Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $3,080

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Experience the timeless allure of the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino, a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that captures the essence of a classic era with modern precision. This meticulously crafted instrument is perfect for musicians seeking a blend of vintage charm and contemporary playability. The Casino's body is elegantly carved from laminated maple, delivering a rich and warm resonance that complements a variety of musical styles, from rock to jazz.

The guitar features a single piece '60s slip taper "D" profile mahogany neck, providing a smooth playing experience that feels just right in your hands. The meticulously designed Spruce bracing enhances the guitar's tonal balance, offering a rich harmonic depth that truly sings. Equipped with vintage-style P-90 pickups, the Casino delivers a punchy and articulate sound, making it a versatile choice for both stage and studio.

A nod to its heritage, the guitar boasts single-ply binding on the body and neck, and a truss rod cover adorned with Epiphone's iconic "E" logo. The Delrin plastic saddles on the tune-o-matic bridge further refine its tone and sustain, distinguishing it from other models. With its impeccable construction and classic aesthetics, the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino is not just an instrument, but a statement of style and sound.

Key Features:

  • Laminated maple body with Spruce bracing
  • Single piece '60s slip taper "D" profile mahogany neck
  • Vintage-style P-90 pickups
  • Single-ply binding on the body and neck
  • Delrin plastic saddles on the tune-o-matic bridge
  • Truss rod cover with Epiphone's "E" logo

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Elitist '65 Casino Vintage Outfit
Finish Natural, Vintage Sunburst
Year 2014 - 2019
Made In Japan
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
Model Family Epiphone Casino
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Epiphone Elitist
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino?

The Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino is known for its bright, resonant tones with a strong midrange presence, thanks to its hollow body and P-90 pickups. It's well-suited for genres like rock, blues, and jazz.

Is the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino suitable for beginners?

While the Casino offers excellent playability and sound, it may be better suited for intermediate to advanced players due to its premium build and nuanced tonal characteristics.

What is the neck profile like on the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino?

The neck profile of the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino is a comfortable "C" shape, which provides a smooth playing experience for both chord work and lead playing.

Does the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino have a set neck or bolt-on neck?

The Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino features a set-neck construction, which enhances sustain and provides a seamless connection between the neck and body.

How does the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino compare to the standard Epiphone Casino?

The Elitist version is crafted in Japan with higher-quality materials and construction techniques, offering superior tone, playability, and attention to detail compared to the standard model.

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino • SN: T138956

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino  •  SN: T138956 by Wildwood Guitars

Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino • SN: T138956

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Electric Guitar (Vintage Sunburst) by grapevineguitarworks

Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Electric Guitar (Vintage Sunburst)

grapevineguitarworks

grapevineguitarworks

Video thumbnail for Better Than A Gibson?? | '02 Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Vintage Sunburst by Guitar Chimp

Better Than A Gibson?? | '02 Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Vintage Sunburst

Guitar Chimp

Guitar Chimp

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional craftsmanship, surpasses standard models in quality and playability

  • Thin 60's neck profile makes for smooth and comfortable playing

  • Gibson USA P90 pickups deliver rich, versatile tones

  • Iconic design reminiscent of the Beatles' rooftop concert guitar

  • Lightweight and responsive, enhancing playability

  • Highly praised for vintage sound, perfect for 1960s British invasion music

  • Beautiful sunburst finish and regal purple hardshell case

  • Excellent transition guitar for exploring Blues and Southern Rock

  • Articulate pickups with great balance and bite

CONS

  • Requires professional setup for optimal playability

  • Strap lock placement on the back can be inconvenient

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino.

Build quality

  • The Epiphone Elitist features Gibson P90 pickups, contributing to a distinct, cleaner sound compared to the muddier tone of standard Epiphone P90s.

    Source
  • The Elitist Casino features a bone nut and Grover tuners, details that contribute to its higher quality and playability.

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  • The MIC Casino's neck is described as a thin D shape, which may not be preferred by all, but it contributes to its playability.

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Features and functionality

  • The Elitist 1965 model includes a nitrocellulose finish, enhancing its vintage accuracy compared to other models with poly finishes.

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  • The Elitist Casino offers sound improvements with Gibson P-90 pickups, which significantly enhance its tone compared to standard models.

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Comparisons

  • The Elitist is closer to the original Kalamazoo model, especially with its neck profile and finish, distinguishing it from Korean and Chinese versions.

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  • The Elitist Casino's sound is likened to a Gibson 330 but is noted to be a bit brighter, offering a distinctive tonal difference.

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  • Owners find little difference between Korean and Chinese models, except for the neck joint at the 16th fret on post-2006 models versus the 17th fret on older versions.

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  • The Ibanez ASR-70 is mentioned as a better quality alternative to the MIC Casino, with superior high fret access due to a 19th fret neck joint.

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Value and pricing

  • Preowned Elitist guitars have become more affordable, with prices on platforms like Reverb around $2,000, making them accessible for those seeking vintage accuracy without the high cost.

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User experience

  • Owners report that the Elitist Casino, even after extensive repairs, becomes a favorite guitar due to its quality and sound.

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  • An owner with a MIC model found it performed excellently after a proper setup, surpassing similar priced models in playability.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Some users replaced stock pickups with GFS dogear P90s for improved brightness and clarity, noting a significant tonal enhancement compared to the muddy stock pickups.

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  • Users report that replacing MIC Casino stock pickups can significantly improve the sound, with some opting for Lollar or Kent Armstrong pickups for even better results.

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Setup and maintenance

  • A user reported resolving intonation issues on the G string with a wound G string, suggesting it helped achieve better tuning stability.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
lukasraath

Raunchy, yet delicate

Excellent transitioning guitar to move into a spectrum of Blues and Southern Rock. Tangy tones stats resonating through the body when you crank the gain and blast through nice valve Vox amps. Perfect for pedals such as:TS9 Mini, Big Muff Pi Mini, MXR Analog Delay and MXR Reverb.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Gary Clark Jr uses Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino

Gary Clark Jr

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Guitarworld

“I love everything about the Casino... I love its P-90 pickups, its shape, how hollow and light it is, and even the way it sounds unplugged when I’m playing it around the house. I feel like it was made for me. I was into Otis Rush, Freddie King and B.B. King’s sound, with their big semihollow Gibson guitars, and I wanted one too, but when I saw and played the Casino I said this is what I need in my life. It’s a beautiful instrument.”

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Epiphone Elitist 1965 Vintage Casino, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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