@@thezogs95 Get a Tony Iommi SG. I don't think the heads of Gibson will ever change the original SG design. It has been selling well ever since its release. So seems like enough people don't care about the neck dive. But, that's why there's the Tony Iommi signature model.
I think this is one of the reasons the Beatle's sound stood out. First, they used Rickenbacker's which were not that popular when the Beatles started using them. Then they switched to Casinos which were also not widely used either. It gave their music a certain character.
I think The Beatles, as a band, played just about every notable (major) guitar brand back in the 60s, with the possible exception of Vox. That Casino does sound great though. Well done video!
How Do You Sleep is really an amazing track. Just like John said, everyone was attracted to that song because of whole that dispute with Paul but it is indeed a gem.
I own a 1964 original Casino I bought in Denver over 40 yrs ago, I played it 6 nights a week for ten years. Best buy of a guitar I ever made! It's still going strong.
The problem I'm having these days with a strat is...it's just such a common sound. Like you can almost always tell someone's using a strat. But this guitar is super unique and why I had to get it.
Build a Monster Studios …the Big Apple….I mean..Fender has come out with all kinds of combos other than single coils….including the “Big Apple” that had two hum buckets just like a Les Paul.
Not rly. Its up to the player. George harrisons most recorded electric is the strat. He used it on happines is a warm gun but i bet youd never think that’s a strat. I also bet u didnt know that in the studio santana frequently used strats for rhythm work and guitar fills. theyre all over his early records but you wouldnt think thats a strat. The problem isnt the strat but your idea of a strat based on players that use similar sounds. Strats can be made to sound like anything which is why its arguably the most widely used electric guitar after its future from the 50’s charm wore off by the 60’s.
Just bought this guitar today. I got the all natural one. In plan on making zero modifications. I tuned it and plugged it in and almost had a heart attack. One of my grandsons turned the volume knobs all the up on my amp. It was like turning my car on after my son drove it last! Lol
The guitar sound on Paperback Writer/Rain just approaches perfection for me, and was such a big plus by the Beatles, their guitar sounds, tones, effects were almost always perfect.
Most importantly, you'll never get those sounds because of the amps they were using. They were using a Vox 7120 to get that tone (Rain, Paperback Writer, She Said She Said, Dr Robert, etc). Vox made fewer than a hundred and almost all were sent back because customers hated them (because people are morons) and almost all were scrapped for parts or outright destroyed. The few that remain command insane prices ($8-$15k - so not quite asinine Dumble prices). And guess what, that same amp series was used by Zeppelin for almost all of LZ 2 and several other Zeppelin albums (though I'm almost positive Page used the bass version, the 4120, rather than the 7120, the guitar version, used by The Beatles) so Whole Lotta Love, What Is And What Should Never Be, Heartbreaker (not the solo though, which was recorded on his first, brand new Marshall Super Lead) Moby Dick, Lemon Song, Bring It On Home - were all on that same series of Vox amps. Oh, and the absolute insane part is they were transistor amps, not all tube!
I've had my Casino for almost 8 years now (wow)! It's been my number one since the first strum. Yes, it's even the very guitar in my picture. It's the guitar that made me fall in love with P90s and hollow body guitars. People have asked why I love it so much, but I could never let them experience it (I'm a lefty), but I'm so happy to see people get excited for this guitar again!
I picked one of these up years ago, because I had heard about Lennon's love for it. I'm normally a strat guy, but the beauty of the tone on this guitar is undeniable. You can get punch, bite, and mellow tones; which makes it very versatile in any rock or blues setting. Great video!
I just got the Casino Coupe yesterday. I spent the night cleaning it up and putting locking tuners on it. Sounds lovely. Definitely one of my favorites.
I bought the Casino coupe maybe 5 years ago. I replaced the tuners with mini locking and took Scotch Brite to the finish for a Matt natural look. It sounds great, but only complaints are the thick D shape neck and it flexes too much. I don't think the neck joint was well made on mine. I'm thinking of reinforcing it internally with basswood. When I gigged with it I stuffed foam peanuts to keep the feedback down. I do like playing it.
Another Coupe enthusiast here. It sits better in my lap, has better upper-fret access, and the 2020 model has a rounded C neck that's a little chunkier than the "slim D" on the full-sized version. Great full-hollow tones and very musical feedback just like it's big sister, but it can handle significantly more volume before it takes off.
I bought a 1961 Casino in the 90's, and it is a desert island guitar, it does everything well and is very easy to play. One thing Rhett didn't mention is how chimey they are in the middle toggle position, that is where a lot of that Beatles chime came from. Gibson pumped their Epiphone line to Europe in the 60's, that is why all the Brit bands had Epiphone Casinos (Keith, Beatles, Dave Davies) and Rivoli basses (Animals, Yardbirds, etc.).
This summer I got a Casino, because I had always had a back-of-mind curiosity about them from the Beatles and also seeing Gary Clark always playing one, but what made me do it was the "worn sunset orange" CME exclusive finish that I kind of simply had to have. It's so fun! I've always been very much a Fender Guy but the Casino definitely hits a certain spot for me.
Very cool! I bet that the prices for Casinos, Teles, Hofner basses and Ludwig drums has skyrocketed since the Get Back doc.Great sounding guitar. Thanks!
Gary Clark Jr turned me into the casino too when I saw him about 7yrs ago now. I ended up getting an Eastman T64V (casino a-like with lollar p90s) just over a year ago and I've not been able to put it down since - if you're in the market for a higher end casino without getting into Gibson prices I would definitely recommend :D
@@kevinvandenberg5548 I have an Eastman grand auditorium-style acoustic-electric guitar, AC222CE. It sounds and plays amazing, even friends who have high end Martin and Gibson acoustics love playing it!
As a big Beatles fan i always wanted to have a casino for most of my life (since i discovered the beatles at the age of 11). This year i FINALLY bought my casino. It was one out of the only 2 casinos that came to my country (Brazil) and i believe that they won't import this guy for a long long time. The guitar is simply amazing, i'm thinking about buying a sheraton II pro, but man... everytime i play the casino i fall in love all over again. I may still buy the sheraton, but i don't think that i'll ever love a guitar as much as i'm loving the casino right now. In my band we have a gretsch electromatic pro jet (mine), a Gibson les paul (not mine), a fender stratocaster and a telecaster (not mine too...). I've played with all of these guys and they are great, but man... the casino has something very unique, impossible not to love this guy. As an experienced guitar player and a owner of a large amount of guitars during the years all that i can say is: if you're thinking about buying a casino and have the money, don't think anymore, go and buy the godman guitar!
Thank you for giving Epiphone some love. They are just killing it these days. I have one of these in the Olive Green and it’s a killer. Can’t beat ‘em for price.
The Casino is on my radar. It's tone has been seared into my brain by many iconic Beatles songs, and the Tim Pierce demo of his Casino in the the Five Watt World video really hammered that home. It's got an interesting and musical palette of tones perfect for music of that era.
The thing I love about the Epiphone Casino is that it can play a variety of musical styles. From gentle ballads to hard rockers. Probably the only flaw with this guitar back in the day was that it was a fully hollow semi-acoustic guitar and thus was prone to feedback. But these days, as long as you have the right equipment, you could use it in the place of a solid body electric guitar without any problems.
I was just at the rock hall today and looked at John Lennon’s from the rooftop concert and I’m obsessed now. Last year I bought an Epiphone Texan and it’s great.
I picked up an original 1965 Casino that someone stripped of the finish (like Lennon did) and it’s pure magic! So much mojo, it’s the one guitar I have that everyone plays remarks on. It’s by far my most favorite and versatile guitar. Great video!
I know the feeling with the Casino - after 9 hours of watching John Lennon play his in the Beatles documentary, and him saying it was his favourite guitar, the G A S became irresistible! And I am just as impressed with them as you are. Worn Blue Denim, and cost me £440 (less than $600).
Bought one new circa 2000. They respond so well to pick attack and they play a really expressive slow blues with easy controlled feedback - all due to the hollow body. Also great for chiming and jangly strumming. Versatile.
I purchased a 2018 MIC Casino and my experience is the same as Rhett's demo here. It is a well built import that requires only a modest set up. Plug in and suddenly, all of those sounds you have been missing since the 60's are there in your eyes and your ears. And as Rhett pointed out the 335 feels bigger, that in turn makes the Casino feel more intimate and you end up holding it right up against your body like an acoustic. Playing one is a visceral experience that translates into the music it causes you to produce. If you are thinking about getting a Casino, just jump in and buy one of the 3 models available USA, MIC and the "Worn" finish series (still a ridiculous value), and don't look back.
Been in love with this style guitar since Lenny Davidson of the DC5. The unique thing is that you hear more of the tonality of the guitar body, than the sound of the pickup. These foreign makes have five-plies, whereas the USA has three. This makes for less feedback at higher volumes.
Another hint from my luthier Rhett.....to intonate the bridge properly reverse the G string saddle.....He studied with Dan Erlewine and has set up quite a few Casinos in his day.....real happy with mine and all in all my upgrades made it as good as the $2100 USA model....I got my Casino used with a case for 399 and now have about 700 in it with the bone nut and setup, etc.....real happy all in all! Glad to see you get one for your playing style.
great unique guitars. one quick tip - if you find the pickups to be too muddy/dark/undefined try heighten the pole piece screws on the pickups before swapping them. it will increase treble and definition a lot. I always loved the very distinctive tone the Beatles got out of their casinos, especially the `bite` of the overdriven tones. I got frustrated because mine never sounded that way, no matter what amp, setting or pedal i used. Then i raised the pole pieces and there it was - exactly what i was chasing for so long.
@@ke4uyp Haha, awesome. It seems to me this is still not widespread knowledge somehow. Apparently it is also what John Lennon did at one point. On early pictures, when his Casino is fairly new and still has it´s sunburst finish, it seems the pole piece screws are flush. At the Get Back session it looks like the poles are raised. I wish i had known that sooner.
I never understood replacing a P-90 pick up, exactly because of this option. The design of the pick up is kinda straight forward and to spend an extra couple of hundred on boutique pups when the Epi's are just fine, never made any sense to me.
I bought an MIJ Epiphone Casino several years ago when they were first reissued. A nice instrument indeed, especially for writing songs since it doesn't need to be amplified. Harmony is doing some interesting work and they are MIUSA.
Harmony doesn't actually make anything, they exist as a name with others making the gear. All I know is that the instruments are made in Kalamazoo by Heritage Guitars in the original Gibson plant. No clue who makes the amps though
I had a MIJ I bought used in the late 80s, back when used guitar sellers advertised in magazines. I was a beginner back then and sold it so I can’t say much about it.
I've long wanted one of these since my teenage years. The first time I ever picked up a guitar in a guitar store it was Epiphone Casino in 1972. The tone and the sustain made a lasting impression on me. It could be that it's from a period of superior construction. But my impression is that they've maintained their standards; It's definitely on my list.
The casinos have a really really comfortable neck. I played one out curiosity a few years ago at guitar center and even with their setup standards it felt super good. Gonna be the next guitar I save up for 🙏🏽
Out of the Gibson's, Ric's or other guitars I have I always seem to fall back to my Casino. It's a 2008 Epiphone Elitist 1965 sunburst made at the Terada factory in Japan.
I finally bought a Chinese Casino around six months ago, and I am so happy I did. As Rhett pointed out, I can sit and practice my jazz lessons without plugging it in, and when I do I get a lovely warm tone that I enjoy as much as the Gibson ES-175 that my instructor has me playing once a week. The guitar truly is a great value at the price.
I absolutely adore my ‘65 Reissue Casino (not the Lennon model but the made in Japan). It’s an extremely versatile guitar. I’ve personally never had much issue with feedback and I’ve played gigs from bars to summer festivals. I modified mine a bit to make it one of kind to me like the epiphone bikini badge on the headstock. They’re such fantastic guitars, very responsive. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. I played a standard Casino for years before getting my ‘65 and there is a huge difference in quality. I still have my Chinese Casino. It stays in open tunings. I’ve heard the ‘65 takes the cake over the new USA models but I’d like to play one for myself. I love the Royal Tan finish on the USA models. What happened with Gary and Epiphone? He had his own signature casino.
I have that same version of the MIJ Elitist Casino with Nitro Lacquer. I wish the nomenclature was a bit more clear, it’s easy for people to be confused with the 65’ outfit Elitist and a regular Elitist MIJ Casino, or even one of the two Lennon ones. I have a feeling the Made in the USA ones are pretty much the same. They even come with the same grey reissue case with blue plush! Interesting to think that it might have been a test run for the specs but for the japanese market? It was done in very limited quantities. The 65’ ltd ed MIJ Elitist Casino is so good that I doubt it’d be worth changing into the US versions since ours already has all the right specs (17 degree headstock angle, nylon saddles, nitro lacquer, two screw TR cover, etc.) I think the only possible upgrade would be a real vintage 60’s Casino at this point, unless you really want it to say “Made in the USA”.
Idk what happened with GCJ, I’ve always wanted one, the black and blu model is pretty sick for a modern guitar. They’re pretty expensive second hand though
Thanks for the great video! Being a Beatles fan and "student" for over 50 years, and having about as many electric guitars, I finished off my GASsing days two years ago with a natural finished Casino. And as hoped for, I could nail the tone and texture of EVERY Beatles song I threw at it: the intro to Revolution (!)... I've Got a Feeling... Across the Universe...Come Together... I Want You/She's so Heavy... everything. You could not believe the smile on my face. And this was a brand new made in China model. Honestly, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to nail these sounds. It's truly one the three most versatile guitars I own. The other two are my Fender Strat Ultra (the 90's edition) and an Epiphone ES-339 (with coil tapping).
My experience is the same. I've come to the impression that the Casino design of P-90's on a short scale hollow body is fool proof. So whether it's US, Korean or China made really can't change what is special about it. As Rhett pointed out the 335 feels bigger, that in turn makes the Casino feel more intimate and you end up holding it right up against your body like an acoustic. Playing one is a visceral experience that translates into the music it causes you to produce.
I always wanted a Casino, mostly because of Lennon, and I'm lucky enough to have a John Lennon "1965" Casino - the reissue that's an exact reproduction of Lennon's guitar, with the sunburst finish. Made in Kalamazoo. It has a noticeably slimmer and narrower neck, which I love. When I first tried this guitar, it felt like it was made for my hands. The pickups sound amazing. I got it second-hand, and it had seen some miles on the road, so it feels almost like a vintage guitar. The previous owner had played in a touring Beatles tribute band, so it's nice knowing it's played all the right songs. :-) He also installed a Bigsby, so I have to guess he played George, not John. So in a way it's both a John guitar and a George guitar. It's my favourite guitar - so comfortable and natural to play, and very versatile. Only change I made was changing the bridge to a Tru-arc rocking bar bridge, which I think helps add a bit of sustain, and makes the Bigsby work easier. Enjoy your Casino!
It's also a Paul guitar. Whenever Paul played guitar on a beatles track (which he did a LOT) he'd always play his Casino. You can always tell when Paul is doing the guitar solo because his style of playing was so unique, and a great deal faster and more intense than the other two. Like on Taxman or Good Morning Good Morning. While John and George often played other guitars, like George and his rosewood-body tele or his strat, Paul always stuck with the Casino, from the beginning of the band to the end. I've seen him play that exact casino that he used for recording beatles songs, because he still uses it to play live. Like go see in in concert, and he'll tell a story about how he used that exact same Casino to record the song originally, and he still uses it now. I believe it was Drive My Car that he played with it the last few times I've seen him. He used that exact casino to play lead guitar on the album version. I always find that so cool when he whips it out and still plays it. You'd think he'd want to baby it and use a modern replica made by Epiphone for live gigs, but no, he loves it so much that he still takes it round the world with him for every tour he does.
I've bought a Casino like ten years ago (made in korea from 90's) and it's amazing. It has a unique sound: you need to build the set up around the guitar in order to get the best performance. It's a little tricky but really pays off.
Great to see an "off-the-wall" affordable guitar with a little setup is such a great sounding instrument. Thanks Rhett! (BTW Tim Pierce with the '62 is a stone cold killer !!)
Hi Rhett, I became fascinated with the Casino about 1 year ago and picked up a Chinese import version through the music shop I work in. I honestly have not strayed from playing it since and it has been a fixture regardless of what kind of music or gig I chose to use it for. It’s a remarkably versatile and adaptable guitar and after a few changes and mods, it now holds up with any high end instrument in my collection. Modifications include, tuning machines (locking Klusons which really suit the look of the guitar), tune-o-matic bridge (tone pros) which you will need to upgrade due to the rattling saddle screw issue on those wire retainer style tune-o-matics (trust me). I actually installed a new trapeze made from real bell brass (cosmetically identical to the original) but did improve the sound (albeit subtly). Pickups of course, both volume pots and changed to black plastic covers as well as a black pickguard. The guitar is a natural finish ala John Lennon’s stripped Casino look. It’s truly an addictive instrument.
I chased after the Thinline Hollowbody single coil thing for a while back in the 2000s, but I was looking at Gibson ES-125 TDCs because I found the single Florentine cutaway more appealing. Back then they could be found for less than $1500 because they were still considered a less desirable base model. Interestingly, while researching, I’ve found that the 125 and the Casino sounds are markedly more different than I would have thought, the guitars being so similar other than the single vs double cut. I think it comes down to the plastic vs metal pickup covers, the 125 being more of the darker typical P90 sound, and the Casino having the more bright, microphonic sound that metal covers can sometime cause. Anyway, money being what it was, and due to the ridiculous inflation of vintage guitar prices beginning in the later 2000s, I ended up settling for a beautiful Silvertone 1418, a model only made for a few months in 1968. It resembles a Les Paul sized Casino, has really interesting single coils that are somewhat microphonic and oddly, hotter than any of the pickups on any of my other guitars. Anyway, it’s satisfactorily scratched my itch for that Thinline hollowbody particular guitar tone. For now, haha
I have a 1948 ES-125. Got it for a great price several years ago as it is "players grade". Its P90 has a gorgeous and articulate 'jazz' sound. Very clear and a bit punchy. The casino is an entirely different instrument. Thinner neck for 'faster' playing, the feel is different. Both guitars can give you an acoustic/electric sound with the volume and tone adjustments. The stock Casino P90s can be used for Jazz but lack a little bit of 'punch'. They sound great with finger picking or a bit of fuzz. Great for alt-rock, folk, pop, jazzy stuff and more!
I've seen an Epiphone factory tour and they seem to be done rigorously.. I would totally trust the import Casino to sound and very much close to the original made in USA ones.. Great review..
I have a 67 Gibson ES330. My dad bought it new in 67 and gave it to me in the 90s. I'm a full time music producer/engineer in Nashville and I use it all the time. I love this guitar!
If you want to get even closer to the Beatle sound, slap on some 11 gauge flat wound strings. That's what I did on my Lennon model natural Casio. Awesome!
I had been looking for a "thinline" guitar for the past few months after I traded in my Gretsch Electromatic. Played Eastman "Romeo" and a few others including a Collings (for almost 6K CAD). At the same time I'd been watching Get Back with John and his Casino. So I went to a local music store, held up the Epi 'inspired by Gibson' 339 and it was heavy! Then I held up an Epiphone Casino "Worn" model in orange. Light! It reminded me a bit of my Epiphone Dot I bought years ago and then traded in on the Gretsch. Took that bad boy back to the amp section and it very much rocked! I had so much more fun playing it than the far more expensive thinlines so I just had to buy it. $660 CAD. What a deal! So great for chords, arpeggios, lines, whatever. The hollow body really gives it such a great overall sound. I also love the "worn" line because the colour is cool and I can see the grain. Nice!
My 1960 ES-330T is one of the best guitars I own. I bought it after seeing a collector who says the single pickup model is his favorite and he prefers it to the dual pickup version. Something along the lines of the neck pickup being a little too muddy and the bridge being a little too bright. I have it strung up with flats & it is the most unique and distinctive sounding guitar I own. It's a must have in the studio.
Having played Les Pauls most of my career (shoegaze genera), finally got around to getting an Epiphone Casino Dot (ironically with no dots on the board). After playing the intro to ‘She Said’, I was somewhat stunned at ‘The Beatles’ sound this body-style produced effortlessly.
I have an Epiphone Wildkat. Basically a semi hollow single cut version of a casino... It's a TONE MONSTER. Super underrated! Absolutely in love with it. I'll also get a casino one day!
Back in August I ordered one of the "worn ebony" models. The projected ship date got pushed back from this month to September of next year, so I said 'screw that' and found a used 2019 model online, so it's pretty much the same model you have. I absolutely LOVE it. I started playing when I was a kid in the 1970s and it's been a LONG time since I got a guitar that I want to play every day and so I am. I've wanted one for a few decades because it was used on every Beatles album from 1966 on. I'm running mine parallel through a Vox AC-15 and a Fender Deluxe. The rest of the band is also pleased with the upgrade.
Picked up a Casino Coupe a few months back at a used guitar store. It checked a few boxes for me, P-90s and Hollow body. I was looking for the P-90 experience after watching your P-90 sound video. I look forward to find out what pickups you put in your Casino. Thanks for the great videos.
I'm loving this renaissance of the Casino. I've had mine (natural finish, Chinese made) for 4 years now. Got it used for $415 and it's the guitar I play the most. Admittedly, I don't gig, I'm not a shredder, and I certainly don't expect one guitar to do EVERYTHING. It's simply the guitar that's the most fun/engaging to play for ME, either on my own in the living room or jamming with friends. Sure, it seems niche....until you actually play one. The legend about it being a screeching feedback machine is total BS unless you're literally facing the amp from 3ft or less while playing choppy, or are under the misapprehension that you're playing a solid body guitar into a Marshall stack. THIS isn't THAT. I'll never be entirely willing or able to drop $4k - God knows what $k on a Gibson. Can't. I'm not a professional musician, just a player/hobbyist/enthusiast. That said, this thing has pretty killer tone. Note separation/clarity is so, sooo good. The stock P90s aren't hot, but very warm and articulate to my ears. I have 2 small amps: a F Blues Deluxe Jr. Tweed, and a 60s Silvertone 1482 1x12 combo with a torn, wheezing speaker. Sounds AWESOME through both. Handful of pedals. People like to complain about the Epi headstock shape, but....really? Fine, it's not a Gibson. I get it. Is that all you've got?! The only mod I've made on mine is changing out the plastic nut for bone. It's just a sweet guitar.
I bought a pre-loved Casino from another guitar player many years ago. The guitar was only about 6 months old and the condition was brand new and I took it off his hands at less than half it's brand new price. The quality and finish of the Korean made Casino was good. Since I got the Casino, I gave away my two Fender Strats to my son as I much prefer the feel and sound of the Casino. When plugged into my Fender 65 Princeton Reverb, the sound is simply beyond words.
I had a Chinese Epi Casino for 2 years and I loved it - after some mods: I took 1500 winds off either pickup to get them down to 7H inductance. I also added a treble bleed to either pickup. Then it sounded wonderful. Eventually I replaced it by a 68 Gibson 330 long neck. Still miss the Casino though for both playability and sound.
I love my Casino! You might find the retainer wire in the bridge to rattle. I set the intonation and poured it full of clear nail polish. The switch also rattles in the middle position. That is the only upgrade I seem to need. Got it used, with epiphone's awesome case, for $475.
The ones John played were American made. Imagine how those would sound. Although I gotta admit, they are light and comfortable when you play them compared to those bulky Gibson es guitars which explains why John loved playing them.
Casino owner here. I have one of the Japanese-made 'Elitist' 65 reissues from the early 2000s. Yup, it sounds completely different from any other guitar and I love the fact that I can just pick it up and play unplugged on the sofa and still hear something, lol. Not my favourite guitar, but can't deny its charm.
In 1967, as a 16 year old lead guitar player in a high school band, I bought a Kalamazoo Casino, in cherry red… for $285, including a plush lined hard shell case. I sold it in the summer of ‘69 for $110, to get money to date a cute little blonde. I’m told that guitar today would be worth more than $3,000.
Damn that's the hottest Beatles ( Lennon, whatever ) cover ever done. Seriously please do a whole set of these and put them on Spotify, I want this guitar. Thanks Rhett!
I have a 90s Korean Casino and its great. I thought I might need to change the pickups out but i don't, they are chimey and bright and not overly midrangy, barky and dark like some P90s. I love the way you blend the pickups in the middle position. Would love to try a Japanese Epiphone Elitist Casino one day, tried an Epiphone Elitist Riviera (pretty much a Casino but with mini humbuckers) and that was superb, still regret letting it get away.
Just last week Shane at IntheBlues put the casino in his worst guitars of the year and I thought of crossing it off my to get list… thanks for re-GAS’ing me up Rhett 😂
I got one of the Worn ones last year at Christmas. I replaced the nut and tuners and bridge like Rhett talks about here. It’s a great guitar and I play it as much (more?) than my American made Tele and Les Paul.
I hate to say it man, but I think you bought the wrong guitar. Ephiphone has recently released the USA made Casino model, which hasn't been in their lineup for years. Considering how well the original USA made ones have appreciated in value, it would be a good investment. Play one when you get a chance and you'll see it's better made and it has a nitro finish (though I dont think it's exactly like the Gibson nitro finish).
I bought an original '64 Casino back in summer 2020. It has seen a lot of use and has all the scars to prove it, including a headstock repair which was professionally fixed decades ago, which means I picked it up on the cheap compared to a pristine example. One of the tuners had been replaced, as well as the bridge, and the pickup covers were switched from nickel to the plastic black covers on the '61-'62 models. Other than that it's all original, and it is truly a joy to play. It has the most comfortable neck I've ever played on any guitar, and the original non-wax potted P90s give it clear, articulate cleans, yet scream like a banshee with the amp cranked. It's just an impeccable instrument. As soon as you're able to get your hands on one, you should. It's a desert island guitar for me.
Excellent I’ve got a Samick South Korean Casino and it’s awesome. I was looking for a Casino and traveled a few miles of the UK south coast trying a few and none were quite right until I found the one. It was on the back wall of a Guitar shop in Ringwood ( between Bournemouth & Southampton) I said to the guy is that new he said no it’s second hand but it’s in great condition, try it out and you’ll end up buying it. I tried it and couldn’t believe how much better than anything I’d tried it was just over the price I could get a new one, but played as if it should have been twice the price. I’ve had it for around 4 yrs now. A big thank you to Al & Howard @ Oasis Ringwood, this one’s a keeper!
I have an Epiphone Riviera custom p93. I love it. It's a semi hollow body, instead of fully hollow, but those three p90 pickups instead of two really make it sound great. Looks just like a casino or ES335. Kicks ass!
I was after a Gibson 330 for a long while. In the end the closest I could get was a great deal on a 336 with P90s. I love it. It has a smaller body (like the recent Epi Casino Coupe) or 339 but unlike the 330 is not fully hollow (from what I’ve read online). It is a fantastic guitar! Would love to try a 330 sometime to compare.
I'm a jazz guitarist and I play a Casino since 2003 (you can see it in my profile pic). It is perfect for any kind of jazz and/or funk/soul music. After all Grant Green used a Gibson ES330 delivering a very personal sound.
Like most I'm now kicking myself for not picking up a Casino before Get Back aired. Everybody and their brother wants one now. I was super close to getting one a couple years ago and missed out on a killer deal. My only rule is that it would have to be natural. I love the one that Mick from TPS picked up and rewired with better pickups.
The trapeze bridge tailpiece and floating bridge are normal on a fully hollow arch-top guitar, and the physics of energy transfer are different from the energy transfer in a flat-top acoustic or solid body electric, both of which normally have fixed bridges. With the trapeze and floating bridge, the strings press the bridge into the sound board, an "implosive" mount. On a guitar with the bridge fixed to the sounding board (flat-top acoustic) or body (solid electric), the strings pull the bridge away from the body and towards the tuning head, an "explosive" mount. This becomes really clear when they fail: a trapeze/hollow collapses inwards, a fixed bridge fails outwards. The different systems give different sound and feel.
I have an original 1966 with the one pickup in the center version that i love....but I have decided to give a shoot to this one. You convinced me and I can't wait to get the China version and do the comparaison with the 2 pick ups. Thanks for sharing your review. I appreciate the fact that you gave us a clear and honest review of the guitar and sound's type.
I bought a Casino Worn (Olive Drab version) last year. Out of the box it needed some work. A couple of frets were high, the action was way too high, the relief was way too much. But all very simple things to deal with and well within my comfort zone as someone who has been looking after my own guitars for 40 years. Its pretty much the only guitar I play at home now. I love the "worn" finish. No gloss - it feels like wood. Well balanced, not too heavy. It's just fun to play. For some songs I miss the upper fretboard access, but for 80% of the time, it is not an issue. When I bought it, I was comparing it to a Casino Coupe (again, full hollow body but slightly smaller size. Think ES-339 vs ES-330). I wanted to like the Coupe. Better upper fretboard access. Smaller. Lighter. But it had a bit of a neck dive issue, and it had a high gloss finish on the neck. I went with the Casino. For the price, I would definitely recommend.
About 15 years ago I bought a Casino made in Peerless ,Korea. I had no intention of buying a Casino but the guy was not a player ,and it was just under his bed . Rusted strings ,not set up at all etc. I paid $150. w the case . He had a small amp ,and played it as it was. The sound blew me away. I knew if I set up the intonation ,and put on set of 48/10 strings . It was mind boggling great. When I had it all set up I plugged it in my Genz Benz Black Pearl amp. First thing I played was the Solomon Taxman. Sounded just like the records. The only reason I no longer have it is a a guy offered me $1500. for it. It had a turquoise finish . He lived in OZ ,and paid to have it shipped there from San Francisco. Peerless Casinos are as good as the old USA made Casinos . I don’t know if they’re still making them in Korea … Nice guitar there. Are you going to sand the finish off :)
This video comes like a hand in a tailored glove! I’ve been looking at Casino’s for the past two weeks, namely because I saw a SRV concert where he’s playing a red Casino - but also because of John Mayers “I guess I just feel like” guitar solo take. 7 minutes of Casino + Tweed heaven!! I love your videos Rhett - every one. Merry Christmas from a brother in Denmark, Europe 🤘🏽💪🏾.
SRV played one? Damn I'm gonna have to look for that. He so rarely played anything other than a strat. I did see him play a Flying V once and I thought it was so remarkable, because he managed to make it sound like a strat. I don't even know how. Tone really is in the fingers, I guess. But I didn't think it was really true, until I saw him make a mahogany guitar. With 2 PAF. humbuckers sound like a strat. Go search on RUclips for it because it's somewhere on here. He was on some kind of daytime talk show or something, and just whipped a flying V out and started playing it. I've never seen him use a flying V anywhere else, so I'm not sure if he even owned it. Maybe he just brought it with him cos it's small and a talk show isn't a proper gig so it didn't really matter
OK I looked it up and found it, dude SRV wasn't playing a casino, he was playing an Epiphone riviera. I thought I'd never seen him play a casino before, and I guess I was right. Rivieras are similar to casinos to be fair. The main difference though is they have mini humbuckers, so they do sound a fair bit different
Me too, I saw the documentary, and I too realized, how I loved the Beatles sound from that era. I own an Epiphone hollowbody Joe Pass sign. Emperor, which I will replace with a Casino. Thank for your fine playing, it shows the capability of this beauty, and after seing your video I am not afraid to purchase a Chinese one.
I bought a used Tabaco burst a few year back, made in 1995 in one of the desirable Korean factory's, and I absolutely love it. since then I installed new pickups and wiring, new tuners and new nut. The guitar absolutely is killer.
Yeah, baby! We all gotta want a Casino after seeing the Beatles play them, right? Thing is, great players like Rhett make everything sound great! Thanks for a really good demo of the Chinese Casino!
After watching this video I went and tried a Casino out at my local Long & McQuade and picked one up in worn orange. Haven't put it down since! This is my first "budget guitar" I've owned since I was a teenager and it is a total blast to play! Never thought I'd ever buy an Epiphone -but here we are. Your insight was spot on and I'm glad I watched this one! 👍
For the first 8 years of my gigging life, 1969-1977, I played one that is in the middle of those 2, and seldom mentioned. A Gibson ES325, yes 25! LOL It was a walnut trap-tail, abr bridge and center block like the 335, but mini-humbuckers. The body was bound on the front, but no binding on the neck, f-holes or headstock. It also had a thin neck. I used Gibson XL 'round wound' strings with the red thread on the ball end. They made the exact same part number strings with orange thread also, but I would search through the shops string inventory to find 'red thread' sets! LOL. In 1977 my guitar tech told me I needed a DiMarzio PAF in the neck, that was the pup I used most often. He had to route the pocket wider and deeper to fit it, taking away part of the neck tenon. That spring the neck twisted in the body, from climate change likely. I had 11 more guitars by that time and I started playing a LesPaul Artisan. 4 years ago I bought a Walnut ES335, 50's neck and 57 Burstbuckers. It looked like my beloved 325, but not close. Thanks, --gary
My uncle gave me the Casino he owned a few years ago and it definitely filled the void that left me when I had to sell my Gibson 335 several years ago. One of my favorite things about the guitar is how balanced the weight is. Overall it's definitely one of my favorite guitars I own.
I bought a lefty Chinese Epiphone Casino and, like you, think it is well worth the money. I have fitted Lollar Pickups (leaving off the covers so they are less Microphonic), Callaghan Bridge, New Tuners, replaced all the wiring and included a treble bleed, fitted D’Addario NYXL 10-46 strings and had a full Plek set-up. Being a lefty, sourcing parts is more difficult than for righties and at the time I was doing the work I could not source a lefty bone nut so the original is still in-situ. I also retained the original tailpiece. If any of your viewers plan to do something similar, and had their luthier do the work, then the total cost including labour and parts should turn out to be similar to the purchase price of the guitar. So you can end up with a very fine instrument at considerably cheaper cost than a USA made Casino. No lefty USA made Casinos are yet in stock anyway. Mick from the pedal show posted a video detailing the upgrading of his Chinese Epiphone Casino. Interestingly Gibson sent Paul McCartney a lefty Gibson Custom Shop ES-330, and he has been using that on his recent recordings. As well as normal amplified practice, gigging and studio work - fully hollow guitars are also great for playing while on the sofa watching TV. Looking forward to hearing about the upgrades to your Casino in the upcoming year.
I work at Gibson. We make USA made casinos too. So if anyone out there owns one, I most likely worked on it. We did a ton there for a good while.
Have a USA Made one, you guys did a GREAT Job, thanks!
I had to wait nearly a year for mine, but it came over to the UK eventually. Get your finger pulled out next time 😅!
Just wonder why the inlays are backwards compared with the original?
Hey you guys should fix the sg standard neck dive issue!
@@thezogs95 Get a Tony Iommi SG. I don't think the heads of Gibson will ever change the original SG design. It has been selling well ever since its release. So seems like enough people don't care about the neck dive. But, that's why there's the Tony Iommi signature model.
Really well done Rhett!
Thanks Rick!
No, thank you Rhett!
I agree … I like this tone too
@@RhettShull have you thought about playing slide with this beauty?
I was going to post a somewhat negative comment, but now that I know God is watching, I'm too scared...
I think this is one of the reasons the Beatle's sound stood out. First, they used Rickenbacker's which were not that popular when the Beatles started using them. Then they switched to Casinos which were also not widely used either. It gave their music a certain character.
What about Gretsch?
I think The Beatles, as a band, played just about every notable (major) guitar brand back in the 60s, with the possible exception of Vox. That Casino does sound great though. Well done video!
@@spookerz35 I don't recall them using Danelectros or guilds either, but hey, you never know what lies in those archives.
Rickenbacker had a very distinct sound but i have to disagree the brand of their guitars was not so important in their sound.
@@MyDreamside well of course it was important.Every song we know would sound different having been played with a different guitar.
Great playing on this Rhett. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for this.
A video from your brilliance about coronets and Wilshires would make my day!
Thanks Keith! You’re the man.
So great😂😂! He should issue a full EP in this style. So ear soothing
Did you play John Lennon's "How Do You Sleep"?
@@jay.watchman9986 Yes, that's exactly what I hear too.
How Do You Sleep is really an amazing track. Just like John said, everyone was attracted to that song because of whole that dispute with Paul but it is indeed a gem.
I own a 1964 original Casino I bought in Denver over 40 yrs ago, I played it 6 nights a week for ten years. Best buy of a guitar I ever made! It's still going strong.
The problem I'm having these days with a strat is...it's just such a common sound. Like you can almost always tell someone's using a strat. But this guitar is super unique and why I had to get it.
The P90’s will do that…whether it’s on a Casino..or even a Les Paul…
I just got a strat with humbuckers on it to not have it sound like your common strat
Build a Monster Studios …the Big Apple….I mean..Fender has come out with all kinds of combos other than single coils….including the “Big Apple” that had two hum buckets just like a Les Paul.
Not rly. Its up to the player. George harrisons most recorded electric is the strat. He used it on happines is a warm gun but i bet youd never think that’s a strat. I also bet u didnt know that in the studio santana frequently used strats for rhythm work and guitar fills. theyre all over his early records but you wouldnt think thats a strat. The problem isnt the strat but your idea of a strat based on players that use similar sounds. Strats can be made to sound like anything which is why its arguably the most widely used electric guitar after its future from the 50’s charm wore off by the 60’s.
Just bought this guitar today. I got the all natural one. In plan on making zero modifications. I tuned it and plugged it in and almost had a heart attack. One of my grandsons turned the volume knobs all the up on my amp. It was like turning my car on after my son drove it last! Lol
The guitar sound on Paperback Writer/Rain just approaches perfection for me, and was such a big plus by the Beatles, their guitar sounds, tones, effects were almost always perfect.
That was the SG (lead) and a Gretsch (rhythm).
Most importantly, you'll never get those sounds because of the amps they were using. They were using a Vox 7120 to get that tone (Rain, Paperback Writer, She Said She Said, Dr Robert, etc).
Vox made fewer than a hundred and almost all were sent back because customers hated them (because people are morons) and almost all were scrapped for parts or outright destroyed. The few that remain command insane prices ($8-$15k - so not quite asinine Dumble prices).
And guess what, that same amp series was used by Zeppelin for almost all of LZ 2 and several other Zeppelin albums (though I'm almost positive Page used the bass version, the 4120, rather than the 7120, the guitar version, used by The Beatles) so Whole Lotta Love, What Is And What Should Never Be, Heartbreaker (not the solo though, which was recorded on his first, brand new Marshall Super Lead) Moby Dick, Lemon Song, Bring It On Home - were all on that same series of Vox amps.
Oh, and the absolute insane part is they were transistor amps, not all tube!
@@allrequiredfields I have the Aclam Dr Robert pedal which gets VERY close to that sound.
@@michaelfraser4767 on paperback writer it was Paul playing his Epiphone casino for lead
I've had my Casino for almost 8 years now (wow)! It's been my number one since the first strum. Yes, it's even the very guitar in my picture. It's the guitar that made me fall in love with P90s and hollow body guitars. People have asked why I love it so much, but I could never let them experience it (I'm a lefty), but I'm so happy to see people get excited for this guitar again!
I picked one of these up years ago, because I had heard about Lennon's love for it. I'm normally a strat guy, but the beauty of the tone on this guitar is undeniable. You can get punch, bite, and mellow tones; which makes it very versatile in any rock or blues setting. Great video!
I just got the Casino Coupe yesterday. I spent the night cleaning it up and putting locking tuners on it. Sounds lovely. Definitely one of my favorites.
I like the coupes more.
I'm considering klusons I usually go with the 60s spec on all my guitar's
I bought the Casino coupe maybe 5 years ago. I replaced the tuners with mini locking and took Scotch Brite to the finish for a Matt natural look. It sounds great, but only complaints are the thick D shape neck and it flexes too much. I don't think the neck joint was well made on mine. I'm thinking of reinforcing it internally with basswood. When I gigged with it I stuffed foam peanuts to keep the feedback down. I do like playing it.
Another Coupe enthusiast here. It sits better in my lap, has better upper-fret access, and the 2020 model has a rounded C neck that's a little chunkier than the "slim D" on the full-sized version. Great full-hollow tones and very musical feedback just like it's big sister, but it can handle significantly more volume before it takes off.
@@joalco3 I bought the natural finish version.
I bought a 1961 Casino in the 90's, and it is a desert island guitar, it does everything well and is very easy to play. One thing Rhett didn't mention is how chimey they are in the middle toggle position, that is where a lot of that Beatles chime came from. Gibson pumped their Epiphone line to Europe in the 60's, that is why all the Brit bands had Epiphone Casinos (Keith, Beatles, Dave Davies) and Rivoli basses (Animals, Yardbirds, etc.).
I find it's almost worth it for the middle position alone.
This summer I got a Casino, because I had always had a back-of-mind curiosity about them from the Beatles and also seeing Gary Clark always playing one, but what made me do it was the "worn sunset orange" CME exclusive finish that I kind of simply had to have. It's so fun! I've always been very much a Fender Guy but the Casino definitely hits a certain spot for me.
Very cool! I bet that the prices for Casinos, Teles, Hofner basses and Ludwig drums has skyrocketed since the Get Back doc.Great sounding guitar. Thanks!
They still the same lol
I can hear the intro track was influenced by how do you sleep by John Lennon. It took me a few listens to figure out where I knew it from.
It is How Do You Sleep
Yup! It’s a cover.
Can’t get anything past this guy 😉
@@RhettShull nice one to pull out tho. One of John's best
@@dylandenney3980 yeah the best art is create when the artist is highly emotional.
Gary Clark Jr turned me into the casino too when I saw him about 7yrs ago now. I ended up getting an Eastman T64V (casino a-like with lollar p90s) just over a year ago and I've not been able to put it down since - if you're in the market for a higher end casino without getting into Gibson prices I would definitely recommend :D
Lollar P90s are soooo good. Nice!!
Eastman guitars are amazing!
@@kevinvandenberg5548 I have an Eastman grand auditorium-style acoustic-electric guitar, AC222CE. It sounds and plays amazing, even friends who have high end Martin and Gibson acoustics love playing it!
Gary Clark Jr is how I was introduced to Casinos too. Then it was Black Pistol Fire.
Yes GCJ was the artist who introduced me too… got the Black and Blue Signature Casino, with Bigsby, glorious!
As a big Beatles fan i always wanted to have a casino for most of my life (since i discovered the beatles at the age of 11). This year i FINALLY bought my casino. It was one out of the only 2 casinos that came to my country (Brazil) and i believe that they won't import this guy for a long long time.
The guitar is simply amazing, i'm thinking about buying a sheraton II pro, but man... everytime i play the casino i fall in love all over again. I may still buy the sheraton, but i don't think that i'll ever love a guitar as much as i'm loving the casino right now.
In my band we have a gretsch electromatic pro jet (mine), a Gibson les paul (not mine), a fender stratocaster and a telecaster (not mine too...). I've played with all of these guys and they are great, but man... the casino has something very unique, impossible not to love this guy.
As an experienced guitar player and a owner of a large amount of guitars during the years all that i can say is: if you're thinking about buying a casino and have the money, don't think anymore, go and buy the godman guitar!
Thank you for giving Epiphone some love. They are just killing it these days. I have one of these in the Olive Green and it’s a killer. Can’t beat ‘em for price.
The Casino is on my radar. It's tone has been seared into my brain by many iconic Beatles songs, and the Tim Pierce demo of his Casino in the the Five Watt World video really hammered that home. It's got an interesting and musical palette of tones perfect for music of that era.
Get a 330. Thank me later
@@pookachu64 no
Paul Weller, Gary Clarke jr & The Beatles can’t be wrong. They are the three reasons I have one. An amazing guitar 🎸
Ans The Stones!
Paul Weller's tone in the early '90s Casino/Marshall tone is what got me looking hard at these guitars back in the day.
Stones and oasis!
and Stones, and Howlin Wolf, and The Edge...
Don't forget the Kinks
The thing I love about the Epiphone Casino is that it can play a variety of musical styles. From gentle ballads to hard rockers. Probably the only flaw with this guitar back in the day was that it was a fully hollow semi-acoustic guitar and thus was prone to feedback. But these days, as long as you have the right equipment, you could use it in the place of a solid body electric guitar without any problems.
I was just at the rock hall today and looked at John Lennon’s from the rooftop concert and I’m obsessed now. Last year I bought an Epiphone Texan and it’s great.
I picked up an original 1965 Casino that someone stripped of the finish (like Lennon did) and it’s pure magic! So much mojo, it’s the one guitar I have that everyone plays remarks on. It’s by far my most favorite and versatile guitar. Great video!
I know the feeling with the Casino - after 9 hours of watching John Lennon play his in the Beatles documentary, and him saying it was his favourite guitar, the G A S became irresistible! And I am just as impressed with them as you are. Worn Blue Denim, and cost me £440 (less than $600).
Just got the same one - $500 new from GC and plays incredibly well. definitely a steal of a guitar!
I got the worn one too last year! Love it. But I changed the nut, bridge , and tuners. Really a fantastic instrument now.
Bought one new circa 2000. They respond so well to pick attack and they play a really expressive slow blues with easy controlled feedback - all due to the hollow body. Also great for chiming and jangly strumming. Versatile.
I watched this video and literally went out and bought a Casino. Best impulse buy of 2021. Thanks Rhett
i think full hollow body semi acoustic guitars in general are very underrated, there's something so pleasing and smooth about their sound to me.
I purchased a 2018 MIC Casino and my experience is the same as Rhett's demo here. It is a well built import that requires only a modest set up. Plug in and suddenly, all of those sounds you have been missing since the 60's are there in your eyes and your ears.
And as Rhett pointed out the 335 feels bigger, that in turn makes the Casino feel more intimate and you end up holding it right up against your body like an acoustic. Playing one is a visceral experience that translates into the music it causes you to produce.
If you are thinking about getting a Casino, just jump in and buy one of the 3 models available USA, MIC and the "Worn" finish series (still a ridiculous value), and don't look back.
Been in love with this style guitar since Lenny Davidson of the DC5. The unique thing is that you hear more of the tonality of the guitar body, than the sound of the pickup. These foreign makes have five-plies, whereas the USA has three. This makes for less feedback at higher volumes.
My 2012 Lennon Inspired and 2017 standard Casino both three ply, both made in China.
Another hint from my luthier Rhett.....to intonate the bridge properly reverse the G string saddle.....He studied with Dan Erlewine and has set up quite a few Casinos in his day.....real happy with mine and all in all my upgrades made it as good as the $2100 USA model....I got my Casino used with a case for 399 and now have about 700 in it with the bone nut and setup, etc.....real happy all in all! Glad to see you get one for your playing style.
great unique guitars.
one quick tip - if you find the pickups to be too muddy/dark/undefined try heighten the pole piece screws on the pickups before swapping them. it will increase treble and definition a lot.
I always loved the very distinctive tone the Beatles got out of their casinos, especially the `bite` of the overdriven tones. I got frustrated because mine never sounded that way, no matter what amp, setting or pedal i used.
Then i raised the pole pieces and there it was - exactly what i was chasing for so long.
I've owned my Gibson ES-175D since 1966 I adjusted my screws the same way and got the same results did that 50 years ago.
@@ke4uyp Haha, awesome. It seems to me this is still not widespread knowledge somehow.
Apparently it is also what John Lennon did at one point. On early pictures, when his Casino is fairly new and still has it´s sunburst finish, it seems the pole piece screws are flush. At the Get Back session it looks like the poles are raised.
I wish i had known that sooner.
I never understood replacing a P-90 pick up, exactly because of this option. The design of the pick up is kinda straight forward and to spend an extra couple of hundred on boutique pups when the Epi's are just fine, never made any sense to me.
@@charlie-obrien well the magnet type does matter a lot
I bought an MIJ Epiphone Casino several years ago when they were first reissued. A nice instrument indeed, especially for writing songs since it doesn't need to be amplified. Harmony is doing some interesting work and they are MIUSA.
Harmony doesn't actually make anything, they exist as a name with others making the gear. All I know is that the instruments are made in Kalamazoo by Heritage Guitars in the original Gibson plant. No clue who makes the amps though
@@wesleyzimmerman94 The current instruments branded "Harmony" are MIUSA; a simple point; unlike today's "Epiphone."
I had a MIJ I bought used in the late 80s, back when used guitar sellers advertised in magazines. I was a beginner back then and sold it so I can’t say much about it.
I've long wanted one of these since my teenage years. The first time I ever picked up a guitar in a guitar store it was Epiphone Casino in 1972. The tone and the sustain made a lasting impression on me. It could be that it's from a period of superior construction. But my impression is that they've maintained their standards; It's definitely on my list.
The casinos have a really really comfortable neck. I played one out curiosity a few years ago at guitar center and even with their setup standards it felt super good. Gonna be the next guitar I save up for 🙏🏽
Out of the Gibson's, Ric's or other guitars I have I always seem to fall back to my Casino. It's a 2008 Epiphone Elitist 1965 sunburst made at the Terada factory in Japan.
I finally bought a Chinese Casino around six months ago, and I am so happy I did. As Rhett pointed out, I can sit and practice my jazz lessons without plugging it in, and when I do I get a lovely warm tone that I enjoy as much as the Gibson ES-175 that my instructor has me playing once a week. The guitar truly is a great value at the price.
I absolutely adore my ‘65 Reissue Casino (not the Lennon model but the made in Japan). It’s an extremely versatile guitar. I’ve personally never had much issue with feedback and I’ve played gigs from bars to summer festivals. I modified mine a bit to make it one of kind to me like the epiphone bikini badge on the headstock. They’re such fantastic guitars, very responsive. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I played a standard Casino for years before getting my ‘65 and there is a huge difference in quality. I still have my Chinese Casino. It stays in open tunings. I’ve heard the ‘65 takes the cake over the new USA models but I’d like to play one for myself. I love the Royal Tan finish on the USA models.
What happened with Gary and Epiphone? He had his own signature casino.
I have that same version of the MIJ Elitist Casino with Nitro Lacquer. I wish the nomenclature was a bit more clear, it’s easy for people to be confused with the 65’ outfit Elitist and a regular Elitist MIJ Casino, or even one of the two Lennon ones.
I have a feeling the Made in the USA ones are pretty much the same. They even come with the same grey reissue case with blue plush! Interesting to think that it might have been a test run for the specs but for the japanese market? It was done in very limited quantities.
The 65’ ltd ed MIJ Elitist Casino is so good that I doubt it’d be worth changing into the US versions since ours already has all the right specs (17 degree headstock angle, nylon saddles, nitro lacquer, two screw TR cover, etc.)
I think the only possible upgrade would be a real vintage 60’s Casino at this point, unless you really want it to say “Made in the USA”.
Idk what happened with GCJ, I’ve always wanted one, the black and blu model is pretty sick for a modern guitar. They’re pretty expensive second hand though
Thanks for the great video! Being a Beatles fan and "student" for over 50 years, and having about as many electric guitars, I finished off my GASsing days two years ago with a natural finished Casino. And as hoped for, I could nail the tone and texture of EVERY Beatles song I threw at it: the intro to Revolution (!)... I've Got a Feeling... Across the Universe...Come Together... I Want You/She's so Heavy... everything. You could not believe the smile on my face. And this was a brand new made in China model. Honestly, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to nail these sounds. It's truly one the three most versatile guitars I own. The other two are my Fender Strat Ultra (the 90's edition) and an Epiphone ES-339 (with coil tapping).
My experience is the same. I've come to the impression that the Casino design of P-90's on a short scale hollow body is fool proof. So whether it's US, Korean or China made really can't change what is special about it.
As Rhett pointed out the 335 feels bigger, that in turn makes the Casino feel more intimate and you end up holding it right up against your body like an acoustic. Playing one is a visceral experience that translates into the music it causes you to produce.
I always wanted a Casino, mostly because of Lennon, and I'm lucky enough to have a John Lennon "1965" Casino - the reissue that's an exact reproduction of Lennon's guitar, with the sunburst finish. Made in Kalamazoo. It has a noticeably slimmer and narrower neck, which I love. When I first tried this guitar, it felt like it was made for my hands. The pickups sound amazing. I got it second-hand, and it had seen some miles on the road, so it feels almost like a vintage guitar. The previous owner had played in a touring Beatles tribute band, so it's nice knowing it's played all the right songs. :-)
He also installed a Bigsby, so I have to guess he played George, not John. So in a way it's both a John guitar and a George guitar. It's my favourite guitar - so comfortable and natural to play, and very versatile. Only change I made was changing the bridge to a Tru-arc rocking bar bridge, which I think helps add a bit of sustain, and makes the Bigsby work easier. Enjoy your Casino!
It's also a Paul guitar. Whenever Paul played guitar on a beatles track (which he did a LOT) he'd always play his Casino. You can always tell when Paul is doing the guitar solo because his style of playing was so unique, and a great deal faster and more intense than the other two. Like on Taxman or Good Morning Good Morning. While John and George often played other guitars, like George and his rosewood-body tele or his strat, Paul always stuck with the Casino, from the beginning of the band to the end.
I've seen him play that exact casino that he used for recording beatles songs, because he still uses it to play live. Like go see in in concert, and he'll tell a story about how he used that exact same Casino to record the song originally, and he still uses it now. I believe it was Drive My Car that he played with it the last few times I've seen him. He used that exact casino to play lead guitar on the album version. I always find that so cool when he whips it out and still plays it. You'd think he'd want to baby it and use a modern replica made by Epiphone for live gigs, but no, he loves it so much that he still takes it round the world with him for every tour he does.
@@duffman18 I believe he did play a Fender Esquire on at least one Beatles track. Can't recall which one. Good Morning Good Morning maybe?
I've bought a Casino like ten years ago (made in korea from 90's) and it's amazing. It has a unique sound: you need to build the set up around the guitar in order to get the best performance. It's a little tricky but really pays off.
Great to see an "off-the-wall" affordable guitar with a little setup is such a great sounding instrument. Thanks Rhett! (BTW Tim Pierce with the '62 is a stone cold killer !!)
Hi Rhett, I became fascinated with the Casino about 1 year ago and picked up a Chinese import version through the music shop I work in. I honestly have not strayed from playing it since and it has been a fixture regardless of what kind of music or gig I chose to use it for. It’s a remarkably versatile and adaptable guitar and after a few changes and mods, it now holds up with any high end instrument in my collection.
Modifications include, tuning machines (locking Klusons which really suit the look of the guitar), tune-o-matic bridge (tone pros) which you will need to upgrade due to the rattling saddle screw issue on those wire retainer style tune-o-matics (trust me). I actually installed a new trapeze made from real bell brass (cosmetically identical to the original) but did improve the sound (albeit subtly). Pickups of course, both volume pots and changed to black plastic covers as well as a black pickguard. The guitar is a natural finish ala John Lennon’s stripped Casino look. It’s truly an addictive instrument.
I chased after the Thinline Hollowbody single coil thing for a while back in the 2000s, but I was looking at Gibson ES-125 TDCs because I found the single Florentine cutaway more appealing. Back then they could be found for less than $1500 because they were still considered a less desirable base model. Interestingly, while researching, I’ve found that the 125 and the Casino sounds are markedly more different than I would have thought, the guitars being so similar other than the single vs double cut. I think it comes down to the plastic vs metal pickup covers, the 125 being more of the darker typical P90 sound, and the Casino having the more bright, microphonic sound that metal covers can sometime cause. Anyway, money being what it was, and due to the ridiculous inflation of vintage guitar prices beginning in the later 2000s, I ended up settling for a beautiful Silvertone 1418, a model only made for a few months in 1968. It resembles a Les Paul sized Casino, has really interesting single coils that are somewhat microphonic and oddly, hotter than any of the pickups on any of my other guitars. Anyway, it’s satisfactorily scratched my itch for that Thinline hollowbody particular guitar tone. For now, haha
I have a 1948 ES-125. Got it for a great price several years ago as it is "players grade". Its P90 has a gorgeous and articulate 'jazz' sound. Very clear and a bit punchy. The casino is an entirely different instrument. Thinner neck for 'faster' playing, the feel is different. Both guitars can give you an acoustic/electric sound with the volume and tone adjustments. The stock Casino P90s can be used for Jazz but lack a little bit of 'punch'. They sound great with finger picking or a bit of fuzz. Great for alt-rock, folk, pop, jazzy stuff and more!
Just scored a 67 ES-330. Absolutely love it.
I've seen an Epiphone factory tour and they seem to be done rigorously.. I would totally trust the import Casino to sound and very much close to the original made in USA ones.. Great review..
I have a 67 Gibson ES330. My dad bought it new in 67 and gave it to me in the 90s. I'm a full time music producer/engineer in Nashville and I use it all the time. I love this guitar!
If you want to get even closer to the Beatle sound, slap on some 11 gauge flat wound strings. That's what I did on my Lennon model natural Casio. Awesome!
My 61 reissue is my absolute favorite guitar ever. My number one go to in the studio
I had been looking for a "thinline" guitar for the past few months after I traded in my Gretsch Electromatic. Played Eastman "Romeo" and a few others including a Collings (for almost 6K CAD). At the same time I'd been watching Get Back with John and his Casino. So I went to a local music store, held up the Epi 'inspired by Gibson' 339 and it was heavy! Then I held up an Epiphone Casino "Worn" model in orange. Light! It reminded me a bit of my Epiphone Dot I bought years ago and then traded in on the Gretsch. Took that bad boy back to the amp section and it very much rocked! I had so much more fun playing it than the far more expensive thinlines so I just had to buy it. $660 CAD. What a deal! So great for chords, arpeggios, lines, whatever. The hollow body really gives it such a great overall sound. I also love the "worn" line because the colour is cool and I can see the grain. Nice!
orange casino, that's the bees knees!
@@elwrongo Yes, awesome looking, awesome to play!
My 1960 ES-330T is one of the best guitars I own. I bought it after seeing a collector who says the single pickup model is his favorite and he prefers it to the dual pickup version. Something along the lines of the neck pickup being a little too muddy and the bridge being a little too bright. I have it strung up with flats & it is the most unique and distinctive sounding guitar I own. It's a must have in the studio.
Having played Les Pauls most of my career (shoegaze genera), finally got around to getting an Epiphone Casino Dot (ironically with no dots on the board).
After playing the intro to ‘She Said’, I was somewhat stunned at ‘The Beatles’ sound this body-style produced effortlessly.
Just want to say how much I appreciate the high quality sound of your videos. Really a treat
Great video, Rhett! I love the “The “fill in the blank” Sound” videos…keep ‘em coming!
I have an Epiphone Wildkat. Basically a semi hollow single cut version of a casino... It's a TONE MONSTER. Super underrated! Absolutely in love with it. I'll also get a casino one day!
I love my Epiphone Casino and love to play it acoustically even by itself. The sound is so nice a mini acoustic like u said! I also love the color!
Back in August I ordered one of the "worn ebony" models. The projected ship date got pushed back from this month to September of next year, so I said 'screw that' and found a used 2019 model online, so it's pretty much the same model you have. I absolutely LOVE it. I started playing when I was a kid in the 1970s and it's been a LONG time since I got a guitar that I want to play every day and so I am. I've wanted one for a few decades because it was used on every Beatles album from 1966 on. I'm running mine parallel through a Vox AC-15 and a Fender Deluxe. The rest of the band is also pleased with the upgrade.
Picked up a Casino Coupe a few months back at a used guitar store. It checked a few boxes for me, P-90s and Hollow body. I was looking for the P-90 experience after watching your P-90 sound video. I look forward to find out what pickups you put in your Casino. Thanks for the great videos.
I love my '67 330. Great action and tone.
I'm loving this renaissance of the Casino. I've had mine (natural finish, Chinese made) for 4 years now. Got it used for $415 and it's the guitar I play the most. Admittedly, I don't gig, I'm not a shredder, and I certainly don't expect one guitar to do EVERYTHING. It's simply the guitar that's the most fun/engaging to play for ME, either on my own in the living room or jamming with friends. Sure, it seems niche....until you actually play one. The legend about it being a screeching feedback machine is total BS unless you're literally facing the amp from 3ft or less while playing choppy, or are under the misapprehension that you're playing a solid body guitar into a Marshall stack. THIS isn't THAT.
I'll never be entirely willing or able to drop $4k - God knows what $k on a Gibson. Can't. I'm not a professional musician, just a player/hobbyist/enthusiast. That said, this thing has pretty killer tone. Note separation/clarity is so, sooo good. The stock P90s aren't hot, but very warm and articulate to my ears.
I have 2 small amps: a F Blues Deluxe Jr. Tweed, and a 60s Silvertone 1482 1x12 combo with a torn, wheezing speaker. Sounds AWESOME through both. Handful of pedals. People like to complain about the Epi headstock shape, but....really? Fine, it's not a Gibson. I get it. Is that all you've got?! The only mod I've made on mine is changing out the plastic nut for bone. It's just a sweet guitar.
I bought a pre-loved Casino from another guitar player many years ago. The guitar was only about 6 months old and the condition was brand new and I took it off his hands at less than half it's brand new price. The quality and finish of the Korean made Casino was good. Since I got the Casino, I gave away my two Fender Strats to my son as I much prefer the feel and sound of the Casino. When plugged into my Fender 65 Princeton Reverb, the sound is simply beyond words.
I had a Chinese Epi Casino for 2 years and I loved it - after some mods: I took 1500 winds off either pickup to get them down to 7H inductance. I also added a treble bleed to either pickup. Then it sounded wonderful. Eventually I replaced it by a 68 Gibson 330 long neck. Still miss the Casino though for both playability and sound.
I love my Casino! You might find the retainer wire in the bridge to rattle. I set the intonation and poured it full of clear nail polish. The switch also rattles in the middle position. That is the only upgrade I seem to need. Got it used, with epiphone's awesome case, for $475.
The ones John played were American made. Imagine how those would sound. Although I gotta admit, they are light and comfortable when you play them compared to those bulky Gibson es guitars which explains why John loved playing them.
The epiphone casinos still have a. American made version. They are $3k.
The weight factor is also the reason McCartney loves playing Hofner basses!
John Lemon," this (******) guitar is unplayable!"
Epiphone quality and value (IMHO!) across the board including the revered Casino, since 2020 has been spectacular!!
Damn that 335 sounded really good. That upper mid poke is a great quality to have. What "paf" pickups are in there?
Casino owner here. I have one of the Japanese-made 'Elitist' 65 reissues from the early 2000s. Yup, it sounds completely different from any other guitar and I love the fact that I can just pick it up and play unplugged on the sofa and still hear something, lol. Not my favourite guitar, but can't deny its charm.
In 1967, as a 16 year old lead guitar player in a high school band, I bought a Kalamazoo Casino, in cherry red… for $285, including a plush lined hard shell case. I sold it in the summer of ‘69 for $110, to get money to date a cute little blonde. I’m told that guitar today would be worth more than $3,000.
Ummm, you're probably off by a magnitude of 3 or better.
I hope she was worth it.
She better have his ring on her finger. Or on some pulp fiction ish: that milkshake better have been worth $300
My most played guitar...Just so light and comfortable - Easy to grab and play without plugging in.
Damn that's the hottest Beatles ( Lennon, whatever ) cover ever done. Seriously please do a whole set of these and put them on Spotify, I want this guitar. Thanks Rhett!
I have a 90s Korean Casino and its great. I thought I might need to change the pickups out but i don't, they are chimey and bright and not overly midrangy, barky and dark like some P90s. I love the way you blend the pickups in the middle position. Would love to try a Japanese Epiphone Elitist Casino one day, tried an Epiphone Elitist Riviera (pretty much a Casino but with mini humbuckers) and that was superb, still regret letting it get away.
Epiphone Elitist Riviera are NICE :) love mini Humbuckers
Just last week Shane at IntheBlues put the casino in his worst guitars of the year and I thought of crossing it off my to get list… thanks for re-GAS’ing me up Rhett 😂
I got one of the Worn ones last year at Christmas. I replaced the nut and tuners and bridge like Rhett talks about here. It’s a great guitar and I play it as much (more?) than my American made Tele and Les Paul.
@@jeramym9506 I have one on the Olive drab and it's a beauty. Where did you purchase the nut, tuners and bridge? Thanks.
I have a '61 Gibson ES-330 Reissue with a Bigsby... it is one of the best sounding guitars in my arsenal.
I hate to say it man, but I think you bought the wrong guitar. Ephiphone has recently released the USA made Casino model, which hasn't been in their lineup for years. Considering how well the original USA made ones have appreciated in value, it would be a good investment. Play one when you get a chance and you'll see it's better made and it has a nitro finish (though I dont think it's exactly like the Gibson nitro finish).
I've got an Epiphone Casino Worn and it's amazing. For only $450 it's great! Took the pickguard off and started jamming
I bought an original '64 Casino back in summer 2020. It has seen a lot of use and has all the scars to prove it, including a headstock repair which was professionally fixed decades ago, which means I picked it up on the cheap compared to a pristine example. One of the tuners had been replaced, as well as the bridge, and the pickup covers were switched from nickel to the plastic black covers on the '61-'62 models. Other than that it's all original, and it is truly a joy to play. It has the most comfortable neck I've ever played on any guitar, and the original non-wax potted P90s give it clear, articulate cleans, yet scream like a banshee with the amp cranked. It's just an impeccable instrument. As soon as you're able to get your hands on one, you should. It's a desert island guitar for me.
Great playing and video Rhett, Chris Buck pointed out the Casino is loud unplugged and the Beatles ,and others, love it as a songwriters guitar
Excellent I’ve got a Samick South Korean Casino and it’s awesome. I was looking for a Casino and traveled a few miles of the UK south coast trying a few and none were quite right until I found the one. It was on the back wall of a Guitar shop in Ringwood ( between Bournemouth & Southampton) I said to the guy is that new he said no it’s second hand but it’s in great condition, try it out and you’ll end up buying it. I tried it and couldn’t believe how much better than anything I’d tried it was just over the price I could get a new one, but played as if it should have been twice the price. I’ve had it for around 4 yrs now. A big thank you to Al & Howard @ Oasis Ringwood, this one’s a keeper!
I have an Epiphone Riviera custom p93. I love it. It's a semi hollow body, instead of fully hollow, but those three p90 pickups instead of two really make it sound great. Looks just like a casino or ES335. Kicks ass!
i work at guitar center and bought a casino 3 weeks ago when one randomly showed up at the store brand new got it for a great price and its amazing
I was after a Gibson 330 for a long while. In the end the closest I could get was a great deal on a 336 with P90s. I love it. It has a smaller body (like the recent Epi Casino Coupe) or 339 but unlike the 330 is not fully hollow (from what I’ve read online). It is a fantastic guitar! Would love to try a 330 sometime to compare.
I'm a jazz guitarist and I play a Casino since 2003 (you can see it in my profile pic). It is perfect for any kind of jazz and/or funk/soul music. After all Grant Green used a Gibson ES330 delivering a very personal sound.
Like most I'm now kicking myself for not picking up a Casino before Get Back aired. Everybody and their brother wants one now. I was super close to getting one a couple years ago and missed out on a killer deal. My only rule is that it would have to be natural. I love the one that Mick from TPS picked up and rewired with better pickups.
The trapeze bridge tailpiece and floating bridge are normal on a fully hollow arch-top guitar, and the physics of energy transfer are different from the energy transfer in a flat-top acoustic or solid body electric, both of which normally have fixed bridges. With the trapeze and floating bridge, the strings press the bridge into the sound board, an "implosive" mount. On a guitar with the bridge fixed to the sounding board (flat-top acoustic) or body (solid electric), the strings pull the bridge away from the body and towards the tuning head, an "explosive" mount. This becomes really clear when they fail: a trapeze/hollow collapses inwards, a fixed bridge fails outwards. The different systems give different sound and feel.
I have an original 1966 with the one pickup in the center version that i love....but I have decided to give a shoot to this one. You convinced me and I can't wait to get the China version and do the comparaison with the 2 pick ups. Thanks for sharing your review. I appreciate the fact that you gave us a clear and honest review of the guitar and sound's type.
I bought a Casino Worn (Olive Drab version) last year. Out of the box it needed some work. A couple of frets were high, the action was way too high, the relief was way too much. But all very simple things to deal with and well within my comfort zone as someone who has been looking after my own guitars for 40 years. Its pretty much the only guitar I play at home now. I love the "worn" finish. No gloss - it feels like wood. Well balanced, not too heavy. It's just fun to play. For some songs I miss the upper fretboard access, but for 80% of the time, it is not an issue. When I bought it, I was comparing it to a Casino Coupe (again, full hollow body but slightly smaller size. Think ES-339 vs ES-330). I wanted to like the Coupe. Better upper fretboard access. Smaller. Lighter. But it had a bit of a neck dive issue, and it had a high gloss finish on the neck. I went with the Casino. For the price, I would definitely recommend.
About 15 years ago I bought a Casino made in Peerless ,Korea. I had no intention of buying a Casino but the guy was not a player ,and it was just under his bed . Rusted strings ,not set up at all etc. I paid $150. w the case . He had a small amp ,and played it as it was. The sound blew me away. I knew if I set up the intonation ,and put on set of 48/10 strings . It was mind boggling great. When I had it all set up I plugged it in my Genz Benz Black Pearl amp. First thing I played was the Solomon Taxman. Sounded just like the records. The only reason I no longer have it is a a guy offered me $1500. for it. It had a turquoise finish . He lived in OZ ,and paid to have it shipped there from San Francisco. Peerless Casinos are as good as the old USA made Casinos . I don’t know if they’re still making them in Korea … Nice guitar there. Are you going to sand the finish off :)
This video comes like a hand in a tailored glove!
I’ve been looking at Casino’s for the past two weeks, namely because I saw a SRV concert where he’s playing a red Casino - but also because of John Mayers “I guess I just feel like” guitar solo take. 7 minutes of Casino + Tweed heaven!!
I love your videos Rhett - every one. Merry Christmas from a brother in Denmark, Europe 🤘🏽💪🏾.
SRV played one? Damn I'm gonna have to look for that. He so rarely played anything other than a strat. I did see him play a Flying V once and I thought it was so remarkable, because he managed to make it sound like a strat. I don't even know how. Tone really is in the fingers, I guess. But I didn't think it was really true, until I saw him make a mahogany guitar. With 2 PAF. humbuckers sound like a strat. Go search on RUclips for it because it's somewhere on here. He was on some kind of daytime talk show or something, and just whipped a flying V out and started playing it. I've never seen him use a flying V anywhere else, so I'm not sure if he even owned it. Maybe he just brought it with him cos it's small and a talk show isn't a proper gig so it didn't really matter
OK I looked it up and found it, dude SRV wasn't playing a casino, he was playing an Epiphone riviera. I thought I'd never seen him play a casino before, and I guess I was right. Rivieras are similar to casinos to be fair. The main difference though is they have mini humbuckers, so they do sound a fair bit different
Me too, I saw the documentary, and I too realized, how I loved the Beatles sound from that era. I own an Epiphone hollowbody Joe Pass sign. Emperor, which I will replace with a Casino.
Thank for your fine playing, it shows the capability of this beauty, and after seing your video I am not afraid to purchase a Chinese one.
I jumped on the Casino train twenty years ago. Great guitar. To my ear, nothing sounds like a Casino.
There's an episode from That Pedal Show in which they change the pickups to a Casino and man, that thing sounds amazing. Cheers from Argentina
I bought a used Tabaco burst a few year back, made in 1995 in one of the desirable Korean factory's, and I absolutely love it. since then I installed new pickups and wiring, new tuners and new nut. The guitar absolutely is killer.
Yeah, baby! We all gotta want a Casino after seeing the Beatles play them, right? Thing is, great players like Rhett make everything sound great!
Thanks for a really good demo of the Chinese Casino!
I dont own one but a friend of mine does and I'm grateful he allows to me to play it whenever I'm there. Beautiful sound and a beautiful instrument.
After watching this video I went and tried a Casino out at my local Long & McQuade and picked one up in worn orange.
Haven't put it down since! This is my first "budget guitar" I've owned since I was a teenager and it is a total blast to play!
Never thought I'd ever buy an Epiphone -but here we are.
Your insight was spot on and I'm glad I watched this one! 👍
I have my dad’s bass made in that factory in 1967 called a Kalamazoo. It looks like an sg but has a fender style headstock.
5 watt world is one of my favorite channels. Thanks for your channel Rhet!
For the first 8 years of my gigging life, 1969-1977, I played one that is in the middle of those 2, and seldom mentioned. A Gibson ES325, yes 25! LOL It was a walnut trap-tail, abr bridge and center block like the 335, but mini-humbuckers. The body was bound on the front, but no binding on the neck, f-holes or headstock. It also had a thin neck. I used Gibson XL 'round wound' strings with the red thread on the ball end. They made the exact same part number strings with orange thread also, but I would search through the shops string inventory to find 'red thread' sets! LOL. In 1977 my guitar tech told me I needed a DiMarzio PAF in the neck, that was the pup I used most often. He had to route the pocket wider and deeper to fit it, taking away part of the neck tenon. That spring the neck twisted in the body, from climate change likely. I had 11 more guitars by that time and I started playing a LesPaul Artisan. 4 years ago I bought a Walnut ES335, 50's neck and 57 Burstbuckers. It looked like my beloved 325, but not close. Thanks, --gary
My uncle gave me the Casino he owned a few years ago and it definitely filled the void that left me when I had to sell my Gibson 335 several years ago. One of my favorite things about the guitar is how balanced the weight is. Overall it's definitely one of my favorite guitars I own.
I live for Rhett’s epic jam intros. I could listen to a whole album of them
I bought a lefty Chinese Epiphone Casino and, like you, think it is well worth the money. I have fitted Lollar Pickups (leaving off the covers so they are less Microphonic), Callaghan Bridge, New Tuners, replaced all the wiring and included a treble bleed, fitted D’Addario NYXL 10-46 strings and had a full Plek set-up. Being a lefty, sourcing parts is more difficult than for righties and at the time I was doing the work I could not source a lefty bone nut so the original is still in-situ. I also retained the original tailpiece. If any of your viewers plan to do something similar, and had their luthier do the work, then the total cost including labour and parts should turn out to be similar to the purchase price of the guitar. So you can end up with a very fine instrument at considerably cheaper cost than a USA made Casino. No lefty USA made Casinos are yet in stock anyway. Mick from the pedal show posted a video detailing the upgrading of his Chinese Epiphone Casino. Interestingly Gibson sent Paul McCartney a lefty Gibson Custom Shop ES-330, and he has been using that on his recent recordings. As well as normal amplified practice, gigging and studio work - fully hollow guitars are also great for playing while on the sofa watching TV. Looking forward to hearing about the upgrades to your Casino in the upcoming year.