In praise of Epiphone Elitist Les Paul [Archive]

jzucker

03-11-2008, 02:53 PM

bluegrif

03-11-2008, 03:17 PM

I'm sure this will be ignored since it's not about a $5k VOS Les Paul :D...

But I just got this guitar cheap and it kicks major @ss. The original owner put Fralin unbuckers in it. I was going to replace them with Lollar Imperials but after recording this clip last night, I'm not so sure. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaqnppGsRyo)

The guitar sings and plays as well as any high dollar US made Les Paul I've ever played or owned including my beloved '72 Deluxe which was previously my favorite guitar EVER.

Terrific value on these Elitist series epis...

That's good, and not surprising news. I'm not interested in a Les Paul but I've been considering an Elitist Sheraton for a while now. I've never seen any Elitist model in a store so this sort of feedback continues to reinforce my impression that these guitars are truly world-class.

Teleman

03-11-2008, 03:48 PM

I had an elitist gold top std for a while that was killer. Great guitars.

Trotter

03-11-2008, 05:19 PM

I own 2 elitists and think they are amazing guitars...

jzucker

03-11-2008, 05:26 PM

That's good, and not surprising news. I'm not interested in a Les Paul but I've been considering an Elitist Sheraton for a while now. I've never seen any Elitist model in a store so this sort of feedback continues to reinforce my impression that these guitars are truly world-class.

I owned the elitist sheraton a while back. Big mistake letting that one go.

GuitslingerTim

03-11-2008, 05:54 PM

I'm sure this will be ignored since it's not about a $5k VOS Les Paul :D...

But I just got this guitar cheap and it kicks major @ss. The original owner put Fralin unbuckers in it. I was going to replace them with Lollar Imperials but after recording this clip last night, I'm not so sure. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaqnppGsRyo)

The guitar sings and plays as well as any high dollar US made Les Paul I've ever played or owned including my beloved '72 Deluxe which was previously my favorite guitar EVER.

Terrific value on these Elitist series epis...

Nice clip, excellent playing. I have a honeyburst Elitist LP standard with a big neck, Dimarzios, weighs in under 9 lbs, and satisfies all of my LP needs.

outtahear

03-11-2008, 05:56 PM

Used to hear noise like that while riding my bike down Westview Lane.....

;)

bluesmain

03-11-2008, 06:02 PM

Nice tones and chops bro..The ax sounded damn spiffy

daddyo

03-12-2008, 07:47 AM

I love that dark tobacco burst on a Lester. Not so popular anymore with the crazy flame tops.

rcl

03-13-2008, 08:19 AM

The scary thing is...most of the LPs that interest me now ARE EPI! The new one with the nanomag pickup for 699$ at GC? Nice setup. Drop some nice buckers in there and maybe some better caps(which I do on my 5K gibbys as well) and BOOM. The slash line as well, the EPI is listed as a long neck tenon...you know how much a gibby with a long tenon(which should be standard IMHO) costs? Too dang much. The PRS 245/250 tenon is longer than the gibby long. Gibby better wise up. Folks (like me-a 30 year gibson devotee) are looking elsewhere.

SLG

03-13-2008, 10:12 AM

I own a pair of Epiphone Elite ES335's. They are outstanding instruments, on a par with the better 60's Gibsons I've owned. All the Elite/Elitist series of instruments I've played have been very consistent in tone and workmanship. If I were to go the Les Paul route, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on another Elite/Elitst.

utterhack

03-13-2008, 01:31 PM

Great choice. I wouldn't trade one for any USA LP short of an Historic.

Mike9

03-13-2008, 02:15 PM

You got a great deal on a great Les Paul Jack - gled you're enjoying it. Besides the Fralins it has RS volume and PIO caps in it. All that and the long neck tenon contribute to the tone and the fret dressing makes that guitar oh so playable.

I picked up an Epi Elitist SG recently and after a pickup upgrade, fret dress, RS / CTS / PIO upgrade it's a total tone monster and plays really smooth. Again - the SG has the long neck tenon that adds to the overall tone of the guitar.

Custom50

03-13-2008, 02:16 PM

You made a good choice, those epiphone elitist guitars always impress me.

townsend

03-13-2008, 02:42 PM

Really, really nice playing!:AOK

Pete Galati

03-13-2008, 02:52 PM

Tone_Terrific

03-13-2008, 06:02 PM

Choosing guitars based on how they sound and play is a good plan, IMO, vs how they are 'marketed.'

Your playing is impressively precise.... perfect hand positions, light touch:AOK quite instructive.

operanonverba

03-13-2008, 09:19 PM

Great recording! I have an Epi pre-Elitist made in Japan in the plant after Orville quit production. The same tobacco burst with flame and correct headstock. It is my fav guitar and I would not take anything for it. Well.. that sounds stupid... lots and lots of $ probably. No character I guess after all but I love the guitar. I have a similiar one I just picked up off the page, a special in TV. MIJ Epi's rule.

jzucker

03-13-2008, 09:21 PM

Not bad Jack. The Lollars sound good.

I was sort of kicking around the idea of getting an Elitist Goldtop. Just not sure if I want another hefty guitar. But the craftsmanship on my Elitist SG was very impressive. I like how they did the frets a lot more than Gibson's bound neck thing, and the inlays were 100 times more precise than on my '82 LP Std.

Thanks - Actually these were fralin unbuckers. I actually just bought a set of lollars, intending to put them in the les paul but I think i'll keep the unbuckers in this guitar and put the lollars in my 339.

Pete Galati

03-13-2008, 11:27 PM

Thanks - Actually these were fralin unbuckers. I actually just bought a set of lollars, intending to put them in the les paul but I think i'll keep the unbuckers in this guitar and put the lollars in my 339.

Oops. I thought you said Fralin in the video!

I read your post too quick. There might not be a substantial difference. The Fralins sound good, so I'd leave them in place.

73171

03-14-2008, 01:54 AM

Epi Elites are GREAT guitars...I'm still kicking myself 'cause I saw a Blonde Epi Elite Byrdland in a store for 1K and didn't buy it...of course when I went back to buy it a few days later it was gone!

Sparky6string

03-14-2008, 05:28 AM

It's good to see these great guitars get the attention they deserve. My Elitist Les Paul has been my #1 for a couple of years now. Great playing Jack, and congrats on the purchase.

frisco kid

03-15-2008, 07:54 AM

My friend had (has) one that is a real killer, better than any Gibson I've played.

Not a big fan of the look though...

the headstock bothers you that much? everything else is identical to a us made paul.

60HzShuffle

03-15-2008, 08:09 AM

Jack - what are the frets like? Like a US LP Standard?

LaXu

03-15-2008, 08:30 AM

I liked the Elitists as well. Unfortunately in Europe they were obviously priced according to Gibsons so compared to direct competitors like MIJ Tokais they were several hundred euros more expensive. They were certainly built better than 90% of the Gibsons I see over here.

Dumo

03-15-2008, 09:16 AM

Yeah, the frets were wide and medium height but crowned unlike the skinny squared off style Gibson usually uses. I used to have an Ebony Standard Elite that was really nice. A little heavy but very nice. I agree that these are as nice as anything short of a historic. I've seen them used for as little as $550 used. Silly bang for the buck. I thought the stock pickups were fine too.

bdegrande

03-15-2008, 01:41 PM

I prefer my Elitist SG to any of the four Gibsons I have owned. Maybe being made in Japan rather than the US lowers resale value a bit (even there I'm not convinced, I could sell mine for a profit on eBay), but in every respect an excellent guitar.

03hal

03-15-2008, 02:24 PM

I sold a honeyburst elitist LP a few years ago, after picking it up for $650 or so in the great mf blowout. Light, resonant, great frets. Sold it after a couple of months for no good reason, and then lo and behold I see a pic of it here on tgp a couple of years later. After seeing the pic, I really wished I hadn't sold it!

saxophonist56

09-26-2008, 02:59 PM

per gibson epiphone elitists are history. they are not being made anymore.!

gibson says the necks are between a 60's and 50's neck..........how big are the necks?

xhavepatiencex

09-26-2008, 03:11 PM

nitehawk55

09-26-2008, 03:22 PM

Are/were these built in the Terada (sp?) Japan factory ? If so that's where the Gretsch guitars are built . Excellent quality if they are built on the same level .

bluegrif

09-26-2008, 03:26 PM

I recently got an elitist sheraton, I really enjoy it. At first I was considering a pickup change but after playing it I am not going to. It is a super well made guitar, way better than a bunch of heritage's I have played, at least to me.

Hey, what's the neck like on the Elitist Sheraton. Since vintage Sheraton's are now priced way out of reach, I've been considering the Elitist, having heard nothing but good things. I'll never find one locally so I'm curious, any beef in that neck?

xhavepatiencex

09-26-2008, 03:35 PM

Hey, what's the neck like on the Elitist Sheraton. Since vintage Sheraton's are now priced way out of reach, I've been considering the Elitist, having heard nothing but good things. I'll never find one locally so I'm curious, any beef in that neck?

I am always really bad describing necks... haha. I would say its pretty medium in size, It is not thin by any means but not a baseball neck at all. Overall I find the guitar very comfortable to play.

CocoTone

09-26-2008, 03:52 PM

Excellant stuff as always Jack. That Kingsley tho,,,,,ooohhh!!! I want one!!:drool I hear those unbuckers have awesome cleans for humbuckers.

CT.

soulohio

09-26-2008, 03:58 PM

I played an Epi dot and it was very nice. made me think about my current quest for a semi hollowbody...

jzucker

09-26-2008, 04:00 PM

I played an Epi dot and it was very nice. made me think about my current quest for a semi hollowbody...

Epi dot is nothing like an elitist. The elitist is a japanese made instrument with high end ibanez (think GB10, PM120) quality.

I now have Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAF pickups in my guitar and like them a whole lot.

jtm622

09-26-2008, 04:15 PM

Epi dot is nothing like an elitist. The elitist is a japanese made instrument with high end ibanez (think GB10, PM120) quality.

I now have Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAF pickups in my guitar and like them a whole lot.

Also, think $400 versus $1600...

Gasp100

09-26-2008, 04:26 PM

That sounds great. Man, very woody and organic tones. Love it!

soulohio

09-26-2008, 05:11 PM

an Epi Elitist Sheraton is $1600 bucks? wow.

Also, think $400 versus $1600...

jzucker

09-26-2008, 05:17 PM

more like $1250

LTE

09-26-2008, 09:00 PM

The Epiphone Elitist line has been discontinued.

It's no longer on the Epi homepage and I called Gibson today and confirmed it.

nella

09-26-2008, 09:22 PM

I had noticed some posts on other forums. It makes me glad I got my Elitist Les Paul when I did. You really can't blame Gibson for the decision. It did not make sense to put them next to some of the USA Gibsons in guitar stores...

The Epiphone Elitist line has been discontinued.

It's no longer on the Epi homepage and I called Gibson today and confirmed it.

jtm622

09-26-2008, 10:06 PM

an Epi Elitist Sheraton is $1600 bucks? wow.

Not to nitpick about the price with anyone, but...

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Elitist-Sheraton-Electric-Guitar?sku=518418

GibbyFan

09-26-2008, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the "review." I'm in the market for a new acquisition and you just opened up another possibility for me. Great playing by the way, very tasteful.

HRydarcik

09-27-2008, 04:29 AM

I recently got an elitist sheraton, I really enjoy it. At first I was considering a pickup change but after playing it I am not going to. It is a super well made guitar, way better than a bunch of heritage's I have played, at least to me. Here is a bad cell phone pic.

http://photos.l3.facebook.com/photos-l3-sf2p/v310/152/66/670867929/n670867929_1259831_4034.jpg

Beautiful guitar...I love the way the sunburst extends up into the horns of the body...the Sheritans and Rivieras are probably my favorites of the Elitist line.

And it's a plaintop...the way any 335 style guitar should be in my opinion!

buchla300

09-27-2008, 05:14 AM

It can't be as good as my $5k Gibson VOS.

:hide

Seriously though, I think the elitist is a great series of guitars. Keep meaning to grab one, but don't really need one!

Redrum

09-27-2008, 09:24 AM

I have an Elitist 335 that is an incredible guitar. The original pups sounded pretty good to me, but after I decided to replace them with a set of Wolfetone Legends the game was over.

Amazing tone and playability. Did Gibson really disco the Elitist line? If they did, and it sounds like it, I can certainly understand. I'm not saying that all Elitist's shame their Gibson counterparts, but...............

enharmonic

09-27-2008, 10:04 AM

I'm sure this will be ignored since it's not about a $5k VOS Les Paul :D...

But I just got this guitar cheap and it kicks major @ss.

No complaints here. In fact, weren't the Elitists cutting into Gibson USA's standard line offerings? I seem to recall the Elitists going away because they weren't that much different in quality than LP standards at a fraction of the price.

Great guitars. I've played 3-4, and actually preferred them to LP Standards of recent issue.

Sparky6string

09-27-2008, 10:07 AM

So Jack do you still have that Elitist? Don't think I've seen you hold onto a guitar that long before. :D

Ya my Elitist is still a co-#1, sharing time with my Fernandes Tele. Great guitars, and I can't stop looking at more. I've never played an Elitist Dot before but I'd love to. Also I saw an Elitist EB-3 bass on Ebay today- didn't realize they made any of those!

sixthscale

09-27-2008, 10:08 AM

I too got in on the $650 MF blow out.

I’m glad I did, wouldn’t mind a ’54 VOS however.

I’ve heard that the Elitist LP has a long neck tenon but haven’t heard anything about weight relieve drilling.

Does the Elitist have weight relieve holes under that maple cap?

83stratman

09-27-2008, 11:02 AM

sixthscale

09-27-2008, 11:19 AM

Long tenon, no weight relief. IMO, in general, an Elitist is a nicer/better guitar than the Gibson Std. production counterpart. I love my Elitist LP. It is the nicest LP I have owned. Granted I haven't owned that many LPs, but...For reference, I have owned...
'02 Std.
'95 Std.
'02 Studio
'92 Studio
'03 Jr.
'06 Edwards LP Gold Top (this one felt like a balsa wood toy IMO)

Thanks for the info; just curious.

By the specs they do seem to be more like the Custom Shop models than the Gibson regular production run.

I wonder what differences in the wood?

We need someone to donate wood shavings for DNA testing.

I still wouldn’t mind a Gibson though.

sixthscale

09-27-2008, 11:49 AM

A composite pic I put together to help me decide which color I wanted.

MF had all four colors and was selling them for $700.

A few of us got an additional $50 off because of another deal; $50 off all purchases or something like that.

Those that ordered latter were told the $50 off didn’t apply to Epiphones.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5923/epiphoneelitistlespaulsjr8.gif

go7

09-27-2008, 12:46 PM

No surprise. Great guitars. Enjoy!!

Groovey Records

09-27-2008, 01:23 PM

Jack,

Nice track

I own 4 Epiphones

My favorite is a Black Custom with the three pickups

It came stock with Gibson USA Alnico pups.

I had a pro setup done by Peter Florance swapped in three 59 HB VooDoo pups and the guitar is going no where soon. Solid mahogany from Korea. I can't Imagine a better guitar

Gr3y

09-27-2008, 02:16 PM

My friend did a review on the elitist too..

Check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxBNQHj4D-A

:)

proreverb68

09-27-2008, 05:20 PM

I'm sure this will be ignored since it's not about a $5k VOS Les Paul :D...

But I just got this guitar cheap and it kicks major @ss. The original owner put Fralin unbuckers in it. I was going to replace them with Lollar Imperials but after recording this clip last night, I'm not so sure. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaqnppGsRyo)

The guitar sings and plays as well as any high dollar US made Les Paul I've ever played or owned including my beloved '72 Deluxe which was previously my favorite guitar EVER.

Terrific value on these Elitist series epis...

one of my students has one...

It seems like a solid instrument.

benjisaynomore

09-29-2008, 03:43 PM

Got a standard plus vintage burst for a good deal on CG's List. The thing was set-up and ready to go with a gibson 57' classic in the bridge.

Better then any standard Gibson equivalent for $1000+ less.

I love it man, great wood, amazing feel/playability and sounds like $3000 bucks!

+100

saxophonist56

09-29-2008, 04:11 PM

can anyone quantify the neck sizes on these elitists? is the sheraton elitist a 50's type neck or a 60s?

are the les pauls 50's or 60's necked? are they chunky like a historic?

i'm considering an elitist but really hate smaller necks.

seems like most of the reviews really don't address these questions and to me neck size shape is one of the most important issues of whether i like a guitar or not.

lemonman

09-29-2008, 04:58 PM

I can't speak for the Sheraton, but the LP necks are right between a 50s and 60s neck; nowhere near a baseball bat, but not as thin as a 60s. If you must have a ball bat neck you might not be happy with these.

saxophonist56

09-30-2008, 10:30 PM

so i got .859 at first fret and .984 at 12th fret thickness's

is this a big neck? what does a 57 historic measure at those points?

sounds like a decent size........

GuitslingerTim

10-01-2008, 06:28 AM

so i got .859 at first fret and .984 at 12th fret thickness's

is this a big neck? what does a 57 historic measure at those points?

sounds like a decent size........

That's a big neck. The neck on my Elitist LP plaintop is a little bigger at the 12th fret, about 1.2", and it's the biggest neck on an electric I have seen. When a neck exceeds .850 at the first fret, and approaches or exceeds one inch at the 12th, it's a big 'un.