Author Topic: Signature Guitars(Japan Les Paul Copy) (Read 21621 times)

Dakine · « **on:** September 15, 2006, 07:22:14 PM »

OK,
know they are now discontinued. Made in same factory as Epi Elitist and are supposedly hand made (well as hand made as any other than Luthier Custom). Are Full mahogany with thick maple cap.
Also, meant to kick ass.
BUT,anyone come across one and can tell me anymore?

CaffeineJunkie · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:25:22 PM »

i thought the Elitists were built in USA

sambo · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:26:20 PM »

dont know a bloody thing about them... but they look good

jt · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2006, 08:15:42 PM »

:D Never heard of `em got any links ?

:D 8)

Dakine · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2006, 08:37:51 PM »

No idea myself.
Sketchy info.
Apparently they had summit to do with head guy from Epi Elitist (apparently Elitist was never 'legally' imported into UK,maybe Europe even,not an expert).
Anyway, he made these and Gibson thought em too good? So said 'STOP'
Hence, made no more.
Only found cpl. guys/reviews on H-C who really rate em (and they are Gibson LP owners too).

dave_mc · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2006, 10:37:07 PM »

the elitist should have been legally imported into the UK... I have a Guitarist mag which reviews them! unless something went sour after that...

never heard of that guitar, though...

Philly Q · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2006, 10:43:28 PM »

I remember Roka's in Denmark Street had some Epi Elitists a couple of years ago. Unless I'm getting confused - were they the ones with a proper Gibson-shape headstock and made in Japan rather than Korea? They looked really good.

Dakine · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2006, 11:12:13 PM »

Indeed Elitists are the top line made in Japan.
Did'nt think they were ever brought into UK and read same.

Well this thing (Signature) is very sketchy reading.
Have heard head Luthier on Elitist team designed em for UK market (why diff. name dunno) but Gibson was not pleased as they were too close to a 'real' Gibson. Thus production ceased and they are no more.
It's abit like searching for the pot at end of rainbow (trying to find out about em).
Everything have heard though is that they are great players.
Usually single piece mahogany back, 3/4" maple cap, gotoh machineheads.
Excellent quality control and made in Japan.

Anywho, we shall see, maybe ;)

Afghan Dave · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2006, 01:49:46 AM »

Hey Dakine, I know about these beauties...

The only place that I know had them in stock was Regent Guitars. I get their newsletter and the owner was bowled over with the quality and was highly recommending them.

I've just checked their site and it isn't listed at the moment so you could give them a call.

Roka's in Denmark Street did have some Jap Epi Elitists in along with an Edwards. Their Elitists were even more interesting than usual as they were "grey" imports and had a genuine Gibson open book headstock. This was later replaced with a modified Epi/Gibson halfway house style which lost all the appeal for me.

Hope this helps.

Dave

Philly Q · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2006, 02:03:38 AM »

Quote from: Afghan Dave

Roka's in Denmark Street did have some Jap Epi Elitists in along with an Edwards. Their Elitists were even more interesting than usual as they were "grey" imports and had a genuine Gibson open book headstock. This was later replaced with a modified Epi/Gibson halfway house style which lost all the appeal for me.

Thanks for confirming that - I was looking for pictures of Elitists earlier and they all had that weird ugly headstock. I was sure the ones I'd seen looked like Gibsons.

Afghan Dave · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2006, 02:37:28 AM »

No probs, I hate it too when I think my memory is playing tricks with me.

Both the "openbook" Elitists and the Signature guitars seemed really good quality but the Elitist was about £900 compared with the £500ish for the Sig.

Still out of all of them the next purchase for me will be to put a deposit on a custom made Feline and also possibly an Import Edwards LP custom as discussed elsewhere on the board.

Fingers crossed....

Dakine · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2006, 11:37:17 AM »

Thanks Dave
all confirming the rumours I have heard.
In that the Elitist guitars were never marketed here. The Signature was meant to the be Elitist for UK market but apparently Gibson thought they were a wee bitty TOO good so pulled the plug on em very early on. Hence they are comparitively 'underground and rare'. And due to ZERO marketing really, not a fortune!
Have yet to hear a bad word about them myself.
I know of a few so will see what it's all about maybe.
Just kinda be nice to try before ya buy kinda deal (although still think Edwards is safe bet).
They just look very nice and not cheap at all, and if all the rumours are correct are indeed a veritable thorn in a 'real' Gibson's side construction/tone-wise.

Dakine · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2006, 02:50:49 PM »

Well,
debating and google'ing over.
Got one here. Awesome finish. Nice African Mahogany back, 3/4" maple cap. VERY sweet player. Cross between 60's/50's neck.
Pleased thus far :)

sambo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2006, 02:52:18 PM »

its damn shiny!

looks very nice... what does it SOUND like though? and did you buy/swap it in the end?

Dakine · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2006, 02:56:03 PM »

Did VERY good deal :twisted:
Axis is gone (sorry Sam, I was'nt playing her and she needed a home) and then some :) I did well!
Pups sound ok, no immediate crisis to change, but of course she needs BKP's asap. Uncovered Zebra's :)
She sustains for days and can sing or growl on command.
Neck is VERY smooth and easy to play. No issues at all can see. Attention to detail is amazing. No binding spots/issues, no misfits at all. Pots/electrics do as they should (better than many Gibsons have played). all in all VERY VERY good LP copy.