How rare is the "original version" of Epiphones Les Paul Elite EB (Florentine)?

B

BabyBottle

Member
How rare is the "original version" of Epiphones Les Paul Elite EB (Florentine)?

Hello,

I got among my guitars an 1997 Epiphone Les Paul Elite EB. It's one of the original Epiphone 1996-1998 version of the Gibson semi-hollow les paul Florentine model, (all examples were made in black and gold).

In my opinion it's a very very good guitar, not to far behind my Gibson ES-335 in terms of quality and sound.

I know that they (Epiphone) did in 1999 change the construction/wood in the guitar and made a cheaper version and in other colours, typical sunburst colours etc.

As far as I know, the first version is a rather unusual/somewhat rare guitar. Is there anyone out there who knows (approx) how many they made of this guitar one? Would be fun to know. I've seached the net for all info I could get but there are not that much to find apart from the unofficial epiphone and wikipedia sites.
 
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Hello,

Here are some pics...
From all I Heard and read, this guitar modell, only made between 1996-1998 is rare. Just for fun, I would like to know if someone knows something about how rare it is, how many they made during the two years they made them, etc...

In every add I've seen it says rare, very rare etc. I've heard everything from a few example to a few hundred. The higest I've heard is 600 worldwide.

Soundwise for those who wounder, it is in my own opinion not as good as my Gibson ES-335 but this one is not far behind. It sounds fantastic and the shape of the guitar is just stunning... Keep in mind this guitar is 16 years old and counting and still shines as new...
 
Thanks, Yes I find it quite nice, especially as it is 16 years old and couting. My example is signed by the late Luther Allison (Died in 1997, elected into the Blues Hall of fame).
I would be very pleased if someone knows just how rare these guitars are. Everytime I've seen one for sale (don't happens that often) it almost all the time said to be very rare, sp the question is just how rare is it?
 
I have one of these guitars as well. Would be very curious to know how rare and what the value would be. Not much info available online.
 
I've had a few in over the years for repair and setup. I wouldn't say they are very very rare. Why does it matter?
 
Most of that "very rare" sales pitch is just that. Online its like a snowball with a mile of hillside to roll down. Your's probably is at least rare, though. There were enough of them made that MF had some, I remember seeing them in a catalog.
 
dervish riff said:
Most of that "very rare" sales pitch is just that. Online its like a snowball with a mile of hillside to roll down. Your's probably is at least rare, though. There were enough of them made that MF had some, I remember seeing them in a catalog.
Click to expand...

Thomann shipped them too. They don't ship anything in small quantities.
 
Hello,

Here are some pics...
From all I Heard and read, this guitar modell, only made between 1996-1998 is rare. Just for fun, I would like to know if someone knows something about how rare it is, how many they made during the two years they made them, etc...

In every add I've seen it says rare, very rare etc. I've heard everything from a few example to a few hundred. The higest I've heard is 600 worldwide.

Soundwise for those who wounder, it is in my own opinion not as good as but this one is not far behind. It sounds fantastic and the shape of the guitar is just stunning... Keep in mind this guitar is 16 years old and counting and still shines as new...[/QUOTE]

Hi BB,

I have an Epi LP Elite as well - a '98 model. Go to Wikipedia and search "Epiphone Les Paul" - and then when the page comes up - click on Number 6 ("Les Paul ES").

It says that only 47 Epi LP Elite Custom's are known to exist currently. How and where they got THAT number - ZERO CLUE! It also says one can value up to 10K US Dollars. I bought mine in November 2013 for $500 from a Guitar Center in San Jose, CA (without case). I've been trying to get a ballpark on how much I could sell it for - but they seem to be SO rare - they're not even listed in any of the Guitar Valuation books! A collector who has a site for buys/sales (exceptionalguitars dot c o m) says he usually asks $900 for an Epi Elite Ebony Custom. Who knows if he GETS it, though?? Since you've posted this - have you found any selling price info? If so - I'd LOVE to hear from you! And I agree - the tone and playability is AMAZING on these axes!! I have a 2001 Gibson Les Paul Florentine and it doesn't hold a CANDLE to the Epi! FACT!! Hope this helps if you didn't already know this info. Best - CK
 
Hello CK,
You are absolutly right! The sound and playability is just fantastic. When it comes to the ES and number 47, I neither have any clue how someone came to the number 47. What I have found out is that there were 2 versions, the Elite (only made in black w. gold hardware) and the slightly simpler (cheaper?) ES (made in a few different colours incl. sunburst etc). They are different in termos of Wood on the fretboard, main body and they have different shapes on the inlays on the fretboard (Elite=rectangular, ES=tranpets.). I have also saved the review of the Elite that were made by my local monthly music magazine back in 1996-1997. The magazine gave it 5 out of 5 in their verdict.

I have noticed the same thing as you have when I search the internet, that is, there is almost no information at all about the black Elite version. When it comes to the ES version there is a few bits of information here and there.

What I have found is one additional review of the Elite (can send you the link if you would like) and it got a just as amazing verdict as my local music magazine gave it. I have also found that the ES version must have been made and sold in a larger number then the Elite.

For my own part, I have 3 guitars that I will never sell, my black Elite, my black Gibson ES-335 and my sunburst Epiphone casino.

Regards
BB.
 
Oh.... I did forgott one thing you ask. I just curious about how rare it is/how many that were made - since I will never sell mine, but since you asked. I paid about 1000-1100 USD in total, incl. Post and package, custom etc which with a very favorable exchange rate turned out to be a quite ok price for my elite which were almost brand new and almost never played, it still smelled Wood and new when I recieved it.
 
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