Epiphone Casino review "The Myth and The Legend"

[@briandaviz-oq9st]

this is exactly the review i was looking for! thank you for posting this!!!!

[@rydz3442]

out of all demos ive heard on youtube, this is the best one. Each pickups tone is represented perfectly

[@jamesb44]

I was the one-thousandth thumbs up! Great demo of the versatility of this great guitar!

[@Mr4321aldo]

Absolute quality review. Thanks.

Man! That's what I expect from a review. Thanks 👏🏼

[@hitmenburlingtonvermont812]

Thank you for a excellent balanced review. I've just purchased a used one and agree completely with your assessment. Well Done!

[@fabriziodicarlo2591]

Ottima recensione, accurata ed utile. Mi piace molto questa chitarra, ma non l'ho mai provata. Grazie 👌

[@stevec.1802]

Very good on all points. 🎧 I have an older American made Guild Starfire 2 with a trapeze tailpiece that’s been working for me for a long time.

[@catdaddy57]

great review Brooks..... I was looking at one of these yesterday..... think I may just go back and snag it...... cheers from Ohio

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

Great video, super production nicely put together I also found it very informative!

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Andre! I appreciate that you took the time to comment and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. Please subscribe!

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

Great review!

[@JDKingStratslinger]

As always, an excellent review, Brooks! I own a 2003 in Cherry, bought new. Several years ago I had regional guitar-tech legend, Peter Gebhardt, do a set-up. Great guitar! (RIP, Peter. You are missed.)

[@rmssegwunfan2870]

Great review. I replaced the trapezoid with a Bigsby, and put Seymour Duncan Antiquity pick ups. The strings started to pop off the saddles. So I got a Towner sound bar that fit underneath the saddle bridge. It provided just enough tension that it solved the problem. I didn't change the tuners as the guitar balances perfectly. Did want to mess with it.

[@adamdelarozza1985]

This is probably the most informational video on this 'Legendary" guitar. Thanks for that, I have ordered a natural finish Epiphone from MF. It is backordered but now it reads' Reserve one now" I can't wait, I already have a H-535 Semi-Hollows and that really put the hollow body Hook in me, that sound is so recognizable and let's face it a lot of hype around it. Thanks for the honest review.

[@tomb.1093]

Excellent ole buddy - - love the aqua!!! - -wow

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Tom!

[@noelmcmahon4566]

Great review Epiphone is true to it heritage which i love Got a natural and waiting for my Broadway

[@bryanbaskett4010]

Fantastic review! Bought this same guitar in 2022, LOVE my Casino. I wanted something that could play a wide range of music genres, also something I could play "unplugged", the Casino could check all the boxes. I'm a relative beginner guitarist, won't be making any mods on mine in the near future. I like that I can play anything from AC/DC to The Ventures to Blues on one guitar. If you only have the budget for one, check out the Casino.

[@tomb.1093]

please Brooks - -thank you! - -these are great! - - learn something every time!!

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Tom!

[@RTDLIFE]

Great review Brooks! Almost makes me want to get one, who knows. Your video making skills are really good and it shows on the finished uploads. Especially the audio, really good narration and voice recordings for a guitarist and I seriously mean that as a compliment. I man working together and having music conversations all day and night. I was laughing while you wear breaking down the control pot qualities and I remember telling you I had an old 90’s Strat with a scratchy tone knob and you were like “yeah don’t touch that” and I was like “what do you mean, just leave it 10 at all times” and you were like “yeah don’t ever roll back the tone. Just play it” I don’t understand P90’s at all. You will have to explain to me next time.

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks for the compliment C and that means a lot to me coming from you! I am a huge fan of P90 pickups. They are single coil so you do have to deal with the noise but the sound is raw and fat. Not quite as articulate as a Humbucker but there's something about the character of the sound that is exciting. When you get it dialed in on the amp right it's magic. Keep rocking and leave those pots wide open!

[@noelcleland]

Well done! Not being a guitar player, all of those subtle things that make for a good guitar are beyond my scope, but it was a very thorough review that was totally honest about price, features, pros and cons that would help any prospective buyer make a decision. I don't know how you got all of those great images detailing in inside of guitar, but the video was great as well! Keep on rockin!

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Noel! Thank you for watching the review and I appreciate the compliment. Hope all is well with you. I've been working on a Hammond short doc for KZbin for a while. It became a bigger project than I had imagined but it covers some little known history that I uncovered that I think you might find interesting. I'll let you know when I get it online.

[@eddiemautone209]

My left handed epiphone casino guitar just arrived about two hours ago o man it's awsum the natural color I like makes it stand out 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@stereovox5]

I am a pro musician, play “John” in a touring tribute, currently have 5 casinos. In a former life I was in alt/indie bands playing wide open AC30 with plenty of tube screamer using the casino as my main guitar. Feedback is not an issue with proper gain stacking and simply learning the guitar. Today in the Beatles group I use a pair of Inspired by JL casinos with all Gibson USA hardware… “George” uses my Elitist. The Gibson pickups are more refined, lower output. Better overall spread than the current model. My ‘99 Korean has alnico V magnets and is HOT in comparison. I have replaced all tuners w Grover’s… I get why some people would dislike the guitar, it is it’s own thing. As for the Beatles… they just plugged them in. Revolution was direct to a neive console… but mostly just straight into an amp. We now are all direct, in ear using Helix floors… but AC30 patches!

[@airtimedesign]

Thats cool Michael, post a link, I'd like to check out your tribute band. Please subscribe, thanks!

[@stereovox5]

@@airtimedesign kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWXMi4honZtngKM Pulled a casino clip… there is some buzz before we start… damn single coils!

[@JackPeters-g5z]

I was sold on this guitar now not so much

[@JohnnyBGoode9]

I honestly don't find any Beatles guitar, bass or drum tones particularly good. They were good songs, recorded well but on primitive equipment. But once I tried a Casino, I was blown away by how fun and different a playing experience it was than my other guitars. I ignored it for years because of the Beatles baggage, but it's light and resonant and inspiring to play.

[@CliftonCaskey-nj8so]

The Beatles tended to pick wonderful guitars, for many different reasons.

[@joemasse4568]

I like your analogy of it being like a bicycle with a Harley motor that’s what makes this guitar fun, it’s sometimes a challenge to tame it when playing a gig, plus it’s a great guitar to play unplugged while watching tv

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks for the comment Joe and I'm glad you're enjoying the Casino. It's a cool guitar with a lot of mojo! Please subscribe if you haven't already to see more reviews. Thanks!

[@80daytripper]

Fair and informative. Great video, well done.

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks 80daytripper! That's the best compliment ever, I appreciate that. Please subscribe to see my other reviews.

[@mr.l4461]

This makes me proud as a owner or a casino

[@edisongirard]

I can't speak for the more recent Casinos from China, or the vintage Kalamazoo models (as played by the Beatles, Keith Richards, et al), but I do own 2 older Casinos from the Peerless factory in Korea, and they are awesome guitars. Up until 2006 modern Epiphones were crafted at any one of several guitar factories in South Korea, all producing consistently fine instruments (and still do). Arguably surpassed in quality only by Japanese luthiers (Terada, Gakki, Matsumoku), or brand name custom shops. Korean-made Epiphones are the sweet spot; excellent quality build, seasoned age, great value for the $$ spent.

[@claudionesdebologna2533]

Not always, I think people keep perpetuating this myth about the Korean being of somehow perceived better quality. I had many Korean ones, starting with the Samick made ones, then Unsung.. now, they can be pretty good, but then, the electronics are still pretty low quality, aren't they? For a comparison, I just purchased a 2016 made in China Casino and it is amazing, no color bleeding on binding, good routing, amazing paint job(reminds me a lot of my Korean made Samick Sa-1😉).

[@kittietrail3800]

Great review on the legendary Casino. I love your in depth review. It is a really good guitar.

[@jonathanhorne6503]

I have a 2021 Casino Coupe. Bought used for a good price. I upgraded the soso P90 pickups with Jason Lollar underwound P90s. Sounds phenomenal. It doesn’t feedback easily. I did have a ‘67 Casino I sold fifteen years ago when times were harder. This guitar is as good or better.

[@ronbynum7304]

Nice review. Personally, I love, and learned how to use, its tendency to feedback - even going through a vintage 100 watt Marshall stack. Thanks for sharing.

[@angeldquintas]

My best friend and I are both huge Beatles fans. He already owned an Epiphone Casino before I had even met him, and he even let me borrow it to record songs for my first album. After some time, I saved up enough for a Worn Olive Drab Casino, and bought mine at a Guitar Center. I absolutely love it. It does go out of tune quite a bit, but it’s honestly my favorite guitar.

[@angeldquintas]

@David Wang well I live in Florida so it’s definitely the humidity. Don’t know how that means I’m doing something wrong though lol.

[@michaelgriffith6641]

I lucked into a 2013 Cherry w/ Rosewood board, HSC. One week ago.

[@craigthomson3621]

I have a lefty Chinese Epiphone Casino. Upgraded the pickups to Lollars, replaced the electrics, bridge and tuners. Had it Plek’d and fitted D’Addario NYXL 10-46 strings. Will fit a bone nut sometime soon.

[@DrAngusMclean]

Master class

[@bciecko1]

I have a casino and when I got it the sound was flat and dull kind of warm and muddy. That's what I keep hearing from everybody else too. You have to adjust the pole pieces the screws. Once you do that you'll get an amazing tone.

[@williamsmyth5047]

There's two words that describe how Lennon got his tone, and those two words are "John Lennon". The same goes for McCartney and Harrison. When they played, it was magic.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Zappa told Vai, tone is in your mind. And your fingers. He was right. The Hoffner bass Paul plays isn’t a good bass. But it sounds amazing when he plays it.

[@nickwebb9290]

An excellent review and the best one I’ve seen 👍 I have a ‘65 Inspired By John Lennon Ltd Edition Casino, bought new some years ago when this model was released. At the music shop I also A/B’d it with the standard Casino just to check if the extra money for the IBJL was worth it. The IBJL was superior, the US P90’s etc made a worthwhile improvement. Bought originally for recording, I have gigged this Casino, through a Fender ‘65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue. It can be challenging but with some experience and a dollop of good luck can be rewarding. It’s a wonderful guitar to have at home for writing and to use in the studio which in my experience is where it’s most suited.

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Nick, I appreciate the compliment. Sounds like you've got a nice Casino! I'm jealous!

[@Luthiart]

Good review. I've owned three Casinos over the years; a 2007 MIK, a 2009 Elitist and a 2016 MIC. The stock pickups on the MIC are grossly over-wound with thinner (awg 43) wire, but the construction is much better than the old Korean Casinos. I had the pickups rewound by Buddha Pickups and it sounds fantastic now. The Elitist tops them both, but with a pickup re-wind, the MIC is closer to an Elitist than it is to an MIK. Directly wapping out the pickups can be a hassle, due to the unique pole spacing of the Epiphone P90s. I think having them re-wound is the best option.

[@airtimedesign]

Great information Mosstone. Glad you enjoyed the review, please subscribe to see more of my reviews. Thank you!

[@qddk9545]

Try the Lollar standard P-90 Dog Ears, the sound fantastic.

[@ferrark1]

I have the Casino coupe and and enjoy playing made in China and very well built thinking of up grading the P90 pickups Thanks for your review!

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Kevin, I'm glad you enjoyed the review. Please subscribe!

[@michaelnelson3469]

I have one (natural finish) arriving day after tomorrow.

[@georgerigberg4335]

I have an Epiphone Wildkat came stock with those same Chinese P90s. They were dark and muddy. Replaced them with GFS P90s that were like $35ea. Transformed the gtr! Sounds great now.

[@Bernard-Shakey]

I have a 2015 Casino like yours (from when the necks were rosewood). It has a beautiful finish and sounds great but I did have to replace the nut with a Tusq one to get it to stay in tune properly. I think the tone of these is very much in the mid-range and an amp like a Vox that has the top end chime really makes them shine.

[@claudionesdebologna2533]

I have a 2016, and fretboard is still rosewood

[@qddk9545]

A String Butler could be a nice addition too. It keeps the strings running straight over the nut, but the tuners need to be ones with nuts on them.

[@RobertJones-on3vb]

I really thought you were missing the mark entirely for about the first half of this video, but was really relieved when you started talking about the one you just bought. Many other comments here are correct, tone isn't about the gear, it's about the player. But the player utilizes tools to get his or her tone. I almost bought a casino a little over 20 years ago, but the feedback was too much, but that's because at that time, my answer to my sub-par playing was to crank the gain. That worked on my strat and les paul, but the casino would Judi squeal. So I passed up on it. Fast forward to now, and I don't know if there's a better guitar to articulate the kind of sound I'm aiming for these days. I have an American Strat, a Jazzmaster Pro II, Gretch jet with TV Jones classic plus(and all new electronics) and an old modded Ibanez, but none of them can duplicate the sound and feel that my recently purchased casino did for me in my latest recording. Needless to say, I turned the gain down since I was a kid. The day I got the casino, I tracked a lead, on the absolute last day I was afforded for tracking on this session, and it's the highlight of the entire recording for me. Brass slide sounds like a train horn blaring through the southern countryside, and the next section without the slide plays like southern rock, almost country. I wasn't getting that with my other guitars, and it's going to be all over a lot of my newer music. I will be replacing the pickups amd electronics for sure though. Great video, thanks for posting.

[@Bliggick]

Great review as usual. I've owned a few of these modern import Casinos and the quality/workmanship issues I've encountered are poorly cut nuts, poorly cut and fitting pickguards, bridges that are difficult to intonate with saddles that must be turned around to get enough distance to reach the ideal spot and trapeze tailpieces that are not centered properly where they are attached to the rear strap button. Of these four issues the nut is about the only one where fixing the problem is not a major operation.

[@airtimedesign]

The only problem I found was the bridge rattle which I guess if fairly common with ABR bridges. The overall quality of the build was good but the sound just did not excite me as much as I anticipated. With the right pickups maybe that would change. I think I came away from the review thinking although I enjoyed the guitar and really loved the Beatles vibe, I'm more of a semi hollow guy.

[@billpileggi3284]

does the casino Inspired by Lennon with a drawing of his face on the back of the headstock have USA pickups?

[@davidmoss8993]

First time here, great review, and sounding like a Field Of Dreams Kevin Costner is a bonus.

[@cheshipuzik]

Old P90 pickups had 11 kOhm DC resistance, that's why they sound a little bit darker. Current Chinese P90 pickups has 8 kOhm DC resistance and sound more brighter.

[@zoomzoom3950]

Interesting review. Several years ago I went into my local GC and found a Chinese-made Epiphone Casino; it played and sounded great, but the fit, finish and attention to detail was lacking, it was a good price. They also had an Elitist Casino, for more than twice the price, and it was a little "beat up" from being on the floor in the store. I went home looking online for a new Elitist and discovered the John Lennon 1965 limited edition, available in original sunburst or the stripped "revolution" as seen in the Revolution video and Let it Be rooftop. Looking at the specs, this 1965 was closer to the original specs, including the nut, fretboard radius and headstock angle, and more. It was more than twice the price of the Elitist, but Sweetwater had a few in both finishes, and I got one in the sunburst. Still have it; but since then I've acquired a few new Rics, D'Angelico, and a few others, but all the renewed interest in Casinos has me playing it again. Cheers!

[@zoomzoom3950]

Some specs, only 1,965 of these 1965 John Lennon Casinos were produced. Vintage Sunburst Color with nitro-cellulose lacquer finish over white body binding - hand buffed * Original Body Shape - Based upon Mid - '60's Kalamazoo, Michigan tooling specs * Body Materials - 5-layer (Maple/Birch/Maple/Birch/Maple) * Top Contour Bracing - Spruce with original relief-cut spacing and depth * One-Neck Mahogany Neck with 14 degree neck grain orientation * Rosewood Fingerboard with original 0.062" thick pearloid parallelogram fret markers * Stamped with John's original serial number on the back of the headstock (#328393) * Original Elliptical Neck Shape * Neck Binding over fret ends * 3-ply (W/B/W) pickguard with original shape and foil "E" mark * Scale Length - 24.75" * Original "Corian" nut material * Headstock Angle - 17 degrees * Nickel-plated, Dog-Earred P-90 Pickup Cover with Original String Spacing * Nickel plated "Gibson-Factory" Hardware * Nickel plated Gotoh "Kluson-style" machine heads * "Gibson-Factory" Electronics * Dove-Tail Neck-Joint at the 16th fret * Switchcraft toggle switch with original toggle switch washer * Original style "Push-in" machine head bushings * ABR Bridge with nylon saddles * Vintage style case with shroud

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Zoom Zoom for the comment and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. Please subscribe!

[@ditchgator1]

Have one of the 1965 Revolution Casinos with all the case candy etc..and it's a great guitar, but play my import Casinos more often...especially now in 2022...the value of the Revolution has gone crazy nuts😂😎👍 So...don't want to scratch it of wear the frets down😉

[@TheMInorkey1]

I just bought one.

[@andrewharris7517]

Electric!!!! I got my Casino back in 2015… Natural finish Because I read The Epiphone Bible, The Beatles, Gary Clark Jr, and Every Blues Man out there . I have friends and people trying to buy it from me… Not selling! Your review was Fantastic…

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Andrew, I'm glad you enjoyed the review. Please subscribe to see more of my reviews.

[@Moreno280161]

Hi, I have an opportunity for a 2005 Epiphone Casino, what do you think? Were they good or are the ones now better?

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

I have just bought a natural on the back of the Beatles footage and I absolutely love it. Did you know that Johns Natural is the same guitar as the Sunburst but he removed the paint to reveal a Natural look. Great upload love your videos mate, greetings from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Cheers John

[@airtimedesign]

Hi John, Yes I recently heard that about John's natural finish. Hope you are well and that thank you!

[@tomhart9251]

I can't say that I know this for a fact, but a knowledgable friend told me that the current natural Casino has a different finish from John's in that the new version has a varnish or clear coat that John's did not. I'm fuzzy on the exact difference, but it was something like that.

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

@@tomhart9251 I agree Johns didn’t , simply because he removed all paint from the guitar leaving it with a satin look finish . The Chinese version which i have has a gloss Polly finish , Johns would have been a Nitro finish in the day Good observation of yours though 👍🏻

[@tomhart9251]

@@johnsmith-sm6mh Thanks John. That sounds like the gist of what my friend told me. Enjoy yours! I have a sunburst version on backorder from Sweetwater - whenever they become available again. Good score on yours. I was tempted to order the natural (also backordered though). It was a coin toss. :)

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

@@tomhart9251 Cool, very very cool guitars Enjoy Tom and Greetings from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@ericoswood1856]

I bought a 2018 Casino new and I have had no issues with it. It’s great fun to play and through my AC-30, it nails the Beatle’s sound.

[@ppg19782]

Is it good for jazz? Does it have a center block 🤔 Ty

[@syphlex8776]

hey man i was wondering if you could give me some good tones for the casino with the knobs :)

[@JimGall]

Been playing a Casino for few years now. Could never intonate the g string properly. Even after reversing the saddle. Then I bought a set of strings with a wound g string. What a difference. Perfect intonation.

[@airtimedesign]

Hey Jim, back in the day most guitar string sets were unwound G strings. I used Gibson 340L strings. 11 on the top and 56 on the bottom with a 22 wound G string. Make sense that the intonation is better with wound G because that is what most people used when that guitar was introduced. Thanks for the comment and please subscribe!

[@80daytripper]

Get a Gotoh replacement bridge and there will not be any intonation issues. The stock bridge with that rattling retainer wire is total garbage.

[@roaring_angels]

What is a wound g string?

[@Felix-so8ez]

You keep delivering these amazing reviews, god damn! EDIT: I realized you also sound similar to Rick Beato, lol

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Felix! I appreciate it. I've never met Rick but thanks for the compliment! Please subscribe if you haven't already. Happy 4th!

[@gregmock6808]

I think the trick with the Casino is a 7 band eq pedal between it and the amp..you can make those P90s really sparkle with the right eq..I'm a Casino fanatic...love them ..my number 1 guitar..I have the worn ebony model and had a bone nut installed...it has CTS pots and I love the way the neck sits in my hand...I don't play the mandolin frets much anyway unless it's with a slide...I recommend the Casino if you don't need loud volume...mine is fine through a combo amp but I use it mostly for songwriting and studio work where you can just palm mute any feedback away...I ditched the pickguard...too close to the switch for my taste and I like the warmth without the plastic there

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Greg for the comment and I agree there is something very comfortable about the Casino. The weight, the feel, all make it a joy to play. Please subscribe and check out my other reviews!

[@ProdWoo]

Pickups are easy to find, but do you have any recommendations for the electronics? Where to get them?

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

I own a China made Casino now, but whatever players keep saying about the quality of the P90's, I have never played an electric guitar that is this versatile. For starters, I played with almost every song since last saturday on our Dutch annual top 2000 radio broadcast, and the guitar fitted with almost every song, whether played clean or with my Mojo Iron Bell fuzz (also very versatile pedal). What I like especially is the clean tone in double pickup position: the beautiful rounded jazz tone when playing solo notes is giving me goosebumps every time. And it tells something that I have trouble laying down the guitar......this has not even happened with my beloved 12 string acoustic. Whether you are a pro guitar player or songwriter, this is the guitar for you.

[@marccarter1350]

I bought 2, the made in China one first, the rooftop guitar, then the Casino made in the USA landed. It's basically a Gibson 330 with Epiphone on the headstock. Its all i play now. Love the wide range of tones. The Chinese ones are poor one you play the real deal.

[@BedeLaplume]

Perhaps it's strength is it's simplicity.. Corey Congilio did a demo with a Vintage 60's one.The Vintage pickups sounded warmer and drove the amp more... However it's not like it's a night and day difference.. Which begs the question, how did the Beatles manage to play it live given its a feedback monster? That's probably why they didn't move that much on stage.. In any event, if it was good enough for the Beatles.. It might be good enough for many folks..

[@ozlion152]

Well the thing with p90 pickups is that you need to play with volume knobs A LOT. Tonal range of p90 is crazy with volume knob lowered, you do get that single coil chime with EQ set correctly. All in all, it's definitely a different beast compared to fender single coils or humbuckers that requires some appreciation.

[@beatxt]

I don't think you mentioned the Beatles' (and much 1960s) guitar tone derived a lot from using flat wound strings. I've had a Casino worn for a couple of months and I'm still getting used to the great P90s/hollow body tonal combinations. I dropped on a tune-o-matic roller bridge but I haven't put the flat wounds on yet.

[@stevenhill2204]

For anyone interested, Rhett Schull has a great vid showing a complete pickups/electronics upgrade on an Asian Casino, and as Brooks pointed out: There is a significant difference.

[@garypaulin1102]

Great job Brooks. My first guitar love was a 1968 cherry ES-335 with a Bigsby. I sold it years ago cause I could only afford one guitar and I had my eyes on a Les Paul. Oh well? I wish Epiphone offered a Bigsby on either the Casino or their 335.

[@airtimedesign]

Hey Gary, Do you still have the Les Paul? And it's easy to ad a Bigsby to the Casino and the import line of Bigsbys are very affordable and good quality. I'm reviewing a new semi hollow Gretsch G5622T Electromatic now and the quality is really good and it comes with a Bigsby for around $800. It's a little pricey for an import but compared to $3000 it's affordable and very high quality.

[@garypaulin1102]

@@airtimedesign Well, the Les Pauli went the way of the 335, sold for another guitar. I've had so many but they always get replaced by the great thing. I wish I'd have kept them - I had some really good ones. Right now, I've got a Line6 JTV, a Bert Hatch Strat and two Taylors. Have a hard time justifying new guitars now since I've stopped playing live, but you never know ;-)

[@radrandall]

The Epiphone Casino was not offered in the natural finish back in the Beatles day. John Lennon had the sunburst finish stripped off.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Donovan told him the guitar would sound better without the finish so he had it removed after their trip to India

[@patchanning]

Hey Brooks, I used to play in a band with your brother Craig many years ago, now playing and residing in the Treasure Coast area. Nice review of the Casino 👍🏼 I agree with pretty much everything you said. I have owned 3 of them, a John Lennon '65 that was very nice, then a Chinese model that I liked so much I kept it and sold the Lennon (after Get Back came out) now I also have a 61 reissue with USA electronics that is a chime monster thru my Vox AC15 😁 I used the Chinese one recently to lay down a rockabilly style solo on a track I was working on... I only play outdoor gigs these days so I don't gig with any of my home guitars, lol. If you ever want to check out and review some guitars, I might be able to provide them... I have Danelectro 6, 12 and Nashville (high tuned) Mexican tele with a Rolling B bender, an Agile Hawker baritone, a Maestro double neck, a bouzouki, a guitar-sized bass, a U bass, 7 Godins and more... ✌🏼😎🎸🎶

[@airtimedesign]

Hey Pat, I'd love to talk more. I'm easy to find. www.BrooksReid.com or find me on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, etc. I'm also on Soundcloud soundcloud.com/brooks-reid

[@airtimedesign]

Pat, please drop me an email at [e-mail]

[@furtherdefinitions1]

You play a Casino through Marshall stacks, but they were originally being played on Vox 30 watt amps

[@airtimedesign]

Hello Felike, I hope I didn't sound too negative about the Casino because there was a lot to love about it. And the Marshall stacks was a slight over exaggeration. Please subscribe!

[@Hal-fz1em]

Thoughts about natural vs vintage sun burst?

[@airtimedesign]

Hello Hal 9000, It's my understanding that Lennon sanded down his sunburst to natural. I prefer the sunburst but both finishes look great! Please subscribe to see more of my reviews. Thanks!

[@Hal-fz1em]

@@airtimedesign yeah that's the way I'm leaning

[@es330]

I bought one of these Chinese Epiphones about 8 weeks ago.. The electrics are not good quality .The toggle switch was cheap and wobbly and the pick ups aren't really high quality and the pots were the same. The build was very good and the feel like you say' as good as a high quality guitar. For the price it was excellent and as a young or beginning player its very good. For a professional I wouldn't recommend it without a pick up/electric upgrade. The poly finish I feel kind of spoils the guitar too because it should sound better than it does considering the use of good wood used in the build. I sold it last week and kept the Les Paul Special Tribute that I also bought at the same time. The P90 s in the Gibson are excellent, high quality pick ups and its got the expensive nitro finish. For the extra money its a keeper. I just couldn't go back to the Casino after having played the Gibson .

[@airtimedesign]

Hey Steve and thank you for the comment. I agree with you and although the pickups are OK , I would recommend a pickup change to anyone who plays professionally. I also have an LP Tribute and love it. Great guitar that holds up really well against the higher priced LPs. If you haven't already please subscribe to see my other reviews. Thank you!

[@es330]

@@airtimedesign Hi . Yes thanks I will subscribe. I think Gibson really nailed it with the Tribute. I've never had a Les Paul before .I'm really happy with it and looking at maybe getting a full priced maple top model later. My other main axe is a Gibson ES 330 '65.

[@airtimedesign]

@@es330 Steve, was the ES330 you have made in 1965 or is it a reissue? How do you like it? How did it compare to the Casino?

[@es330]

@@airtimedesign Mine is a 1965 model according to the serial number in the gibson book of serial numbers. Cherry red with a Bigsby. Well to compare is a little unfair coz its got a nitro rather than poly finish and Gibson p90s and a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. It sounds great like the Epiphones of the 60s.They were made in the same factory. I love it. Even with a new Gibson I cant get that sound my 330 gives me. I bought the Chinese copy recently while my Gibson was getting the input jack fixed. But it just couldn't bond with it and then went to the Tribute. I'm loving the solid body too, first time I've had one so I'm exploring the differences in tone it gives me. Nothing closer to my heart than the 330; there is magic in it that I have found in no other guitar. BTW its neck is really different to the Chinese Epiphone. I think its called a C shape. A bit like a small but chunky Les Paul style neck. Its also much narrower than any neck I have ever played. ie. the Gibson today is 169 mm but the 330 is not so wide. Its tiny but extremely comfortable actually comparable to an old ES175.

[@airtimedesign]

@@es330 Now you're making me jealous!

[@TurboGibby-bh8bu]

Thank you for doing this! I think both American and Chinese/Korean/Asian are good models, but I personally don't want to pay an arm and leg for an Epiphone. Might as well get a Gibson or even a small car. I think the Asian ones are worth it.

[@gregmock6808]

For anyone intonating a Casino bridge I have a tip from my luthier....reverse the saddle on the G string and you can get it as close as possible that way....the standard saddle won't go back far enough for the G to be close to intonated...I don't think G strings are ever perfectly in tune but it's close

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks for the comment Greg. You might enjoy like to take a look at some of my other reviews. Please subscribe

[@kenyotta67]

What a fantastic and thorough review. I really appreciate your attention to detail even if some of it was beyond me. I have been dreaming of owning this guitar for awhile. It does seem like a GREAT value for the money. Do you have any specific suggestions on upgrading the pickups and electronics? Thanks again for your post.

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks for the compliment Ken. I think any good P90 replacement pickup would really improve the tone of the stock Casino. A lot of people love the Lollar pickups www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-p-90-pickups but Seymour Duncan, Gibson or any good replacement pickups would make a big difference in the tone. All the best and please subscribe!

[@Flukey_1970]

Noel Gallagher also plays epiphone’s and he embraces the feedback. To many people just see epiphone as budget Gibson and yeah thats the way it has turned out now but if you look at the history they used to be two separate competitors till Gibson bought them out.

[@tagadabrothersband]

At the time the Casino was released, Epiphone had already been acquired by Gibson. But they weren't overseas made budget guitars yet.

[@eranzilberberg341]

put pyramid flats on it and you have the beatles sound. this is my best guitar and macca's too!

[@devonlambert9131]

That buzz he's talking about was 100% the bridge setup. For me, I have a worn olive Casino and a wine red Riviera. Everything about these guitars is something to love in its own way, but for those considering, you WILL want to upgrade the bridge at some point as it's probably the weakest link. They do buzz, but it's a super easy and cheap fix.

[@qddk9545]

The Gotoh GE103B is a vary good choice, but be sure to check the size of the post hole diameters.

[@jsmoker10]

Dude, that bridge buzz drove me f’n crazy! I thought I was losing my damn mind. I Only hear it unplugged, but still drove me mad. I’ve have the worn blue for couple years, i wanted the olive green, but it was sold out all time, so settled for the blue. I beat shit out of my guitars anyways so I don’t really care what they look, but I did took off pick guard though, as I think they look cheap! I use it for anything over-driven, it’s a beast for sure. Seeing it’s 2023, i use my iMac and a UA Apollo interface, with the 55’ fender tweed 5w VST plug-in…so feedback isn’t an issue, just killer tone! No Marshall half Stack🙄😂

[@itaintmebabe714]

Paul McCartney said he bought the Epiphone Casino because he wanted to save money still compared to the Gibson ES-330 price and convinced John and George to buy one too.

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks interesting, I never heard that. I always thought that Epi had better distribution in Europe than Gibson. Very few Gibsons in stock at music stores in UK.

[@weswyrick9332]

I have two Casinos - a 2022 Casino “Worn” in ebony and a 2012 Korean Unsung in natural. The “Worn” finish feel like just stain with a very thin dull lacquer (almost like just stain) and the wood grain is there. The Unsung natural has a poly finish. Pickups on the “Worn” are P-90pro and sound pretty good but the Unsung pickups are brighter. I have upgraded the tuners to locking Gotoh and the bridges to Gotoh Nashville to get rid of the bridge saddle rattle. The “Worn” is better acoustically vs. the Unsung. Next on the upgrades are Fralin noiseless P-90s. Both of these are keeper guitars. Half the fun is playing is unplugged. I see why the Beatles used these for songwriting. Paul said if he was stuck on a desert island with only one guitar, the Casino would be it. He has his original and still uses it.

[@jsmoker10]

Hey, can you tell me the exact size/name of tuners you used. A while back I bought locking tuners that I thought would fit and the post were too big, so I just sent them back. The tuners suck on worn casino’s. So does the bridge too, I’d like to replace that too

[@weswyrick9332]

@@jsmoker10 Depends on the origin of your Casino. My "Worn" China version needs the larger bridge posts (Nashville style) and I used a Gotoh GE103B-T string spacing is 10.4mm. I used a different Gotoh locking tuner set with the green ivory style on the "Worn" China version SD90-SL-MG_T_NK. On my Korean Unsung the bridge has the small posts and used the GE103B. Gotoh locking tuners for this one I used that SD-90-MG-T nickel. Remember you have to notch the bridge saddles and the bridge goes on with the adjustment screw slots to the aft of the guitar. Both play well and stay in tune after. No rattling bridge.

[@mmike65m]

Just curious if you got to play one of the new USA made ones?

[@airtimedesign]

Hey mmike65m. Thanks for the comment. Yes I've played a few of the new 2022 Casinos and the main difference is the rosewood fretboard vs the new guitars have Laurel fretboards. Really if you get a nice piece of Laurel it looks pretty close to the Rosewood. I played a new one today at GC and it was a great guitar. If you are considering a new one I would say the quality is exactly the same as the 5 year old I reviewed. They may have upgraded the electronics on the new ones also. A lot of the "Inspired by Gibson" Epiphones have CTS pots and better electronics. Let me know what you find out.

[@jsmoker10]

The p-90 casino is my main guitar for anything overdriven, nothing compares in my opinion.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I have Epiphone Casino Coupe and Casino both, although the Casino is the 1961 50 year anniversary from 2011, so it has Gibson electronics and hardware installed in Nashville, the husk (body and neck) made in Epiphone's China factory. The Gibson pickups in the Casino sound better, but the Coupe has better reach (18/19 fret neck joint) and side mounted jack, which I prefer. Overall I prefer the Coupe, but the full-sized Casino has a fuller sound acoustically, and the Gibson P-90 pickups amplify that tone in a way only they can. That said, other pickup makers are making P-90 pickups I prefer to the newer Gibson versions, which are usually wound hotter than I prefer. I'd always rather have a low-wind pickup for more clarity and better highs, I can always attenuate the highs but if they aren't there you can't add them. My favorite Gibson P-90 pickups are the lower wind versions on their hollow body guitars in the 1940's and 1950's, in the later 1950's they started winding them hotter, if what I read is true.......?

[@MrJones-ge5sl]

Spot on review. I bought a black Casino Worn last year… my first electric. Great axe for the money, but the electronics are definitely the weak point. Had the switch fixed on warranty. Don’t regret buying it though… I like the wide differences in the sound in each position.

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Mr. Jones , I appreciate the compliment. Glad you're enjoying your Casino. Please subscribe to see my other reviews.

[@chuckmatses6803]

You’re really overthinking it. The hollow body is the big plus, and has no drawbacks when played properly. I play one plenty loud, and it never feeds back. Also, mine is dead quiet. It is a 2016 model. How the Beatles get the sounds? Why? Was there a problem getting those tones? There shouldn’t have been.

[@linkhatchet]

Good review as always but just because a guitar has a "Made in USA'' stamped on the back of it, doesn't mean its better. I've seen people test sound on a USA and an over seas guitar of whatever brand blindfolded and try to pick the USA version thinking their some PhD guitar philosopher and 85% plus of the time pick the wrong one lol. And when they do pick the "right" one, half the time they where unsure. I know people will say this is all subjective and I agree for the most part, but at the same time, when they can't see what's playing, they don't know shit! lol

[@GrandpaOnATunedScooter]

I got here because Im a Tolkien fan and watched Peter Jacksons Get Back series 😂 I've just bought one.

[@toddmayer6859]

Great video! I especially appreciate the sound samples. I picked up my MIC Casino yesterday at Guitar Center. It has no imperfections, buzz, etc. I don't know when I'll be able to upgrade the pickups, but after listening to your samples, I think middle position gives the best sound. Bridge seems nasally ... and neck is a bit woofy. But combine them, and you get a sweet tone. At least to my ear. To me, the Casino is a balladeer's dream guitar. So it seems to be more at home with that sort of style than super loud material.

[@antoonhermans8953]

There is an other ( and better ) option between the chinese epi casino or the american made one and the gibson ES 330 ( wich both are very expensive ) , It's the Stanford thinline 30 . Stanford guitars are the "overseas" made in china guitars from Maybach ( the german topnotch guitarbrand ) . The thinline 30 has a full length neck ( witch meets the body at the 19 th fret ) with ebony fretboard and made in korea P 90's wich are vintage sounding , the output is about 8 k , they sound great and do not feedback that much , i think this also has to with the fact that the are not as hot as the chinese epi P 90's wich mostly have an output about 12-15 k . It is also has a mat nitro paintjob and also sounds killer when played acoustic .The price is about 1100 euro and it is in my humble opinion just as good as the american made casino or gibson ES 330 .

[@bradubow]

is this played on an American or Chinese guitar ?

[@WocPaul1]

You were so lucky to get one of the last ever made standard Chinese Casinos with a rosewood fretboard. Officially, Epiphone stopped using rosewood in 2016 on its standard Chinese Casinos. The pau ferro fretboards just look ugly. Some folks won’t care, but IMO a vintage guitar should at least have something that looks close to rosewood, eg, Indian laurel. All of the budget Gretsch guitars have Indian laurel fretboards. My Gretsch 2622-P90 has a beautiful dark indian laurel fretboard.

[@airtimedesign]

Hey Paul, yes I know it was NOS that is crazy it had been floating around GC for so long. Please Subscribe to see more of my reviews. Thank you!

[@Bluesbreakerfritzx]

Well you thought wrong then didn't you? They knew a good guitar when they played one, and their Casinos will bear no resemblance to the one you're reviewing here. Do you not like Hofners as well? The Beetles in their pre Apple days were not cash rich. Because of the crap record deals they were signed-into they had NO money and HAD to tour to keep solvent.

[@codyburgess7034]

How in the hell do you only have 1.5k subs

[@airtimedesign]

Hey Cody, thank you for the compliment! I'm hoping eventually I'll pick up a few more subscribers! Probably because I don't post every day or week. It takes me a while to put these reviews together. I appreciate you commenting, thank you!

[@codyburgess7034]

@@airtimedesign anytime I’ll keep sharing the content here is unreal

[@airtimedesign]

@@codyburgess7034 I appreciate that Cody!

[@robertiaccarino4363]

It certainly is a Woofy sounding guitar; however, in the right hands that crank out a nice sound

[@Wingman52]

I have a 65 Gibson es-330, which is supposedly the same as the same vintage Casino, just with a different headstock. I also have a 67 ES-335. I play through a DRRI most of the time, but I don't play very loud, so feedback is rarely a problem. To me the 330 is best for acoustic like electric tones (think We Can Work it Out), strumming open chords, and it's great for jazz. The neck connection at the 16th fret makes it feel more comfortable, smaller than the 335, as everything is in closer to my body. To me the 330 is articulate and sweet sounding while the 335 is kind of dull sounding by comparison. The 335 is definitely much better for louder, heavier over-driven stuff. I've had the 335 since I was a kid. I bought it in 1970., but these days I rarely play it. I keep it mostly because I've just had it so long and it was what I used when I played out in a working band all the time, lots of memories. It has been played a lot and looks like it - a true relic . Truth is I rarely play it now, while I play the 330 almost every day.

[@airtimedesign]

Hey Gary, thank you for the comment. I agree with you that the Gibson P90 pickups on the 330 have more character. Unfortunately the P90's on the Casino don't sound like the Gibson P90's. Please subscribe and see my other reviews. Thanks!

[@pjfuscoonthenews1693]

The problem with this review is that the guitar he bought was made in China. Gibson returned manufacturing to the United States however for a true, USA made experience. They still make the cheaper version overseas, but unless you have a MIA or Japanese Elitist, you cannot reproduce the Beatles sound. The P90s in the USA and Elitist versions are Gibson pickups. All other Casinos use “faithful” reproductions which just don’t make it. Don’t get me wrong, the Chinese version is okay and probably worth $600 but it doesn’t come close to comparing with the USA or Elitist models.

[@tapeNJ]

I have to jump in and say what I've felt about the Epiphone pickups for a long while. They sound like someone put a blanket over the amp.

[@THEScottCampbell]

If you thought the Casino was a poor man's 335, you were NOT the sharpest tool in the box. Also, you don't "hold" punches; you PULL them.

[@TheULMOnaut]

I compared the China Casino to a Peerless Songbird, 200 € more, but including a case. The difference was like toy (Casino) and real (Songbird). Almost all parts on the Casino look and feel cheap, wobbeling tone knobs for example and the setup was horrible, intonation miserable. The Songbird plays like a dream, the body resonates a hundred times better. The Casinos of today are not comparable to the ones from the 60s and 70s I am sure.

[@bobbarcus8310]

The bridge is crap the post too I don’t like the narrow oversea hardware Need to change that before Pups

[@lexo30]

It's worth noting that the 'worn' range of Casinos have slightly different pickups to the ones in this 2017 model: what Epiphone call Pro P90s instead of regular P90s. But it's all kinda academic now, because Epiphone has apparently stopped making Casinos in China at all. The US model is now the only one in production.