The Standard can be had brand new for half that. I really don't think one should pay $1,200 for one. I got mine new when they came out for about $800. So the Inspired Bys are hitting $1,200 for used ones. But does that translate into a better tone? No.

There is a difference in the upgraded jack and pots in the Inspired By Lennon. You want a warm, soothing tone, put on a set of flatwounds. You want a trebly bright as hell sound, put on some D'Addario Prosteels. I really hear zero difference between my Standard Casino pickups and those Gibson pickups on my Inspired By Lennon Casino. To be honest, that pickup difference is just cork-sniffing snobbery. Here are mine (the Standard (burst) I keep strung with flatwounds): Standard is perfect, Inspired By is the better deal though. Problem with the Inspired By Lennon Casinos is I don't believe they are available any longer. (Hell, you'll have to buy a case for $150 for the Standard, so why not just spend another $150 and get a case and the better electronics/pickups with the Inspired By Lennon?) So you pay an extra three hundred bucks for the Inspired by, but the case and electronic upgrades are worth that extra 300. The electronics and pickups are upgraded (actual Gibson pickups), it looks exactly like John's (if that's your thing), and it comes with a case. The Inspired By Lennon Casino is the better deal. The Standard is everything you would want in a hollow body. There is absolutely nothing wrong I can say about that guitar except I don't think they come with a case. The Standard Casino is a great guitar (the burst below is my Standard). Same deal as above: a price hike just because the name 'GIBSON' is on the headstock. If you want to pay two thousand more for a Casino just because The Beatles played them, have at it. Why in hell would anybody pay Ferrari prices for a Volkswagon? The only reason why Epiphone offers a super expensive Casino is because of the Beatles connection. Remember this: a Casino was really Gibson's budget version of a Gibson 330. Forget spending thousands on an Elite Casino. If you want a Casino, then don't buy a Coupe, buy a Casino.Ģ.

They sell small size White Falcons, mini Strats.are they Falcons and Strats? No. My Casino costs a few hundred.the thing is worth thousands.ġ. The way I see it that means the guitar far exceeds one's expectations. And 'bang for buck' is not a pejorative term. I have some top guitars (Strat, Tele, White Falcon, Ric 360/12, SG.) and I have to say that the Casino is the best bang for buck guitar I own. I'll put it this way: it is the only guitar I own that I have two of.

Epiphone es 339 vs casino coupe