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On 1/21/2021 at 6:46 PM, cunningham26 said:

swapping pickups on either will be kind of a pain because most of the work is in and out of the f-holes. there will definitely be more range/selection of HB pickups than dogears but you can up the quality of the p90s pretty easily (if not inexpensively). 

if you're not certain your amp isn't causing the trouble, I'd bring your casino into a shop, say you wanna test out some amps with your own guitar, and see if a similar sized amp has the same issues. most places should have a blues jr or AC15 kicking around and who knows if the guitar sounds great, you can walk outta there with a new amp!

Thats good to know, how can I up the quality of the p90s easily/inexpensively?

And great advice! I tried running my casino through a focusrite audio interface instead of the amp - really made a massive difference, so I am keeping the guitar and soon going amp-shopping.

 

On 1/21/2021 at 7:16 PM, Matt4356 said:

Define 'muddy'? 

I honestly think this is a term we have come to accept as an excuse for what we deem a cheaper product. I own a few epiphone guitars with different pickups from the past 25 years, I've only changed one pickup and that was though boredom really. Some pickups are darker or bass heavy but I can almost guarantee that given the correct set up and some adjustments to the way your setting the amp, you will find a tone you are happy with. If not p90s aren't for you. 

From experience most pickups don't come correctly set up from the factory, the pole peices should be curved to the same as the fretboard radius, 12 inch in this case. Also as dog ear pickups aren't hight adjustable, check how far the poles are screwed out.

Your amp settings for me should be way different to the settings used with a strat, for instance I have a vox and with my p90 guitars I would have bass at about 9 o'clock, treble at about 1 o'clock.  Gain about 12.

Also don't forget the importance of the volume and tone controls, they are crucial with p90s.

Good luck, remember its supposed to be fun. Hopefully you work something out. We have all been there.

 

Tried playing with the pots and running it through my AI and as you said, I found a tone I was happy with. Thanks for the advice!

[Epi Casino too hot!]

Thanks for the answer!

I was also concerned with the 335 maybe having the same issue with muddiness.. but either way it would be easier to swap the pickups compared to the casino, right? I've heard its a pain to swap the dogeared p90s due to the different size dimensions..

With the Strat and casino being the only guitars I have, I don't know how to check my amp... 

[Epi Casino too hot!]

 

Hi everyone

I recently bought an Epiphone Casino, and while I both absolutely love the looks of it (Pau Ferro looked amazing), the acoustic sound and its playability/feel (the edges of the binding were nicely rolled and I love the slimtaper D neck, reminds me of my old spanish guitar), I was having a few issues both with some rattling from the bridge/hardware (including the bridge pickup vibrating) when strumming, the pickup toggle switch being loose, but most importantly the sound of the pickups. 

I found them to be very hot and muddy, especially the neck pickup, with rumbling noises coming out of the amp when playing the bass strings. I tried to adjust the EQ on the amp, but it didn't help significantly. I have a cheap 20w Harley Benton amp, but my fender Strat sounds clean with every setting. I have heard complaints about the pickups in the casinos being overwound, but didn't expect them to be this muddy. It's a shame because I really bonded with the guitar, but I think I might have to return it and get an Epiphone ES-335 that came out a few months ago. I know they are 2 completely different guitars, but I've heard the humbuckers are lower output compared to the casino p90s. 

Would you also have returned the casino if you didn't bond with the pickups even though the playability was perfect? And has anyone had any experience with the new ES-335's?

Thank you for taking the time!