So the Elitist series came well after the move to Korea, it was the Matsumokus that preceded the move.
These models evolved into the Elite series around 2002 (if I remember correctly), about a year later the name was changed to Elitist because another manufacturer was using the name Elite for one of their guitar models. However, Matsumoku continued to manufacture the line of high quality Epis, but in the '90s production of these models was move to the Terada factory in Japan. In the mid 80s, operations were moved to Korea, with Samick as the main supplier of Epiphones. By the mid 70s, Matsumoku started to make a high quality line of Epiphones (Casinos, Sheratons, Emperors, Rivieras.) mostly for the Japanese market. In the 70s' date=' Gibson halted USA production of Epiphones and contracted Matsumoku in Japan to put out a line of cheap guitars under the Epiphone name. I have not seen anything anywhere else to indicate that the Elitists are made anywhere other than Japan. I have noticed on ebay that some sellers are saying words to the effect that 'this Elitist was made in Japan before the operations were moved to Korea' (or China).
