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Machine heads for Epiphone Casino


mortzestus

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Hello, this is my first post on this forum but i've been lurking for a few weeks and it looks like a nice place.

 

I've had a 1995 Korean Epiphone Casino for about twelve years and i'm about to do a few modifications to it. Some of them are pretty minor aesthetic things: new knobs, toggle switch cap and pickguard. But some other mods are a more serious business.

 

For instance, i finally decided to replace the original bridge (i have that infamous rattle that many people here have complained about) with a TonePros T3BP-C and i'm also about to install a Bigsby B7. And here comes the question, mostly Bigsby related. It's not that i have a lot of problems to keep my guitar in tune but i'm foreseeing difficulties once i put the Bigsby on it, since the minor tuning problems i've had in the past can only increase with the addition of a vibrato.

 

The natural solution seems to replace the original machine heads with something else and here come's the question... which machine heads could i use? I have been taking a look at the options but i honestly don't have a clue about what could be a suitable replacement. I've checked out the Grover 106C Locking Rotomatics and they look like something that could help with any hypothetical tuning problems i might run into but i just don't know if i could install them on my Casino easily: they seem to be held by just one screw while the current machine heads are held by two and i wouldn't like to leave any "orphan" holes in my guitar. What other options could i consider?

 

Thanks in advance, as i said i've been reading this forums for a while and many of you look pretty knowledgeable about guitar mods.

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Ola and welcome to the forum. I'm afraid I don't own a Casino, so I can't be of much help.

Are you experiencing any tuning problems with your current tuners? If not I wouldn't change them. You know, if it ain't broke...

Most tuning problems come from a bad nut anyway. I suppose you could consider a graphite nut if you're anticipating problems?

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Do the other things.. then see if the stock tuners are ok or not.

And be sure you know the Bigsby can be imperfect, no matter how well installed.. you are rolling the strings over a bar and over the bridge saddles when you use it.. bound to eventually pull a string off a bit.

 

You have Kluson type tuners on the casino.. one hole above, one hole below..

There is a set of Kluson style tuners from WDmusic that are locking.

three per side, nickel with the pearl knobs.. pretty nice looking, I haven't ordered any yet though.

they run 90.00 list price.

 

But

Grover has the Imperials.. 150C.. these are locking, and fit the Kluson type holes you have.

the latest price, I think, is 85.00 list.

You get them locking, with the stepped style pegs.. which I think look fantastic on my sheraton.

And no extra holes or drilling.

 

(ps. holes may be a tick off.. I mean a very small tick.. I put a toothpick with some glue around it.. white glue.. elmers is fine..

and then mount the tuners.. if the hole is off by more than half.. I redrill through the toothpick.. all covered up and all solid and holds perfectly.

drilling is easy.. small bit.. tape on the end to let you go to the correct depth.. get the bit angle straight in..voila..!)

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Hey, thanks for the sound advice!

 

First, no need to have the nut replaced since i already did that (even though i went for a bone one).

 

Now, about the tuners... looks like the Imperials are spot on. I actually had checked them out but i decided against them because i kinda didn't like them at the time. But at a second glance they really look superb so if i finally decide that the original tuners must go i'll definitely purchase the imperials. Thomann.de sells them for 66€, even.

 

Now, i just need to wait for the Bigsby to arrive and i'll see if i really need them but they looked more than okay on a Sheraton pic i found so... heh.

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Go with Grovers. That is what John Lennon did.

 

off topic... I sent my Epi Casino back' date=' because of the tuners. [/quote']

 

That might not be a reason to do this.

 

I remember George said I (in the 'Guitar Player' interview that Eric Clapton persuaded him to do, I think) that he never realized what the 'extra' knob on his 12 string Rickenbacker was for because it didn't do a thing (it was a 'balance' control for use when the Rickenbacker was used in its full stereo mode, with two amps, but George didn't know that).

 

It's even more amazing to me that the Fabs created the revolutionary music they did on off-the-shelf instruments, most of which were not 'top of the line'.

 

GVDV

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That might not be a reason to do this.

 

I remember George said I (in the 'Guitar Player' interview that Eric Clapton persuaded him to do' date=' I think) that he never realized what the 'extra' knob on his 12 string Rickenbacker was for because it didn't do a thing (it was a 'balance' control for use when the Rickenbacker was used in its full stereo mode, with two amps, but George didn't know that).

 

It's even more amazing to me that the Fabs created the revolutionary music they did on off-the-shelf instruments, most of which were not 'top of the line'.

 

GVDV[/quote']

 

"It's not the guitar/instrument, it's the player!" Perfect example, of that.

 

CB

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Also, there's been some talk here, about Lennon not being much of a player, beyond adequate.

He's was one of the better Rhythm players, in his time...IMHO. Especially while singing, too.

He, himself, admitted that was his strong point...not "lead!" But, I actually enjoyed,

what he called, his "primitive" leads.

What has always amazed me, was McCartney's bass lines, and his being able to sing and play them, too.

Of course, I can't "walk and chew gum," at the same time, so...maybe it's not as remarkable, as I think it is??

 

CB

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"It's not the guitar/instrument' date=' it's the player!" Perfect example, of that.

 

CB[/quote']

 

Hi CB,

Actually, I don't think that it's got anything to do with what you're talking about.

 

My comment was to say that the Imperial tuners that mortzestus was talking about might be good on their own, and just going reflexively with Grovers because JL used them might not the best alternative (technically).

 

GVDV

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Well, in the end this will take a little longer than i was anticipating. I decided to take my guitar to a luthier to have the pots, switch and wiring replaced and, as i feared, he strongly suggested to refret the thing as well. After all, my Casino's been through ten years of wear or so.

 

Also, i couldn't resist and added the Grover Imperials to my order from Thomann so once the luthier and i are done my guitar will have no original hardware left on it, other than the pickups. It's kind of a radical change, considering that i had never done a single modification to my guitar but i think it'll be worth it. My Casino has always played like a charm and i am more than happy with its sound but i also was so fed up with a few of its shortcomings that i just had to change its "off the shelf" status. I'll make sure to post a pic here when everything's done with.

 

In the meanwhile i've borrowed a strat from a friend and the thing is weird to play after years of being used to Gibson-like stuff. The longer scale is driving me nuts.

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