Lord Summerisle Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Well, I've been debating what to do with that Casino I bought. In case anyone is wondering why I'm not in love with it...it's the neck. When I posted a thread asking about the MIC Casinos, JerryMac did warn me - don't expect it to have a super-slim neck. I guess I was a bit unlucky, because the one I ended up with definitely has a much larger neck-profile than the one I played in my local GC - as a point of interest, the one I played in GC had a "Custom Shop" sticker on the back of the headstock, even though it was an otherwise regular MIC Casino (no Bigsby or anything like that). In fact, the one I played in GC had an almost "U" profile neck. I should have bought that one, but it was a bit banged-up and the GC guy wouldn't do a deal. Instead, I ordered a new one from AMS. Great guitar, loved it at first because, well...it's a Casino! But it just has that huge neck I can't get my head (or, indeed, hands) around. So we are about to part company, I think. All being well, she is going in trade for...(fanfare) http://www.hagstromguitars.com/Swede.html I am fast becoming a Hagstrom-nut. The super slim necks suit my small hands, and I think this would be a great companion for my Viking. Basically a Hagstrom LP copy to complement my Hagstrom 335 copy! My local Mom&Pop music store has one of these beauties in stock. The guy I spoke to yesterday is waiting for his boss (the owner) to work out a deal with the Casino. All being well, it should not cost very much to change...Fingers crossed for this deal, therefore... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I had the same experience with my Sherry. For years I told myself I needed an archtop. Bought myself a nice blonde MIK a couple of months ago. But couldn't get to terms with the neck. Bummer. 2 questions regarding the Swede. Does it fit a regular LP-case? The headstock is protruding quite a long way. And don't you find the placement of the 3-way a bit awkward? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 LS, when you say "slim" do you mean thickness of the neck or fretboard width? I've noticed on my P93 and Riviera that the strings are a little too close together for my taste, and it makes some chord structures and progressions really difficult to play cleanly. The Dot had a thick neck, but string spacing was better. I noticed when I put the Casino cross reference together, that the MIJ Revolution and JL Sunburst have wider necks than the MIK models, including the new "Inspired By" models. Not that I would pay $2,500 for an extra 1/8" width, but it's curious to me that they don;t all have the same dimensions. PS, a buddy of mine has a Hagstrome Swede. It's a good lookin' and playin' guitar, but we've had it on the bench at least three times now trying to get the intonation right. It's close, but still not 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjael Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Oh dear, I think I'm in love! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 2 questions regarding the Swede. Does it fit a regular LP-case? The headstock is protruding quite a long way. And don't you find the placement of the 3-way a bit awkward? To be honest Ricochet' date=' I don't know about the regular LP case question. Because I am trading my Casino with a case, I am looking for a deal based on the Swede + a Hagstrom case (BTW, the Hagstrom cases are gorgeous - I have a nice tweed-style one for my Viking). I like the 3 way switch on the upper-horn too. The other switch is something Hagstrom call a "tone filter (center bypass)" - which I haven't really spent too much time with, as yet... LS, when you say "slim" do you mean thickness of the neck or fretboard width? I've noticed on my P93 and Riviera that the strings are a little too close together for my taste, and it makes some chord structures and prgression really difficult to play cleanly. The Dot had a thick neck, but string spacing was better. I noticed when I put the Casino cross reference together, that the MIJ Revolution and JL Sunburst have wider necks than the MIK models, including the new "Inspired By" models. Not that I would pay $2,500 for an extra 1/8" width, but it's curious to me that they don't all have the same dimensions. PS, a buddy of mine has a Hagstrom Swede. It's a good lookin' and playin' guitar, but we've had it on the bench at least three times now trying to get the intonation right. It's close, but still not 100%. It's not so much the fretboard width I have an issue with - that feels "right" for an Epiphone archtop. My problem is the hulking great thick neck - it really is a baseball bat. Re: Hagstroms. To tell the truth, when the reissues first come out, there were a lot of QC issues. My local dealer freely admits that. Razor sharp fret-ends were a common problem, as were set-up issues and, I'm guessing, intonation problems. Then Hagstrom really got their act together, and anything from 2008 onwards is usually pretty good. The Swede I played yesterday (and hope to buy) is an 08, and seems to be set-up perfectly and intonates well. That said, the store I am referring to set up all their guitars very well, based upon my previous experience buying from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 Well, the good news is that it looks like this deal is on. The guy is very interested in the Casino as a trade (let's face it, they always sell). The Hagstrom is hanging on the wall at $670 + $90 for the case, and the Casino+case cost me $669, so it looks like not too many $$ will be changing hands. I'm taking the Casino to his store tomorrow, and hopefully we can arrive at a deal we are both happy with. I love the black Swede I played the other day, but he also has a Cherry one. Decisions, decisions.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stig Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Where are the new Hags made? I have a '66 or so electric 12 string. Love it. I've had it since about 1983. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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