Casio MG-510 Guitar: A MIDI Masterpiece from the 1980s

[@ESCUELALEM]

We have the same guitar in our academy. It was from my father and now belong to me. Great guitar!

[@TomboLP]

Great! I really think these are the best that Casio ever made. I have at least one of every single model they produced in my collection, and feel that these (and the MG 500, which is the same guitar but a different body shape) are the clear winners.

[@reghunt2487]

I had a MG-510 in the late 80's and I loved it. I still wish I had kept it. It looked just like yours.

[@TomboLP]

Cheers! I wish I'd discovered these a long time ago. They're really something.

[@Hykje]

I'm since the stone age been an owner of one of these. Recently I fixed it up after it had laying around in neglect for around twelve years. I got myself a MIDI to USB converter and plugged it in the computer -and the damn thing worked perfectly. A very well-made guitar.

[@TomboLP]

Awesome! Still the best MIDI guitar made, I think. Congrats on the rediscovery of a gem!

[@Ivuspp]

@@TomboLP Have you compared it to a roland Gk3 pickup guitar? I've always been curious about it.

[@TomboLP]

@@Ivuspp I have - this is better, not least because it has true MIDI, whilst the Roland needs their special hardware.

[@wmcmps]

@@TomboLP ​ I bought a Casio MG 510 with a non functioning midi section hoping it was just bad capacitors, but alas the whole pcb was fried. So I took the pcb out and put a GK3-kit in. It's a perfect fit. I also connected the original hex pickup. Works like a charm with my Boss GP-10. And then I 'accidentally' bought an MG 500 at an online auction for a very nice price because they didn't know how if the midi was working. Guess what: it did work.

[@TomboLP]

@@wmcmps Congrats!!! It sounds like you've hit the jackpot!

[@billuminati3867]

I just found one at a music go round for $200 cause they thought it didn't work, but nothing is wrong with it. Plays super nice!

[@TomboLP]

Amazing find!!!

[@bamesjond8679]

I added a midi mode toggle switch to mine. No need to open the panel to switch modes. Great video! A capacitor fell out of mine and the midi electronics dont respond until I turn it on a second time. Still tracks good. Dont forget onboard tuner!

[@TomboLP]

That's a clever solution - and yes, the onboard tuner is really good!

[@guijarrosoy]

Sir, very good explanation. Actually Casio had them made by FujiGen Ibanez factory. We have repaired several of these here at Montevideo. A Google search can show the path to download user manual. I have also more information if needed. Regards.

[@TomboLP]

Thank you for your information. I am impressed that you have been repairing these for a while!

[@rqkeating]

Looking forward to what you do with the guitar. Here's to getting back in your shop as soon as it safe to do so.

[@TomboLP]

Cheers! I've missed the workshop and am looking forward to building some new instruments as well as bringing this one back to the best condition I can manage. I'll keep it as original as I can, but wouldn't mind finding another and putting the electronics in a different body. I might do that with the PG-380, however, if I find one which would be better as a donor than as a restoration. One potential issue with this guitar as a gigging instrument is that you would really need a backup in case of failure. If you build a performance around an instrument like this and it craps out for whatever reason (and it's an older bit of tech, so might easily do so), it would be a disaster if you only had the one.

[@Harbaksh1234]

Good morning, sir. Good to see something from you. I hope you are taking care. Best wishes. H

[@TomboLP]

Thank you - all my very best. I have been well, and hope you are too.

[@cncpopc5456]

I ==>THINK

[@TomboLP]

Cheers! You are exactly right. If you check my channel, you'll find videos on the PG series and one on capacitor replacement. I have a full set of cards too - one of these days, I'll do something on them.

[@streetsofsimcity]

@TomboLP thanks for the informative video. I have a MG-510 i brought in for service and the tech ended up replacing all capacitors with no luck in getting the midi to work. Tech traced down the issue and thinks the problem seems to be gate array IC not functioning, not sending correct midi info (in the lower board). If anyone has any info on that, or any suggestions please let me know. i'd be interested if someone was selling the bottom board i think that would solve my problem ; )

[@mapdm]

I have a red one, its a great guitar really!

[@TomboLP]

I'd love a red one ... lucky you!

[@okmokmqazqaz]

Hi Barnaby, Hope you are well, do you know where I can take my MG510 to have it repaired in the UK. I think it suffered from wrong power supply plugged in, but also could suffer from bad capacitors too. Many thanks, I appreciate it

[@TomboLP]

Hi! I'm sorry I can't suggest anyone. However, if I were you, I would probably try to find a keyboard repairer rather than a luthier, given that the electronics are similar. Maybe somewhere like rmes.org.uk, although that's not based on direct knowledge.

[@porquetzal]

Such an informative video, thanks so much! In your experience, how do chords sound when using the midi feature of the guitar?

[@TomboLP]

Thank you! It's pretty good in general (and better than any other MIDI instrument I've played), but I will say that, like all of these things, the more complex the voicings, the more the latency becomes noticeable. It's never more than slight, but you might become aware of it. The other thing is that playing chords requires relatively precise technique or you can get glitchy sounds. It's the sort of thing that can easily be adjusted for after a little practice, however. Because the basic MIDI features are excellent, I think it's much easier to adapt to than most other instruments of this type. I won't say it's the best outright, but that's only because, whilst I've seen quite a few, I haven't had experience with all others. It's definitely the best I've tried.

[@steffenbrix]

How's the latency??

[@TomboLP]

Not bad. I think it's a little better than on the later PG guitars and also better than, for example, something like the Roland GK-3. That being said, it may be confirmation bias, as I like this guitar a lot!

[@MichaelMoore497]

I have an MG-510 that I just had set up.

[@TomboLP]

Excellent! Are all the electronics still working?

[@MichaelMoore497]

@@TomboLP I don't really know, I see if I can hook it all up and see what's what. The body is in excellent shape, hardly a scratch except for the pick guard. The center midi toggle switch is bent. Frets have some minor dings.

[@TomboLP]

@@MichaelMoore497 Good luck with it. As I've said elsewhere, the electronics in these seem to survive better than the PG series, so it could well be fine.

[@MichaelMoore497]

@@TomboLP Thanks. I bought it the year it came out. Take care.

[@Ivuspp]

7:24 Great video! Do you experience any significant delay when using it in a DAW situation?

[@TomboLP]

There's a little, but, if I'm using MIDI, that's all easy to correct anyway. It's more my playing that's the problem than the guitar, to be honest! Clean MIDI playing is fairly difficult.

[@florianace9178]

can you do a video series of the casio guitars? i'd love to see that. greets from germany :)

[@TomboLP]

Thank you and greetings back at you from Tokyo! I haven't spent as much time in your country as I would like to have over the years, although I did study in Vienna. As for the Casio video series, I would genuinely love to, especially as I have just managed to get hold of an ultra-rare MG-500 as well. I will want to make sure they're all in fully restored condition, however, so it would probably be a little while off.

[@treelzebub]

something tells me i'm about to spend way too much money on one of these 🤩

[@TomboLP]

Much worse things to spend money on!

[@treelzebub]

@@TomboLP True! Thanks for making this video. It was exactly what I was looking for after finding out this guitar existed 🤘🏻

[@TomboLP]

@@treelzebub You're very welcome. There'll be some more coming, including at least one on capacitor replacement and general repairs.

[@marioantoniogamarra7657]

Exelente gutarra yo tengo una ! Roja

[@TomboLP]

Tienes suerte. ¡Me encantaría uno rojo de estos!

[@kingsfield3945]

Somewhat of a dumb question, so you said you can plug this guitar into your Focusrite and use it as a "midi controller." My question is, does it input this information as regular audio or actual "MIDI" information you can then rearrange on a sequencer/grid? If it's the latter, how accurate is the guitar in your own words? Do you get a lot of bum/stray notes or experience any latency when you play it in your DAW? Does it compare favorably to other products like Jam Origin's MIDI guitar or Roland's GK-3 pickup?

[@TomboLP]

First off, I can't help but chuckle wryly at your definition of a "dumb question"!!! It's actually a really important query, well-asked. I salute you. The answer to part one of your question is that yes, it imports as MIDI data, not as simple audio - depending, of course, on how you run it through. For example, if you run the guitar through a MIDI sound generator first, then into the Focusrite through the mic input, obviously you'll only get sound. However, if you plug it into the "MIDI in" port around the back, it works just like an old-school MIDI keyboard would if similarly connected. The answer to part two is that, whilst I've not tried the Jam Origin processor, I find the Casio much better than the Roland GK-3 (and the Fishman TriplePlay). Also, as it directly outputs MIDI instead of needing a unit to convert the 13-pin signal, it's more versatile in most situations and certainly offers more sonic options. The trick is adjusting the Casio pickup just right and learning to tweak the dip switches and micro pots on the back. Experiment a bit with string gauges and playing styles for different effects and you've got a winner. I only had the one Casio MIDI guitar initially and, as I wouldn't want to gig something like this without a backup, was in the process of building a pair of instruments with integrated GK-3 pickups, but then managed to find up a couple of MG-500s at auction in perfect condition. Therefore, these Casios will be my default guitars for MIDI-based playing. I've heard others say that these are the best MIDI guitars ever made, and it may well be true. Hope that answers your absolutely non-dumb question.

[@carlossedano9127]

I have this guitar in pristine condition, the box and everything. If anyone is interested.

[@frankpaush]

..one thing I don't understand is the Bend Range adjustment (mini switches SW6 and SW7) ... anyone who can explain its function?

[@keithcordon]

Great review. I have one of these guitars in excellent condition complete with PSU and manual - that I'm considering selling - just need someone to make me an offer I can refuse :-)

[@TomboLP]

Thanks! If yours is in great condition, I'm certain there'll be someone out there who is willing to pay what it's worth. I think all the Casio guitars might have a bit of a renaissance in the next few years.

[@keithcordon]

@@TomboLP Yes, I'm hoping so. They really are cracking guitars in their own right and the midi implementation works very well. I've never used in live but I can see how that would work and I'm hoping the next owner uses it to its full potential. For me, it's basically a tool to get midi notes into my DAW quickly. Keep up the great reviews.

[@テチタ]

Is the MIDI sound coming from K1m? Or is it out of the guitar amp?

[@TomboLP]

Good question! Into the K1m, which creates the sound, then the K1m is running into a DV Mark jazz amp. The MG-500 and MG-510 have no "onboard" MIDI sounds, unlike the PG series.

[@テチタ]

@@TomboLP thank you

[@marielineriviere]

i m looking for someone te repear my 510 in france

[@TomboLP]

Someone on here mentioned there's a person in Stockholm (Casio Guitars on Facebook) - too far?

[@kasunsithara3649]

You want the battery cover I have a battery cover I give battery cover

[@TomboLP]

Thank you so much! In fact, I managed to find a spare one here in Japan, but I am really grateful to you for your kind offer.

[@kasunsithara3649]

@@TomboLP I live in Japan. I love casio guitar. I have two casio pg-380 guitars. I can also repair the casio guitar. But I also watch your video a lot. Your explanation is really straightforward. I am always grateful for your help. If you have something you want for casio, please contact me. Thank you. 🇯🇵

[@TomboLP]

@@kasunsithara3649 Thank you so much. It's great to be in contact with another Japan-based Casio guitars fan. I'll be doing more videos on them eventually.

[@streetsofsimcity]

@@kasunsithara3649 ever find any spare casio mg510 parts? im looking for the bottom board that controls the midi