And just a little while ago, I don't think everyone on this chat line would have wanted it. This thing is a monster, it rocks and it's wild looking, and plays like smooth silk. when you take a little time, it changes everything. I bought a piece of junk guitar for a$120 bucks, I did a little bit of modifying, and this is the results. And who wants to play a piece of crap ? I certainly don't. In my opinion if a guitar feels good, plays good, sounds great, no matter where the hell it was made as long as it Rock and rolls ,that's all that counts, screw status, screw price, none of that matters if it doesn't play good. It seems like everyone is a virtual encyclopedia of epiphone and Gibson guitars, however not too many of you are saying how good they play how they look how they sound. There is some difference in models available in Japan (with Gibson headstocks) and the rest of the world (with a New York-era Epiphone headstock). These were discontinued in 2008, except for the Casino (in 2018) and a few unusual signature models that were Casino variants. In 2003, the Elitist (first Elite) line replaced the Epiphone Japan line, still producing a mix of historic Epiphone and Gibson models. The John Lennon Casino (1999-2008) and John Lee Hooker Sheraton (2000-2005) models were built in Japan and then finished in Nashville. In 1998, the Epiphone Japan line replaced Orville, and produced both Epiphone models and Gibson copies. Most were electric, but there are a few uncommon acoustic models. In 1988, the Orville by Gibson line was launched, all copies of Gibson models. These lasted until 1994, with the Korean version coming in 1996. Under Gibson's new ownership, standard-tier production moved to Korea in 1986, and high-end Casinos were produced by Terada for the Japanese market.

Later models also had stop-bar tailpieces, like the Samick-made Sheraton II and Riviera would eventually have.

The Casino was mostly accurate to Kalamazoo specs, but the Riviera and Sheraton both had full-sized humbuckers. These were for the Japanese market, but were offered worldwide beginning in 1980. The Gibson copies have traditional Gibson-style headstocks, as seen on that SG.īetween 19, Casinos, Sheratons, and Rivieras were made by Matsumoku (via Epiphone's partnership with Aria). High-end Japanese Epiphones have existed in a few forms, and most of them have only been sold in the Japanese market.

How do you know they are factory authorized Epiphones? I’ve been tempted a few times… But nothing about them on Epiphone website. I see a lot of Epiphones on EBay that are advertised as made in Japan.

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