MIJ, good as an equivalent TOkai in my book.
I really wanted to like the Coupe more but side by side tonally it just didn't measure up to it's big brother. As for playability they felt much the same but you will get better access to the upper frets with the Casino vs the Coupe. These 80s Japanese built guitars are fantastic quality, but as they're not so well known as a brand, they often sell for a lot less than their quality merits. In comparison the Coupe pushed more mid range and sounded more compressed/boxy. A lot of these go on ebay, often with hardshell case, for around 200 quid.Įqually, on the used market I wouldn't rule out a Westone Rainbow - see e.g. The regular MIK Epis are superb if you take the time to select the best one you can find - not as good as the gibson, BUT IMHO infinitely better value for money: at about a quarter of the price, you're getting a guitar that's a lot better than half as good. I gather these are not officially available here anymor,e so yuo might find a good deal on one used, especially as (and i think herein lies the root of them not taking off here) they were perceived as expensive Epis rather than 'cheaper gibsons' (if they'd called em MIJ Gibson, they'd have not been able to make them fast enough) - on the second hand market they should go for a really good deal as a player's guitar rather than a brand. The Epi Elite range - if you can find one - are every bit as good as a Gibby, unless you have a hang up re cellulose lacquer. if it's one of the US built Epis, then it's certainly as good as the Gibson.
