Aster1 Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Hi all, I just received a new Epiphone 50th Aniv. Casino in yesterday and wanted to find out a couple of things from owners or those that are really familiar with the git. My pickguard seems bent (angled from the side brace mount and is rather low next to the Pup selector switch. Is this deliberate or something that just happened on my particular guitar? Does your guitar have much string buzz? When I went to adjust the TRod, as the neck has some relief gap between the 3rd & 9th frets, I found the adjuster w/o much if any tension. I thought I could just add some tension and the gap will close like on all my other guitars. When I add tension the gap gets worse. I thought adding tension INCREASED the bow in that fret area thus closing the relief gap. Does you Hard shell case look great or does it have any lumps under the vinyl? Overall, I love the look, feel, construction and the sound of this guitar. I also love the greenish-gray case with pewter hardware. May have to send back for a swap out if these are flaws. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Can you post some pictures? I don't have one, but have seen them in the store. The pick guards do seem thinner than other Casino pick guards. If it's not right and you're not happy with it, by all means - send it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 50th Anniversay Casino's have single ply, pickguards, as did the early originals. Most Casino's have 3-ply (White, black, white) pickguards. They're less prone to warping, than the single ply versions. IF it is, indeed, truly warped out of shape, then just send it, the serial number, and sales receipt copy to Gibson, and they'll send you an new pickguard. Thee's no need to send the entire guitar back, for just that. If it has other "issues," that can't be addressed, in a suitable, and timely manner, by your dealer, then, by all means, return it! Cheers, and good luck! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 Thanks Charlie, Will shoot some photo's maybe on Sat. & post. Just didn't know if on this model the pickguard was deliberately bent to make easier access to the switch? Didn't want to bother them if it was correct I guess. I will check on the TR issue with our warranty station for sure. Has me scratching my head on that one. May be nothing. Really like the feel & play of the new guitar. Love the sound too. I may be screwy, but I think it sounds a diff. than my Elitist Casino and I thought it had the same PUPs. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I may be screwy, but I think it sounds a diff. than my Elitist Casino and I thought it had the same PUPs. Well, it's got plastic vs metal pickup covers, different factory construction, wood variations, etc. Lots of variables that could result in a different sound. Even two Elitists can sound significantly different from one another, as I found when A-Bing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Thanks Charlie, Will shoot some photo's maybe on Sat. & post. Just didn't know if on this model the pickguard was deliberately bent to make easier access to the switch? Didn't want to bother them if it was correct I guess. I will check on the TR issue with our warranty station for sure. Has me scratching my head on that one. May be nothing. Really like the feel & play of the new guitar. Love the sound too. I may be screwy, but I think it sounds a diff. than my Elitist Casino and I thought it had the same PUPs. Aster Yeah, that Truss Rod issue, would be more bothersome (to me), than the pick-guard. Does it have the (Chinese) "well" type truss rod access hole (w/often a "2-way" truss rod), or the "Gibson" (one way) nut type, adjustment? (I've never taken off the TR cover, on any in a store, to check.) If it has the Chinese style (like my Riviera P-93LE), where you use a hex wrench, you may just need to turn it the opposite direction, that you have been, until it tightens up, to put some more back bow (just enough to straighten the neck relief). I know, on my Korean made Washburn 12-string acoustic (sound hole access, 2-way), you can turn the TR hex nut both directions, and it will tighten up, eventually, in either direction. Where the Gibson type (One way), doesn't do that. It tightens in one direction, and loosens (only), in the other direction. Here's a better explanation, of the two types, of rods, and adjustments. http://www.guitarrepairbench.com/guitar_info/dual_vs_single_trussrod.html CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Checked one out in store today and the pickguard definitely did not look bent, slanted or abnormal in any way. I say you ask for a replacement. Can't help on the TRC issue but that sounds suspicious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted October 15, 2011 Author Share Posted October 15, 2011 Thanks on the TR & pickguard. Epiphone/Gibson said they would send me a new pickguard out. Will check into the truss rod issue this weekend. Just tore off the roof of my garden storage building and best work on that blamed things instead of getting to play with the gits. I'd rather be working on the roof in nicer weather so I'll play "practical pig" today and get my work done first. Oh how boring!!!! Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Obscure Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Thanks on the TR & pickguard. Epiphone/Gibson said they would send me a new pickguard out. Will check into the truss rod issue this weekend. Just tore off the roof of my garden storage building and best work on that blamed things instead of getting to play with the gits. I'd rather be working on the roof in nicer weather so I'll play "practical pig" today and get my work done first. Oh how boring!!!! Aster That's good to know Gibson will send a new pickguard. Mine was warped also, but I removed it the day after I received the guitar and tossed it in a box because I don't dig the pickguards. I suppose I ought to try and get a replacement anyway. Regarding the setup, I was able to lower the action considerably on mine and get the 'board pretty flat with no buzzing. A 5/32" hex key for the TR, and turning it clockwise tightens it, flattening the fretboard (backbow). Plays like a dream now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Vega Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Mine arrived in great condition and packed very well. No PG issues like you saw, no buzz, the case is smooth and bubble-free. It plays and sounds great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Yeah, I've got two of them sitting in my living room now. Thought I'd be able to make one dang good guitar from the both of them. WRONG. The hinge fell off the one that had the good case lid. Going to check out the guitar on the 2nd one. Pickguard good on it, but I want to see about the TRod. On the 1st one, I kid you not, when you tighten the TR (clockwise) the relief gets worse as the rod gets tighter. Unless it's in backwards as someone suggested and is "pushing bow into the guitar. I'll check to see about the case. May have to pay to send to Gibson. That's a pis-er when it arrived bad, not went bad after I had it a while. Oh well, grateful that's the extent of my woe's! Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I believe, the Trus Rod, on that model is a hex nut "dual action." So, it will tighten up, eventually, in either direction. If the direction you are going now, ads more relief (Bow), then go the other direction, and it should "back bow" to straighten it out. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 Thanks for the info on the TR and it's possible workings. It starts getting really tight going clockwise "when I get the bow added" so I may take it to the local Warranty Station before I would hear a gut cutting "SNAPPP" and my heart quit working. Let them snap it, I always say. Funny thing on the two guitars I have right now, one's going back next week, is my Epi badge. I admit I really like the looks of it. On the first one received, bottom point of the badge pointed towards the low "E" tuner about 3-4mm. I thought well maybe the second one will be straight, danged if it isn't pointed the same 3-4mm to the high "E" tuner. You'd think those boys overseas would take a few minutes and build them a jig to setup/drill those darned badges. Either that or have someone named "Deadeye Low" eyeballing them when they are put into place. The headstocks should all be cut out on a CNC machine or something like that and not vary that much. Maybe they do and the "jig" is what's causing a problem. "Deadeye", WHERE ARE YOU? Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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