blackbird Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Hi, I've been asking about installing a B7 on my casino some of you may recall (thanks to all who responded), well I ordered a genuine B7 which came yesterday and I fitted it (in about 30 mins max! really easy) Just a bit of advice for anyone wanting to do the same... under the top of the guitar from the neck to the tail piece runs an 'extra' bit of wood making the top around the pickups and where the bigsby fits twice as deep. So screwing into the top is a lot safer than I originally though... so if you are wanting to do this mod I would advise going for it using the B7, B70, B700 as apposed to the B3 ect Mine is a Chinese made casino so this may not be true of all the other japanese/ korean made casinos, you can find out by taking out a pickup and looking/feeling or a mirror in one of the F holes or just by putting your fingers in the F holes and having a feel. Any way let me know what you think and can anyone recommend any decent pickups... [/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp239/blackbird1979/casino002.jpg http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp239/blackbird1979/casino001.jpg this should be a link to the photos...let me know what you think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Looks nice, looks very nice. I assume you are one that uses the Bigsby and are not just installing it for looks. I don't use the one on my Wildkat, so no need to install one on the Casino. However, first I have to tackle a bigger purchase, as I am starting to feel I am the only one on this forum without a Casino. Anyway, it looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 Yep I love the bigsby it's just soo subtle and usable but I must confess that I love the way it looks too on most axes! Are the wildcats a good option? I never actually played or seen one in the flesh but they look awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwillow777 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Very nice job. That natural is really sweet, even more so with the Bibgsby. I love the looks of a Bigsby on a guitar. I use mine all the time and I think I'm gonna put one on my Sheraton in the next few months too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custer Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I think I need to get a blonde Casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memphs1978 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 can anyone please stop the GAS!! for the love of pete i just got a DS like 3 weeks ago.... lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 All right thats it I definitely need a third one!! Hmmmm turquois maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Yep I love the bigsby it's just soo subtle and usable but I must confess that I love the way it looks too on most axes! Are the wildcats a good option? I never actually played or seen one in the flesh but they look awesome. A good option? If you are asking are they a good selection, my opinion is yes. There are a few people here that recently acquired one (myself included) and I have not heard anyone say they are unhappy with the selection. I think I lucked out because I picked up a used one with case for $250. I will admit that it took me awhile to warm up to the P90's, but now I love them. I don't use the Bigsby, so for me it's just there for looks. Since I didn't buy it for the Bigsby, it's no big deal to not use it. I sold off a number of guitars and have been trying to diversify the ones I own. I had a few single coil and a few humbuckers and I thought it would be better to have a wider range, rather than a number of guitars. Plus, going with a diversified group I am able to spend less and have better quality. Nothing wrong with a lot of guitars, but it was putting a strain on the family budget. So getting back to your question, yes the Wildkat is a good option. A Casino is one that I would like to add to my collection, but it's probably not in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BENT E Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Did the B7 change the open sound of the Casino, and how about the balance? I put a B7 on my Riviera, and now it's so body heavy and unbalanced. I kind of regret doing it, it also lost the openness of the guitar that it had with the Frequensater tailpiece. It does look cool as hell though! Probably if I put a set of Grover tuners it might help balance the thing out. I love the weight of my Casino, so light and airy sounding. One of my favorite guitars. I've got a wildKat too, but the B7 does little than add a slight bit of shimmer on the Kat, certainly not like the B6 that are on both my Gretsch's, you can wiggle the hell out of those things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg M Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 I put a B7 on my Casino a couple of years ago (also Kent Armstrong P90's, roller bridge, and real Klusons). In my opinion, the Casino is better balanced with the B7. It also did change the open sound of the guitar - but for the better. With the stock tailpiece there was way too much sound being produced behind the bridge. Since thats a fixed length of string it always produced the same notes for the respective strings and its not always in the key you are playing. It was loud enough that you could hear it through the pickup. (This was never a problem on other guitars I have had with trapeze tailpieces.) The Bigsby B7 and roller bridge eliminated the problem. +1 for the natural casino - it's what I have and I think it's beautiful. This guitar also plays beautifully and sounds fantastic. Sounds great through my '70 silverface Twin Reverb or my JCM 800 (just can't dime the gain without feedback.) Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbirchett Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Here is a nice picture of the Casino with Bigsby that was the guitar of the month awhile back: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacBratt Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 A good option? If you are asking are they a good selection' date=' my opinion is yes. [/quote'] Don't go grouchy, I think he means having a Bigsby on a Wildkat, is that a good option (not if the Wildkat is a good selection). I could be wrong of course, been there many times before Words, words, they fill my head and empty my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Hi, Thanks for all the nice comments/replies. to answer a few questions It does change the sound of the casino both unplugged and amped up, for the better though... more sustain and you can feel all the notes vibrating through the body when played. It is a bit body heavy (again not in a bad way) but grovers will sort this. I do prefer the B6 to the B7 and I would also say the quailty of my B60 (gretsch) is actually as good as the original B7 usa I have installed on the casino. Regarding the Kats... I did mean are they a good choice of guitar... I own an electromatic but fancy getting a kat and losing the electromatic. If you love the weight and feel of a casino without a bigsby I would keep it stock, I just love bigsby's and I feel it makes my casino more versitile or better still have two, one with a bigsby and one without=p~ which is what I'd like to do!... of no here I go again.LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Hi' date=' Thanks for all the nice comments/replies. to answer a few questions Regarding the Kats... I did mean are they a good choice of guitar... I own an electromatic but fancy getting a kat and losing the electromatic. If you love the weight and feel of a casino without a bigsby I would keep it stock, I just love bigsby's and I feel it makes my casino more versitile or better still have two, one with a bigsby and one without=p~ which is what I'd like to do!... of no here I go again.LOL[/quote'] I would say you should give a Kat a try. I like it because it provides a different sound than my other guitars, I love the size and weight (8 lbs - ish). If you have a store that carries them in your area, check one out. It may or may not be what you are looking for, but I have yet to hear anyone say they've been disappointed. What Electromatic model are you looking at possibly getting rid of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Hi, its the black 5125 pictured in my avitar, it's a nice guitar so I'm not fully sure yet. I'm also thinking maybe I may go for a a full on gretsch from the professional collection (japanese) but again can't seem to make my mind up!!lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrirlupus Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Looks nice' date=' looks very nice. I assume you are one that uses the Bigsby and are not just installing it for looks. I don't use the one on my Wildkat, so no need to install one on the Casino. However, first I have to tackle a bigger purchase, as I am starting to feel I am the only one on this forum without a Casino. Anyway, it looks great.[/quote']oh really? i'm starting to feel like i am the only one on this forum without an epiphone guitar or bass... or tube amp... i have a solid state amp that says epiphone on it... woohoo! (it does sound pretty good though, but it's not really for audiophiles i suppose, i got it at a lower price than my cheap guitar... but i'm satisfied with both, i just want more) i would only install a bigsby on a guitar with a trapese tailpiece... otherwise it's stetsbar for me... and i think i'd take a b3 (i'll take my chances, i just don't want to whack it out of tune with my heavy handed playing style... strangely enough, however, i've never broken a string... just detuned my guitar, and i leave my strings on WAY too long, the tone is completely destroyed by the time they're off... perhaps i should invest in 100% nickel strings?) anyway, without the extra roller and with a roller bridge and locking nut, i might be able to break some strings finally! instead of loosening, BOINK! (funny, i broke a string on my friend's guitar, but he had the same strings for about 3 years, so...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Maybe it's just me...but I gotta be honest I don't like the white pickguard on the natural at all. Creme with the creme binding or black with black knobs would be my choice.......or naked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrirlupus Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Hi' date=' Thanks for all the nice comments/replies. to answer a few questions It does change the sound of the casino both unplugged and amped up, for the better though... more sustain and you can feel all the notes vibrating through the body when played. It is a bit body heavy (again not in a bad way) but grovers will sort this. I do prefer the B6 to the B7 and I would also say the quailty of my B60 (gretsch) is actually as good as the original B7 usa I have installed on the casino. Regarding the Kats... I did mean are they a good choice of guitar... I own an electromatic but fancy getting a kat and losing the electromatic. If you love the weight and feel of a casino without a bigsby I would keep it stock, I just love bigsby's and I feel it makes my casino more versitile or better still have two, one with a bigsby and one without=p~ which is what I'd like to do!... of no here I go again.LOL[/quote']don't get rid of anything. trust me. whenever i get rid of something it comes back to haunt me (not with guitars yet, i've learned my lesson before guitars) even if you're getting something you like more, don't get rid of anything, or you'll need it back, and not just another one of the same thing, but the one that you had. keep the electromatic and save up for the kat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BENT E Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I happen to think a Bigsby is one of the coolest pieces of hardware you can put on a guitar. With four or five of them packing one, I'd say that's a testament to my adoration. I just really dig the Casino the way it is, light & natural. Maybe if I score another, in red - a Bigsby would be a major consideration. The Kat is a great addition to one's collection, totally different from the Casino, but a must have for P-90 lovers. If any one is considering a pro Gretsch, I highly recommend the 6118 Anniversary with Bigsby B6, what a great playing, and sounding guitar. The two tone smoke green is killer too...8-[/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwillow777 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Maybe it's just me...but I gotta be honest I don't like the white pickguard on the natural at all. Creme with the creme binding or black with black knobs would be my choice.......or naked! I've never been a big fan of the white pick guard on a natural either. +1 on your ideas, or a natural wood pick guard, finished the same shade of the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gashole Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 As to the question of Wildkats... I recomend them highly. I've been hemming and hawing over a pickup replacement...I actually ordered Gibson P90's, but cancelled the order yesterday since they were on a backorder anyway...I can't decide if they are "it" for me or not. I love P90 PU,s though don't have a lot of experience with them. I think what is causing me a little bit of grief is what I've heard of as "microphonics"....the way OD breaks up with the Kat is a little noisy, and I feel doesn't have the same "sweet" definition as a Gibson P90 soapbar (the only other P90 I have in my collection to compare) Now that said, it's not bad. Not bad at all. The OD sound is rude- and I can appreciate that. Just takes some getting used to. I still might replace the PU's...I am not sure. It'll be with Gibson P90's if I do. Wouldn't want anything but P90's for this guitar. Clean it's nothing but good. Unfortunately, I don't play much clean LOL. The guitar itself plays very nicely. I love the feel of it. I am a string bending freak, and I use the Bigsby alot. I don't have any tuning issues that I wouldn't expect, and really I'm impressed by how much I can beat the hell out of this thing and still be in relative tune. I consider it very versatile and enjoyable to play. It's a solid purchase IMO. I highly doubt I would part with my Kat. I don't know what the stock pots are, but I don't feel the need to replace them like I did my Sheraton; there are a lot of dynamics between 0 and 10 for volume or tone. I say buy a Kat, they are excellent guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.