Thinking about buying a Casino this Friday. Help?

[twodice]

Hey guys,

 

I've been thinking about getting a casino for a while now. As you may already know, my main guitar is my Elitist Valensi Riviera P-94 and i also have a cherry Dot. However since i got my Riviera, I never seem to play my Dot anymore. The two reasons for this are: the neck and pick ups. So im wanting to upgrade and sell my cherry dot for a cherry casino, as they have the P-90s and a slimmer neck.

 

Anyways.... the big question, should I get a brand new China made Casino on friday or do you think I should hold out untill I can frind an older Korean made one?

 

Thanks, Ross.

 

.

[Swoop]

Are you only considering the 'Standard' Casino? Not interested in any of the Lennon models? Or, indeed, an Elitist, given that you have an Elitist Riviera. I only ask because I'm sure there will be a string of responses suggesting just that. I have nothing against Chinese Epiphones.

 

In fact, my own Casino is a 2009 Chinese built example, and it's a beautifully built and finished guitar and, of course, it sounds and plays excellently. Absolutely flawless. I really think that this long standing notion, that the older Korean Epiphones are, generally, superior, is getting a bit tired and redundant. I don't think it's the case at all these days.

 

There has been some questioning about the sunburst finish on Chinese Casinos. I believe that all the current ones feature the burst that follows the shape of the guitar, but some slightly older ones had a teardrop burst like a Les Paul, which is a bit unisghtly on a Casino, and contributed to their poor reputation somewhat. Of course, you want a Cherry one, so there's no issue there.

 

I say, buy a new Chinese one with confidence. Of course, if at all possible, it's sensible to check the guitar out before buying, even new, just to be on the safe side, and make sure you're getting a really great instrument. I absolutely love mine, and when you get one, open that case, smell that maple, plug that sucker in and give it a workout, I'm sure you will too!

 

Here's a pic, in case you need any more persuading.

[twofeets]

There are quite a few quantifiable physical differences between the Korean and Chinese built Casinos. Better than/worse than is purely subjective.

 

Korean neck is more of a slender 60's profile, Chinese neck is pretty beefy.

 

Using the natural as an example, the actual species of the neck wood appears to be different. The MIK looks like a more traditional Gibson mahogany (from the grain pattern)

 

Headstock attachment point is in a different location and is a different type of joint.

 

Different pickups (MIK has slanted neck pup cover)

 

side by side I prefer the MIK, though I wouldn't scoff at the MIC either.

[peeper]

Casinos are fully hollow. Just making sure you are aware. The others are semi hollow, big difference between the two.

[dougg330]

If you can find one, check out the Inspired by John Lennon Casino. I've owned several regular Casinos - both MIK and MIC - and the IBJL blows them all away. Neck is better, sound is better - costs more, but IMHO it's well worth it.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose.

 

Dougg330

[modfather]

Hi Ross

I put P90 's on my Cherry Dot Sounds great

Re the Casino I was lucky enough to pick up a Japanese one a couple of years ago Had a Korean and a Chinese one and are both lovely guitars.

 

 

Good luck

Mark

[Mr. Bill]

Had a black MIK and it looked and felt great but the pups howled and it rattled and the neck was sooooo skinny. I haven't played a Chinese one, but I am glad to hear the neck is beefier. I am in the process of selling my MIK Riviera. It looks great, sounds great but has that doggone skinny neck thing.

 

The QC on a lot of the Chinese stuff is coming along nicely. I have 3 Chinese guitars. Two are 335 styles and one is a Full HB Ibby. I wouldn't get caught up in any generalizations. Play the guitar, inspect it and forget about where it was made if you like it.

[twodice]

Thanks guys for all the replies.

 

My Riviera has a slim 60s neck which I love, the dot is HUGE compared to it. So im hoping the new Casinos have a slimmer neck than the MIK Dots.

 

Im definitely going to try it out first, so if I see and hear what I like, then I may leave with it in my bag!

 

I really just want a cherry one! So IBJL and elitist don't matter.

 

And yes, I do know it's fully hollow !!!

 

.

[charlie brown]

+1 on the "Inspired By John Lennon" Casino. I played both the '65 (Sunburst) and the Revolution version,

recently, and they were GREAT! Almost had to walk out with one, but I vowed (years ago) NOT to buy guitars on

credit. Just a personal thing. So...I'll have to save some of my musical earnings, for it.

 

CB

[twofeets]

Man. I think the current MIC Casino neck is pretty substantial - I wouldn't call it thin by any means. I wouldn't say it's in Gibson R6 territory but it's getting there.

[Anthony_JB]

I don't know..

 

After reading everyone's thoughts on the MIC Casino's neck, I feel I have to step in and say that MY 2006 MIC Casino's neck is VERY thin.

 

Like, small D shape thin. Well, every guitar is different so there are gonna be some inconsistencies.

[Swoop]

I wouldn't say the neck on my Casino is chunky, but it's not thin either and I would say that, if you're looking at a new MIC Casino, it'd be much the same. Very playable. I find it very comfortable but then I'm used to all kinds of necks, because my guitars are all so different. Like pretty much everything involving guitars, it's an entirely personal thing that you should try out yourself. You might not even agree with how the manufacturer describes the shape of the neck. For example Fender describes the neck of the particular model of Strat that I have as a C shape. In my opinion, it's more of a V shape. Now that's a slim neck!