Chris the Gent Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I'm looking for a new geetar and wondering which I should get? I'll have about £450 - £500 ($750 i think) to spend and want to know your opinions, I really fancy a 335-esque model but i dont think i want a dot, i'd like something with a bit more wow factor, so guys, what would you get?? pics would be great aswell..... -Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 i too wanted a hollowbody but wanted something a bit snazzier than the Dot. I went for a Sheraton, a second in fact, and its beautiful, awesome finish, gold hardware, fantastic to play, i couldn't of asked for anything more. I'd recommend it to you, but I'm a geordie, so go for a dot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I would go for either a Riviera or Casino. The former is quite difficult to get hold of now (as I recently found out), but they are out there. There is the Sheraton, which is great, but they are quite similar to a Dot. The Casino's P90s and different tailpiece make it quite different from the Dot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Pics of my semi collection: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 If it doesn't specifically have to be a semi hollow, then I would go for the Casino. I am a little biased though. What kind of music do you play. The Casino won't really suit everything. It's beautiful for clean stuff, the P90s sound gorgeous, and it has an acoustic like quality to it being fully hollow, but not really high gain things, as it will feedback when really driven. You can drive it a fair amount though and it will sing nicely. Just don't expect it to have the sustain of something solid or semi hollow. It's not that kind of guitar anyway. You don't really wail with a Casino if you ask me, you emote! And you may not like the lack of upper fret access. Again, not really the kind of guitar you play way up there though. I'm not saying you can't do those things, but that's not really what a Casino is about in my opinion. That's why you have an SG or a Les Paul or something. The Casino is the most unique of the 335 style guitars that Epiphone offers if you ask me. Fully hollow with P90s, and the trapeze tailpiece. I love the neck on mine, so comfortable, and the fretboard wood is stunning. Best looking fretbaord I've ever seen. Seems to be within your budget too. http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-casino-case/3001 If you go to a store though, you can make them include a case, a proper Epiphone archtop one too if you can. I got a case included with mine. Here's a couple of pics as you requested. This is indeed my guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Plenty of choices, even if you're only looking at Epis. Wildkats, Alleykats, Sheratons, Casinos, and (one of my favorites) the ES-175. Do you have a chance to go play some models? That would be ideal. The Casino is a beautiful model. For that money you might be able to get your hands on a used Casino Elitist! That would be a nice choice. Good luck in your search. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris the Gent Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 Thanks for the input guys, I'm still unsure, i'm going between either the Riviera or a Lucille, thoughts please, -Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Thanks for the input guys' date=' I'm still unsure, i'm going between either the Riviera or a Lucille, thoughts please, -Chris. [/quote'] The Riviera or the Sheraton would be my suggestion. Let us know what you decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 The Dot Deluxe will give you extra wow factor without the extra expense factor. This one had the poly dulled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Thanks for the input guys' date=' I'm still unsure, i'm going between either the Riviera or a Lucille, thoughts please, -Chris. [/quote'] "Lucille" would be an excellent choice...(I have the Gibson version, but have played the Epi, as well). With the Varitone, it's a bit more versitile, tone wise. My next choice would be a Riviera with Mini humbuckers. They're a nice compromise, between a P-90 tone, and a full sized Humbucker tone... that is, more bite and clarity (like a P-90), but with the warmth, quietness, and sustain, of a Humbucker. There is the Riviera P-93LE, with 3 P-90 pickups, and a Bigsby. Great sound, and with certain settings, can achieve almost "Gretsch" like tones. The Casino, while a great guitar, in it's own right, is NOT a "Semi-hollowbody," but fully so. It has a wonderful tone, a kind of clean "growl," that's quite unique. It's quite light weight, too...if that's a factor? Upper fret access is limited, due to the body/neck joint being at either the 16th fret (Vintage USA, Elitist, and "Lennon" versions), or 17th fret, on all "standard" versions. So, that may be a consideration, too? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericdill Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 You mentioned wow factor early, I was sold when I saw the Wildkat. It is my first semi-hollow and will be here Monday. Cant wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Seraton or Lucille. The two "blingy-est" Semis the Epiphone makes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS90 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Seraton or Lucille. The two "blingy-est" Semis the Epiphone makes. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarpBoy Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I'm looking for a new geetar and wondering which I should get? I'll have about £450 - £500 ($750 i think) to spend and want to know your opinions' date=' I really fancy a 335-esque model but i dont think i want a dot, i'd like something with a bit more wow factor, so guys, what would you get?? pics would be great aswell..... -Chris. [/quote'] If you can find one, the Nick Valensi Riviera is a wonderful guitar. It comes from the factory with Gibson P94s, which are outstanding pickups (P90s in a humbucker size package). Being semi-hollow, you don't have to contend with feedback. And it ain't too shabby in the looks department, either. I think it's in your price range. Here's mine. http:// Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 And it ain't too shabby in the looks department' date=' either. [/quote'] +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strumbone Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Hello all...new guy here...lurker turned registered user. I had similar question as OP, and have a '98 sunburst Sheraton in transit from an Ebay purchase. My GAS attack is absolutely killing me while waiting! Very nice guitar collection ant. Twang, I'll certainly be purchasing some upgrades from you. Please go easy on me, as I'm an old man, been playing since the 60's, but just recently built a valve amp, and now need a nice semi-hollowbody to put some blues through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzaboy Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Folks, I hope i can piggy-back on this thread with another couple of questions... My wife is offering to get me a guitar as a present and I decided that an electo-acoustic would be the best option, so I went to a local shop and tried a few but they left me totally cold, so I then decided that I'd get a telecaster thinline deluxe... but I am now thinking that this doesn't satisfy my desire for something that can provide a little bit of unamplified strumming.... so to my question... Would the Sheraton, Casino or Lucille give me any volume when unplugged? I don't want major volume when unplugged, just more than i get on my current solid body guitars and I want an easy to play neck. I would appreciate your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Would the Sheraton' date=' Casino or Lucille give me any volume when unplugged? I don't want major volume when unplugged, just more than i get on my current solid body guitars and I want an easy to play neck. I would appreciate your thoughts.[/quote'] The Sheraton and Lucille have a solid wood block down the center of the guitar to reduce feedback, which inherently reduces vibration. The Casino is a true hollow body, so noticably more resonant unplugged. All three are great guitars, but the Casino is the most sought-after... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzaboy Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 why is the casino more sought after? is its tone better? In the UK, each of these guitars costs the same and from an aesthetic point of view the Lucille works best for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 why is the casino more sought after? is its tone better? In the UK' date=' each of these guitars costs the same and from an aesthetic point of view the Lucille works best for me.[/quote'] Mainly because John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison all played one at one time or another - most famoulsy Lennon on their last gig on the rooftop in London. Of the three, the Lucille will be the least acoustic, owing to its lack of F-holes. But what really matters is what YOU want, and you seem to want a Lucille. So do I, it's on my wish list to add the current hollowbody collection: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 why is the casino more sought after? is its tone better? In the UK' date=' each of these guitars costs the same and from an aesthetic point of view the Lucille works best for me.[/quote'] The Casino has the rep of being used by the Beatles (except Ringo), and it is the most unique in (1) not having the wooden block down the center to mute sound, and (2) having them P90's. I don't think it is as versatile as a Sheraton or Dot, but some love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarpBoy Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Folks' date='but I am now thinking that this doesn't satisfy my desire for something that can provide a little bit of unamplified strumming.... [/quote'] The dirty little secret is that nobody actually uses these guitars for "acoustic" playing in the real world. I say this having a "semi-acoustic". They are nice for strumming something in the livingroom but you will never actually play out with it. It's nice to be able to pick up your guitar and riff on it without having to plug it in, but you'll never actually use this for a gig. That being said, they kick ***. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris the Gent Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 I think i'm going to have to go for the Lucille, has anyone got any pics of the Lucy to feed my gas until i can get one?? i think i've seen all the ones from Epiphone themselves....... - Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 I really fancy a 335-esque model but i dont think i want a dot' date=' i'd like something with a bit more wow factor, [/quote'] Sounds like a time for my inevitable plug for Hagstroms. The new Vikings are great guitars. If you are looking for one be certain to find an example with a recent serial number (08 onwards). These guitars play beautifully, and definitely have a certain "wow" factor. Here's mine: And here are the new "Tremar" models Hagstrom released this year: More info from the Hagstrom website: http://www.hagstromguitars.com/index.html and a list of UK dealers: http://www.hagstrom-guitars.co.uk/780.0.html Nearest to you would be Sounds Live in Newcastle, I guess. I think i'm going to have to go for the Lucille Cool. But whatever you go for' date=' if at all possible [b']try before you buy.[/b] I ended up taking a loss on a Casino I bought this summer because I ordered it online and after the "honeymoon" phase was over I just couldn't get on with it. It ended up sitting on a stand in my music room until a local dealer gave me a good deal as a trade against something else I wanted. I believe the Lucilles have fairly chunky necks, but I may be mistaken. As a point of interest the Hasgtroms have super-scrawny necks (which isn't to everyone's taste either). The Casino has the rep of being used by the Beatles (except Ringo) It was mean of Epiphone not to give him a Casino. He could have tapped on the back with his drumsticks. Besides' date=' it looks as though he could play at least an open C chord..(!) [img']http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z190/mofeen/ringo_guitar.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzaboy Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 thanks for the input guys. I presume that the lack of F holes in the Lucille will make it the least strong sounding when unamplified. I am only going to use the guitar in my own home, so it doesn't need to project its volume far, just enought for me to play happily away while watching TV and not waking the kids (or neighbours). All of these seem to cost the same in UK £449, so I will have to visit a shop to compare. Do you know if there is much differene between the necks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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