midiman56 Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Today I got my first look and “test-drive” of Epiphone’s 50th Anniversary 1961 Casino Reissue. A Royal Tan model showed up at the store, and I couldn’t wait to try her out … and snap a few pics for you guys! To begin with, I have next to no experience with Casinos. All of my non solid-body guitar experience has been limited to semi-hollows with the exception of my Gretsch 5120. I was just floored at how light this instrument is! It is an absolute feather-weight and it felt like I was holding a balsa-wood glider compared to what I usually play. You could gig with this guitar all night long and never get tired! I know that it’s “vintage correct” for this model, but I really do feel that the Casino does look better with the chrome pickup covers. Other than that, she’s a real stunner … I love the way the burst follows the shape of the instrument and fades gently into the center color. There was some weirdness on the fretboard, as you’ll see in the pictures: I don’t know if the dying process was done incorrectly or what, but the board is two distinct shades for just about the entire length. Not really terrible … just strange! Oh my GOD … does this thing play! I now know why some of you guys are such lovers of this model. These were some of the fullest, sweetest, roundest and tastiest tones I’ve ever heard out of a guitar! I started out, as I always do on a completely clean amp setting, enjoying the richness and depth of this instrument. A few minutes later, I was ripping into the opening licks of “Revolution” with a pretty fair amount of distortion (and volume!!!) and she never missed a note … just as creamy as she had been on the clean setting! Guys, I’m a “Casino Convert” for sure! Maybe not this model, although at $799 it is a great deal with the vintage hardshell case and specs), but I will have to add one of these to the collection at some point. Simply a sublime instrument! Here are a few pics for you, starting with our own Kat (I need to get a smaller guitar for her to hold on to at some point!) Beautiful job on the burst: Love it, or hate it ... the vintage correct headstock plate: The all-important BLUE LABLE: Here's a shot of the "two-tone" fretboard: Some really nice figuring in the top finish: Grab 'em while they're hot, I guess ... and thanks for sharing my "First Look"! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olaka Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I got that exact guitar. I'm putting a white pickguard on it (specially made because other Casino pickguards don't fit this model). I'm a little bummed because I assumed I could buy generic Chrome Dog ear pickup covers and they would fit. But they don't. They only fit regular Casinos. These pickup covers are too big apparently because of the Gibson P90s. Unfortunately, Gibson only makes P90 dog ear pickup covers in creme and black. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/gibson-p-90-p-100-pickup-dog-ear-cover So I'm considering buying the creme and spray painting them chrome. This is the look I'm trying to achieve (yes, the 2nd guitar is a Riviera): Royal tan looks so much better with the chrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Royal tan looks so much better with the chrome. Just the opposite here. To my eyes, the black covers look much better on royal tan. Guess that's one reason we need all these different Casino models. Oh, and keep the pickguard, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 So I'm considering buying the creme and spray painting them chrome. This is the look I'm trying to achieve (yes, the 2nd guitar is a Riviera): Royal tan looks so much better with the chrome. I know, from experience, that painting them will look good, until you start playing. The paint won't hold up to pick scratching very long. Why don't you get a set of chrome Casino/Wildkat PUs and install those? They don't cost too much and you can always change them back. Here's an example of "aftermarket" PUs. Can't vouch for the validity of their OEM-ness, but they look pretty official. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Epiphone-Casino-Junior-Elitist-P90-Pickups-Set-/140581329912?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item20bb4cdbf8 Even going with the creme covers, you'll have to pay attention to pole spacing and cover height. There are several variations out there. From Jason Lollar's site, "The Epiphone Casino (also the Wildcat) pickup is a "whole different animal although it looks a lot like a standard dogear set....Your first decision is whether or not you want to use the chrome covers. Something to consider is that with plastic covers the pickup will have a little more high end—the metal covers will reduce the top end a little bit. Also, the metal covers have a tendency to feed back microphonically, even if the pickups are potted to an extreme. If you decide to stay with the chrome covers, you will need to send in the entire unit: cover and chassis. On some versions the lead wire is built with a clip type connector at the end of the lead wire. This connector has two halves: half is attached to the guitar wiring and half is attached to the pickup lead wire. If yours is built with this type of connector, leave the pickup half of the connector attached to the lead wire and send in the entire assembly—pickup, chassis, cover, leadwire with clip. On a Casino set we re-use both the covers and the chassis. We basically "gut" the pickup and build a new p90 into what you send us." Personally, I like the black better (matches the headstock), but like my Grampa used to say, "if all the guys out there liked the same thing, they'd all be after your Grandma." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olaka Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Even going with the creme covers, you'll have to pay attention to pole spacing and cover height. There are several variations out there. From Jason Lollar's site, "The Epiphone Casino (also the Wildcat) pickup is a "whole different animal although it looks a lot like a standard dogear set....Your first decision is whether or not you want to use the chrome covers. Something to consider is that with plastic covers the pickup will have a little more high end—the metal covers will reduce the top end a little bit. Also, the metal covers have a tendency to feed back microphonically, even if the pickups are potted to an extreme. If you decide to stay with the chrome covers, you will need to send in the entire unit: cover and chassis. On some versions the lead wire is built with a clip type connector at the end of the lead wire. This connector has two halves: half is attached to the guitar wiring and half is attached to the pickup lead wire. If yours is built with this type of connector, leave the pickup half of the connector attached to the lead wire and send in the entire assembly—pickup, chassis, cover, leadwire with clip. On a Casino set we re-use both the covers and the chassis. We basically "gut" the pickup and build a new p90 into what you send us." Personally, I like the black better (matches the headstock), but like my Grampa used to say, "if all the guys out there liked the same thing, they'd all be after your Grandma." It's something I would do down the road. Not right now. I rarely use picks, so taking off the paint shouldn't be a big problem. I've read on other boards that I should use a finishing, or a gloss. The problem with the ebay listing is that I'm not sure it fits these slightly bigger Gibson P90s, and I don't want to replace the pickups. What I'll do is put down 9 bucks on one of the Musician's Friend Gibson pickup cover to see if it fits. Then proceed from there. Here's how my Casino with a newly installed custom-made pickguard (missing a string), and it actually doesn't look that bad. (But I still have a hankering for the chrome). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Pop the TRC off, and tell us if it has the "Chinese Well" (where, you try to put a hex wrench in, but have trouble finging the nut), or the (much, much better...IMHO) Gibson style Truss Rod adjustment. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Royal tan looks so much better with the chrome. Indeed, if they had offered the guitars with that chrome pickups, that headstock and without pickguard, I would have bought it immediately. The other day I had the opportunity to see and play the guitar in person. Plays great, but optically too much things I dislike: Plastic tuner knobs, headstock shape and plate, black PUs, cheap pickguard, both finishes don't speak to me. So I guess I will go for the IBJL in VSB, or the Elitist in VSB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl00dsm0k3 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 some of the best finishes ive seen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 As always , Thanks for the pics! Real " In the flesh " pics have the Royal Tan looking alot closer to the 60's finish as opposed to the stock pics on the dealers sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Indeed, if they had offered the guitars with that chrome pickups, that headstock and without pickguard, I would have bought it immediately. The other day I had the opportunity to see and play the guitar in person. Plays great, but optically too much things I dislike: Plastic tuner knobs, headstock shape and plate, black PUs, cheap pickguard, both finishes don't speak to me. So I guess I will go for the IBJL in VSB, or the Elitist in VSB. Not sure how this ended up being my quote (I think it's actually olaka's), but I personally prefer the black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 It's something I would do down the road. Not right now. I rarely use picks, so taking off the paint shouldn't be a big problem. I've read on other boards that I should use a finishing, or a gloss. The problem with the ebay listing is that I'm not sure it fits these slightly bigger Gibson P90s, and I don't want to replace the pickups. What I'll do is put down 9 bucks on one of the Musician's Friend Gibson pickup cover to see if it fits. Then proceed from there. Here's how my Casino with a newly installed custom-made pickguard (missing a string), and it actually doesn't look that bad. (But I still have a hankering for the chrome). I wouldn't mess with a new guitar right away, myself. I'd play it a while, as is, and get used to it before doing anything major. You might end up liking it as it is. I'm going to have to try and find one to play, enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Pop the TRC off, and tell us if it has the "Chinese Well" (where, you try to put a hex wrench in, but have trouble finging the nut), or the (much, much better...IMHO) Gibson style Truss Rod adjustment. You mean the one where they have to rout out half of the headstock to fit it? And that's (one of many reasons) why Gibson necks break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 You mean the one where they have to rout out half of the headstock to fit it? And that's (one of many reasons) why Gibson necks break. Yeah, that one! LOL! Seems to me, the Chinese "well" version is even more routed! Like, if you talked into it, it would echo! But, at least the Gibson version is easier to get to. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 But, at least the Gibson version is easier to get to. That is true, but I think the Epi style rout is shallower front to back, less wood removed. My point is it's a weak spot in the design for no reason, other than the fancy two screw truss rod cover. Don't get me wrong, it's a weakness on the Epis too, but I think the Gibson style is worse about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Obscure Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Great review, midiman56! And great pictures too. Almost makes me wish I had bought the tan instead of the 'burst! I agree that these are great sounding guitars. I love mine more every time I strap it on and turn it up. As always, the obsessiveness of guitar players about the visual details of guitars makes me LOL! It is, of course, in our nature to want to personalize our instruments. Personally, I prefer the look of this model over the regular Casino. Headstock and logo, pup covers, everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olaka Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 I wouldn't mess with a new guitar right away, myself. I'd play it a while, as is, and get used to it before doing anything major. You might end up liking it as it is. I'm going to have to try and find one to play, enjoy. Great. Thanks for the advice. By the way, does anybody know the significance of the blue label? (Google didn't have the answer.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Blue labels have been the subject of several recent topics. Blue labels were used in earlier Epiphones (like the '61) and those that are emulating Lennon's Casino, for instance, will use them to be as detailed as possible. Not sure when they changed label colors (although I'd be willing to bet somebody here does). Nice touch on Epiphone's part to include the blue label on these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Blue Labels, with the Epsilon "E"were used in the Kalamazoo (USA) models, from 1958, through 1969, early 1970. They were changed later, when manufacturing of Epiphone moved to Japan, and other Asian facilities. So, the current use, of the blue lables, is to emulate those early "USA" made versions. They also dropped the 2-screw (Gibson spec) TRC, in favor of a 3-screw version, somewhat later. Until QingDao China factories opened, Epiphone were really rebranded, and epi-headstock versions, of Samick, and other guitars. Some were/are excellent instruments, even so. But, one reason the QingDao factory was developed, aside from less expensive labor, was more control, over the actual "spec's," and designs, to get closer to those earlier USA built models. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Not sure when they changed label colors (although I'd be willing to bet somebody here does). See what I mean? I love this place. Thanks CB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 See what I mean? I love this place. Thanks CB. And this place loves you Tweedy, LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Awwww, shucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I got a chance to play one of these yesterday. WOW! My Gibson LP Jr is now for sale. I'm getting one of these. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Now I listed my Junior and my 5th Avenue on Craigslist. Wish me luck in getting one of these beauties! EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I love the finish on this guitar but I've got to say that I'm not that keen on the Black covers, PG or Epiphone Logo. A 1962-64 type thing would be more my style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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