1998 Epiphone Elitist '64 Casino Sunburst Near Mint w/ Bigsby & Case, Japan Terada, McCartney Spec

Up for sale, a 1998 Epiphone Casino '64 vintage reissue model in near mint condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Produced at the Terada factory in Japan as part of Gibson's relationship with their Japanese distributor Yamano, this Epi is easily the rarest Japanese Casino iteration ever produced. As such, there's sparingly little information available on the mere existence of this model, yet it's also the most exacting and faithful early '60s Casino ever offered. This reissue was briefly made in Japan prior to the John Lennon Revolution model, identifiable in part by its 16th fret neck joint (other Japanese Casinos meet the body at the 17th fret).

If one were to put together a wishlist of every vintage-correct and just plain fun Casino spec, this guitar checks every box. With its distinctive short headstock, wide 1 11/16" nut, one-piece mahogany neck, nickel hardware, ABR-1 bridge with vintage correct nylon saddles, and a USA-made Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece, this isn't just a Casino, it's *the* Casino. The guitar also matches Paul McCartney's Casino to a T, likely the very reason that this particular reissue exists. The original P-90 pickup pair is broad and sparkling, with a glassy and dynamic top end, rich midrange bark, and a full bass register. The instrument is featherweight at 6lbs 12oz, dialed in here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with low action, spot-on intonation, and fresh 10-46 strings.

The one-piece mahogany neck has a vintage-correct medium C profile carve with lots of shoulder and limited taper up the board, measuring .850" deep at the 1st fret and .950" at the 12th. The rosewood fretboard is bound and inlaid with pearloid trapezoids, and the original fretwire is flawless, sporting fret-edge binding just like a genuine vintage example. The nut measures a full 1 11/16" in width, and the headstock has the shorter pre-65 shape, more akin to its Gibson brethren with a cleanly inlaid Epiphone logo and Kluson-style tuning machines that turn smoothly and hold pitch well.

All of the electronics function as intended, the nickel hardware shines like new, and the plastic parts are near mint. The ABR-1 bridge works in concert with the B7 Bigsby for a very even and smooth response. Visible through the F hole, a vintage-spec blue rectangular "Epiphone - Kalamazoo, MI" label is present. The serial's first digit is 8 for 1998, reinforcing that this was part of the pre-Revolution Casino run (The Revolution iteration was offered in 1999). There's barely a scratch on the guitar, save for a cleanly doweled extra strap button hole on the treble side body horn ala-McCartney (there is no other evidence of a lefty conversion). The neck profile is flawless with a smooth gloss finish.

The original distinctive elephant gray Epiphone hardshell case with blue plush interior is included.