All user reviews for the Epiphone Casino [1995-?]

In what country was she made? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France ...) Korea seems to me ... t it in 1997 after the serial number

What type of bridge? Bridge Type Tune-o-matic tailpiece with Trapeze tailpiece

Pickups: 1 neck pickup P90R P90T + 1 bridge pickup

Settings: 2 Vol / 2 Tone / Selector

UTILIZATION

The neck is super nice I think, round and rather large, very comfortable.
Ergonomics are good, it is a body type ES330/335 (this is also the "version" of the Epiphone Gibson ES330 from) so we feel the guitar against itself because the body is large.

The weight is light as HYPER full hollow body (no through-beam to sustain as an ES335 or derivatives)

Access to acute is not the strong point of the Casino because the body handle junction is at the 17th fret, but it's not a guitar shredder, it's still a typical vintage guitar.

The sound is really good, creamy and soft for the neck pickup and dry and slamming to the neck pickup. In clean it very well, and crunch is EXCELLENT (requires P90) to the extreme saturation must remember, however, it is completely hollow (full hollow body) so it is assured high gain feedback. Less than play .. at 100m amp or reamping studio ... (hey, I just thought of it at the moment ... it gives ideas ^ ^)

SOUNDS

For the English pop rock 50/60, Beatles, Stones, blues, stoner is the top ...
Played on Peavey Delta Blues is hot and creamy, it lives, and P90 have something very music not found on humbuckers or single coils on, it is part, and c ' is singular.
Favorite sounds: neck pickup clean and light crunch, intermediary clean and crunch, pickup in clean and crunch.
Sounds I hate: no, not even plugged it sounds!

OVERALL OPINION

I have since 2005 and it is 1997 (third-hand purchased at an AF guy).
I have not tried a lot of models, but being a fan of the beatles I wanted a natural or sunburst Casino as Lennon, but when I saw the finish Turquoise I cracked (must love, but personally I love).
Q / P: very good at the time paid 450 euros
Oh yes I would do this choice! I keep this guitar for life!

I'm doing a report on the testing of the Epiphone Casino that I have tested before yesterday. (See below video link at the end.)
This is a guitar that I have long neglected because the 335 is for me the culmination of the thinline form.
But I really like Grant Green and the sound of these recordings "blue note", I'm also a big fan of his T-Bone Walker, it is for these reasons that I decided to test this guitar for me forge my own opinion.
It was the "standard" model Chinese, in March 2014, a beautiful sunburst pulling the honey burst.
The instrument is bright, pretty irresistible in fact; P-90 dogear with Nickel, trapeze tailpiece covers, we are right in the 50s, the beginning of the electric guitar in short.

UTILIZATION

335 therefore form but ... featherweight, no central beam, one begins to Hercules, a 335 ligther, finally!
Except that this machine has, outside the "shape" general, nothing to do with 335.
On the Chinese model, the handle is rather thin, a true "slim type" finish button and frets is good without being great, the neck is straight, action, generally quite low, fairly well settled by the strings against are Mr. ....
The tuners are spartan, kinds of Kluson rather frail ... not really give her confaince immediately, but good test time.
The peculiarity of the Casino, as her twin ES_330 Gibson is his joint fund-handle to the 16 th fret ... you never played as high as with an ES-335, why is death .. ., but at the same time, I did not feel "clamped" by this fact, we did not want to play the way freddy king, until 22 emme box in balloons background, amplifier overheating.
The lead work is possible, but it will be more parsimonious, less extravagant and probably less demonstrative.
It tends quite naturally want to reproduce the type of "solo-riffs" of the 50s, not the big shred descents we know now.
This is a great riffeuse the riff "Day Tripper" was played over.
So really not a problem this hose connection below.
For arrangements, it really is perfect, is played comfortably Apeu near everything you want, including blues and jazz kind anatoles I-VI-II-V, the guitar is sweet, it can attack "right hand" without too many breads, conditioon to have a set of strings of good quality and not desous of 10-46. (which was not the case in my test).


SOUNDS

-The preferred styles of this guitar are; rock n roll (Beatles), rockabilly and blues but also jazz (Grant Green).
All these styles in their course "cool" version, ie, without distortion exuberant, but rather clean or crunch, they may even be supported (confers Gary Clark Jr.).
Epiphone pickups are "correct", let me explain; through a good tube amp, it will be beautiful and "correctable", through to systems or smaller transistors modeling, we hear faster / immediately the limitations of these microphones.
To play "hard" without hesitation take a ES-335, you will regret it.
Overall, the pickups are a soft hair and lack of aggressiveness and treble to really tear.
But for the price paid, it is very honorable, you can still play if the amp is good, it is not catastrophic, as epiphone could be in the past on this point.
At the end of the test, I get to hang a Larsen, and the low volume, it should be noted, the guitar part in the feedback quickly, so you need to know.
For me it is a "fun" thing to master for the show, the next "Rock n roll music" beatles we say.
But it can also become painful in certain circumstances scenes evil "manageable", the tiny scene style; amateur gear of scene, or gender wedding, party neu neu music festival in style, "... as soon as I move, I go on a treble-Larsen fact that people are going to hit me if I do not stop immediately ... "
semi-pro environment, it will advance probalment better already.

OVERALL OPINION

As I say, I do not has this guitar, but I intend to offer soon.
I AIMME is its strong identity, guitar rock n 'roll and blues 50s, a sound that I place very high in the Parthenon revved guitar.
We can offer it for 500 Euros, the Gibson ES-330 is inaccessible for me.
The thing finally very new, it is simple to play violin on a typical Gibson and have this dynamic and smart can recall the very telecaster by certain listed.
If we want better, we must offer the john Lennon or elitist or Gibson, but that's another price.

The test video hereinafter, was done in a fairly busy shop, without any preparation and "in tears", filmed at the i-phone on a roland cube that does not manage to resolve crunch especially with the world around, ca worth what it's worth ... and forgiveness for the game, not always on top.
This is just to get an idea in the bluesy register.

Model new, made in China. All specs you know if you read the previous reviews ....
Good violin, very good general appearance

UTILIZATION

I played for many years on the Fender (I have not stopped eh!) I was not in any way désenparé this round. Super comfortable, a little bigger than my Jazzmaster but nothing unsettling. A treat ....
Access to acute is necessarily limited due to join the 16 fret but hey who cares .... the vintage models have a join as the 335, with better access to acute ...

SOUNDS

the important issue ....
So to be honest, this guitar has given me a hard time. I got this shovel for my 30th birthday with my family. This is the only reason why I still have it. I hesitated more than once to separate me ... if so .... original sound rough, super hot, too hot, it's runny, it is soft, not sharp, no shit, the shit .... do shit .... I strongly suggest a change of pickups! What I do .. I had no dosh, I only changed the pickups bridge (this is the one I use most of the time) by GFS. Result .... better but not there yet ... I changed the knobs by CTS, ahhhhhh finally! Finally a good hollowbody sound. The p90 sounds really good, although slamming (this is not a single Fender eh!) And fat at the same time, it saturates slightly to the old sounds a treat .... I intend, as soon as possible, put better pickups (Lollar 50's wind) to finalize. But already by this change just by cheap microphones, you have a good instrument to play seriously ...

Many complain that it easily share feedback .... band dicks! Feedback is THE thing rock'n'roll! Not a good concert without feedback! anyone can learn to manage this. At worst you can put something in the guitar (the tissue or chai not what) it attenura resonance. If it still bothers you, pay you a solid body ...

Guitar once this change is made, is finally revealed! Shovel for superb vintage sounds good, typical rock'n'roll, blues, rockabilly, .... I play in a garage rock band (60's) surf psyche ... It was well wooded typical hollowbody, a delight ....
To give you an idea, listen to the 13th floor elevator, he plays with an es-330 (same as the casino)

for the final note, I judge after upgrade mics ......

OVERALL OPINION

So overall, this is a very good guitar. I think with good microphones (there is a ton of different p90) was a great guitar for all levels and use.

My kid played with my Jazzmaster and broke the micro switch. And that two days before a concert ..... I was forced to take the Casino. I'd never do to live with, eh bin was the ball!! So the Casino has kindly pushing aside the Jazzmaster. My jazzmaster is still not repaired since 3 months! ....... I can just do without this sound, this shape, this feeling that you have when you play with. In short it is the hearts ...

Too much Beatlesmaniac consider this guitar. I do not listen to the Beatles (well very very little) and I do not care if john or other had it, it is definitely not because of them that I have this guitar ... It is wrong to think arch: Casino-Beatles ... This is a guitar with a very strong personality, able to excel in many styles. Vintage sounds of course ....
Very highly recommended!

Purchased From Sam Ash Music $599

It seems that Epi's have improved over the last few years. The tuning keys are decent, although not great, but still far better than the past. The sound is quite nice for clean tones, and light drive. It's easy and fun to play, sounds like a champ.

I figured the sound would have been a bit brighter, but it's still quite nice. I'd prefer that the unit had a better set of tuning keys. The binding up the neck is a bit rough, but pretty good.

Not bad at all... Again, tuning keys could be better, nice fretwork, well potted pickups, very good finish... I'm not sure how much I'd risk roughing this up, it seems a little fragle on the body side of things.

At this price point, It's a great guitar. If you want to use heavy distortion, this will NOT work, I guarantee it will feed back like nobody's business. For bright clean jangling tones, or some light drive, it's a great instrument.

For this price, it's a gem.


This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

wanted a hollow body w single coils for the blues and vintage rock sound. Music 123 for 550.00 w case.

I like it all eccept the tuners but they will do.This guitar is flawless. It sounds good without plugging it in for practice. Ihave 6 other guitars but pick this one up the most to practice. I can see why this was lennons favorite guitar. The tone sings and it is great for the blues. Mine is torguise, white binding on the body and neck. With the chrome hardware and chrome p90 dog eared pickups it looks like a 56 t-bird(the car).But its the sound that sets this guitar apart. It will feedback if your close to the amp or in high noise situation.The pickups are reverse wound so you can put it in the middle position and tone down the other pickup to get rid of the noise if you have to.But this is how it is with hollow body single coils.

I have played guitars much more expensive and they dont stack up to this guitar.
If this was lost or stollen I would replace it asap.

I replaced the tunners with grover minis.But I am pickey.

A1 I have seen some gibsons not as good.

If your looking for the p90 sound and want an electric you can practice with unplugged this is it.I have played rock, blues, country with it It is great. Heavy metal no.
I use a strat or a les paul. If I was looking for my first electric(not heavy metal) I would recommend it.I play this guitar the most eccept for a modified super strat. I used a d35 martin to practice with before the casino now I mostly play the casino.I think epiphone does a good job for the bucks.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar at Long & McQuade in Vancouver Canada for $ 900 Canadian ($600 US)

I like the lightness of the body and the fact that it has some volume when it isn't plugged in because it is a hollow body. It has a great crunchy tone wich really cuts through, like the rhythm sound on The Beatles' "Revolution".

There is not really anything I don't like about this guitar. It rocks.

This is a beautiful looking guitar as well as great sounding. It feels very solid even though it is a hollow body.

The bottom line is that this guitar gives me the crunch and cut I was looking for as well as being a guitar I can strum in my bedroom like an acoustic unplugged. Now I know how the Beatles got their sound;.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I purchased this guitar when I lived on the West coast of Florida in Clearwater at Thoroughbred Music which has since been purchased by Sam Ash Music. The guitar was only slightly used and I payed only $400 for it which was a steal since new units run upwards of eight or nine hundred.


For a hollow body electric or archtop as Gibson and Epiphone refer to them, it plays with substantial volume and tone unamplified, which is nice for practicing. When I play this guitar through my Crate TD-50C Chorus amp, the P-90's provide a very powerful yet creamy and full tone. The large parallelogram inlays on the fretboard are very easy to see and are attractive as well. Aside from the great playability of this guitar I really fell for the beautiful natural blonde maple finish.


The only feature I do not like about this guitar is the pick guard constantly vibrated at an aggravating and very noticeable level when I played the guitar unplugged. Since I have removed the pick guard all the bad vibrations are gone. I assume that this may have been a problem for some time since John Lennon removed the pick guard on his Casino.


The construction, fit and finish of this unit is of a very high quality, especially considering the price range that it sells in. Having owned this beauty for several years now, I have had a chance to closely inspect every inch while hand rubbing Axe wax into the finish. Even after all this time I am amazed at the fine construction and finish.


This instrument is a pleasure to play and it always draws complements from even those who don't play.


this review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Known.

UTILIZATION

Channel pleasant, light guitar not too big.

SOUNDS

Good for crunch or clean sound, especially rhythmic arpeggios ...
Fender Frontman

OVERALL OPINION

Good points, the race very late, the P90 pickups, less fit inside the PAF of 335, the lightness of the guitar (no central beam).
The body is relatively thin, although it is not very big there is not cluttered.
It seems a little expensive, compared to her cousin (Epiphone Dot 335 to 300 e). The mechanical vintage does not look super sharp.
A good choice overall, if you have a style of play focused.

Though Epiphone is known for building guitars that today are mostly copies of Gibson designs, people forget that they had some great models of their own back in the day. One of the most popular models was the Casino. It was used by people like John Lennon, George Harrison and Keith Richards in the sixties and was noted for its very nice hollow tone, easily on par quality wise with a similar Gibson. This model is a modern affordable import reissue of that original classic and is very cool. It features an all hollow maple/basswood body, a mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard, a tune-o-matic bridge with trapeze tailpiece, small button sealed tuners, and a pair of Epiphone P90s wired to a pair of volumes and a pair of tones as well as a 3 way toggle switch. Its most similar to the Gibson ES330 which an all hollow guitar much like the Casino.

UTILIZATION

The design of this guitar is pretty ergonomic considering the market for which it was designed. It's nice and light because it's a fully hollow guitar and it balances fairly well on the body in sitting and standing positions. Unfortunately the upper fret access is a weak point here. It's got a pair of fairly stubby cutaways and they don't really allow to the best reach, but considering that the people using these guitars back in the day weren't the Steve Vai shredder types, so I guess it's not surprising. Considering what the guitar was designed to play, it feels like a nice solid feeling guitar that plays well and has a nice feel, something not really found in many of the Gibson copies I've tried of theirs.

SOUNDS

This guitar sounds pretty good overall. It has a nice resonant unplugged sound straight off of the wall, which is great for showing that the guitar has good woods and construction. The notes ring out nice and clear for chords or lead breaks alike. Plugged in, the pickups are actually not too bad. Epiphone isn't known for their modern pickups but these ones do a decent job. They're a nice vintage output P90 that sounds great through a clean amp. It's great for jazzy chords on the neck pickup, or for some nice pop rock tones in the center position or on the bridge pickup. Adding a bit of overdrive makes this guitar sound pretty raunchy. You will get feedback if you try and turn it up too much but when managed it gets some nice classic rock tones that really sound different from a typical Les Paul, SG, or even a 335 type sound.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Epiphone Casino reissue is a great guitar for someone looking for a decent reissue of a classic. They seem well made and the parts are of decent quality. It offers a nice set of woody hollow tones that are close to a 330 or 335 but have their own sort of vibe going on. They run about $600 new which is a fair enough deal considering that it's got decent quality. I would take one of these over a DOT or Sheraton based on the quality of each respective model that I've tried...

Guitar 1 / 4 box made in Korea
Vintage sunburst color
Caisse completely hollow (no center beam)
2 P90 pickups epiphone
slecteur 3-position
2 volume knobs and 2 Tone

UTILIZATION

Having had only stratocaster hands before, I did not feel lost with this handle is very comfortable. Contrary to a stratum can not descend as low in the handle, however it is still widely acceptable. Being Fully hollow, this guitar is pretty lgre, it is even good balance

SOUNDS

So forget about the solid body; carrment is another way of thinking. If you want to play should be reviewed in line adjustments, the rsonnance produced by the body completely changes the situation: the first tunable to ring you made for the second! For not too much gain and scrape a little less strong. For ranges and the rest, the sound is incredible, the fund gives power and depth to each note. Overall the quality of sound is really good trs. As for the distortion, this is not what it is but mieu russi the way to

OVERALL OPINION

I possde for a week and I am more than satisfied, I use a Vox AD60VT which fits like a glove. It's a very nice guitar that did trs Permit indifrent person around me. Personnelemnt I waited a long time and I did not t due. I had some other SSAI guiatres the same type: Cort, Ibanez ... but it was worth it s not in my opinion. It is true that the boxes are a bit half a world away in lctrique guitars and is the most that is completely hollow, this style may not appeal to everyone. But for fans of this kind of sound going there: it is for you!

The Epiphone Casino Archtop Series (manufactured in Asia ..) is one of the Casino rplique 60s, among other clbre made by John Lennon Beatles PERIOD 67-69. We see more and more groups currently use (or more often, according to budget, his cousin "made in United States," better off!) As the Strokes, or Phoenix ...
It's a real half-cash, trs well finished, as often with Epiphone, and all are dtails Submitted, even simple micro-coils and the bridge of era, enough sagrable when to change the strings, but hey .. it's not a Floyd-Rose !!!...

UTILIZATION

The grip is really enjoyable: it is well balance, or lgre nor heavy, and the handle is extremely comfortable. Ergonomics is vintage anyway, so useless to compare an Ibanez 7-string Vigier or other carbon fiber. Its register is thereby obviously not limit the explosive virtuosity Satriani with this old lady, but plutt use a "bottom" in a spirit pop-rock riffs 60s (very Beatles finally !). I jou on 335, the 3 / 4 body jazz, and the Casino dfend trs REALLY well in terms of playing comfort in the CATEGORY half box of course!

SOUNDS

As mentioned above, the record of this guitar is limited and there is nothing versatile; good ???.... I also bought a guitar complment some riffs, but lead guitar, it will soon be in a catalog style: it is the hope you can play rock (but not too modern), pop (but not too modern either) and a bit of jazz, with good rglages, it is not ridiculous!
Bcp must sound the violin, she I think she is doing plutt up against a lot of guitars of the same price / Category. These simple microphones (the P90) trs are individuals and we like or not! the sound is REALLY clear with a good dose of mediums serious and beautiful, but there is no need to bring a guitar on saturated ground is too out of place and it looks like not much (take rained Does a 335 with humbuckers ). As against it is brilliant in all registers of sound clear, especially to play with fingers, and even more in the records of his lgrement crunch for small or arpges Defines good riffs ("Day Tripper, "" Paperback Writer "...). It sounds trs "mid / late 60" and with a good guitar player and especially a good amp (you must impractical lamps and no Peavy to get out of metallic sound raliste) we get excellent things! the microphone is not the most acute of the two, but the combination of acute / grave with a small correction to Eq (effective with the knobs DDIS) provide you with a warm and alive. All with an OVD good back and a good amp and heating arpges of "I Want You" will spend almost as disk!

OVERALL OPINION

I have this guitar for 2 years and it is very well intgre my small set (a Start, a Les Paul and SG): I wanted the sound so special, yet limited and I am delighted. It ages well trs, nothing moves, nothing cracked, it still feels the wood and varnish, and the sound is, APRS have looked a little, finally trs warm sound for use "pop rock "or stroll. I obviously do it again this choice, both for the look for her!

I place my opinion to give notice of a new owner of this guitar, basically my impressions hot (if not enlighten you ...)
Everything has already been said, is a Korean Epiphone Casino
The pickups are Epiphone P90 to not so bad, but I hope to get more of this beautiful guitar with real Gibson P90 ... if anyone has done this mod, I'm interested ...
4 pots, very average in my opinion, I have another comparison between a Start Sheckter US (Semi luthier) which ELECTRONICS (pots, selector and pickups) have nothing to do ... But this is not the same price!
The pickups selector: spit a little, and asse is misplaced, but it's a matter of gambling or even taste.
The handle and the body are very well made, impressive for a Korean. Super light, very nice from the first grip.

UTILIZATION

The handle is nice, but mine is new, it frieze not bad, I think I can adjust it a little better. If this continues I will pass the box "Luthier". The strings supplied as standard (I do not know the brand) are pourrites pourrites home, at that price would be a correct set of rigor, and finally it's not too serious.

SOUNDS

His side is correct, I personally was not bothered by the half-side box with reverb ... sounds like I normally play on my Start and everything is fine, but again it very personal. The amp has to be for many (a Fender Super 112 tube that already loves Casino). As soon as you plug in the Casino, we are quickly trying to rebuild a p'tit beatles, hack it a bit and that makes pots now! The second temptation is to get a nice little blues (in the course!) With a slight saturation (no distortion!) Is the same it is! Now Gibson P90 should give more, to see ...

OVERALL OPINION

I have this guitar for 4 hours and I have plenty to tell, so it's clearly a guitar to be discovered, and I think that several months will be needed.
What I like most is its handle and body for their level of finish and the playability of the neck.
What I do not like too: the mechanisms by which carément hardware. The pickup selector (which crachouille at times), the lack of good string Enser and precise adjustment of the handle. I encountered the same problem by ordering a lower in our German friends, a Harley Benton, but the bass in question costs a hundred euros, so at that price, it is normal to lose an afternoon to change the strings and to enter a good setting for Caino but is a bit exaggerated.
I tried the Ibanez AF75 and others of the same series, a gretsch too ... it's hard to compare these guitars are very different, as well as for the sound, the amp is often much .
The quality / price is impressive especially in my case (300 Euros with Flycase Outlet) Well it leaves a little money to address minor defects.
I would do ... I think this election but difficult to say after 4 hours of use.

----------------------------------------------

6 months later:

Finally, it is a good guitar, after having seriously set!
Have a half box is complétaire guitar in a park, I do not advise as the only guitar (too typical for this) but in addition to park or second guitar. The Epiphone P90 pickups are actually very correct. For now I keep them, they suit me.

The Chinese version of a MODEL of legends ... But we have known for a long time now that the Chinese are able to do good things, the evidence.
Two P90 pickups Epiphone, a three-position switch, 2 tone 2 volume standard.
22 frets, with a rather thick neck, the cot "buche" that has often criticized Gibby and Epi, well we like it or not I will come back later.
The wood and finish are superb, and I never tire of this look rtro scratches.
Finally, a big BMOL for mcaniques that are unworthy of a guitar of this price. The vintage look is a wish, the quality leaves compltement adsirer, and sometimes the tuning is fairly "Prilleux", which is heavily down my bill. We will review the changes these things when I say for the stuff mcaniques srieux

UTILIZATION

For usability, it is conventional for this type of guitar, we like it or not I love it. Assis, a real pleasure. Standing, I find it a bit "heavy round of" but it does not impede, and it is really comfortable.
Access in acute ... It's okay, but it is not the purpose of this guitar. Schredders speeders and other admirers of Vai / Satriani / Malsteem pass the road is not for you ... The handle is a "buche" thick and not at all done for solos nervous. But as I play blues rock rhythm rather in and support that fits me well ... trs I descend when the same note a 7 because the handle.
on the other hand with this guitar I want to talk about "feel" of games that I did not on others. This guitar vibrate thunder, and with the forearm against al though the body and the belly is the rear, you'll definitely "feel alive" feeling that you lose a little with the solid body ...
Small dtail I forget which is surprising to beginners: It's a quarter of a box without central beam, giving a strong tendency to rev on feedback from ... Ca feat but can be used

SOUNDS

For sound, well it seems made for the blues. The P90 are cruncher dlicieusement my Night Train without having to push the gain. In clean, no need to add reverb, the sound is quite nice to him even. Serious, warm, well Dfine. In crunch I love dj said. For large distos, I use not not believe ...
It is often criticize the Epiphone pickups, the P90 "dog ear" seem to me entirely convincing, and for once I do not want to change, even after a year of using this guitar

OVERALL OPINION

I last year, owns and I used a lot. It seems to me a good report quality price for a MODEL of what I call "mid-range". In short she really has a personality first, and although my complte my Start and PRS SE.
So I should not duplicate that choice, I would have the means to offer me an ES 335, but it is not tomorrow the day before

The Epiphone Casino was Epiphones first really hit guitar. It is arguably more popular than the Gibson guitar it is based on. It is popular because it was one of the guitars John Lennon was seen with most at the time. This caused many other British bands trying to imitate the Beetles to go and pick them up. These guitars have been popular ever since with people wanting to get that same image and sound. The guitar is based off of a Gibson ES-330 which is pretty much a 335 with P-90s in it. The other major difference is that this guitar is a full hollowbody. It has no center tone block like the 335 does. This makes it more prone to feedback and the single coil P90s do not really help. The body is made out of maple and the neck is mahogany with a 22 fret rosewood fretboard. It has a set of P-90s in it with a tone and volume control for each. They are switched with a 3 way toggle switch. There is a standard tune-o-matic bridge setup on this guitar.

UTILIZATION

The Casino plays like most of Gibson and Epiphone guitars of the same shape. Its large size means you are reaching around the guitar a bit to play it. Because it is a full hollow body guitar it is lighter than a Dot or 335 but this adds to feedback. This can also cause the guitar to be a bit neck heavy. The neck is pretty thin. It has a profile similar to a 60s Gibson profile. The frets needed a bit of a leveling but that nothing unusual for a guitar made overseas. Any guitar that comes from the other side of the world will need a setup just do to temperature changes during the trip.

SOUNDS

The P-90 pickups in this guitar blend well with the hollow body. The hollow body helps give a naturally mellow tone while the P-90 pickups are naturally aggressive. This is a good mix. The great resonance and tone from the body and the attack and clarity from the P-90s means you can get serious tone. But dont go too far because this guitar is pretty prone to feedback when played loudly or with a lot of gain. P-90s are not noise cancelling so this adds too the feedback. Because of the design on these guitars it is very difficult to change out the electronics. So unless you have a really good luthier you will probably be stuck with the stock pickups which in this case arent bad. The P-90s in this guitar sound like P-90s so if you are getting this guitar you probably want P-90 tone to begin with.

OVERALL OPINION

The Epiphone Casino really put Epiphone on the map in terms of a top quality guitar maker. The Beetles played these and many other British people have plyed these as well. It is more popular than the Gibson it is based on so that should tell you something. If you are looking for the classic British invasion look or just want a thinline hollowbody with P-90s this guitar can get you both of those things and for a reasonable price.