Members tommy_is_here Posted July 17, 2005 Members Share Posted July 17, 2005 Dear All, As promised, I wanted to post a review of this new guitar I just got delivered last week, an Epiphone Casino Elite. (from the Elitist series) Out of the case, this thing is beautiful. Awesome sunburst finish. The case that comes with it is very nice too, with I think 5-6 different buckles to ensure safety. It fits the guitar like a sleeve as well. The finish is first class, and the wood is impressive. This guitar is wonderful. It plays extremely smoothly. I had the action set a little low, and the neck is very smooth and fast. I'm falling in love with playing guitar again b/c of this guitar (note: this is my first electric after 10 years of acoustic playing) Last week, I also bought a Boss RC-20XL and a Boss GT-6 effects unit to keep me busy. I also bought a Blues jr. tweed amp. That's my rig for testing/playing with the Casino. Ok, as some of you may know, I had only played a regular casino in stores, and really liked that model, and especially the $500 price tag. Well, I feel there's a substatial difference in playability and looks with the Elite, and I feel like there's a noticeable difference in tone as well. (not sure if its due to different pickups/craftmanship, etc.) The folks in Japan who crafted this guitar get major points for the care put into this machine. I'm so convinced of the quality, that assuming Epiphone's quality standard is the same for the other Elite models, I've already decided if I ever get an LP, I will not waste my money on a Gibson LP, and instead stick with the Elitist line and get an Epiphone LP elitist? (can anyone back me up re. the quality of the other Elitist instruments from Epiphone) I notice the LP Elites are selling around $5-600 on ebay...seems like a steal compared to dropping $2K for a Gibson LP standard plus at guitar center. That's a tangent thought, but I would love to hear others' opinions on that. Overall, based on my Casino Elite, I think the Elitist instruments are overlooked in the industry: i've never seen them in guitar centers or other stores. I only discovered the line due to this board. I brought it up with several Guitar Center employees who didn't really comment on the Elite series, and seemed either unaware, or were not sharing information with me about them. The P-90 pickups are a little too bright for me actually; I was surprised by that. As you all may know, I'm trying to replicate Trey Anastasio's tone somewhat, and I was a little disappointed that out of the box, I could not do this. (more later on this) Also, the guitar's sustain, as predicted, was very weak. (the casino is a very light hollowbody) But, I started playing with the tone pots, and noticed I could quiet things up considerably. This thing seems to definitely replicate the Beatles vibe as noticed before. (although I DID NOT buy this guitar for that reason) I'm able to produce very nice clean tones for both rythm and lead playing. Some negatives: the guitar neck is actually joined on the 16th fret, and it makes it considerably difficult to access upper frets. I'm finally starting to make sense of modes, and the overall fretboard layout, and like playing all over the place these days, so I'm a little disappointed with this feature of the guitar. (seems like the Dot elitist is joined higher, correct?). Also, the volume tag on one of the pots came unglued during shipping. I need to contact the seller on monday about this, but figure a little super glue will fix this minor problem. So, that's really a very minor detail. When playing this thing unplugged, I'm very impressed. Bright, clean sound, and no matter if I play plugged/unplugged, I feel the entrire instrument gently vibrating in my arms, neck included....wonderful sensation I've never experienced on any other guitar. Now, as I bought a lot of other toys, especially the GT6, I'm amazed at what this guitar can do. With the effects of the GT6, using the 'sucky' presets, this baby whales. It does it all, and I was much happier, and reassured that I could eventually probably create Trey's tone through the GT6. (As for sustain, I think I'm going to get a Ross compressor clone from analogman to solve that; what do you guys think?) Overall, I rate this guitar 9/10. Its not a 10 in my book, mainly b/c of the fret joint issue. (although to others, this may not be a big deal) Anyways, I paid about US$1000 for this. I feel like I paid a little too much. (This was a very big expense for me) Initially, as some of you may recall, I was thinking of buying a PRS McCarty for $2500 or an Gibson LP for the same price. I'm MUCH MUCH happier that I did not. Instead, if I want to shell out more $, I'll get the Epi. Elite LP instead on top of this one, and STILL come out on top financially! Bottomline: I think I've found a brand I'm sticking to for life: if the rest of the Elite series is in line with this casino, then I will certainly never end up buying a pure-bred Gibson! Thnks to all for the help and comments during my buyer's dilemna! -T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jjpistols Posted July 17, 2005 Members Share Posted July 17, 2005 nice review - ummm, but didn't you forget something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tommy_is_here Posted July 17, 2005 Author Members Share Posted July 17, 2005 oops, here you go: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jeffcoop Posted July 17, 2005 Members Share Posted July 17, 2005 The Elite/Elitist Dot is joined at the 19th fret, rather than the Casino's 16th; I can see how that could make a big difference to people who play way up the neck. The Elitist LPs are built by Fujigen Gakki, while the hollowbodied and semihollowbodied Elitists are made by Terada. I haven't played any of the solidbodies, but I've heard nothing but good things about them, and Fugigen Gakki has a terrific reputation for quality. Tommy, your inquiries about the Elite/Elitist line last week caused me to give my Elite Dot some serious playing time, which then caused me to retract it from the market. (I need to raise some cash, but I'll find another way to do it). And thanks to your terrific review, I'm now lusting for an Elite/Elitist Casino as well. Damn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jjpistols Posted July 17, 2005 Members Share Posted July 17, 2005 Originally posted by tommy_is_here oops, here you go: oh that's good Jeff - is Terada the factory that makes Gretsch now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tommy_is_here Posted July 18, 2005 Author Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 Jeffcoop, You were really helpful in the process. I'm very curious to getting my hands on the Dot as well...looks like we are mirror images of one another. However, my next project is to get an LP/clone most likely...to namely satisfy my urge to go further up the neck. I think the prices of the Elite's are a little too high...1350 at musician's friends. I think getting this guitar for 1000 is a decent deal. If you can get it for 800, you probably have done an awesome deal for yourself! The closest thing I found to that rate was 700 on ebay, but the guy had broken the neck of the casino, and although it was repaired, I would never go with an instrument who's neck had cracked in the past.... cheer, -T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jeffcoop Posted July 18, 2005 Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 jjpistols: Yup. Tommy_is_here: I got my Dot for $850, used, from Elderly Instruments last November. They rated the condition as excellent-plus; I'd have put it closer to near-mint (there are a couple of tiny, tiny marks that you would never see unless you were scrutinizing the guitar for flaws). I think I did pretty well, although I've occasionally seen an Elite/Elitist Dot for less. The Casino's another matter. Maybe they just don't make enough of them, I don't know, but I almost never see one going for less than $950 to $1000 (unless it has had a broken neck, as you note). Really, my Korean-made Casino is good enough for what I do with it. But the way I've been blown away by the Elite Dot's quality has me wanting an Elitist Casino all the same. Good luck with your LP search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Johnny Sunshine Posted July 18, 2005 Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 How is the Jazz tone on the Casino? Try rolling the tone off on the neck pickup, how does it sound? I am forever in the market for a higher end replacement for my Artcore, and have been interested in the elite casino's for a while, as they're fully hollow, but still thinlines. How does she sound with a sweet jazz sound and some of those minor modes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aerorockjax Posted July 18, 2005 Members Share Posted July 18, 2005 Thats a sweet guitar. Yeah aa bit pricy new. Could have at least included a bigsby, roller bridge, and graphtech nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Audiophile Posted July 19, 2005 Members Share Posted July 19, 2005 Hey tommy nice purchase and review. Good luck! Did you buy new or used? If new where? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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