Larsongs

I used to think that was hype but now I’m a believer….

This Casino sounds great plugged in! What’s surprising is how loud & good it sounds when it is unplugged! It’s twice as loud unplugged as my other 3 Casinos.. It sounds great as an Acoustic Guitar too!

I think I’ve read that on Casinos the B-3 has a tendency to slide around?

I still have the other 3… I’m not sure how to post Pics here.. Sweetwater provided Pics of my new Casino which made it easy…

All Casinos, ES-330's, and even ES-335/345/355 models have a domed plywood top with a wide strip of kerfing wood down the center from the neck pocket to the butt of the guitar.In the semi hollow 335's there is also a solid block of maple bridging the gap between the top kerfing strip and the domed back kerfing strip.The Casino and 330 hollowbodies only have a top kerfing strip which is rather thick, providing solid support for the pickups, bridge and yes, a B7 Bigsby. The 2 top screws on the B7 screw into the top and the kerfing if they are long enough to penetrate that far.I found some images online where you can see the kerfing material running down the center of a Casino. As you can see it is plenty thick and will support a Bigsby B7 easily. Here's a 335 undergoing restoration from the Nashville floods, the kerfed section under the top, just like the Casino. In this case the center block and rear kerfed section have not been put back in yet.Bonus pic for Highnumbers: Since 2011 the Epi TremoTone vibrato has been cleverly using the Bigsby patent including a spring for wang bar return instead of the original torsion bar from the original design. Much better!

Turns out there is no Vibramate for Casinos… I think the impression was Vibramate’s were available… I was hoping I didn’t have to drill any holes… Quite a few of my Guitars have Bigsby’s or some kind of Vibrato…. I use them in my playing & like them… Yours looks great!

Could be but should we really even care? Neither has anything to do with Sound or Playability….

I’ve been playing the heck out of it! I’ve played & have owned just about every modern version of Casino.. IMO it’s the best modern non Vintage USA Casino version. I’d really like to compare this new one to a really nice Vintage Casino…. I’m really liking this Guitar! My original pla was to add a Bigsby.. But, it can’t be done using a Vibramate so it will leave holes… I’m conflicted, I’m not sure if I want to add it now? Thank you for all your kind words… Larsongs

Dec. 2020 Winter NAMM in So Cal announced the first USA built Epiphone Casino in Decades… The Royal Tan with Nickel Dogear P90’s knocked me out! I wanted to buy it that day! They said it won’t take long……….. I’ve been playing Casino’s for years & owned 3 already.. So I ordered it…. And waited, & waited & waited & waited some more….. During that time these Guitars became the topic of tons of love hate Threads on many Forums & YouTube… The arguably incorrect Features caused & is still causing much debate, questions & confusion. The Whys? Well, I got word last week it had finally arrived & they did 2 day shipping as a courtesy… Very nice… I've been doing comps with my other 3 Casinos which are all great Guitars.. One is the limited production Vintage Sunburst 50th Anniv. 1961 Reissue Casino with Tremotone. Like Keith Richards played. Only 1961 were built. The next is an IBJL John Lennon Revolution Casino in Natural.. And finally, a gift from my kids, a Vintage Sunburst Peerless Casino with Bigsby like George & Paul. All 3 are absolutely great Guitars! Each has a slightly different Tone & Sound.. Each sounding great! The 50th Anniv being my favorite… I have to say this new USA looks amazing & really does sound even better! It really looks & feels like a Custom Shop Guitar.. I usually don’t have the patience to wait this long for something but in this case I’m glad I did… Here are some Pics of my actual Guitar as taken my good Friends at Sweetwater..

Honesty is the best policy….

Nothing against Deusenberg but more Guitars use Bigsby’s than any other Tremelo… There’s a reason…. But, stay with the ones not ending withthe 0….. The Kalamazoo’s. Here’s a video about installing Bigsby with a Vibramate.. Which makes it completely reversible leaving no holes….

You need to measure all the exact distances between screw holes, pole pieces etc. & compare the measurements to the measurements of the new Replacement Pickups you want. Most Companies have diagrams on their websites or should be available on request.. Also, measure the height of the Bridge & Neck Pickups & compare to the new Replacements you want to use.. a good Digital Caliper is a handy Tool to have around & aren’t very expensive…. USA & Asian measurements can vary…. Standard vs Metric…..

Some Gibsons are great & some aren’t. Some Martins are great & some aren’t. No 2 are exactly the same……. Both Companies are the Bar by which every Acoustic Guitar is measured.. I own both & IMO both are exceptionally great.. Both different but both great!

Hohners since ‘67 for me… They are the Sound!

I have several versions of LIB Albums.. I’ll probably ask my kids for it for Christmas…

Yes, Change Strings & put some Lemon oil on the Fretboard……

For me RIP means Rock In Paradise!

Question for the OP; Have you ever lost someone you loved & weren't affected or felt the pain of loss?

RIP Don… You & your brother Phil taught my brother & I how to sing harmonies together….. Via your music.. We were, are & will always be big Fans… Thank you for the Music

Where does your Warranty Claim stand now?

I’ve been waiting for a Royal Tan Epiphone Casino for more than a year! It keeps getting pushed back one more month! Just happened again! Now they say September….

People mod Guitars also…..

My Gibson Memphis Blacktop ES Les Paul with MHS Pickups has a Bigsby B5 & Vibramate. Looks like it came from the Factory with it.. Plays fantastic, no tuning issues & it weighs less than 8 lbs… Total!

Bigsbys’s website gives the models of Bigsby’s that are designed for what kind of Guitar.. There may be a couple that work on a certain model. The models not ending in 0 are the higher quality… Choice can be subjective.. Do check out Vibramates website also.. They work perfectly with Bigsby’s to make it possible to not damage the Guitar with holes or scratches.. They allow the ability to remove a Bigsby, if you want, & not leave any holes or other marks.. Brilliant!

I know what you’re saying.. P90’s have spoiled me too.. It’s like after you’ve played them there’s no going back…..