NUGD - Another Casino

[29er]

This 2007 Epiphone Casino will arrive at my door next week. I've always preferred the cherry finish and when this came up I made an offer so it's coming my way.

I'll tell an all too familiar story as to why I've been eyeing such a guitar:

In 1986 I bought a 1968 Gibson ES-330 for the princely sum of $185. I traded it for a Telecaster less than 6 months later and realized a nice return on my investment. Still, I wish I had kept it. This Casino won't measure up to the Gibby but it will remind me how dumb I was as a young man I'd love to grab a 60's ES-330 again but since I am now retired guitars in that price range are not in the cards.

I will post my own pics and a review after I spend some quality time with it.

[jricc]

Congrats 29er on your cherry Casino. I have 2007 in natural. Look forward to your pix.

[Steve DeRosa]

If it's one of the last Korean-made Casinos with the Kalamazoo-style Slim-Taper neck it's a keeper - the post-2007 Chinese instruments went to a thick, hard-D profile that doesn't handle nearly as well...

Use it well, often, and LOUD...

[29er]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

If it's one of the last Korean-made Casinos with the Kalamazoo-style Slim-Taper neck it's a keeper - the post-2007 Chinese instruments went to a thick, hard-D profile that doesn't handle nearly as well...

Use it well, often, and LOUD...

The serial number begins with EE, which I believe denotes a Chinese guitar. I'm not an expert so I may be wrong on that detail. I find most electric guitar necks too thin for my arthritic hands so maybe the thick profile will work for me. We shall see!

[Dru Edwards]

Congrats on the Casino! I'm looking at your casino and a pic of an ES-330 and they look very similar. I take it that they are?

It's great that you're able to find something similar to your old Gibson.

[29er]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Congrats on the Casino! I'm looking at your casino and a pic of an ES-330 and they look very similar. I take it that they are?

It's great that you're able to find something similar to your old Gibson.

Very much the same guitar as the Gibson.

[Glennwillow]

Congratulations 29er on that Casino! It looks great!

What a great color choice!

- Glenn

[rmp]

That finish makes it! Very nice..

Do tell us more once you get her in your hands.

[marty bradbury]

Beautiful guitar! Enjoy!

[29er]

The arrival of my Casino has been delayed due to weather. It's shipping from upstate New York and they've been blasted with a pretty nasty snowstorm. Hoping to see it tomorrow.

[29er]

The Casino arrived today and after allowing it to warm up for several hours I opened up the case and dove in. The wood grain is subtle but gorgeous. The cherry red finish is classic and classy. I'll need to change the strings to my preferred 11-48 gauge and tweak the setup but I think it is a keeper. I'm fairly impressed with the pickups and taper of the volume/tone pots. A few pics to prove it happened.

[Dru Edwards]

Looks great! You're fortunate it didn't get delayed longer.

[jricc]

Originally Posted by 29er

The Casino arrived today and after allowing it to warm up for several hours I opened up the case and dove in. The wood grain is subtle but gorgeous. The cherry red finish is classic and classy. I'll need to change the strings to my preferred 11-48 gauge and tweak the setup but I think it is a keeper. I'm fairly impressed with the pickups and taper of the volume/tone pots. A few pics to prove it happened.

Looks great in cherry 29er! I've got mine strung with 11‐48 too. Thickens up the tone nicely. Congrats again

[29er]

Thanks, guys. I want get some better pics but will probably wait for a sunny day and take a few outside in an attempt to capture the wood grain.

As for the tone, the P-90's sound like they should, nice & thick with plenty of growl when the amp gets over driven. The only negative I find right now is the neck pickup having a higher output than the bridge. The only adjustment to be made with this design is to raise/lower pole pieces or add shims between the body and pickup. Since I'm not gigging anymore it's not a big deal, but if I were to play it in a band then I would explore ways to remedy the issue. Another frontal shot.

[jricc]

29er if you decide to go the shim route, these Fralin shims work great, I ve used them and they're perfect.
https://www.fralinpickups.com/product/dogear-p90-shims/