Need Help with Epiphone Elitist Casino

[CSIII]

I have stumbled on this 2010 Epiphone Elitist Casino in Vintage Sunburst. It seems that at around $1k it's a great deal as the new ones now sell for $1800. However, I noticed that the seller has sold quite a few of these exact guitars every few weeks or better. If you search his feedback, you can see this. Probably why there aren't any bids.

Anyway, does the guitar look legit? Any help/opinions would be greatly appreciated. As I couldn't get eBay links to work, please just search the item number: 260758673880.

Thanks

[diceman]

Looks good to me, brother. Best of luck w/ the auction! I've owned 2 Elite/Elitist Les Pauls, but never one of the hollow bodies. I've played a couple of the Elitist Casinos and they were fantastic!

[CSIII]

Dice, thanks again for the reply. But does the fact that he has sold quite a few of these 2010 Elitist Casinos every few weeks kind of raise a red flag in your mind? Granted the guitar looks good.

The buyers all gave great feedback but it just seems sort of odd don't you think?

[diceman]

I suppose that he could have bought out someone's inventory when the model was discontinued...

Guitar looks right, case looks right...

[diceman]

Actually, that is a bit strange, eh?

Anyone know what year Elitists were discontinued?

[CSIII]

True. I may post on the Gibson forum if I ever get the foolish confirmation from them. The guitar does look correct, you're right. And his feedback is good. I will let you know what happens.

[CSIII]

The Elitist Casinos are still being made from what I understand. They are still on the Epiphone website. I just sent the seller a question about his selling Elitist Casinos every few weeks. Let see what he says...

[dennis g]

Originally Posted by CSIII

The Elitist Casinos are still being made from what I understand. They are still on the Epiphone website. I just sent the seller a question about his selling Elitist Casinos every few weeks. Let see what he says...

Elitist Casino's are still being made (it's the only Elitist still in production) and it's one hell of a guitar. I've had one since September of last year. I waited five MONTHS for it from order date. My Sweetwater rep told me they get them in "once in a while", so yeah, a guy selling one every few weeks is a bit suspect to me.

That said, if it's legit for $1K, grab it (although that sounds strange too because while they just went up to 1800, they were 14-1500 for quite a while. Make sure it's not the IBJL rather than Elitist.

Edit: OK, lazy first time, just looked at the listing on ebay. It looks legit to me based on a comparison with mine, including the case & case "candy" such that it is. There's a thread on the Epi forum where you can put in the serial # & it will tell you the where/when made info. Maybe take the link and an internet connection when you go look if he won't give you the # beforehand.

[CSIII]

Here's something new. My email exchange with seller fasteaglevf41:

Q: Question as to the authenticity of the guitar. I find it very curious that you are selling this same model 2010 Epiphone Elitist Casino every few weeks or so. Why is that?

A: It is an authentic 2010 Epiphone Elitist - I never sell blemished items, factory seconds or imitations. Check my feedback.

Followup Q: Can you send me a clear photo of the serial number on the headstock and in the F hole? Do the numbers match?

No reply since yesterday. He replied to my first message within 30 minutes.

I sent the followup question by replying to his first message. However, and this is interesting, I first tried to send the followup via the auction page and asking a question. However, when I tried that I got this eBay message:

info:
We're sorry we couldn't find an answer for you. Unfortunately, this seller is not able to respond to your question. We suggest reviewing the item again to see if your answer is in the seller's listing.

What is this? It seems that the seller has blocked me from asking him questions??? (Probably from bidding too.) I can ask other sellers questions via auction pages. I've been on eBay since 1997 and have never seen this.

Wow, this makes you think thrice.

[CSIII]

Just for the heck of it, from his (100% perfect) feedback, I just emailed 6 of his past buyers for this guitar with the message below, let's see what they say. Most have feedback of under 50. Hmmm...

Hi, I noticed that you bought a 2010 Epiphone Elitist Casino from fasteaglevf41. Have you checked to make certain that it's authentic? Any problems with the seller? I asked one question about authenticity and he blocked me from asking him questions?

I ask because I am also interested in purchasing a 2010 Epiphone Elitist Casino from him. Any help is appreciated.

Best