Up for sale, a 1996 Epiphone Revolution John Lennon Casino Japan Limited Edition model in collector-grade, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original gray vintage-spec hardshell case. The earliest known example of a properly-spec’d “Revolution” Casino model produced by Epiphone, this model is one of only a handful to ever surface, made for the Japanese domestic market years before the official Epiphone “USA” iteration (also produced at Terada in Japan and assembled in the States) was offered.

A true “missing link” in the evolution of the Revolution model, this Casino came on the heels of the Casino-JL in Japan, which did offer some Revolution-centric features, yet this example was the first to have a Revolution specific model name and to more surgically replicate the various nuances of John Lennon’s circa-1968 Casino. Features include a one-piece mahogany neck (identically shaped to the later Epiphone USA run) with a 16th fret body joint, a satin finish, nylon saddles on the ABR-1 bridge, a small switch surround, gold Grover-esque tuning machines, reflector cap knobs with the 4th knob swapped, pickguard mounting screw spacer, and even Lennon’s exact serial number stamped into the peghead.

The fully hollow thinline maple body ensures terrific resonance with a ton of natural projection and bark. The Japanese-made P-90 pickups are wound to vintage spec with plenty of midrange bark, and a glassy, percussive quality. Each pickup position is distinct, from sweet midrange cut and detail in the bridge position to fatter, rounder tones at the neck that retain excellent articulation. This Revolution Casino Japan Limited Edition is featherweight at 5lbs 13oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 11-49 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany (one-piece)
• Shape: Slender C, measuring .785” 1st fret, .930” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Rosewood, parallelogram inlay
• Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
• Scale Length: 24 3/4”
• Nut: 1.650”, nylon
• Tuners: Grover Rotomatic-style (gold-plated)
• Serialization: 328393 (the same as Lennon’s original) stamped on peghead

Body Specs:

• Wood: Maple
• Pickups: P-90 x2, neck meters 7.7k ohms, bridge 7.9k
• Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, Three-way pickup selector
• Hardware: ABR-1 bridge with nylon saddles, trapeze tailpiece, “dogear” pickup covers
• Plastics: Bonnet knobs (three gold reflectors, one black), small switch surround, pickguard mounting screw spacer
• Label: 67-prefix serial, “REVCASINOJPNLTD” text

The guitar does exhibit a very shallow and virtually undetectable headstock repair. The break was so clean and relatively minor that it’s nearly impossible to see with the naked eye or capture with a camera. The guitar is otherwise remarkably well-kept, with just a few tiny marks on the satin Natural finish. The satin finish on the neck profile is flawless.

A vintage-accurate gray tolex hardshell case with blue plush interior is included, unique to this model, along with the original three-ply pickguard, a fourth gold reflector knob, and a second bridge with metal saddles, also potentially original to the guitar.