You'll love the light weight and comfortable neck of the EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e Elitist 1965 Casino. The Elite series are instruments that approach custom shop perfection. Crafted with premium woods, fitted with American pickups and circuitry”-even American-made toggle switches and Grover tuners--they're made at a special factory devoted to their manufacture where they receive a high degree of hands-on luthier attention. You'll find the Elite 1965 Casino true to the original made famous by The Beatles. A finely crafted, great-sounding, and easy-playing instrument that beautifully blurs the line between EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e and Gibson. Includes hardshell case.
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You may love your guitar but you'll love this one more. Step up to an EE-EE-Epiphone-e-e Elite today.
Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidityOther plan features include:
For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
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I had been looking at this guitar for quite a while and finally pulled the trigger and got one a few weeks ago. Based on the hype, product description and reviews I read, I had very high expectations for this guitar. After getting it, I have some mixed feelings about it.First, the guitar was not set up when I received it. The intonation was horrible. I had to take it to a guitar shop to have it properly set up. When the strings were off, the nut fell off the neck. Maybe they forgot the glue. So apparently my guitar was rubber stamped in the USA instead of set up in the USA as EE-Epiphone-e said.With that said, the tone and sound that this guitar produces lives up to my expectations. It is very rich and lively. This guitar wants to party! I play it through an old Music Man 210 HD and it sounds incredible without any effects. The depth and range from top to bottom is stunning.I like the feel of the neck which is narrower than my Les Paul Custom and a little thicker. The frets, however, need to be filed and bevelled down because they feel sharp as I slide my hand up and down the neck. Overall, I would recommend this guitar but beware it may need some additional tweeking after you buy it.Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.If you want an ES330 Casino, Guild slimjin, or are looking at an Artcore consider this guitar. If you play Beatle songs consider it. If you want a guitar you can hear without an amp, a guitar that will hold more of it's dollar value, etc, get it. The P-90 pick up has a neat fuzzy warm sound that is like an old friend to me. I have my mom's 1960 ES 330, and have compared these side by side. Hers has a thinner neck, sounds a bit more open yet mellow, but it is 50 years older too! The poly finish used on some Elitist guitars I think is great. These may have nitro. Some did. My 335 has poly and if it had lacquer it would be ruined by an airport mishap. I am not super crazy about the model, but I have one (ES 330) that is an heirloom, and plays so good I over play it after playing most guitars. I LOVE the Elitist line, and jus got a 61 SG Elite too. I cannot see using a 1960 ES 330 Live when I can use this one instead. Why risk a vintage guitar? For the money these rock. Some feedback control is needed live. A volume pedal, feedback supressor, DSP, or whatever. In the studio these are awesome.
7 I will give it a 7 for the block inlays, and other fiddly ornamentaion, but it is a 100% passive normal 2 pick up 2 volume 2 tone controls and a 3 way switch Gibson. It has no fancy Neal Moser stuff that would give it a rating of 10 as far as smoothing coils, split colils, coil taps, preamps, varitone, etc.
Flipping incredible fit and finish. Yeah yeah it is not nitro cellulose on some Elite/Elitist EE-Epiphone-es, but the affect of that on tone is so tiny compared to how much better a poly finish holds up it is insane to dock points. Anything that fits a 1960s Casino or ES330 will fit on this. The FujiGen factory's guitars are more consistent that Gibson has been over the past 15 years, and again from about 1975-82, These things are gorgeous. My mom has one of the finest playing guitars ever made in a 1960 ES330 dot neck, and a custom order 1960- H Bird long scale slim neck. I think the Japanese neck is a smidge fatter, and more like some later 60s slim profile necks I have to compare to. The fit and finish of binding and everything is really nice, and near perfect.
OK, Fantastic I reserve for deep discounts and used super deals, but for a nice slimline full hollow body these are awesome guitars. If not for The John Lennon, McCartney, Harrison thing I think these would be some rarely reissued Gibson Custom shop item released every 10 years or on custom order only basis. It was not a super ground breaking great guitar. I believe it was to replace the ES 125, and 295 or something. Gibson did sell a lot of ES330s (know as the poor man's dot guitar) and now that poor man's guitar is $3500+ used, and Casinos are more. It is worth buying and they seem to hold value for resale better than a lot of guitars.
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.I've owned my 65' reissue elitist for about 3 1/2 years, purchased new. It's incredibly comfortable, the neck feels great, and its not as light as you'd think for a hollow body. I can't speak for everyone, but mine had some issues when I got it. While I got a really good deal on it, I had to invest in a change or two. One of the truss rod cover screw holes wasn't properly drilled, the truss rod has an issue where it does not want to adjust (thankfully for my climate its perfect), it wouldn't intonate all the way and it had a horrific buzzing that took make over a year to figure out. The best thing you can do with this thing is purchase a Gibson Nashville style tune-o-matic bridge for it. The cheap/standard "EE-Epiphone-e ABR-1" style bridge was really bringing this guitar down, and its sustain and note clarity has doubled since I installed it. The stock bride has a small wire that is the only thing keeping the bridge saddle screws in place, and the bride isn't wide enough to get correct intonation on the G string. The Nashville bridge ran me about $60 but it was well worth it, no wire, just a solid hunk of metal that easily has twice the width (for saddle range) than the original. The buzzing was a mix between the bridge and a couple of loose bushings on the tuners. I also removed the pickguard on mine, which is more a matter of preference. That weak stock bridge is the only thing keeping this out of the range of a true 335 or other true "Gibsons". Side note: this model actually has immaculate binding, something my Gibson Firebird that I payed more than double for (new) did not.
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.I only write reviews when something stands out and I want to let people know that.When you pick up this guitar, you know it is special. The workmanship (made in a dedicated facility in Japan) is top notch, as are other Japan-made instruments I own. It has a great sound acoustically, which is always a good indicator in an electric guitar. It stands up to the unavoidable comparison between it and the Gibson ES 330 (I have a 1963 330). This is a fine guitar and worth the extra money.
Careful build with quality materials and hardware is evident in appearance, feel, and sound. Five-ply maple body has really nice tone and resonance.Grover tuning keys are smooth and stable. Neck and binding are as good as many Gibsons, not to mention the Gibson pickups and electronics.
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.This guitar is so very, very good. The tone, the playability, the craftsmanship... This is the finest hollow body guitar value. Period.
P-90's - Which are the ideal pick-ups for todays modern, modeling amps. It can play very clean or very dirty and everything in between.
There are NO flaws on this guitar. Made in the Terrada factory in Japan. It is as well made as anything that comes out of an American facility. Really, it is a beautifully crafted guitar.
The Best Guitar Value Anywhere. You can pay much more but will not get a better guitar.
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.I've owned several casino's made in korea, the inspired by lennon and now finally a beautifull elitist casino! I've always wanted an elitist casino but couldn't find them in stores here in europe. Until three months ago! It was perfectly set up right out of the box! Never had that before with any guitar i've owned. This guitar is so good I got rid of my gibson custom shop 335 and bought another japanese gretsch instead. I love the built quality of the Terada factory in Japan. The quality of this guitar is just as high as the japanese pro series Gretsch guitars! It's all flawless!
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.I play in public venues at least twice weekly and I've been playing for more than 40 years. The return on investment and appearance of this guitar is outstanding. I compare this instrument favorably with my Gibson 330, 339, and Ibanez AK jazz box as well as my EE-Epiphone-e Broadway. The instrument came to me very close to ready-to-play and I am very satisfied with the electronics and the instrument. Had the case lid fit properly to the case body I would be totally happy with the purchase. Instrument is very impressive with regard to cost/quality value and has an exceptional appearance.
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.I've owned a lot of guitars in my life, and this EE-Epiphone-e 1965 Elitist Casino ranks among the best. From the moment I unsheathed this mighty axe from its purple velvet lined case, I knew I was holding something special in my hands. For myself, there's nothing better - and I think you'll agree.
The two Gibson USA P90s can go from an angry howl to a dulcet sweet tone and anywhere in between. The electronics components are a cut above your standard EE-Epiphone-e, as is the fit and finish. The only real issue with this guitar is that it feeds back at high volumes or high gain, but that's an issue with all fully hollow electrics (and can be used to your advantage).
I can't recommend this guitar enough. You take a shower, for yourself there's nothing better!
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.My 11 yr old guitar still looks brand new....not a scratch on it anywhere! The material is super, the craftmanship is top notch ....had to send back many gibsons guitars because of shabby workmanship. The sounds out of this guitar is superb! If you can afford this guitar and are looking for a hollow body model, than you need to buy it! It a funny thing but every night before I go to bed I have to go look at the guitar like to say goodnight.......this guitar does something to you.....I feel a connection with this guitar........no i'm not batty.......wait till you purchase one..you will be feeling just like me! You will know why the beatles fell in love with their casino's.
I have a 2001 1965 Elitist Casino, And I have to say it is the best quality built guitar ever!
This is the best built guitar I've ever owned and over the years i have owned over 30 different gibson and fender guitars.
The guitar is worth at least 2,500.00
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
.Its an increditable guitar worth every penny..IF! you can get one without and finish flaws. I'm sure Gibson sends all the questionable finishes to online vendors. Had to return three! it breaks my heart. Get a standard Casino and throw some gibson pickups on it.
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Natural
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