VillageIdiot Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 A while back I posted my first question on this froum. It was about if you could only have one guitar and the choice was between a Casino or a Dot, which would you go for? Well I went with the Casino (but will probaly still keep my Gibson Les Paul Jr. and my Elitist SG 61 reissur), even though humbuckers might be abetter all around pickup choice. I failed to mention that I am rapidly approaching "Old Fartdom" and when I play out ,it never involves heavy distortion and is usually with my Taylor acoustic. I love the Casino and will probably keep it but I have 2 issues I would appreciate feedback on. The first thing is that the nut is so narrow (1.638 to be exact). I am still getting used to that and am wordering if others have felt the same way and eventually came to like the narrow string spacing in first few frets. My other issue is that I have some buzzing that comes and goes and I am almost certain it is the #$!~&*^ bridge that has that ?":+|&% pice of wire on it. I don't want to upgrade just for the sake of upgrading but I was thinking maybe a TonePro bridge. Does anyone have any advice? Would you reccomend another brand or if I went with a TonePro , which one? There are so many! Thanks in advance for some advice and remember,"It takes a village to raise and idiot". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frequensator Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I think that Epiphone necks, near the nut, are often thinner than other guitars such as Gibson. At least that is what I remember from the last time I handled one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibiphone Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Yes, I find the narrow neck on the Casino to be an irritant. Particularly after playing my Faded SG that has a neck as wide and long as an aircraft carrier deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostindesert Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 On my Epi B.B.King Lucille i replaced the stock bridge with a Gotoh GE103B(gold), a perfect fit. Many forum members complaint in past topics and posts about the stock ABR-1 type bridge with saddle retainer wire. Buzzing, loose saddles and intonation problems. Very happy with the Gotoh bridge and no more problems. Btw the nut width on Lucille is 1.68''. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Is this "retaining wire" bridge thing on an "Elitist?" I've seen folks complain about the Korean and Chinese bridges, but never about the Elitist...aren't they American TOM's? I changed out the stock bridge on my '66 Casino, for a "Nashville" version. But, kept the original, just in case. Got tired of replacing the retaining wire, all the time, on the stock one. But, there were never any "rattle" or intonation problems, with it. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Curtis Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I just received my Casino Elitist and I love the small neck. I have small hands and fingers so maybe its different for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillageIdiot Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Is this "retaining wire" bridge thing on an "Elitist?" I've seen folks complain about theKorean and Chinese bridges' date=' but never about the Elitist...aren't they American TOM's? I changed out the stock bridge on my '66 Casino, for a "Nashville" version. But, kept the original, just in case. Got tired of replacing the retaining wire, all the time, on the stock one. But, there were never any "rattle" or intonation problems, with it. CB[/quote'] The retaining wire bridge is definitely on this Elitist Casino. My intonation is fine but sometimes when I get a rattle or buzz, I can press down on the retaining wrie or just slightly move it and the rattle goes away until it returns.......Thanks....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillageIdiot Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Yes' date=' I find the narrow neck on the Casino to be an irritant. Particularly after playing my Faded SG that has a neck as wide and long as an aircraft carrier deck. [img']http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/happy0013.gif[/img] My Elitist SG 61 reissue has the perfect neck and that is what I am comparing the new Casino to........Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillageIdiot Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 On my Epi B.B.King Lucille i replaced the stock bridge with a Gotoh GE103B(gold)' date=' a perfect fit.Many forum members complaint in past topics and posts about the stock ABR-1 type bridge with saddle retainer wire. Buzzing, loose saddles and intonation problems. Very happy with the Gotoh bridge and no more problems. Btw the nut width on Lucille is 1.68''. Peter[/quote'] You said the nut width on your Lucille is 1.68. I am not trying to sound like a smart ___ or a know it all, but my Casino was advertised to have a nut width of 1 11/16 which converts to 1.6875 and I measured with very accurate digital calipers and it was 1.638. I am just saying yours might not really be 1.68 if you are just taking their word for it as opposed to actually measuring it. Again, I am not doubting your word, just wondering if you had measured it. Thanks for the suggestion about the Gotoh bride....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Put a dab of clear nail varnish on the retaining wire,where it touches the bridge,and i think you will find that will do the trick.Or you could replace the bridge with a wire free Tuneomatic,which several makers offer(Gotoh). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillageIdiot Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Put a dab of clear nail varnish on the retaining wire' date='where it touches the bridge,and i think you will find that will do the trick.Or you could replace the bridge with a wire free Tuneomatic,which several makers offer(Gotoh).[/quote']Thanks....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkW Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 First of all I really like EPI's and I have owned 3. My first was a Black Korean made Casino. I loved the feel and looks of the guitar, but I hated the narrow neck. I have big hands or at least not small hands. Also the pups on mine howled and there was an irritating buzz. I hung on to it and agonized for three years, but finally sent her to the Bay. I then bought (I love this body style and both hollows and semis) an ES-335 Reissue and same thing (it had 60's slim taper neck ore fast or something) and my fingers tripped over each other because of the slim neck. So off to E-Bay again! Then I bought an Epi Jorma Kaukonen signature Riviera Deluxe and aha...the neck fit my hands. I love that guitar and it is my only one with the 57 hums. A keeper. So I say to myself, self get a regular Riviera and you will be in heaven as I had heard good things about the mini hums. So off to the Bay and I buy one in Mint condition...a gorgeous cherry red. I open it up and play it and here we go again with the skinny neck. However I do like the pups and the gorgeous cherry red plus I stole the guitar so I am keeping it. THree weeks ago I am in GC and they have a gorgeous flamed cherry Chinese made Dot. I picked it up and the neck was the same as my Jorma...fat finger fit! OK, now I have GAS. I come back next day and get delayed by 30 minutes and someone else is playing that lone DOT. Well he buys and I cry! But wait...Now I wonder could the Casino Elitist (made in Japan vs. Korea or China) maybe have the fatter neck? I Thank you THeVillageIdiot from wasting more of my money because you have answered my big handed question which is NO. In my book a $900 - $1400 guitar better feel right. If I was you...there is a Jorma on e-bay (no it is not mine) and I would buy it and sell your Casino. If you are absorbed with the P-90's then do what I did, I purchased an Agile SX for a ridiculous price and put a Bigsby and set of P-90's in it. Or you could try an LP with P-90's as I believe any of those may have the larger neck but I am not an LP fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostindesert Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 You said the nut width on your Lucille is 1.68. I am not trying to sound like a smart ___ or a know it all' date=' but my Casino was advertised to have a nut width of 1 11/16 which converts to 1.6875 and I measured with very accurate digital calipers and it was 1.638. I am just saying yours might not really be 1.68 if you are just taking their word for it as opposed to actually measuring it. Again, I am not doubting your word, just wondering if you had measured it. Thanks for the suggestion about the Gotoh bride.......[/quote'] I have taken their word for it. To me it feels chunky and wider then my Fenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillageIdiot Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 First of all I really like EPI's and I have owned 3. My first was a Black Korean made Casino. I loved the feel and looks of the guitar' date=' but I hated the narrow neck. I have big hands or at least not small hands. Also the pups on mine howled and there was an irritating buzz. I hung on to it and agonized for three years, but finally sent her to the Bay. I then bought (I love this body style and both hollows and semis) an ES-335 Reissue and same thing (it had 60's slim taper neck ore fast or something) and my fingers tripped over each other because of the slim neck. So off to E-Bay again! Then I bought an Epi Jorma Kaukonen signature Riviera Deluxe and aha...the neck fit my hands. I love that guitar and it is my only one with the 57 hums. A keeper. So I say to myself, self get a regular Riviera and you will be in heaven as I had heard good things about the mini hums. So off to the Bay and I buy one in Mint condition...a gorgeous cherry red. I open it up and play it and here we go again with the skinny neck. However I do like the pups and the gorgeous cherry red plus I stole the guitar so I am keeping it. THree weeks ago I am in GC and they have a gorgeous flamed cherry Chinese made Dot. I picked it up and the neck was the same as my Jorma...fat finger fit! OK, now I have GAS. I come back next day and get delayed by 30 minutes and someone else is playing that lone DOT. Well he buys and I cry! But wait...Now I wonder could the Casino Elitist (made in Japan vs. Korea or China) maybe have the fatter neck? I Thank you THeVillageIdiot from wasting more of my money because you have answered my big handed question which is NO. In my book a $900 - $1400 guitar better feel right. If I was you...there is a Jorma on e-bay (no it is not mine) and I would buy it and sell your Casino. If you are absorbed with the P-90's then do what I did, I purchased an Agile SX for a ridiculous price and put a Bigsby and set of P-90's in it. Or you could try an LP with P-90's as I believe any of those may have the larger neck but I am not an LP fan.[/quote'] I think we have something in common as I am always searching for the one perfect guitar. I have ordered many guitars from MF and have sent most back for some reason or other, usually flaws, electronics problems like switches not working and I even ordered a Gibson ES 339 and when it arrived, it simply did not operate at all. I tried different amps, different cables and the thing just did not work or at least not the electric part of electric guitar. A few days ago I received a Fender NOS Blues Junior amp from MF and when I unpacked it, 3 of the tubes had fallen out in shipment and after putting them all back in, one of the tubes did not work but it turned out it was a socket that was damaged. I'm sort of rambling here but I guess the point I am making now is that Sweetwater claims to inspect each guitar by a tech before they go out. MF is just a big box store that has no idea of the condition of the item they are sending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkW Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I think we have something in common as I am always searching for the one perfect guitar. I have ordered many guitars from MF and have sent most back for some reason or other' date=' usually flaws, electronics problems like switches not working and I even ordered a Gibson ES 339 and when it arrived, it simply did not operate at all. I tried different amps, different cables and the thing just did not work or at least not the electric part of electric guitar. A few days ago I received a Fender NOS Blues Junior amp from MF and when I unpacked it, 3 of the tubes had fallen out in shipment and after putting them all back in, one of the tubes did not work but it turned out it was a socket that was damaged. I'm sort of rambling here but I guess the point I am making now is that Sweetwater claims to inspect each guitar by a tech before they go out. MF is just a big box store that has no idea of the condition of the item they are sending. [/quote'] MY problem has been difficulty in finding a good variety of guitars locally particularly high end. If I am looking for a strat or an LP, no problem. Recently GRetsches have started showing up. I love Gretsch guitars and it's nice to be able to try before you buy. They don't seem to vary as much in quality as say a Fender or Gibson. The funny thing is the Epi's I have owned or tried seemed to be more consistent than some of the Gibbies I owned and tried. Anyway try the Jorma or get a Chinese Dot if you have big hands and don't like skinny necks. For very little money you can buy some GFS pups and have them installed and get whatever kind of sound you want. Epi's or some of the other cheap chinese brands provide a good platform for modding if they don't have exactly what you are looking for. I don't do any work myself, but a set up and switching out a set of pups shouldn't run more than $50-$75 plus the cost of the pups ($100 or less) and you should be good to go! #-o/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillageIdiot Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 MY problem has been difficulty in finding a good variety of guitars locally particularly high end. If I am looking for a strat or an LP' date=' no problem. Recently GRetsches have started showing up. I love Gretsch guitars and it's nice to be able to try before you buy. They don't seem to vary as much in quality as say a Fender or Gibson. The funny thing is the Epi's I have owned or tried seemed to be more consistent than some of the Gibbies I owned and tried. Anyway try the Jorma or get a Chinese Dot if you have big hands and don't like skinny necks. For very little money you can buy some GFS pups and have them installed and get whatever kind of sound you want. Epi's or some of the other cheap chinese brands provide a good platform for modding if they don't have exactly what you are looking for. I don't do any work myself, but a set up and switching out a set of pups shouldn't run more than $50-$75 plus the cost of the pups ($100 or less) and you should be good to go! #-o/ [/quote'] Thanks for the info........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 VI...my '66 Casino has a very narrow neck at the nut, too. But, I've never really had a problem adjusting to it. The tone alone, and playability otherwise, warrents the effort. Besides, I play a Rickenbacker 12-string..,talk about "crowded!" But, there are easy ways to make it work, some of which Roger McGuinn outlines in his DVD. Those same techiques, work really well with other guitars with narrow necks, as well. So...don't give up on it, too soon. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strngbndr Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I've owned two MIK casinos and one MIJ elitist casino, all with the narrow nuts, 1.68 (maybe that's why I didn't keep them around). Recently I bought a MIC casino, and the nut width meaures 1 11/16". I'm not sure if all the new MIC's are that width, but I'm glad to finally find one that is. I like most everything else about the MIC better than the MIK's, too--pickups, switches, fit and finish. Jury is still out as to how they compare playing them acoustically, but I'm giving it time to tell. And I found a solution for the narrow nut issue. Anybody else find a new MIC with a wider nut width? Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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