DennisMiller Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Hi gang, Long time, no see... I have an ordinary MIM Std Telecaster for sale on my local Craigslist and I've been approached by a guy who offered an even trade for his Casino. It's the usual $599 Chinese made, about 2 years old and appears to be in excellent shape. He's throwing in a case with it. I like P90's, particularly on a hollow body guitar. In other words, without having played a Casino before, I suspect I'll like the way it sounds. I'm curious... Build quality on the recent Chinese models?... Any inherent problems known to Casinos?... Any usual mods people seem to do?... Resale value reasonable or is it a very small niche market?... Thanks, Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Hi gang, Long time, no see... I have an ordinary MIM Std Telecaster for sale on my local Craigslist and I've been approached by a guy who offered an even trade for his Casino. It's the usual $599 Chinese made, about 2 years old and appears to be in excellent shape. He's throwing in a case with it. I like P90's, particularly on a hollow body guitar. In other words, without having played a Casino before, I suspect I'll like the way it sounds. I'm curious... Build quality on the recent Chinese models?... Any inherent problems known to Casinos?... Any usual mods people seem to do?... Resale value reasonable or is it a very small niche market?... Thanks, Dennis Wonderful to see you back Dennis, I sincerely hope you're feeling alright. Just mentioned you in an "where are the old members" thread last week, what a damn coincidence. The Chinese have really lifted their game over the last few years, it's pretty rare to hear of any major problems, there's certainly no real inherent or repeatable problems coming up, I suspect most of the problems now are more caused by the transporting of them. If this guy's had it for 2 or so years, you could probably count the transport hassles out of the equation. Do you, or will you have the chance to inspect it personally before the trade ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar dog Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I've had no problems with my Chineese Casino, bought her new about two years ago. I had a little buzz when the switch was in the middle position but it was easy tp fix. I also own a MIM Strat, I prefer the Casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisMiller Posted July 26, 2011 Author Share Posted July 26, 2011 Do you, or will you have the chance to inspect it personally before the trade ??? Hi Rastus - Yes, He would bring it with him when he comes over to try the Telecaster. If we are both happy, it's an even trade. If we find something wrong, we'll discuss it. To be honest, I'm trying to sell off most of my electric guitars. I just never get much time to play them myself, much less with anybody. I had intended to keep a Strat and my Dot, but this offer came up and I've always liked P90s, so I decided to make a little exception to try it. If I fall out of love with it, I kind of figure I can sell it for the same, if not more than the Telecaster. I had hoped he would get here today since I was staying home to wait for a new washing machine to be delivered. It'll have to be another day, but i figured I'd find out a little more about the Casino in the meantime. Since there's a bit of Beatles history with the Casino and I love the old Beatles music, I figured, why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 The Casino is a great guitar playing electrically or even for strumming at home. If the recent Chinese produce is anything to go by I think you'll be very pleased and personally I would choose a Casino over a MIM Tele any day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Hi Rastus - Yes, He would bring it with him when he comes over to try the Telecaster. If we are both happy, it's an even trade. If we find something wrong, we'll discuss it. To be honest, I'm trying to sell off most of my electric guitars. I just never get much time to play them myself, much less with anybody. I had intended to keep a Strat and my Dot, but this offer came up and I've always liked P90s, so I decided to make a little exception to try it. If I fall out of love with it, I kind of figure I can sell it for the same, if not more than the Telecaster. I had hoped he would get here today since I was staying home to wait for a new washing machine to be delivered. It'll have to be another day, but i figured I'd find out a little more about the Casino in the meantime. Since there's a bit of Beatles history with the Casino and I love the old Beatles music, I figured, why not? There have been a plethora of beatles/casino (and associated mods) related threads the last month or two, you'll only have to scroll through one or two pages to find more than you could want for, extremely popular lately. That sounds a pretty fair arrangement as far as trade goes, you have enough knowledge to understand what are the things to look out for are. I'm not into acoustics much (I know you are), I have predominantly electrics, but the last 4 geets I've bought have been hollow/semi-hollows, I'm over the moon with them, and P90s have also become my favourite pups too, so I happen to like the Casino option a lot. Hey, don't be such a stranger Dennis, it'd be great to see you around a little more often, and I sure hope the transaction goes well for you mate, good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Welcome back! I'll pretty much second what everyone else has said. I have an Elitist Casino which I absolutely love, but my Dot is Chinese made, 3 years old and I have no build or quality issues with it at all (I did however, replace the p/u's and all electronics after about 8-9 months). As mentioned the Chinese have really upped their game and are turning out some pretty good stuff. And yeah, I'd make that trade anyday. Keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisMiller Posted July 26, 2011 Author Share Posted July 26, 2011 Just mentioned you in an "where are the old members" thread last week, what a damn coincidence. Where is that thread? I'll check in and let everyone know what's been going on. Based on what you guys and some friends I emailed about this have said, I'm pretty sure I'll trade for the Casino and try it for a while. With some Beatles history in it's heritage, what's not to like for someone my age? (I'm 62) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Where is that thread? I'll check in and let everyone know what's been going on. Based on what you guys and some friends I emailed about this have said, I'm pretty sure I'll trade for the Casino and try it for a while. With some Beatles history in it's heritage, what's not to like for someone my age? (I'm 62) Old members thread Yeah, ya' got nearly 10 on me, I remember making a Birthday thread for you, in May i think, that was the last time I recall seeing you here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Hi Dennis, welcome back. I bought a Chinese made IBJL Casino last year and after some intial QC concerns, decided to keep it. I'm glad I did it's a really great guitar. A MIM tele trade for a standard Casino seems like a pretty good deal to me. If the Cassie is in good condition, or at least in similar condition to the tele, I'd go for it. You can upgrade the Asian electronics for US made and see how it goes. There are plenty of boutique pickup options too, if you feel spendy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 What's not to like for someone my age? (I'm 62) Thanks for making me feel young by being two years older! I'm guessing you'll like the Casino a lot. I've gone down a long & winding road through many acoustics, solidbodies, semi-hollowbodies, and finally thin hollowbodies. If I could keep only one guitar, it would be from the 330/Casino family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Even Trade + Excellent Shape Casino with Case = Do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Good trade......for you.......MIMs don't go up in value.....MIC Casinos someday will.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Um.......If you don't need your Epi Jr. in TV yellow anymore.......um, ah, um, ah............ :-k :-k ...... Um, ah, um...If it needs a good home.......... :-k ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisMiller Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 Damian - Yes, it needs a good home. It's a good guitar with plenty of P90 bark, but there's something about P90s in a hollow body I've always liked more, thus my hopes for the Casino. I had a USA made Hamer 50th Anniversary Artist I should never have gotten rid of. Not only was it a great guitar, but one with tones I want to hear myself play in more than any other. Hopefully the guy will like the Tele and I'll like the Casino. I'll know tonight if he gets off work on time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Hopefully the guy will like the Tele and I'll like the Casino. I'll know tonight if he gets off work on time. Have all my fingers (and toes) crossed for you Dennis, good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I have 2 Casinos-an '08 MIC and a '65 John Lennon.Although the Chines made Casino isn't up to the quality of the John Lennon it is a superb guitar that sounds and plays great.A lot of people have a knee jerk reaction that if it is Chinese made you need to swap out the pups and electronics which is an unnecessary waste of money.When I play my MIC Casino through my Vox amps it's 1966 all over again,go for the trade and you won't be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisMiller Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 At the risk of sounding like a hippy poet, "Da trade was made" The serial number is I (the letter), then 05090044. Can anyone tell me how the serial numbers work? Translucent red, excellent condition, no fret wear, straight neck and sounds good. He forgot the pickguard, so he has to send it to me. I need to mess with it to discover where the tones are hiding, but my first impression, playing through a Fender Pro Jr, is that this is a good enough cross between the Dot and the LP with P90's that it might be a replacement for both of those... These P90's are smoother than those in the LP Jr. At the same time, there's an airiness to them the humbuckers on the Dot don't quite have. As a fatter tone than my Strat, this might prove to be the ticket. I need to mess with it before I commit to the sale of the Dot. That just might not be emotionally possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 At the risk of sounding like a hippy poet, "Da trade was made" The serial number is I (the letter), then 05090044. Can anyone tell me how the serial numbers work? Translucent red, excellent condition, no fret wear, straight neck and sounds good. He forgot the pickguard, so he has to send it to me. I need to mess with it to discover where the tones are hiding, but my first impression, playing through a Fender Pro Jr, is that this is a good enough cross between the Dot and the LP with P90's that it might be a replacement for both of those... These P90's are smoother than those in the LP Jr. At the same time, there's an airiness to them the humbuckers on the Dot don't quite have. As a fatter tone than my Strat, this might prove to be the ticket. I need to mess with it before I commit to the sale of the Dot. That just might not be emotionally possible. So glad you're happy with it Dennis, I think you made the right decision, enjoy it mate, HNGD. According to the Guitar Dater Project. Guitar Info Your guitar was made at the Saein Plant, Korea/China September 2005 Production Number: 0044 Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd The Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd. is located in the Namdong Industrial Complex in Incheon, Korea. Saein was established in July 1st 1991 and has a monthly capacity of 4,500pcs. In Oct 1st 1992, Saien Began manufacturing guitars for Epiphone, who they now consider to be their main business. They also started producing their own line of guitars called Shine in 1997. In February, 2001, a new factory was opened in Gaomi City, China. This factory boasts a monthly capacity of 10,000pcs. Saein was presented the 'The Best Quality Award of the Year' by Gibson Epiphone USA in 1998 and 1999. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisMiller Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 The model number on the label says "Casino" and under it, "CH" so I presume that means China? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 The model number on the label says "Casino" and under it, "CH" so I presume that means China? Is the guitar red? CH=Cherry VS=Vintage Sunburst, NA=Natural, ect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 The model number on the label says "Casino" and under it, "CH" so I presume that means China? More than likely Dennis, seems logical, again, so glad you're happy with the swap. Ah, it's the colour designation, there you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 CH for Cherry. The I in the serial # means Seain so it was made in Korea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Feel free to email me Dennis about that lonely Epi................ [thumbup] ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisMiller Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 My grandkids just went to the beach, so it's quiet at home and I've played the Casino for just a couple minutes. My first impression of the Casino pickups is, they are hotter than anything else I have. Without changing the setting on the Fender Pro Jr, plugging this guitar in simply raises the volume level. I also got some feedback one time, something I'll have to learn to manage. I only had the volume and tone on the amp set at 3 each... Yeow! It's interesting how the hollow body creates a different tone from the P90's than the solid body on the LP Jr. I noticed it in the old Hamer I used to have, but that was the first guitar with P90's I ever had. Now, having 2 guitars with them, I really hear the difference because I can A/B them under control conditions through the same cord to the same amp and all that good stuff. This is definitely something I need to experiment and learn to work with, but I think it'll be fun. BTW - even though the guitar is about 6 years old, the guy kept it in immaculate shape. It has one spot about the size of a penny on the back that might be buckle rash, but there's no fret wear and otherwise, you would think it's a very recently made guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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