Epiphone Casino Quality

Tele Fan · February 12th, 2008, 05:34 PM

Hey Gang
I grabbed a blem Casino off MF today as a late bday gift to myself and I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of electronics it has. I'm mainly curious about the pots (size) and how well everything holds up. Yeah, I'm asking these questions late, but I couldn't resist.

Thanks guys and dolls.

Telarkaster · February 12th, 2008, 07:03 PM

Congratulations Tele Fan! When I got mine I had big plans to replace the tuners, bridge and electronics, based on what I read on the internet.

Almost a year later and it's still stock.

Will I eventually replace some of the parts? Maybe. But it's really not high on my to-do list.

I got mine because I was in love with the neck and the way the pickups sounded. I will never replace the pickups. I'm not a fan of the bridge pickup but I love the way it sounds with the neck in the middle position so it's staying put.

The major grievance that I had was the rattle in the bridge. The retaining wire in the seriously flawed vintage design drove me nuts until I read this trick: intonate your guitar and then put a dab of nail polish on the wire, let dry. No more rattle and buzz!

My bandmates all say that it's my best sounding guitar. Why fix what isn't broken?

PS: Happy belated Birthday!

markinlondon · February 12th, 2008, 07:25 PM

They have the usual far eastern mini pots and self destructing switch. I never used mine enough to wear the switch out but the ones I've had in a couple of other Epiphones lasted about six months. Pay the extra and get it replaced with something better. The pots on my Casino worked well enough.

Cassady · February 12th, 2008, 08:32 PM

I haven't been inside a new Casino, but Epiphone has a blurb in the front of their current catalog about the parts that they're using--full-sized pots, an all-metal Chinese Switchcraft clone and alnico pickups. In the case of my 2005 Les Paul, the parts seem to be of very good quality.

This wasn't the case with my 1999 Sheraton, so from the Epiphones that I've seen the guts of, it seems that they're using better parts these days. My Les Paul hasn't needed a change, but I've only had it for a month.

Congrats on the Casino, they're super cool and I've had one on my wish list for some time now. I would be interested to hear your impressions of the guitar when you get it.

Cassady

casterway · February 12th, 2008, 08:38 PM

I needed to get a selector switch changed on a new Epi Sheraton, but it was done under warranty and billed to the manufacturer. Maybe they're better now.

markinlondon · February 12th, 2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassady

I haven't been inside a new Casino, but Epiphone has a blurb in the front of their current catalog about the parts that they're using--full-sized pots, an all-metal Chinese Switchcraft clone and alnico pickups. In the case of my 2005 Les Paul, the parts seem to be of very good quality.

Cassady

Sounds like a big jump in quality. My Casino was about a '99/'00 model. I miss it!

Tele Fan · February 13th, 2008, 07:20 AM

Thanks gang! I'll be sure to put up a review and some pics when I get her in.

SMPTE · February 13th, 2008, 07:59 AM

I replaced the tuners and the bridge first (Gotoh and a Schaller rolling bridge), then later replaced the all the pots, switch, jack, and wiring (CTS/RS Guitarworks/Switchcraft). And the Caps (Mojotones). The pickups had already been done when I got the guitar (Alnico 5 Staples). The difference between the original and what I've got now is incredible. It's a tone monster now, lots of controllable sustain (from the mass of the Bigsby and the bridge), and the pickups are out of this world. The only thing I think I'd do is put in .47s from caps .22s in the bridge.

It's a great base guitar, and for not alot of add ons (250$ ish for all the non-pickup upgrades) it can be sublime. The pickups were 400$ or so and you have to special order them from Seymour D if you can't find them.

sunkidd · February 13th, 2008, 08:58 AM

I have one of the natural wood,no stains or paint, that sounds,looks and plays great! the only things I've done to mine is a little truss rod adjustment, tiny bit of nut filing, bridge and intonation adjustments and 11-50 strings...it felt like it comes with 10-46....
The pickups on mine, I got new maybe 4 or 5 months ago, seem a little HOT...
on the verge of being microphonic.... I measured the P-90's and they read 12.4....... my friends old Gibson from '66 has P-90's also and they measured 9.2......
when I have my amp up in volume and standing close I turn the volume knobs back to about 6.5 to 7...... you can talk at the guitar and hear your voice like a microphone and tap anywhere on the body or the pickups, and the pickups ring a high pitched metallic sound, with the amp up in volume a bit...they sound good, but a little hot....May get some different pickups someday but these are fine for now.
The guitar does have a great hollow woody tone for sure... way different than a Tele has... great companion to have!

mistermullens · February 13th, 2008, 09:51 AM

First off, let me congratulate you on a fine guitar purchase. I've been singing the Casino's praises for about a year now. I have an MIK that I bought from MF over a year ago and its one of the best guitars, if not THE best guitar I've ever owned. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Teles, but there's something about this guitar that really gets me going. Now, on to your question on quality. Probably 5-10 years ago, I wouldn't have bought an Epiphone. Just about all of the ones I played back then just didn't make the grade. Back in Nov 2006, I had finally had enough of my Strat and went to try out some different guitars. I always wanted a 335 style guitar, but couldn't afford a Gibson. On a whim, I grabbed a Casino off the wall, and was hooked from first strum. I was impressed by the quality of the instrument, but not the color. Seems like all they had was Natural every place I went so I ordered a Sunburst from MF. Once I got it, I was completely overwhelmed at the beauty of this guitar. No flaws, the binding was great, no issues with the switch or input jack. Like others, I did have some buzz on the bridge, but I somehow fixed it. Pickups are great and I won't be changing them anytime soon, if at all. I may eventually change the pots and switch, since I hear doing so makes quite a difference in the sound of the guitar. No rush on this either. Epiphone is pimping how good they're electronics are in the 2007 catalog. You've got a great guitar and don't let the feedback scare you away from playing it. It is controlable and useful. Please post some pics and keep us updated.

mistermullens · February 23rd, 2008, 08:31 PM

Tele Fan - Any updates?

BrianF · February 23rd, 2008, 08:47 PM

I'm interested in upgrading the pickups in my MIK Casino. Mine are wound too hot (and dark) sounding as well. Mine measure 12.4K and... vintage P-90s should be in the 7-8K range to get the correct tone out oif this guitar

SMPTE · February 23rd, 2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianF

I'm interested in upgrading the pickups in my MIK Casino. Mine are wound too hot (and dark) sounding as well. Mine measure 12.4K and... vintage P-90s should be in the 7-8K range to get the correct tone out oif this guitar

Just be careful, the poles on the Casino's dogears aren't the same spacing as a regular Gibby P-90. I had to put in a rolling bridge with string spacing adjustment to get them aligned right.

BrianF · February 23rd, 2008, 09:27 PM

Yes....what I have found is that there are no aftermarket pickups for the Casino....only ones that look like they will fit are from Kent Armstrong and I have never heard anyone talk about them (if they are any good)

Tele Fan · February 23rd, 2008, 10:47 PM

Hey gang, I've got the Casino in! It's a great guitar and I'm very happy with it. The only problem I've had so far is the buzzing bridge others have mentioned. Here's a pic. The neck is great and I love the big woody sound of the neck pickup. The bridge pup is a little thin but I think some tweaking and some heavier strings might fix that. I've read in a lot of places the Casino may be the perfect rhythm guitar and I have to agree. This axe may be my guitar soul mate. I know that's crazy talk here on the TDPRI, but I'm a rhythm player and a singer and the super light body is awfully nice on the ol' back. Thanks for the help guys. Let me ask one more question, where did you apply the nail polish to fix the bridge buzz? Thanks.

SMPTE · February 24th, 2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele Fan

Hey gang, I've got the Casino in! It's a great guitar and I'm very happy with it. The only problem I've had so far is the buzzing bridge others have mentioned. Here's a pic. The neck is great and I love the big woody sound of the neck pickup. The bridge pup is a little thin but I think some tweaking and some heavier strings might fix that. I've read in a lot of places the Casino may be the perfect rhythm guitar and I have to agree. This axe may be my guitar soul mate. I know that's crazy talk here on the TDPRI, but I'm a rhythm player and a singer and the super light body is awfully nice on the ol' back. Thanks for the help guys. Let me ask one more question, where did you apply the nail polish to fix the bridge buzz? Thanks.

The whole thing rattles, but most of it is because the saddles don't have enough pressure on them pushing down. Soooo, put a bit where the saddles meet the bridge on the bottom and a tiny bit on the screws where they meet the saddle. Or use beeswax. Or get an aftermarket bridge.

I love that hollow body too.

BrianF · February 24th, 2008, 12:17 PM

What I did was temporarily remove the bridge and thumbwheel adjusters...and slid a small rubber grommet over the 2 threaded shafts (since they seem loose and wobble on their own) then re-installed the thumbwheel adjusters and bridge. Mine doesn't rattle any longer.

Telarkaster · February 24th, 2008, 01:48 PM

On my bridge it was the retaining wire that was buzzing. Two dabs of nail polish took care of it. Keep the bottle handy, you'll have to reapply eventually...

endzone · February 24th, 2008, 03:20 PM

I've got an '04 model. Great guitar but the pots and switch suck. It wasn't a matter of IF they needed changing...they HAD to be changed. The tuners and bridge seem perfectly fine to me and haven't required changing.

I also changed pickups. The stock ones were OK but I put a set of custom wounds in and it made a HUGE difference.

Here's the straight story for changing pickups in Casinos...the neck pickup route will allow you to put in an aftermarket pup. Just make sure that it lines up with the string spacing. But there's no aftermarket pup available to my knowledge (or Jason Lollar's knowledge)that will fit the bridge. I contacted Jason about this and he confirmed that he is probably the only person in the US that can make a pickup to fit a Casino. I had the original stock bridge pup "re-wound" to custom specs by the same person that did the neck pickup. This was all done about 2 years ago, so there may be another option since then.

BrianF · February 24th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Hi Endzone...can you share who rewound the pickups for you? Thanks

endzone · February 24th, 2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianF

Hi Endzone...can you share who rewound the pickups for you? Thanks

http://tonefordays.com/

Name is Jon Moore. Great guy and did a really good job on working with me and building what sound I was trying to get. I was so happy with the P-90's that I ordered a set of PAF wound Humbuckers. I know of several people on this forum that have used him and been happy.

But, I know there are other guys out there that do a good job and I'm sure could make you happy as well. Just remember you'll probably have to send the original bridge pup to them to re-wind.

Tele Fan · February 24th, 2008, 06:56 PM

Evidently Epiphone has really improved the quality of the electronics in the Casino. The pots and switches are all fine, of course you'll have to ask me again in 6 months to see if that's still the case. :)

endzone · February 24th, 2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele Fan

Evidently Epiphone has really improved the quality of the electronics in the Casino. The pots and switches are all fine, of course you'll have to ask me again in 6 months to see if that's still the case. :)

That's good to know. There is no sense in using those cheap crappy components in an otherwise great guitar.

Jerry J · March 5th, 2008, 11:38 AM

I have a '07 MIJ Elitist in Sunburst. Absolutely every bit as good as my CS '60Gibson LP in quality and craftsmanship, maybe even better. I know this, I play it much more than my LP. And don't worry, you can love both your Tele and your Casino.

February 12th, 2008, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tele Fan Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Louisville, Ky Age: 29 Posts: 826	Epiphone Casino Quality Hey Gang I grabbed a blem Casino off MF today as a late bday gift to myself and I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of electronics it has. I'm mainly curious about the pots (size) and how well everything holds up. Yeah, I'm asking these questions late, but I couldn't resist. Thanks guys and dolls. __________________ Life is better when you just make it up as you go along.

February 12th, 2008, 07:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
markinlondon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wellington, NZ Age: 48 Posts: 426	They have the usual far eastern mini pots and self destructing switch. I never used mine enough to wear the switch out but the ones I've had in a couple of other Epiphones lasted about six months. Pay the extra and get it replaced with something better. The pots on my Casino worked well enough. __________________ Helping to invent english country dance guitar since 1981.

February 12th, 2008, 08:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,380	I needed to get a selector switch changed on a new Epi Sheraton, but it was done under warranty and billed to the manufacturer. Maybe they're better now. __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

February 13th, 2008, 07:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tele Fan Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Louisville, Ky Age: 29 Posts: 826	Thanks gang! I'll be sure to put up a review and some pics when I get her in. __________________ Life is better when you just make it up as you go along.

February 13th, 2008, 07:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
SMPTE Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minneeeesoooottta Posts: 1,064	I replaced the tuners and the bridge first (Gotoh and a Schaller rolling bridge), then later replaced the all the pots, switch, jack, and wiring (CTS/RS Guitarworks/Switchcraft). And the Caps (Mojotones). The pickups had already been done when I got the guitar (Alnico 5 Staples). The difference between the original and what I've got now is incredible. It's a tone monster now, lots of controllable sustain (from the mass of the Bigsby and the bridge), and the pickups are out of this world. The only thing I think I'd do is put in .47s from caps .22s in the bridge. It's a great base guitar, and for not alot of add ons (250$ ish for all the non-pickup upgrades) it can be sublime. The pickups were 400$ or so and you have to special order them from Seymour D if you can't find them. __________________ HW1 Texas Tele, EJ Strat, MIJ JM, Epi Casino (AlnicoV), Gibson '61 RI SG, Steinberger, Squier PBass (heavily modded)

February 12th, 2008, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Telarkaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal Quebec Canada Posts: 1,318	Congratulations Tele Fan! When I got mine I had big plans to replace the tuners, bridge and electronics, based on what I read on the internet. Almost a year later and it's still stock. Will I eventually replace some of the parts? Maybe. But it's really not high on my to-do list. I got mine because I was in love with the neck and the way the pickups sounded. I will never replace the pickups. I'm not a fan of the bridge pickup but I love the way it sounds with the neck in the middle position so it's staying put. The major grievance that I had was the rattle in the bridge. The retaining wire in the seriously flawed vintage design drove me nuts until I read this trick: intonate your guitar and then put a dab of nail polish on the wire, let dry. No more rattle and buzz! My bandmates all say that it's my best sounding guitar. Why fix what isn't broken? PS: Happy belated Birthday!

February 12th, 2008, 08:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cassady Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 520	I haven't been inside a new Casino, but Epiphone has a blurb in the front of their current catalog about the parts that they're using--full-sized pots, an all-metal Chinese Switchcraft clone and alnico pickups. In the case of my 2005 Les Paul, the parts seem to be of very good quality. This wasn't the case with my 1999 Sheraton, so from the Epiphones that I've seen the guts of, it seems that they're using better parts these days. My Les Paul hasn't needed a change, but I've only had it for a month. Congrats on the Casino, they're super cool and I've had one on my wish list for some time now. I would be interested to hear your impressions of the guitar when you get it. Cassady

February 13th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
sunkidd Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 333	I have one of the natural wood,no stains or paint, that sounds,looks and plays great! the only things I've done to mine is a little truss rod adjustment, tiny bit of nut filing, bridge and intonation adjustments and 11-50 strings...it felt like it comes with 10-46.... The pickups on mine, I got new maybe 4 or 5 months ago, seem a little HOT... on the verge of being microphonic.... I measured the P-90's and they read 12.4....... my friends old Gibson from '66 has P-90's also and they measured 9.2...... when I have my amp up in volume and standing close I turn the volume knobs back to about 6.5 to 7...... you can talk at the guitar and hear your voice like a microphone and tap anywhere on the body or the pickups, and the pickups ring a high pitched metallic sound, with the amp up in volume a bit...they sound good, but a little hot....May get some different pickups someday but these are fine for now. The guitar does have a great hollow woody tone for sure... way different than a Tele has... great companion to have!

February 13th, 2008, 09:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
mistermullens Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 31 Posts: 1,681 56 Photos	HUGE Casino fan here. First off, let me congratulate you on a fine guitar purchase. I've been singing the Casino's praises for about a year now. I have an MIK that I bought from MF over a year ago and its one of the best guitars, if not THE best guitar I've ever owned. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Teles, but there's something about this guitar that really gets me going. Now, on to your question on quality. Probably 5-10 years ago, I wouldn't have bought an Epiphone. Just about all of the ones I played back then just didn't make the grade. Back in Nov 2006, I had finally had enough of my Strat and went to try out some different guitars. I always wanted a 335 style guitar, but couldn't afford a Gibson. On a whim, I grabbed a Casino off the wall, and was hooked from first strum. I was impressed by the quality of the instrument, but not the color. Seems like all they had was Natural every place I went so I ordered a Sunburst from MF. Once I got it, I was completely overwhelmed at the beauty of this guitar. No flaws, the binding was great, no issues with the switch or input jack. Like others, I did have some buzz on the bridge, but I somehow fixed it. Pickups are great and I won't be changing them anytime soon, if at all. I may eventually change the pots and switch, since I hear doing so makes quite a difference in the sound of the guitar. No rush on this either. Epiphone is pimping how good they're electronics are in the 2007 catalog. You've got a great guitar and don't let the feedback scare you away from playing it. It is controlable and useful. Please post some pics and keep us updated. __________________ Jonathan - Demos@purevolume.com When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi All I need is my Esquire - MM

February 23rd, 2008, 08:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
mistermullens Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 31 Posts: 1,681 56 Photos	Tele Fan - Any updates? __________________ Jonathan - Demos@purevolume.com When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi All I need is my Esquire - MM

February 23rd, 2008, 08:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,096 7 Photos	I'm interested in upgrading the pickups in my MIK Casino. Mine are wound too hot (and dark) sounding as well. Mine measure 12.4K and... vintage P-90s should be in the 7-8K range to get the correct tone out oif this guitar

February 23rd, 2008, 09:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,096 7 Photos	Yes....what I have found is that there are no aftermarket pickups for the Casino....only ones that look like they will fit are from Kent Armstrong and I have never heard anyone talk about them (if they are any good)

February 24th, 2008, 12:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,096 7 Photos	What I did was temporarily remove the bridge and thumbwheel adjusters...and slid a small rubber grommet over the 2 threaded shafts (since they seem loose and wobble on their own) then re-installed the thumbwheel adjusters and bridge. Mine doesn't rattle any longer.

February 24th, 2008, 01:48 PM	#18 (permalink)
Telarkaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal Quebec Canada Posts: 1,318	On my bridge it was the retaining wire that was buzzing. Two dabs of nail polish took care of it. Keep the bottle handy, you'll have to reapply eventually...

February 24th, 2008, 03:20 PM	#19 (permalink)
endzone Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisiana Age: 52 Posts: 1,469 33 Photos	I've got an '04 model. Great guitar but the pots and switch suck. It wasn't a matter of IF they needed changing...they HAD to be changed. The tuners and bridge seem perfectly fine to me and haven't required changing. I also changed pickups. The stock ones were OK but I put a set of custom wounds in and it made a HUGE difference. Here's the straight story for changing pickups in Casinos...the neck pickup route will allow you to put in an aftermarket pup. Just make sure that it lines up with the string spacing. But there's no aftermarket pup available to my knowledge (or Jason Lollar's knowledge)that will fit the bridge. I contacted Jason about this and he confirmed that he is probably the only person in the US that can make a pickup to fit a Casino. I had the original stock bridge pup "re-wound" to custom specs by the same person that did the neck pickup. This was all done about 2 years ago, so there may be another option since then. __________________ *I'm Makin Progress*

February 24th, 2008, 03:33 PM	#20 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,096 7 Photos	Hi Endzone...can you share who rewound the pickups for you? Thanks

February 24th, 2008, 06:56 PM	#22 (permalink)
Tele Fan Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Louisville, Ky Age: 29 Posts: 826	Evidently Epiphone has really improved the quality of the electronics in the Casino. The pots and switches are all fine, of course you'll have to ask me again in 6 months to see if that's still the case. :) __________________ Life is better when you just make it up as you go along.

March 5th, 2008, 11:38 AM	#24 (permalink)
Jerry J Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NoVa Posts: 638	Welcome to the Casino Club I have a '07 MIJ Elitist in Sunburst. Absolutely every bit as good as my CS '60Gibson LP in quality and craftsmanship, maybe even better. I know this, I play it much more than my LP. And don't worry, you can love both your Tele and your Casino. __________________ .....and that's why keith richards cannot be killed by conventional weapons.....