Nad Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I was in a local cash converters store yesterday and they had a very nice looking MIK Casino with hard casefor a very good price. The serial number started with U0611 which I take to be MIK at the Unsung factory in November 2006. I didn't have time to plug it in, but acoustcly it sounded good and the finish appears to be perfect. It seems very well made, but is in need of a clean. The strings are rusted! Anyway I am seriously tempted, but wanted to ask for opinions, particularly on the pickups. I've read that some older MIK Casinos had very hot pickups. Was this the case in 2006 or had they moved to the lower output variety at that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Most everyone seems to like the MIK Casino's from what I've read. I had a standard MIC and the Pups were very hot and did sound pretty good. Your only real option is a good MIJ Elitist but that's a ton more $$$ by maybe $1400. If it looks like it's in good shape, no splits from going dry, good neck and sounds good unplugged/plugged then you may have a keeper. Check it out. Others seem to write the MIK were finished better than the newer MIC version. I sold my MIC standard when I got the Elitist. Also have a couple of the 50th aniv Casino's too. I don't play them and just bought for some reason or another. Nice guitars but just haven't spent much time with them. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spamonkis Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 If it plays well, sounds good unplugged and the price is right, I would say "buy it!" A good neck and good sounding wood are the main things you look for because they can't be changed. Pickups are an easy fix if you don't like the amplified tone. But since you have not listened to it with a good set of strings through an amp, don't assume you will not like the sound because the pickups are "hot/ Japanese/ Korean/ Wound wrong/ etc." Pickups are like ice cream flavors. Just because more people like chocolate than rum raisin does not make chocolate what you want. I would not change my stock Epi pickups for anything. Listen first and let your ears decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nad Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 Thanks Aster. I had been thinking of getting an IBJL Casino at some point, but after reading good reviews of the MIK Casinos I'm tempted to get the 2nd hand one I saw at cashies. The finish looked to be very good and set up was fine. I couldn't see any damage and the neck felt good. I have an MIK 1997 Unsung Les Paul and the finish is supurb. My only real concern was the pickups as I know there are limited replacements available. Unfortunately i don't think Elitist models are sold in Oz any more. When they were they went for Gibson prices I believe. FYI guitars are expensive down under a Standard Casino has an RRP of $1099 (street $800) and an IBJL rrp $1599 (street $1200) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nad Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 If it plays well, sounds good unplugged and the price is right, I would say "buy it!" A good neck and good sounding wood are the main things you look for because they can't be changed. Pickups are an easy fix if you don't like the amplified tone. But since you have not listened to it with a good set of strings through an amp, don't assume you will not like the sound because the pickups are "hot/ Japanese/ Korean/ Wound wrong/ etc." Pickups are like ice cream flavors. Just because more people like chocolate than rum raisin does not make chocolate what you want. I would not change my stock Epi pickups for anything. Listen first and let your ears decide. I'll go back tomorrow and try it plugged in. My pickup concerns related to some reviews of older MIK models where the pickups were wound very hot (12K). I love the tone of the P90's in my 2012 Epi LP Special I and would be happy if the Casino pups sound as good. Now to convince the wife . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 If you buy the guitar and find that you aren't keen on the pickups, Kent Armstrong makes pickups for the Casino that have chrome covers and are in the 8K ohms range. The pickups are sold through WD Music Products and I see from their website that they have distributors in Australia. I don't know this for a fact, but I'd guess that all the MIK Casinos had the hot P90 pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nad Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 Thanks all, I went back to cashies today and bought the Casino. The guitar was in very good condition, but filthy. After a clean, polish and restring it looks and sounds great. The quality of the finish is very good. The guitar was well set up with no rattles, straight neck, low action and no fret buzz. I think it has had a fret level. The pickups are hot, but the bridge pup sounds very nice. The neck is a bit bassy/muddy, but roll back the volume and it clears up nicely. it gives warm Jazz tones and also works well with overdrive. The first song I played on it was paperback Writer and it nails the tone. [thumbup] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Ya done good Son!! Looks great. Over here Elitists are going for about $1800 and standards about $600 w/o case that is. Glad it cleaned up great & new strings are always just like a "new day" I think. Let us know how you are liking it. I think if the Pups are maybe too bright or edgy you could experiment with caps & tone pots for cheap too. Check out "the beatgear cavern" for some of the Beatles mods if you would like to read up on them. The BeatGear Cavern What's ya got in the gray case next to it? Looks like the case the 50th annie Casino's came in. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nad Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 Ya done good Son!! Looks great. Over here Elitists are going for about $1800 and standards about $600 w/o case that is. Glad it cleaned up great & new strings are always just like a "new day" I think. Let us know how you are liking it. I think if the Pups are maybe too bright or edgy you could experiment with caps & tone pots for cheap too. Check out "the beatgear cavern" for some of the Beatles mods if you would like to read up on them. The BeatGear Cavern What's ya got in the gray case next to it? Looks like the case the 50th annie Casino's came in. Aster Thanks. I'm very happy with it. the finish is excellent. I had to do a couple of minor repairs, the screw holes for the low E tuner were stripped and the tuner was sitting about a 1/4 of an inch away from the back of the headstock. this was simple fix with toothpicks and glue. The neck pup was loose because the screw holes were stripped. Tooth pick to the rescue again. Although the guitar body was filthy, the setup and intonation were very good. The higher frets and neck binding were covered in crud and the high frets looked to be rusted. They cleaned up nicely with some naptha and elbow grease. Despite the crud, I think the frets have been leveled as there is no fret wear, the fret are level (checked this with a straight edge and my fret rocker)and some evidence of recrowning. It was a great buy and came with an Epiphone hard case . I'm not finding the pickups too bright. The Bridge sounds fine. The neck is a bit overpowering and bassy, but rolling back the volume to around 5 fixes this and at that level I get some very usable Jazz tones. The gray case is home to 50th Anniversary Sorrento. The next case has an Eastman AR810CE and the one at the back a Gibby LP traditional. Thanks for the link to the beat gear tavern - I'll check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 I had to do a couple of minor repairs, the screw holes for the low E tuner were stripped and the tuner was sitting about a 1/4 of an inch away from the back of the headstock. this was simple fix with toothpicks and glue. The neck pup was loose because the screw holes were stripped. Tooth pick to the rescue again. The gray case is home to 50th Anniversary Sorrento. The next case has an Eastman AR810CE and the one at the back a Gibby LP traditional. Several years ago, when we were using good hardwood round toothpicks alot for wall mounted installation work, I named them "precision shims" cuz it sounds better & they just work so excellent for those tasks too! Let's see some photo's of those other boys a hide'n in the cases!! Glad things are working out well with the Casino. Guitars & fixing them up (when it's not major stuff & you can really cure it to total health, is VERY gratifying I think! Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spamonkis Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 A Casino with a good resonant tone, a straight neck and level frets is about as good as it gets! Welcome to an exclusive club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nad Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 A Casino with a good resonant tone, a straight neck and level frets is about as good as it gets! Welcome to an exclusive club! Thanks - definitely a good find. Several years ago, when we were using good hardwood round toothpicks alot for wall mounted installation work, I named them "precision shims" cuz it sounds better & they just work so excellent for those tasks too! Let's see some photo's of those other boys a hide'n in the cases!! Glad things are working out well with the Casino. Guitars & fixing them up (when it's not major stuff & you can really cure it to total health, is VERY gratifying I think! Aster I like tinkering/building guitars and amps always a great source of satisfaction. Here's a couple of shots of the music room there are another ten or so guitars in cupboards. My wife's attitude is that if i can fit it in the Music room I can have it! The music room is getting mighty crowded, but there's always space for one more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 The neck is a bit bassy/muddy, but roll back the volume and it clears up nicely. it gives warm Jazz tones and also works well with overdrive. The first song I played on it was paperback Writer and it nails the tone. [thumbup] Is there any adjustment in the pole pieces? Someone, at one time may have raised them, which might explain the extra volume. You might try backing them in a turn at a time (being careful not to bottom them out). until the neck balances with the bridge. Mine came with an aftermarket shim (1/8") at the neck, which I kept when I changed PUs. I doubt yours has a shim, though. I've also found that different strings have made a difference on mine, especially how the neck PU sounds. Have fun, experiment, Casinos are the best guitar Epiphone makes, IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 I have the same guitar (same year/factory) my favourite Casino to play out of my 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 I have the same guitar (same year/factory) my favourite Casino to play out of my 3 There you go, nice guitar you got there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nad Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Is there any adjustment in the pole pieces? Someone, at one time may have raised them, which might explain the extra volume. You might try backing them in a turn at a time (being careful not to bottom them out). until the neck balances with the bridge. Mine came with an aftermarket shim (1/8") at the neck, which I kept when I changed PUs. I doubt yours has a shim, though. I've also found that different strings have made a difference on mine, especially how the neck PU sounds. Have fun, experiment, Casinos are the best guitar Epiphone makes, IMHO. There's no shim on this guitar. The heads of the pole piece screws are just above the cover. The low e is flush with the cover and the others follow the radius of the fretboard. I lowered the e and a pole pieces a little, but it didn't have much effect on the level/boomyness. The neck volume on 5 or 6 is the sweet spot. Zi I have the same guitar (same year/factory) my favourite Casino to play out of my 3 Thanks I'm enjoying this one. There you go, nice guitar you got there Thanks - I got the guitar and my wife bought a handbag - win/win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemans335 Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Here's a couple of shots of the music room there are another ten or so guitars in cupboards. My wife's attitude is that if i can fit it in the Music room I can have it! The music room is getting mighty crowded, but there's always space for one more. Nice assortment of guitars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nad Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 Thanks. The Archtop collection has been growing recently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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