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Early 70s bolt-on Casino vs. new Dot Studio


Gabbar Singh

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I want to spend about $200 on an brown Epiphone hollow/semi-hollow (would really like a '68 Gibson 330). I can get either a Japanese bolt-on neck Casino/Riviera

e.g., Auction

 

or a new Dot Studio.

 

Which would you get?

 

I've read on these forums that Casino/Riviera of that generation is crap. How crappy?

 

Opinions?

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Never owned the "Bolt on" neck versions. They were "Casino or Riviera" in name only, IMHO.

There was just something "wrong" (to me) about that whole

approach, to a semi or hollow body guitar. So, I'd have to say: "Get the Dot Studio," for that money.

Most (here), that have purchased the Dot Studio, seem to really like/love them! The neck pickup seems

to generate the most "complaints," as in being "too hot!" But, that's an easy fix/mod.

 

Good luck!

 

CB

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The Dot Studio will be more playable and better made. Those 70's bolt-ons were part of where the term "cheap Japanese guitar" came from. Even if you got one where the frets were level and the intonation and action were ok, they sounded undistinguished. There was nothing uniquely "Epiphone" about them, let alone a Casino or Riviera, as the identical designs (with a few cosmetic changes) were also sold under a dozen or so other names, including Univox, Lyle, Conrad, Aria, Ventura and more.

 

Matsumoku has made some great guitars. These weren't them.

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I used to own the bolt-on Epi you're talking about, it's called an EA-250 and usually has humbuckers or soapbar-esque pickups that mount like humbuckers. It has a pretty skinny neck at the nut and did not ever stay in tune for a whole song. The knockoff Bigsby-style tailpiece didn't help much either.

So basically, the Epi bolt-on hollowbodies from the 70's are pretty bad, I'd spring for a set-neck Casion, Riviera, Dot, etc.

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My first guitar, purchased in 1972, was a brand new 1971 Epiphone EA-250. Had it fixed to stay in tune. Was wonderful. Only structural problems on these models (and not on the others ie. Aria, Univox etc.) was the binding coming off around the cutaways.

 

Alas the poor thing became a victim of divorce.

 

As soon as I find a clean one on e-bay, I will buy it. With the right luthier, anything can be made to play well.

 

 

 

'97 Epi Dot, Natural

'96 Epi Casino, VS

'97 Epi Del Rey, Cherry Sunburst

'04 Fender Telecaster

'04 Samick JZ-3, VS

'93 Yamaha Pacifica, Natural

'72 Epi FT 135 Cortez

'01 Takamine GB

'01 Fender SB-64 Jumbo

'07 Breedlove Atlas AD25/SM Plus

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As soon as I find a clean one on e-bay' date=' I will buy it. With the right luthier, anything can be made to play well.

 

 

[/quote']

 

Very true. A new nut, some new tuners, probably a fret dressing, and new pickups should make a decent guitar out of an EA-250.

They're just very different feeling than a Dot.

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A new Dot Studio will be the better choice by far, in my opinion. And the neck pickup is awesome...the only complaints I've heard were about the bridge pup, which I find to be very acceptable. Tone is subjective though, so my preference may be your throw away.

EDIT: I take that back. There is a forum member here who thinks both pickups on the Dot Studio are miserable.

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EDIT:[/b] I take that back. There is a forum member here who thinks both pickups on the Dot Studio are miserable.

That might be me but there are more than one who think the pickups are dreck. As to

the original question, I'd go with the Dot Studio, if only because there are lots to choose

from, as opposed to the limited number of the older Casinos you described.

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That might be me but there are more than one who think the pickups are dreck. As to

the original question' date=' I'd go with the Dot Studio, if only because there are lots to choose

from, as opposed to the limited number of the older Casinos you described.[/quote']

 

Might be me too!

 

Def +1 on the Dot Studio because pickups aside it would still be a stunning buy at twice the price.

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Thanks for the advice y'all.

 

 

 

Here's something:

 

EBAY

 

 

 

I am watching that one along with:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260303341948

 

My problem is that I have too many right now and my wife will question (among other things) if I bring a new one in.

 

I just spoke with Musicians Friends about the new "Epiphone Limited Edition Riviera Custom P93 Electric Guitar". Their deal is now' date=' through 10/31, you get $99 of Free gear with the purchase which would cover an Epiphone hard shell case and a set of strings with free shipping.

 

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Riviera-Custom-P93-Electric-Guitar?sku=516284

 

The three P-90's should roar. My problem is that it is made in China. I have been buying up old Korean models. But when I saw the Riviera Custom in another forum, I had to find out more.

 

Epiphone now and forever.

 

'97 Epi Dot, Natural

'96 Epi Casino, VS

'97 Epi Del Rey, Cherry Sunburst

'04 Fender Telecaster

'04 Samick JZ-3, VS

'93 Yamaha Pacifica, Natural

'72 Epi FT 135 Cortez

'01 Takamine GB

'01 Fender SB-64 Jumbo

'07 Breedlove Atlas AD25/SM Plus

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If you really want an ES-330 you have only one choice, a completely hollow body with dog-ear P90 pickups Epiphone Casino.

 

My 1970 ES-330 (Made in Kalamazoo) and my 2001 Casino (Made In Korea - Peerless plant) are about 95% alike in playability, fit, and amplified sound.

 

By changing the pick guard and vol/tone knobs, they even look about 95% alike.

 

GuitarCousins2.JPG

 

Insights and incites by Notes

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If you want an ES-330, like Notes said, these are your options... from "Best" to "Least Good," though they're all great.

 

ES-330

1965 Casino (this actually costs more than the Gibson...)

Elitist Casino

Casino

 

Alternately, if you can afford it, Gruhn Guitars has these in stock:

 

1966 Cherry Casino with Epiphone Vibrato, no pickguard, $2850

1968 Cherry Casino with Epiphone Vibrato (long neck), $3500

1967 Cherry Casino with Bigsby, $3000

 

1960 Sunburst ES-330, single pick-up, $3000

1966 Sunburst ES-330, $2850

1966 Cherry ES-330, $3000

1967 Cherry ES-330, $3000

1967 Cherry ES-330, Bigsby, $3250

 

 

Maybe this is a coincidence, but are the kind of people that buy vintage Casinos only buying the sunburst, like John/George/Paul had/have? I know anything with a 1965 serial number is automatically more expensive, but I've never seen a vintage sunburst Casino for sale, anywhere... but the cherry is easy to find.

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If you really want an ES-330 you have only one choice' date=' a completely hollow body with dog-ear P90 pickups Epiphone Casino.

 

My 1970 ES-330 (Made in Kalamazoo) and my 2001 Casino (Made In Korea - Peerless plant) are about 95% alike in playability, fit, and amplified sound.

 

By changing the pick guard and vol/tone knobs, they even look about 95% alike.

 

[img']http://www.nortonmusic.com/GuitarCousins2.JPG[/img]

 

Insights and incites by Notes

 

The walnut brown 330 is EXACTLY, ABSOLUTELY, THE PERFECT GUITAR! That's precisely what I want. And if I could get one for $3k, that's less than what I spent on my daughter's "student" violin or my son's "student" cello. But it's way way down the family priority list.

 

20 years ago the local guitar store had a 330 like that. It was perfect, but I didn't spring for the $350 they wanted for it.

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