Tell me about Epiphone Casino's

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:42 pm

How do they compare with a Rick 330 in sound and feel?How do the lower priced MIK modes compare with the Japanese made Elitest and the MIA 1965 John Lennon RI.Just curious

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 4:05 pm

I've just acquired a JL Revolution. Solid as heck and a great tone. Not sure I want to play it out, as it looks unplayed. I mainly play strat and also a 660/12. I haven't had the good fortune of playing a 330 anywhere than in GC (ah, the good old days). My next electric will most certainly be a Rick (6 string), I've just got to figure which. There, I've absolutely ignored your question, sorry. I just saw Casino up there and got excited, having just recieved mine.

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:05 pm

Thanks for your post Jerry.You are a very lucky man to own the JL Revolution.That guitar is at the top of my wish list.Post a picture of your baby if you can.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:21 am

Mitch: I don't like to compare one make to another, because every great guitar has its advantages. I have owned several 330's and a bunch of Epiphone thinlines. These include (3) MIK Casinos, a MIK Sorrento, a MIJ Casino Elite, and a '66 Casino (recently sold). The MIK guitars are a bargain if you can find them in mint condition for $400-500 with OHSC. With some set-up and a few mods, they are nice guitars with very durable finishes that can be gigged. The MIJ Elites are wonderful guitars. I like mine better than my original '66. They can be bought new for $1100-1300 with a gorgeous OHSC. I haven't bothered to try out any of the new MIA guitars. They have a few nice historically correct details, but I don't see how they could play better than an Elite. Here's my Elite with rare factory Bigsby.

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:31 am

Thanks for your post Randy.Wow,Your Casino is beautful.I never saw one with a bigsby.Thanks for all the info too.I really appreciate it.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:12 am

Yes the Bigsby looks nice. I've heard nothing but good things about the Elites.
Perhaps they will issue a George Harrison Casino w/Bigsby (he and John got theirs at the same time, but George's had the Bigsby).

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:12 am

Jerry: The only minor regrets I have about this Elite is that the sunburst is very dark (not very red) and the Bigsby isn't the exact same one Harrison's guitar had. The John Lennon reissues definitely nail the details better than the Elites (i.e. black washer, tuners, TRC, Foil 'E' on pickguard, etc). But this is great guitar and it was a steal at $800. I got it with BIN on Ebay. It had been listed for less than 15 minutes!

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:15 am

I had one...

I loved the feel and playability of my Casino. The tone was brassy, brash, and mean when you wanted. Compared to my Rics however it sounded as plain as cardboard. Sadly, this was before I crossed over to using valve amps. The Casino's P90s were a sterile compliment to my JC120, but I know they would sing through my Traynor. I sold the Casino on Ebay -and later tried to catch some its vibe with an Epi Dot. The Dot has the substantial feel and classic silhouette of the Casino but none of its character. Of course, I'm allergic to humbuckers! Ebay claimed the Dot too.

The new Casinos look so nice... Korea has gotten its act together apparently. The translucent wine red finish is strikingly attractive.

One day perhaps, there will be another Casino in my collection -and an ES295 too.

Noel

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:21 am

this was mine:

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:29 am

To answer your question, Mitch... I've never kept a 330 either.
The Toasters (and Hi-Gains) shimmer a bit more than P90s, but all three pickup types can growl and chime. I find the Rics to be a bit more versatile than the Casino.

The tonal sweep from low to high E seems different on Rics. Somehow strummed first position chords seems more detailed and vibrant. The Casino sounded best with a bit of dirt from the preamp -especially when you outline your chords with deep, mean licks on the E and A strings.

Fact is if you show up on stage with either guitar, YOU will be the center of attention!

kerrang

Noel

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:47 am

Noel: I know what you mean about the Korean finishes. I love 'em. I've Korean Casinos in Ebony, Cherry, and Sunburst. My Korean Sorrento is Orange. The Sorrento has the same 'E' Bigsby as yours, and I picked up an extra 'E' Bigsby on Ebay. I'll probably put it on the Ebony Casino. These guitars aren't nearly as nice as the Japanese guitars, but with some work they are fun to play.

harley · Post by **harley** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:44 pm

Mitch, I just did a comparison of my MIK Casino and my 330. I played bits of two different songs (I Saw Her Standing There and Temptation Eyes) that I thought would travel across most of the fretboard. I had both pickups selected and I also used a relatively "clean" amp setting for both guitars.

Here's what my wife and I came away with.

The Casino is much more trebly and has a bit more of the "bite" that I tend to associate with early Beatles songs. My wife also said it sounded more appropriate for country-style playing. (at this point I should probably mention that my wife plays guitar, bass, keyboards and is now the drummer in our band AND she owns her own Rick 650S).

The 330 was less trebly using the same settings and had a much more "beefy" tone, at least to my ears.

From a "feel" standpoint, they both are relatively easy players with the Casino being a bit more "head-heavy" and the Rick feeling a little more balanced.

Admittedly, I didn't spend a lot of time in the comparison (it's late and I've just acquired a mini-honeydew list) but it's a start.

I think the MIK Casinos are a great deal but I've been told that quality control (especially regarding the pickup switches) can be a bit iffy.

On the other hand, there's a reason why we have a Rick forum and we don't have a Casino forum. One's a good guitar, even a great one if you find the right example. The Rick is an icon, and deservedly so.

Even so (breaking out the soap box) you'd be MUCH better off with a 620 - it's the best guitar ever designed, built, played or lusted over. It's only my opinion - but I'm right!

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:03 pm

Thanks for all the posts guys and Harley,thanks for doing a comparison of your 330 and your Casino.That is precisely the kind of information I was looking for.I'd like to get Casino someday.Thanks also for planting a new obsession in my mind as now I will have to start looking at 620s(I'm so suggestible).

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 7:01 am

I own a cherry casino from the mid 90s. I love it as it was my first "proper" guitar. It's very versatile in my opinion and at certain settings sounds totally distinctive. It's comfortable to play, looks the business and is a pretty cheap option.

Negative points would be the controls which have needed an overhaul and the general build quality which (as you would expect) is nothing like Rickenbacker.

I'll never sell it (50% sentimentality, 50% low expected proceeds) but it hasn't had that much of my attention since I got my 360 V64...

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 7:58 am

I find that my JL Casino gets dirty real fast, which has it's place, but I prefer a clean sound. But, that'll work good on recordings, when you need more textures. I'm hankering for a Rick 6 string. Dang, which one?!?! 660? So cool. 330 or 360? Iconic. Help! I can't go spending moola like I used to!!!!