Epi Elitist models all made in Japan ? or some elsewhere

[genesouth]

Not trying to start a rumor but I saw a review somewhere where a guy posted a Elitist review and the country of manufacture was listed as "China". Maybe he made a typo ? or I think there is an Epi model called an "ELITE" (which may be made in China). I think the "Elitist" are all made in Japan ? correct ? (Am I mistaken or isn't there an "ELITE" model and it is different than the "Elitist", correct ?

[Redrum]

The "Elite" and "Elitist" Epi's are made in Japan, not Korea or China. Big difference.

[GuitslingerTim]

The Elitist models were orginally called 'Elite', but another company was already using the title, so Epiphone changed the name to Elitist. To my knowledge, all of the Elitist Les Pauls are made at the Fuji-gen plant in Japan. There is an online serial number finder for Epiphone models that traces the place of manufacture if there is a question about where a guitar was built.

[whitehall]

I've been buying MIJ guitars for a long time, and one thing I can tell ya, Japan always has a lot of s*** with them when it comes to manufacturing and marketing their products. This is nothing new to a lot of us. Pick the story you want to believe the most and go with that. Other than one line in a Tony Bacon book, no one has ever gone on record from the Gibson side about well anything to do with Orville or OBG. Supposedly, Orville became Epiphone Japan which became the Elite series. Yet you can still get Epiphone Japan guitars with Gibson headstocks if you know where to go. Yamano had runs made for them all the time , and so did Ishibashi. It's just how things are done there. Tokai will make Japan guitars and then build some dogwood ones in china, the only outward difference ? a peel off sticker and sometines a truss rod cover with an extra screw in it. Edwards does similiar things, as does Burny and all the rest. So pick the story you like best and go with that.

[Robert1950]

I have noodled on about a half dozen different Elitist models. I loved all of them. The SG and the Casino particularly stood out to me. The SG was the only one I wanted to buy, but when I had the $$$, it was gone. They are all MIJ. I can't speak to all MIJ guitars, but these were great.

[Janglin_Jack]

I have Elite SG, Elitist Les Paul and used to own a Casino. Killer stuff!

Jack

[aeronius]

There used to be an "Elite" lest paul that was MIK. It was just a semi-hollow Les Paul Custom with f-holes. As far as I know they stopped making those years ago... but perhaps this is the model he was referring to? A pic would be nice!

[genesouth]

Whitehall, you appear to have a lot of elitist knowledge. I have a Nick Valensi signature elitist model 335. Good guitar. I heard the elitist Les Pauls are made at a different factory.....anyway....do you know if the Elitist Les Pauls have consistent quality from guitar to guitar ? I am asking because Gibson had a reputation of not having consistent quality so I was wondering about the consistency and your opinion on the elititst LP's in general .

Thanks

Gene

[gpro34]

The elite's I've played have been better than the Gibby USA'S. I hate to admit this as I am a true-blue dyed in the wool American. I try to purchase everything made in USA and I'm not ashamed to say I have a bias towards our products. That being said, the Japanese make some great products and I have played many guitars from Japan I've been impressed with. I have yet to play any guitars from India, Korea, or china, (with the exception being Eastman) that I've been impressed with.

[HRydarcik]

Originally Posted by genesouth

Whitehall, you appear to have a lot of elitist knowledge. I have a Nick Valensi signature elitist model 335. Good guitar. I heard the elitist Les Pauls are made at a different factory.....anyway....do you know if the Elitist Les Pauls have consistent quality from guitar to guitar ? I am asking because Gibson had a reputation of not having consistent quality so I was wondering about the consistency and your opinion on the elititst LP's in general .

Thanks

Gene

They're MIJ...of course their quality will be consistent...the Japanese pride themselves on that.

[Mark C]

Elitists are a really good value when compared to USA Gibsons. I have a 335 that I bought to replace my old 66' 335 I had to sell, and it holds up very well in comparison.