330 vs Casino shape

[Axelorox]

Were/are there any years/models of the ES 330 that have a shape like that of the Epiphone Casino? The 330s I have seen tend to have a compressed, squat, 'mickey mouse' shape compared to the Casino which looks more elongated and skinnier.

[Grog]

I would think that all of the Kalamazoo made Epiphones should have the same body shape as their Gibson counterparts. They were made side by side in the Gibson factory until 1969 when Epiphone production was farmed out to a factory in Japan.

[JRS11]

Sounds like you have an early 330.  The Casino you refer to would be the same as the 330’s when the neck join was changed.  If yours was/IRA a ‘59-‘62 or so it would be more desirable to most.  Keith Richard’s Casino would be the same as the early ‘330’s.  

[bobouz]

Yes, actual Kalamazoo production models of the ES-330 and Casino will have a similar body shape for each year (wider horns in early years, narrower horns in later years) - until Epiphones were farmed out to Pacific Rim production in 1970.

Since then, the majority of overseas-built Casinos tend to feature the narrower horns, while USA produced 330s have leaned more in the direction of utilizing the wider horn pattern.

If you want to get away from the Mickey Mouse look of a sunburst 330 (which I personally do not care for), consider a natural or red one - for me it makes all the difference in the world.  I have a blonde 2012 ES-330 VOS, and it would be my desert island electric - a wonderful instrument.  I also have a 2010 ES-330L in Beale St Blue, and it likewise takes my mind's eye far away from the Mickey Mouse look.