Big Arm Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 My wife and I drove to Missoula today (90+ miles one way) to have my Gibson ES-345 set up. I knew the shop I was going to was an Epiphone dealer, so I was hoping to be able to handle a Sheraton II. I have a Dot that I leave at work and it is an fine guitar, but I don't much like the size of the neck and I understand the Sheraton's is smaller. Unfortunately, they did not have one, but they did have a beautiful cherry Casino (actually they had 3 - the cherry, a sunburst and a blond). They offered it to me for $669 with a hardcase and an extra set of strings. I resisted it, but I am wondering if that was an okay deal. If it is, I just might have to change my mind. I understand that the Casino is a hollowbody rather than a semi-hollowbody. So other than that, how do they compare to the Sheratons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Arm, it's an OK deal, not spectacular. Musician's Friend has them for $599 (natural and sunbuburst) and $699 (cherry) without case. But it's a big plus to be able to play before you buy, and if it's set up nice, that's worth something too. Casino and Sheraton necks are much less baseball bat-like than Dots. I wonder if they would take the Dot on trade... http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Casino-Electric-Guitar?sku=518295 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 My wife and I drove to Missoula today (90+ miles one way) to have my Gibson ES-345 set up. I knew the shop I was going to was an Epiphone dealer' date=' so I was hoping to be able to handle a Sheraton II. I have a Dot that I leave at work and it is an fine guitar, but I don't much like the size of the neck and I understand the Sheraton's is smaller. Unfortunately, they did not have one, but they did have a beautiful cherry Casino (actually they had 3 - the cherry, a sunburst and a blond). They offered it to me for $669 with a hardcase and an extra set of strings. I resisted it, but I am wondering if that was an okay deal. If it is, I just might have to change my mind. I understand that the Casino is a hollowbody rather than a semi-hollowbody. So other than that, how do they compare to the Sheratons.[/quote'] Did you go to Outlaw Music? I love that shop. ZZounds has all the Casino colors for $659 with a hardcase, but as pointed out, you won't get to try it first. Plus, I'm sure they'll set the guitar up for you in the shop, so yes, the price is competitive with Zzounds, and better than Musician's Friend (cases are $89 there), but you have the adantage of buying locally, and from a good shop, and getting a set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Yeah, the "lowest" price, isn't always the best deal. So, if you can play them, before your buy...that alone might be worth whatever price diffence there might be? And, you might even be able to "bargin" a little, for a bit better price. But, it's a fair price, really. Casino's are great guitars, too! Good luck! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Arm Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 Red 333 - Yes, it was indeed at Outlaw Music. I was pleased with them. They put on new strings, worked on the nut, adjusted the truss rod and bridge and tightened the tuners for $42 and they did it for me right away because they knew I traveled there. Now I've got to decide and convince the wife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Red 333 - Yes' date=' it was indeed at Outlaw Music. I was pleased with them. They put on new strings, worked on the nut, adjusted the truss rod and bridge and tightened the tuners for $42 and they did it for me right away because they knew I traveled there. Now I've got to decide and convince the wife![/quote'] Good luck with your decision, and the convincing, if the decision demands it. The Casino is an excellent guitar, and the Epiphone P90s are very good. Since you have a Gibson 345 (congrats on that, by the way), it would make sense to me to get it over the Sheraton. The Sheraton is constructed and equipped similarly to the 345, so a Casino with its hollow body and the P90s will offer you something different and complimentary. Are you staying over night in Misoula, or will you travel back home? I really enjoy visiting when I can; it's one of my favorite places. It reminds me of Austin, TX, somewhat, but smaller, and with MUCH better scenery. Of course, I love your state overall--it's such a beautiful and wonderful place. I'm glad you liked the folks at Outlaw. I'm glad you have the chance to patronize them, as unfortunately, shops like that are becoming scarcer. As a concidence, I was wearing their logo hat today. Small world. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordy01 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Red 333 - Yes' date=' it was indeed at Outlaw Music. I was pleased with them. They put on new strings, worked on the nut, adjusted the truss rod and bridge and tightened the tuners for $42 and they did it for me right away because they knew I traveled there. Now I've got to decide and convince the wife![/quote'] Sounds like they're treating you fairly. 42 bucks for immediate service on a setup is great! In the past, I've taken mine in for immediate service, and the shop I used to go to charged me 75. 2 reasons why I don't go there anymore: 1. 75 per hour 2. I'm learning how to do that stuff myself, and having a great time doin' it! Already set up 2 of my buddies guitars, and they're happy. Good luck with the wife.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Sounds like they're treating you fairly. 42 bucks for immediate service on a setup is great! In the past' date=' I've taken mine in for immediate service, and the shop I used to go to charged me 75. 2 reasons why I don't go there anymore: 1. 75 per hour 2. I'm learning how to do that stuff myself, and having a great time doin' it! Already set up 2 of my buddies guitars, and they're happy. Good luck with the wife....[/quote'] I'm with you Gord, If you consider the initial investment in tools vs what you pay to have a set up done it's well worth it. You can setup your guitar exactally how you want it, plus it helps you understand your guitar better. I've been doing my own setups for a very long time and have a blast doing it but I understand that it isn't everyone cup of tea. mgm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Arm Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 Well, I posted this in the Gibson forum as well, but since you are talking about set ups, I played the guitar today and I now have fret buzz. Is this something I can take care of myself? I am assuming that maybe the action is set too low. Is this correct? We came back the same day. I have to go back for a conference in a couple of weeks and will be staying for a few days. We live on 20 acres outside of a very small town, but with a stunning view of Flathead Lake. We moved here a year and a half ago and really like it, but still getting used to winter. It snowed several inches this morning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 This is AFTER you had the "professional setup?" Sounds like the action is a bit low, OR...the humidity has changed (maybe temp, too) from when it was set up, and now you have some buzz. That can often happen. I was reading an article on Roger McGuinn, and he stated that he's had to make TR adjustments even twice in one day, because he was playing in different cities, and just the plane ride, and temp/humidity differences, in those cities, allowed for another adjustment of his "twin" truss rods, in his Rickenbacker...and he likes that action LOW! So...you may be experiencing something similar. Are you in a higher local, altitude wise? Different pressures, can do that, too. Really doesn't take much, of any of those factors, in my experience. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Arm Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 About 600 feet higher in elevation. Humidity would be about the same I think. We have humidifiers running in our house at all times. The best we can get is low 40's. It didn't buzz before, so I am thinking maybe he lowered the action a bit too much. Does that make sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 About 600 feet higher in elevation. Humidity would be about the same I think. We have humidifiers running in our house at all times. The best we can get is low 40's. It didn't buzz before' date=' so I am thinking maybe he lowered the action a bit too much. Does that make sense?[/quote'] Well, it might be that. Does it feel lower, than before you had it done? It sometimes only takes a very minute adjustment, of the bridge upward, to get rid of it. So, yeah, it's possible. Also, worth mentioning, is that it takes awhile, sometimes, for things to "settle down," after a major adjustment/set-up. And yeah, 600 feet higher elevation probably won't effect it, that much. I didn't know if you were in the mountains, foothills, valley compared to the city, etc. But I get definite fluctuatons, in my guitars, with humidity, and temps (more humidity, really..as I try to keep the temp as constant as I can manage). CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Well' date=' I posted this in the Gibson forum as well, but since you are talking about set ups, I played the guitar today and I now have fret buzz. Is this something I can take care of myself? I am assuming that maybe the action is set too low. Is this correct? We came back the same day. I have to go back for a conference in a couple of weeks and will be staying for a few days. We live on 20 acres outside of a very small town, but with a stunning view of Flathead Lake. We moved here a year and a half ago and really like it, but still getting used to winter. It snowed several inches this morning![/quote'] I could be that the action is a little too low (which you can easily adjust yourself), or it could be that now that everything has settled a bit from the set up, the truss rod might need an additional tweak, but it depends on where the buzz is coming from. The truss rod is also something you can easily adjust, as long as you have the wrench (which is supplied with a new guitar). Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordy01 Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Well' date=' I posted this in the Gibson forum as well, but since you are talking about set ups, I played the guitar today and I now have fret buzz. Is this something I can take care of myself? I am assuming that maybe the action is set too low. Is this correct? We came back the same day. I have to go back for a conference in a couple of weeks and will be staying for a few days. We live on 20 acres outside of a very small town, but with a stunning view of Flathead Lake. We moved here a year and a half ago and really like it, but still getting used to winter. It snowed several inches this morning![/quote'] Souds like you better get the book I read BIG. If you gotta drive 90 miles to get a setup done, it could get expensive real quick not to mention the time involved. Even if you have a small technical background this book will lead you through a setup with a few basic tools. Or if you are not a book guy, try one of the videos. The book I've been working from is called: Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great by Dan Erlwine I got it from www.stewmac.com Try it, you're gonna amaze yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibiphone Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Good luck with your decision' date=' and the convincing, if the decision demands it. The Casino is an excellent guitar, and the Epiphone P90s are very good. Since you have a Gibson 345 (congrats on that, by the way), it would make sense to me to get it over the Sheraton. The Sheraton is constructed and equipped similarly to the 345, so a Casino with its hollow body and the P90s will offer you something different and complimentary. Are you staying over night in Misoula, or will you travel back home? I really enjoy visiting when I can; it's one of my favorite places. It reminds me of Austin, TX, somewhat, but smaller, and with MUCH better scenery. Of course, I love your state overall--it's such a beautiful and wonderful place. I'm glad you liked the folks at Outlaw. I'm glad you have the chance to patronize them, as unfortunately, shops like that are becoming scarcer. As a concidence, I was wearing their logo hat today. Small world. Red 333[/quote'] Indeed, Outlaw is a great store--Sam is the best and will help you any way he reasonably can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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