Subsequently, when Epiphone’s bass supplies arrived at Gibson’s factories in Michigan, the company encountered a fortuitous bonus: full provisions for a line of guitars. In 1957, the East Coast–based company finally threw in the towel and sold its bass line, and the right to manufacture under the Epiphone name, to Gibson. But with the death of its dynamic leader, Epi Stathopoulo, in 1943, Epiphone’s reputation for quality and innovation began to slide. Please check our website for MANY additional photos! -kcvintageguitarsįast WORLDWIDE Shipping Available! Please contact us for more details.The Epiphone and Gibson companies were fierce rivals in the Thirties, constantly trying to outdo each other’s designs.

The guitar is an excellent player and sounds incredible! Very fine example here. Comes with the original hardshell case, case key, COA/hang tag and truss rod tool as shown. Also a couple small marks on the back of the body but overall it's in beautiful condition. The guitar is near mint with only one small ding next to the g-string tuner. Why buy an elitist with poly finish, when you can get nitro with binding nibs etc for a few hundred more! Much higher specs than the Elitist models as this features a thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish, binding nibs, factory Gibson USA-made P90 pickups, and nearly exact specs to John Lennon's 1965 Epiphone Casino.

This went through Yamano who at this time was strict with quality control. It feels very much like a vintage '65 Epiphone Casino.

Here is a rare and limited edition model that was only for the Japanese market.

Epiphone casino elitist specs