NGD- Epiphone Casino

PerryE · #1 12-29-2021, 03:41 PM

I have been thinking of getting a semi-hollow or hollow guitar for quite a while. Many reasons- trying to get into jazz, looking for something that complements my Telecaster, …

If I am playing late I am very often using my Telecaster without amplification in order to not disturb family. Maybe a semi-hollow/hollow would work even better - at least it would be more comfortable

Was looking at models from Ibanez, Hagström, Gretsch but after finishing the Get Back documentary I knew I just had to get a Casino in natural finish! When I found out that Gary Clark Jr also uses one - well, at least I couldn’t blame my gear.

Yesterday I tried out a Casino and it felt great so it came home with me. Today I went back and had it set up with 11-50 flat wounds and it couldn’t be better!

It is surprisingly loud for an electric guitar and ergonomically couldn’t be better. I am pretty tall with long torso so the large body just feels right for me

Trying to attach a photo… will come!

The Casino is joined by my MIM Telecaster and cavaquinho

FrankHudson · #2 12-29-2021, 05:08 PM

Looks like a cool trio there.

I've grown more and more fond of P90 pickups and their kin in the past few years, so I'll bet you'll enjoy yours.

rbock · #3 12-29-2021, 05:12 PM

If it was good enough for the Beatles...

PerryE · #4 12-29-2021, 06:50 PM

With my guitars, a couple of pedals and a Katana amplifier I have no excuses - in my case it gives me great pleasure to switch between my Yamaha LL16, nylon-string classical, Telecaster, Casino, cavaquinho, Yamaha bass. My main instrument will always be piano and last few years I have worked hard to move from classical repertoire to jazz/blues/rock

I have to say my biggest challenge though is to sing - the bluegrass band I am playing in is pressuring me to do some singing which is really hard. But that is one of my goals for 2022; to sing harmony with them

AcousticDreams · #5 12-29-2021, 07:14 PM

I want one too!

Watching the Beatles Documentary...Harrison plays his Casino acoustically just to showcase his new tune..."I me Mine". Plenty loud as well, the Casino is pretty close to being an acoustic.

Now here is a video, that will really sell you on the Casino
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_FF834WJ58

Glennwillow · #6 12-29-2021, 07:24 PM

Congratulations! The Casino with those P90s is a great guitar! Good for you!

I like the natural finish!

- Glenn

Steve DeRosa · #7 12-29-2021, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerryE

...Yesterday I tried out a Casino and it felt great so it came home with me. Today I went back and had it set up with 11-50 flat wounds and it couldn’t be better!

It is surprisingly loud for an electric guitar and ergonomically couldn’t be better. I am pretty tall with long torso so the large body just feels right for me...

Not surprised - even with a solidbody you lose a lot of volume/tone (both unplugged and amplified) with skinny strings, and the wound G restores the string-to-string timbral balance (a plain G has a different series of overtones that can sound kinda wonky and dissonant, especially on a short-scale electric like your Casino). Since you're likely coming over from acoustic and you've expressed an interest in jazz, you might consider trying a 12-52 set at least once, even if just as an experiment: they offer a similar feel to an acoustic and, with a good pro setup (meaning truss rod, nut slots, fret leveling, intonation, and bridge adjustment - more expensive than the "strings and polish" job typical of certain big-box stores, and worth every penny) the action can be set low enough that moderate bends and high-speed soloing shouldn't be a problem - something the '50s jazzers and rockabilly cats all knew (as did the first wave of British acts - string choices were limited in the UK at that time, and even in the US ultra-light gauge strings wouldn't start to catch on until the late-60's)...

If you don't already own a suitable amp, I'd recommend reposting this over on the Electric subforum - you'll get plenty of excellent suggestions over there; you might also find these threads from the Archtop subforum of interest:
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=600092
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=623720

Use it well, often, and LOUD...

Rudy4 · #8 12-29-2021, 08:05 PM

The new Peter Jackson "Get Back" documentary must be selling a huge number of Casinos.

I bought a brand new one when the FIRST Get Back movie came out.

flatfinger · #9 12-29-2021, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knives&Guitars

I want one too!

Watching the Beatles Documentary...Harrison plays his Casino acoustically just to showcase his new tune..."I me Mine". Plenty loud as well, the Casino is pretty close to being an acoustic.

Mine is incredibly resonant. A really good player too. I love my Casino.

Jim Owen · #10 12-30-2021, 12:38 AM

I’ve wanted one of those since I was a lad. I do agree about the wound G. (I play a Sheraton, and it needs a wound g.)

At one point in Get Back, Lennon calls it his favorite guitar.

PerryE · #11 12-30-2021, 01:29 AM

Thanks for all the comments- I am still incredibly happy over my new Casino! How did I miss the Chris Buck video??? Problem with him is that everything he plays sounds great

Going 12-52 is unlikely- for now 11-50 is more than enough. My Telecaster is strung w 10-46 NYXL and plays like butter. Perfect neck and low action. Downside is that slide playing is really difficult.

With the Casino there is room for tweaking but for now it is OK and slide works really well.

Will tweak it in small steps - important thing is that the nut is fine. Feels good to start 2022 with this guitar!

gmel555 · #12 12-30-2021, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerryE

............Yesterday I tried out a Casino and it felt great so it came home with me...........

Yes, I don't know if it's the Beatles mystic or what, but every time I pick one up at a shop they just "feel" good to play...the neck, body size, scale, etc. just all seem to work together. I'm a P90 fan as well.

jricc · #13 12-30-2021, 01:21 PM

Congrats on your Casino!

Love my 2007 Casino. I upgraded the pickups to Kent Armstrong p90's, changed out the tuners to Schallers, had a new Tusq nut cut and replaced jack with a Switchcraft.

Dr Dread · #14 12-30-2021, 02:05 PM

Nice guitar, and I'm glad you're happy with it. Congrats!! I wish you many happy years with it.

boombox · #15 12-30-2021, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knives&Guitars

I want one too!

Watching the Beatles Documentary...Harrison plays his Casino acoustically just to showcase his new tune..."I me Mine". Plenty loud as well, the Casino is pretty close to being an acoustic.

Now here is a video, that will really sell you on the Casino
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_FF834WJ58

Funnily enough, I was catching up with my YT subscriptions today and saw Chris' video. If I was still playing electric, he'd have sold me on one too.