[diceman]

The only explanation that I can think of is that people didn't realize what it was. That is an amazing guitar, my friend - I have two of them. You got a hell of a good deal on it, as well - I don't think that you can get a new Elite/Elitist anywhere in the USA for under $1000 - and you paid what most would consider a good price for a USED Elite - and yours is "new old stock."

Congratulations on the new guitar.

I'm sure you know most of this, but your guitar is made in Japan at the Fuji Gen factory, has a vintage correct long neck tenon (neck joint), one pieced quartersawn neck, a bone nut, Gibson USA made pickups and switches, high end Japanese pots, a 2 piece solid back made of African Mahogany, a bookmatched maple top with a flame veneer, real mother of pearl and abalone inlays, Gibson style truss rod and correct headstock angle, and is in my opinion one of the best guitars on the market for the money - particularly at the price you got it for.

Not to put anyone down - but that is twice the guitar that a Chinese made Epiphone is - and you got it for a small % more than they are going for. Again, congratulations on an excellent guitar at an absolutely amazing price. I hope it serves you well. Welcome to the forum!