MIJ, good as an equivalent TOkai in my book. These 80s Japanese built guitars are fantastic quality, but as they're not so well known as a brand, they often sell for a lot less than their quality merits. A lot of these go on ebay, often with hardshell case, for around 200 quid.Įqually, on the used market I wouldn't rule out a Westone Rainbow - see e.g. The Epiphone Elite, or Elitist line is the upper range of Epiphone guitars. Harrison’s guitar boasts a Bigsby, while Lennon’s came with a trapeze tailpiece. McCartney’s 1962 Casino has a Bigsby tailpiece and a Gibson-style open book headstock whereas Lennon and Harrison’s 1965 Casinos both have Epiphone’s hourglass headstock. The regular MIK Epis are superb if you take the time to select the best one you can find - not as good as the gibson, BUT IMHO infinitely better value for money: at about a quarter of the price, you're getting a guitar that's a lot better than half as good. in the Elitist & IBJL Casino so there had better be a difference. But there are subtle differences among them.
I gather these are not officially available here anymor,e so yuo might find a good deal on one used, especially as (and i think herein lies the root of them not taking off here) they were perceived as expensive Epis rather than 'cheaper gibsons' (if they'd called em MIJ Gibson, they'd have not been able to make them fast enough) - on the second hand market they should go for a really good deal as a player's guitar rather than a brand.
The Epi Elite range - if you can find one - are every bit as good as a Gibby, unless you have a hang up re cellulose lacquer. if it's one of the US built Epis, then it's certainly as good as the Gibson.
