sbpark Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Saw this one on CL yesterday for $145. Didn't haggle about the price, and met the seller about an hour and a half later and sealed the deal. The guitar was pretty gross, covered in a layer of filth, dust and corrosion. Brought her home, polished the frets, cleaned the fretboard, wiped the guitar down really well, and even cleaned up some or the corroded hardware and screws, put on some new strings and did a basic set up. I have to say, I am VERY impressed and pleased with this guitar. The neck feels great. I was looking for a guitar that would be better suited for slide than my Tele (7.25" neck radius) and this one seems to fit the bill. Pickups are pretty hot, but paired well with an FD-2, Ibanez Echo Shifter and Supa Trem through a 1976 Deluxe Reverb. Only gripes I have are the tone pots aren't very usable. Pickups sound great with the tone pots turned all the way up, but if you try to dial either of them back on the bridge and neck pickups it turns muddy pretty quick. No desire to go down the proverbial mod rabbit hole though and start replacing pickups, wiring, pots, etc. until something breaks and stops working. I'll most likely be taking it to my guy for a fret level, crown and polish because even though I'm using this mostly for slide and have the action set up a little higher than usual, it does have some high frets that buzz up the neck. Also on the fence about the tuners. They don't seem to be very precise and are a touch sloppy, but if they end up keeping everything in tune, then I'll keep them, but I am wondering if there are Grover replacements that are a direct drop in, with no need to drill new screw holes, mods, drilling, etc. In the past I've owned a few Casinos and as much as I wanted to like them, could never bond with them, and have also owned a new Guild Starfire IV, and even though that was a beautiful guitar, great feel and fit and finish, it just wasn't the sound I was looking for. I've only had this guitar for a day, but did rehearse with it last night and was really happy with it. I'm pretty confident that after a good fret level, crown and polish it should be a real keeper! Lots of dirt and dust. Before: crusty frets After: shiny and clean Finish has darkened a bit over the years. All cleaned up: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandarocket Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Nice Casino you've resurrected there! A total bargain, well found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 That was a great deal, and you did a superb job on the clean up. I love my trans cherry Dot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Congrats on your great catch and your awesome work! Enjoy this beautiful guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandarocket Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Great job on the clean up and great find. I'd love to say I'm not jealous, but I'm no liar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Great find and great job on getting the guitar back into shape. I have an '08 Dot that started life looking much like yours, and now looks like this: Great guitars, great value. Mine's definitely a keeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share Posted August 7, 2016 Funny how I made a point of saying that I didn't want to go down the rabbit hole of changing pickups, wiring, etc., but just scored a set of Gibson 57 Classics for $50, so I guess while the pickups are being replaced I'll also re-do the wiring! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 Funny how I made a point of saying that I didn't want to go down the rabbit hole of changing pickups, wiring, etc., but just scored a set of Gibson 57 Classics for $50, so I guess while the pickups are being replaced I'll also re-do the wiring! Well, truth be told, I put SD Classics in my Dot, along with Switchraft stuff and new wiring after a couple of years...go figure. As long as it's apart, well...I will admit, it was a totally different guitar when done. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Nice score! I'm still hoping to find one for about $150. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pesh Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Some nice maple on the top and back of that one! Congratulations and HNGD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 So the used pickups I bought are NOT 57 Classics. Most likely 490R & 498T. Wondering if I should put these in the Dot, or just keep what's in them and sell these pickups for what I bought them for $50 for the pair. Anyone put these in their semi-hollows? I'm not really into high gain stuff, and play mostly country/rock/Americana type stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Nice Casino you've resurrected there! A total bargain, well found. Casino?????? Look again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Beautiful guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 6 String Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 So the used pickups I bought are NOT 57 Classics. Most likely 490R & 498T. Wondering if I should put these in the Dot, or just keep what's in them and sell these pickups for what I bought them for $50 for the pair. Anyone put these in their semi-hollows? I'm not really into high gain stuff, and play mostly country/rock/Americana type stuff. I don't have them in a semi, but do have them in an LP, if you use your vol and tone controls you can tame them down quite a bit, especially if you re-wire for independent volume control. I find you can get some nice blending in the middle position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc3c46 Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 I don't have them in a semi, but do have them in an LP, if you use your vol and tone controls you can tame them down quite a bit, especially if you re-wire for independent volume control. I find you can get some nice blending in the middle position. I've got them (490+498} in a ES333. They sound great to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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