank you for the guitar info correction....( I'm glad I said "looks like"......:unsure: ....)...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I can understand it not being in Gibson's interests to have Japanese Les Pauls and SGs competing with the US models, but there must surely be a seperate market for historically accurate, pro quality reissues of the classic Kalamazoo Epiphones - Casino, Sheraton, Riviera, Emperor, maybe even the Coronet and Sorrento. Judging by the quality of the current Pro Gretsch catalogue, I'd have no problem paying the same or more for a Terada made Epi reissue as I would a US made es-335. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I don't think there is 'room' price-wise for a MiJ Elitist-line... speaking in Euro Epi LPs with Gibson pups are around 500-550 Gibson LPs start at 650 regular Studios are 1100-1200 Classic Customs are 1600 Semi/Hollow MiC Casino is 750 Elitist Casino is 1300 Twight Trash is 1600 Gibson Midtown is 1100-1200 ES-137 Classic is 1550 What price do you think this Elitist line should be ? I agree, from a price point of view the Elitist series would make no sense. Current Elitist Casino: €1330,- 2003 Elite '63 ES-335: €1580,- 2003 Elite Les Paul Standard Plus: €1680,- The Elite ES-335 was almost the price of a current Gibson Memphis 335, the Elite Les Paul Plus was even slightly more expensive than current Gibson Traditional Les Pauls. If they re-introduce the Elitist series it would only make sense for genuine Epiphone models like Riviera/12, Sheraton etc.. Question is if the buyers really appreciate the difference between a MIC Sheraton or ES-355 and a MIJ Elitist Sheraton with original specs (mini humbuckers, Frequensator tailpiece), and if they are willing to pay the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted February 1, 2012 Author Share Posted February 1, 2012 I agree, from a price point of view the Elitist series would make no sense. Current Elitist Casino: €1330,- 2003 Elite '63 ES-335: €1580,- 2003 Elite Les Paul Standard Plus: €1680,- The Elite ES-335 was almost the price of a current Gibson Memphis 335, the Elite Les Paul Plus was even slightly more expensive than current Gibson Traditional Les Pauls. If they re-introduce the Elitist series it would only make sense for genuine Epiphone models like Riviera/12, Sheraton etc.. Question is if the buyers really appreciate the difference between a MIC Sheraton or ES-355 and a MIJ Elitist Sheraton with original specs (mini humbuckers, Frequensator tailpiece), and if they are willing to pay the price. Well, some of us do, and would be! Not sure, though, there would be enough, to justify re-introducing the Elitist line??? It's a nice thought/fantasy, though. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 Well, some of us do, and would be! Not sure, though, there would be enough, to justify re-introducing the Elitist line??? It's a nice thought/fantasy, though. There's a lot of nice stuff out there in the Elitist price range now, e.g. the entire Duesenberg Starplayer, 49er, 52er lineup. Fortunately I already own the 3 guitars I mentioned However if they should offer an original 60s spec Sheraton in wine red, I'm in danger - I most likely would pull the trigger on that one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoresteen Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 How about an Elitist L4 cutaway with a single pickup? or The L5S? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jddc_115 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I don't think there is 'room' price-wise for a MiJ Elitist-line... speaking in Euro Epi LPs with Gibson pups are around 500-550 Gibson LPs start at 650 regular Studios are 1100-1200 Classic Customs are 1600 Semi/Hollow MiC Casino is 750 Elitist Casino is 1300 Twight Trash is 1600 Gibson Midtown is 1100-1200 ES-137 Classic is 1550 What price do you think this Elitist line should be ? I think it depends on the line. I agree that the Les Paul line, between Epiphone and Gibson, have filled at every price point. I think that there elitist line could fit with the semi-hollow line ep. At the time of the post the top of the line Epiphone semi-hollow is the limited edition ES-355 and ES-345 both priced at $699 USD. Ignoring the midtown series (because it a solid piece of wood with resinating chambers carved into it, and then marketed as the ES Les Paul hybrid, not a true semi-hollow) the next price point is $2000 USD for a Gibson ES-339 or ES-175 and the cheapest 335 style body after the $699 Epiphone ES-345/355 is the $2250 USD satin ES-335. I think there is a deffinate place for a $1400 elistist series. I think the real problem is the loss of revenue from people buying a $1400 guitar instead of a $2250 guitar. But thats just my thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Yeah, again...I would love to see Epi re-introduce the Elitist line, for "Epiphone" only models. That is, not for Les Paul or SG clones, but only guitars that were actually Epiphone models (Both semi-hollow body, full hollow body, including the "Jazz boxes", and Epi's own solid body guitars), in it's Kalamazoo era "heyday." CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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