ES 330 (2008) vs casino

[chadderbox]

So i have relatively a new Casino, bought because i never thought i'd be able to find an affordable vintage 330. Now that they have 2008 330's, I'm torn between ordering one and giving up the Casino, or keeping the Casino....which i really do like, and forgetting about replacing it with a 330. Not having played a 330, I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion about 330's vs Casino's besides whats stated in the specs.

[lpdeluxe]

Disclaimer: I'm not a snob. I happily played a Squier bass for years before I found my Fender soul mate.

 

Anyway, I recently went through the same dilemma with the Epiphone Sheraton II vs Gibson ES-335: I got the Sheri on a trade, it was very attractive, played well, and I was pretty happy -- until I found a real 335 for a good price. I bought the 335, traded off the Epi, and lived happily ever after.

 

The Gibson sounds so much better than the Epiphone (even after I changed out the pickups for Seymour Duncans) and the wood is so much nicer (although the Sheraton has fancier -- and real -- pearl/abalone inlays) that it oozes quality in a way that the offshore-made Epi could only hint at. The difference was that I could sort of make the Epi sound good...but the Gibson blew me away.

 

As the saying goes, nobody ever bought a Gibson and wished they had an Epiphone.

 

And, since the purchase of the 335 on the 1st of October, I've added a Gibson SG to my arsenal of LP and 335. Life is good.

[djroge1]

I suggest you pose the same question on the Epiphone forum and get their take. There are some guys there who are devout Casino players. There is something to be said about the orginial maker - the Casino.

 

Personally, I have an Epiphone Elitist Dot that I would hold up against any Gibson ES-335; it's that good, but it is their elitist series which is made in Japan. If your casino is of the Elitist series I wouldn't bother looking/playing the Gibson because it probably won't be better.

 

Talk to the Epi guys on that forum and then go play one before you decide.

[chadderbox]

 

Talk to the Epi guys on that forum and then go play one before you decide.

 

Only problem is that the 330 is only available online through a limited release by Musicians Friend. So playing before I buy wouldn't really be an option.

But thanks for the advice, will post in the Epi forum also. I'm hoping that in posting on the Gibson forum I'll get more info on the 330, since I already know how the Epi sounds, or maybe find someone who has the new 330's.

[chadderbox]

Disclaimer: I'm not a snob. I happily played a Squier bass for years before I found my Fender soul mate.

 

Anyway' date=' I recently went through the same dilemma with the Epiphone Sheraton II vs Gibson ES-335: I got the Sheri on a trade, it was very attractive, played well, and I was pretty happy -- until I found a real 335 for a good price. I bought the 335, traded off the Epi, and lived happily ever after.

 

The Gibson sounds so much better than the Epiphone (even after I changed out the pickups for Seymour Duncans) and the wood is so much nicer (although the Sheraton has fancier -- and real -- pearl/abalone inlays) that it oozes quality in a way that the offshore-made Epi could only hint at. The difference was that I could sort of make the Epi sound good...but the Gibson blew me away.

 

As the saying goes, nobody ever bought a Gibson and wished they had an Epiphone.

 

And, since the purchase of the 335 on the 1st of October, I've added a Gibson SG to my arsenal of LP and 335. Life is good.[/quote']

 

thanks lpdeluxe

I'm sort of feeling the same way. There really isn't anything wrong with my casino, and I do love the sound, but yeah, curious how much better the 330 would seem in comparison. Price wise its about triple, so just want to get some feedback before taking the plunge. Wish they would offer it through normal means as opposed to just online :/

[dougg330]

One obvious difference that no one has mentioned: the current Gibson ES-330 reissue is the long neck version, with the neck joining the body higher up, like a 335 does. That will make some kind of difference in the sound and feel of the two guitars.

I haven't played one of the new 330's so I can't really comment... but I do happen to own both a vintage 330 (1966) and a new Casino ('07 - made in China). The Casino has a heftier neck than the 330, which I prefer, but the sound of the 330 can't quite be matched. I'd say the Casino gets me 80% of the way there - but there's an airiness and depth to the 330's sound that can't be duplicated by the newer guitar. Maybe it's the old wood, magnets, and wires, or the nitro finish, or all of those factors.

I recently put GFS Vintage P-90's into the Casino, and the sound gap has narrowed more. But every time I decide to sell the 330, I just play it one last time.... and no sale. Can't part with it.

If money is a primary issue, I'd say you'll get unbeatable value if you find the right Casino (I had two that I didn't keep before I found this one). But if the dough is there and you just want the best guitar, I'd have to go with the Gibson.

Also, go to YouTube and check out MyOldGuitars - they have posted several clips demo'ing a new 330 vs a vintage one; might give you a good idea of what to expect for sound.

Dougg330

[chadderbox]

One obvious difference that no one has mentioned: the current Gibson ES-330 reissue is the long neck version' date=' with the neck joining the body higher up, like a 335 does. That will make some kind of difference in the sound and feel of the two guitars.

I haven't played one of the new 330's so I can't really comment... but I do happen to own both a vintage 330 (1966) and a new Casino ('07 - made in China). The Casino has a heftier neck than the 330, which I prefer, but the sound of the 330 can't quite be matched. I'd say the Casino gets me 80% of the way there - but there's an airiness and depth to the 330's sound that can't be duplicated by the newer guitar. Maybe it's the old wood, magnets, and wires, or the nitro finish, or all of those factors.

I recently put GFS Vintage P-90's into the Casino, and the sound gap has narrowed more. But every time I decide to sell the 330, I just play it one last time.... and no sale. Can't part with it.

If money is a primary issue, I'd say you'll get unbeatable value if you find the right Casino (I had two that I didn't keep before I found this one). But if the dough is there and you just want the best guitar, I'd have to go with the Gibson.

Also, go to YouTube and check out MyOldGuitars - they have posted several clips demo'ing a new 330 vs a vintage one; might give you a good idea of what to expect for sound.

Dougg330

[/quote']

 

Hey Doug

Yeah checked out the MyOldGuitars vids, pretty cool. I did think the vintage 330 had a bit better sound (but I attribute that to the fact that most guitars do seem to sound better with age), and a bit more of a noticeable difference when switching pickups (the new 330 seems to have the least noticeable difference between it and the vintage 330 and vintage casino).

Isn't the neck on the new 330 supposed to be a bit heftier than the late 60's models? maybe its just the nut width...

[chadderbox]

Well, I couldn't stand the suspense anymore, so I just went ahead and ordered it

I've either just made a wonderful new purchase, or the most expensive lesson of why to play before you buy. But either way, in about 6 days I'll be able to lend some first hand knowledge to the question.

[Notes_Norton]

I have a 1970 MIK (Kalamazoo) Gibson ES-330 and a 2001 MIK (Korea - Peerless) Epiphone Casino. The 330 is the "long neck" version and is 100% stock. The Casino has Duncan P90s.

 

Acoustically the 330 sounds better. Better wood, aged, nitro finish, etc. However, the Casino with the Duncan pickups sounds better plugged in.

 

I think the Gibson headstock looks better, the Casino seems to large for the guitar for my personal tastes.

 

The Gibson has real MOP inlays while the Casino used MOT

 

But for an on-stage guitar, the Casino is the better of the two. Why? It sounds better plugged in, the Duncan pups really do sound better than the stock Gibsons.

 

The 330 does have higher fret access, but I rarely play it that high so it isn't a factor for me.

 

Plus, if the Casino gets into an accident, I don't lose near as much money.

 

Really, the only people who care about the name on the headstock are other musicians, and if they are going to judge me by the guitar brand instead of my playing, their opinion is not of any interest to me. Plus the fact that the Epi with Duncan pups sounds better than the Gibson (even though the Gibson sounds better acoustically) means to me that the pickups make more of a difference in the tone of the guitar than the wood ever can.

 

So I play my Gibson at home and bring my Epiphone to the gig.

 

 

I replaced the white Epi pickguard and the knobs to witch-hat ones because I think they made the Casino look better. Perhaps that was because I've had the Gibson for decades now and got used to the look

 

Insights and incites by Notes

[Notes_Norton]

Well' date=' I couldn't stand the suspense anymore, so I just went ahead and ordered it <...>[/quote']

 

Of course, we expect pictures and a review as soon as you feel at home with it.

 

Notes

[lpdeluxe]

Well' date=' I couldn't stand the suspense anymore, so I just went ahead and ordered it :D

I've either just made a wonderful new purchase, or the most expensive lesson of why to play before you buy. But either way, in about 6 days I'll be able to lend some first hand knowledge to the question.[/quote']

 

+1 to Notes Norton: an axe in the hand is worth any number in the bush.

 

Oh yeah: and the "long neck" is the way to go.

[chadderbox]

 

+1 to Notes Norton: an axe in the hand is worth any number in the bush.

 

Oh yeah: and the "long neck" is the way to go.

 

Hey Guys,

Rest assured there will be plenty-o-pics and reviews coming as soon as I get my hands on it. I've been seeing alot of discussions about the "new" 330, and a couple posts of people who have them, but not really any feedback or reviews thus far from new owners. Curious how many people have them yet, but assuming not too many.

Look back next week, I hope to have it and have had a chance to play it a bit by then.

Cheers!

[Notes_Norton]

I think the 330 has always been an underrated guitar, seen as a "poor man's 335" when it is nothing like the 335 at all (except for the body shape).

 

It is a completely different experience in both sound and comfort from a 335 and stands on its own merits as a truly great guitar. In contrast, the Epiphone Casino (basically the same guitar) has enjoyed lasting popularity because the Beatles had a few of them and John Lennon said it was his favorite guitar.

 

The P90s have to be the sweetest sounding pickups out there, the 6 pound weight makes it easy on your shoulder, it's an acoustic archtop so you can pick it up and practice any time you want without plugging it in, and the neck is like butter.

 

I love my 330.

 

If the economy was better, I'd get a blue one and put dog-ear humbuckers in it (since I already have 2 P90 hollow archtops).

 

Notes

[dougg330]

I'm with Notes - the 330 is way underrated. I had a '66 ES-335 back in the day, and it was great... but I think the 330 offers more interesting tones. And the ability to HEAR it when you just want to play acoustically is a great thing.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about your new 330 when you get it. If business wasn't so bad right now, there would be a red one in the mail to me as we speak.

[thejay]

I'd love to get my hands on a 330... hoping a shop around me gets one so I can give it a try as I am very interested in the guitar.

[Notes_Norton]

<...> If business wasn't so bad right now' date=' there would be a red one in the mail to me as we speak.[/quote']

 

If business wasn't so bad now, I'd have a blue one. I think it would look nice along with my dark and light brown ones.

 

I'd probably drop in some Duncan dog-ear humbuckers since my other two have P90s in them. I really like the P90 tone better, but sometimes humbuckers are more appropriate. Emily Remler put humbuckers on her 330 and wailed. But I'll never mod my 1970 330, it's too dear to me, and my Casino is my stage guitar, so I can't mod it either.

 

But this is dreaming for now. I do hope Gibson still has these in the catalog when the economy recovers.

 

Notes

[Ken Rayba]

I love my ES 330! My father bought it for me new for my 16th birthday back in 67'. I still have it, and am going to leave it to my first Grandson Jacob. I sitll play it once in awhile, I don't take it out, but keep it home. The only problem I have with it, it seems so noisy compared to my ES 345 and ES 335, but I can live with it. I agree, they are underratted. There were so many great artists that played 330's., for example, Grant Green, and Emily Remler!

 

I does have such a "sweet sound" to it, compared to the more harsher sounding ES 335! They stand alone as a great guitar, and I agree, not a "poor man's 335", but a great instrument that apparently stands the test of time, because, Gibson has re-issued them! Enjoy!

[rmngretsch14]

Well is it a standard Epi, or an elitist (made in a high quality Japanese factory with American parts), or is it a John Lennon Model (made in the USA gentlemen)?

[69Nova]

The more you guys go on about the 330 the more I want to sell/trade my 137 so I can pick one up.

[Notes_Norton]

The more you guys go on about the 330 the more I want to sell/trade my 137 so I can pick one up.

 

If you do, we want pictures ;)

 

The 330 would be my desert island guitar.

 

Notes

[dougg330]

So I emailed Gibson and asked why there's no info on the new reissue 330 on their site. Turns out it's a restricted model that won't be in bricks 'n mortar stores, but is sold online thru Musicians Friend and maybe a couple of others - so Gibson lets those retailers post info. Ditto for the Epi Riviera P-93. Soon there will be business school studies of how product distribution changed so radically in our era.