The Epiphone Casino: A Short History

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John Cordy wrote and played the intro music on this one. Working with John is always a joy. He's one of my playing heroes and his channel starts my day. / johnnathancordy
To hear John's track for this video in its entirety and learn how he built the tones in the Helix world go here. It's amazing: • I Played an EPIPHONE ...
I need to thank the good folks at Carter Vintage for their permission to use the clip of R.J. Ronquillo playing an original '69 Casino.
I'd like to think Mick Taylor from That Pedal Show for giving his permission to use his edge of your seat Casino playing. See the entire video here:
• Epiphone Casino Pickup...
Rhett always writes a great demo tune and I need to thank him here for his permission to use a bit of it from his video: The Casino Sound: • I Get Why The Beatles ...
The Casino has been on the Short History list ever since I started playing my own fully hollow double cut, the diminutive ES-390. The video covers a good bit of Epi history to explain the relationship between Epiphone and Gibson as well. I hope you like it.
Thanks for watching.
All the best,
Keith

[@jts3339]

Thank you Keith. The Casino is a great guitar that stands on it’s own. It’s not a poor man’s Gibson, it’s proudly an Epiphone with it’s own pedigree and history that can compare favorably to any guitar.

[@piggycity]

I agree 100%! As a proud owner of a 1967 casino they are just distinct in their sound and pedigree

[@heinzr9734]

I couldn't agree more. I bought my 1967 Casino 20 years ago from a guy here in Germany who only played it at home in the living room and he had bought it new in 1968. It is very special and if there would be a guitar with the fantastic Casino sound without howling on stage, it would be very nice. But the good thing in life is that you can't have everything at once. Even if the Casino is a thin body, it is the most acoustic electric guitar in my opinion. And it has the kind of sustain that lingers in the heart for a very long time, even when the sound is physically gone.

[@brixenlang3207]

I kinda want to have one…

[@kevsweat]

Well said

[@danwilson9530]

My first electric guitar was a ‘65 Casino. My grandparents bought it for me when I graduated jr high in ‘82. They paid $350 for it with a Kustom amp. The amp is long gone, but my Casino is sitting 3’ away.

[@dudleydeplorable5307]

I've had a blonde single P-90 Casino for decades. I don't know how common the single pickup version is. It's visually and sonically beautiful. Due to health, I can't play anymore.

[@danwilson9530]

@@dudleydeplorable5307 I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a single pickup Casino. That’s really cool. I’m sorry to hear you have difficulty playing it now. Still, I bet it feels like a soulmate just having it near by.

[@RickBeato]

Ok you sold me on one Hypes! I should never have sold my old one. Great video!!

[@Upside_Down_Guitar_Guy]

What’s up, Rick! I love how much bite they have on the bridge

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

Rick you Rock 🤘

[@timbaxter9932]

Ha! I've had mine for years and I'll never sell it.

[@ryanhdmc]

Casinos are such a cool guitar!! I was planning on buying one, but I found a 330 at the same time fairly inexpensively. I would easily get a casino to this day though.

[@DavidHBurkart]

I am jonesing for one of the USA built Casinos, but those Quingdao versions are pretty dandy in their own right.

[@stevieboy444]

If only....If only the whole music industry could adopt Keith's mantra of "I'd like to thank". It solves so many unnecessary problems.Personally I'd like to thank JS Bach for my entire understanding of music theory which informs absolutely everything I've ever done musically.

[@castleanthrax1833]

I'd like to thank my mother for insisting I learnt to play the piano. I now play guitar, but my knowledge of music theory would be small, if not for my mother. ✌️🇦🇺

[@brixenlang3207]

Bach is the OG goat imo

[@das_bombenhund]

Personally I’d like to thank God for inventing music and ears :) The actual biblical/christian one, not the catholic or progressive one

[@Kevin-cy4gc]

My wife gave me a Chinese Epiphone casino for Christmas. I love it! It's a unique guitar and you can get such an array of tones with it.

[@alwidener7333]

I’m thinking about buying a used one for 350. Do you feel it’s a well made guitar

[@es330]

@@alwidener7333 I had one. The build is fine but the electrics /switches aren't good .The poly finish annoyed me most and I sold it.

[@jtcolecomedy]

Paul Weller playing a Casino into old Marshalls is the stuff of legends!

[@mikaelsjoberg1894]

What record?

[@jtcolecomedy]

@@mikaelsjoberg1894 It's his live setup. Along with and old SG and Tele mostly.

[@ポールの赤テレ]

@@mikaelsjoberg1894 Pretty much everything after The Style Council to the present day featured the Casino as his main guitar.

[@WillHessey]

If I think of Casinos - I think of Weller! 😀

[@Prellium]

@@mikaelsjoberg1894 He used his 1966 Casino first at Live Aid with the Style Council then it was rarely seen until 1992 when he went into his solo career. If you want to hear it try his 1994 'Wild Wood' record or 1995's 'Stanley Road'.

[@buzzawuzza3743]

These videos really make my day. I don't need a room full of guitars but I still like seeing and hearing them. Thanks

[@bradfordm2828]

Great show Keith. I am a proud owner of an Epi Casino p-93 and really love it for its strength and versatility. I enjoyed the show.

[@andrewswift2727]

Dave Davies also played a Casino starting in 1964. I enjoy your work. Thanks.

[@jbowerman50]

Back about 1981 I bought a Kalamazoo 1964 Casino, I still own that guitar. I played it 6 nights a week when I played in Denver, Blues, Boogie, and Swing for 10 yrs.

[@hudsonelowsky1160]

Love this. My dad growing up had a '61 Gibson ES-330 that he stills owns. We banged that guitar around, playing it all the time when I was in elementary/middle school until I realized that it's a golden-era vintage guitar.

[@Rwtheking]

Man, I can’t explain how much I appreciate what you do. I learn so much every time I watch one of these.

[@aaronthompson4726]

It's like Keith knows when I need a good video. Thanks again!

[@kevinalfrey2633]

Such a wonderful channel, I truly hope you grow.

[@fivewattworld]

Slow but sure

[@furtherdefinitions1]

The Epiphone Casino plays and sounds like no other guitar. It's so simple and yet so versatile

[@andrewpaul4446]

In 1965 I saw an Epiphone Casino and Gibson es330 sitting side by side. They each cost $307. I was told they both came off the line together. The Beatles played Casinos. I saw them sitting on a table in front of the stage, Thank You for letting me have the chance to comment.

[@GuitarMav]

I’m seeing Robin Ford tonight. Can’t wait.

[@joeharris8633]

Thank you and God Bless my friend!

[@E29music]

Thanks Keith. I always loved the Casino.......

[@JeffMcErlain]

Excellent job as always!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Jeff

[@angeldquintas]

As a Beatles fan, I always wanted to have an Epiphone Casino. I struck gold with the Worn Olive Drab Casino. It’s honestly my favorite guitar!

[@johnnathancordy]

20:20 Keith graces the video with his playing!!!

[@LZcool]

You seriously should make a channel reading mistery novels, or narrating some other stuff, the voice tone you use for your videos is super cool. Sir, again, thanks for the great content. For some reason KZbin stopped notifying me of your new videos and your live videos, I've fixed it I think, but I am surprised. Do you think you could make other music related themes as "A Short history" Like "Blues, a short history" and start with Robert Johnson, how the blues made it to England, returned to the USA through Clapton and then again to England via Hendrix and how it exploded? Even a series, since I assume it is a LOT of work a topic like those. Thanks a lot for the video, I prefer your videos over Beato's (No disrespect to your friend, he does great videos I also watch, yours are just better)

[@fivewattworld]

KZbin does some funny things with notifications. Go in unclick then reclick notifications. See if that helps.

[@noahr4951]

Just bought one of these. It’s awesome.

[@edryba4867]

A round of APPLAUSE for Mr. Williams, please? Great installment!

[@sweetdrahthaar7951]

Content with anything Beatles is great. I’m saving this video for this evening when the house is quiet. Thanks Keith. You do such a nice job on these videos. I appreciate it a lot. 👍🏻

[@toms5951]

Great video, but it tugs at the heart a bit. I was wanting a 335 of some sort for long time. I was just about to pull the trigger on a Casino but then found the P93 Riviera. The big draw to me was semi-hollow, a middle P90 and a Bigsby. I loved that guitar, unfortunately my wife dropped it and snapped the neck. I got it repaired but only got to enjoy for a few short months. She's on her second repair and I'm just hoping she's still playable. Otherwise it'll be retired as a wall decoration.

[@paulsworld2]

I have a Casino Coupe. Really nice guitar. But this video now has me looking at the full size Casino!!!!!

[@nathanpickett202]

I have a made in Japan Epi Elitist Casino. Swapped stock pickups for Fralin noise cancelling P90. Fixed the feedback problem. Great guitar! Check out The Swamp Shakers using the Casino in action. Great guitarist playing rockabilly.

[@ポールの赤テレ]

Got any videos of said Epi w/Lindy Fralins?

[@nathanpickett202]

@@ポールの赤テレ unfortunately I don’t. Sorry

[@petelamontmusic]

Thanks Keith! Great video, and great playing!

[@picksalot1]

I really like the Casino sound, and it's easy to understand why it's so iconic. Thanks to you and all the KZbinrs that have recently put a spotlight on this wonderful guitar. 😎

[@robinleebraun7739]

I learn a lot from your videos, Keith. I am constantly amazed at how expensive guitars used to be in today’s dollars.

[@NLBassist]

Great vid! I always a bit obsessed with the one pickup 330 witj the pickup in the middle.

[@damagecontrol60]

I like the Casino but it is big for me… so I have two smaller Epiphone guitars - the compact size, hollow body Casino Coupe with trapeze tailpiece and chrome dog ear P90s, and the 339 semi hollow with a center block, black plastic cover inset P90s. I put a Deusenberg tremolo on the 339… I love them both! The Casino Coupe has a warmer sound and the 339 has hotter pick ups with a little bit more treble range to it, but I use an EQ pedal to get the best out of each one of them. Yes I also have an Epi Les Paul and an Epi SG… Yes, all made in China, all inexpensive, solid quality and they fit my budget. As for the video: Great presentation as always. I love the cross promotion with other fine players and presenters like Rhett and RJ! I also like the program punctuated with playing examples. Keep it up Keith!!!

[@davemeshamsr6000]

I have a new USA made casino on order and was excited when I ordered it but now I am more excited to get it due to your excellent history and description of this guitar

[@ryanhumphrey5821]

Excellent video. Wildly professional!

[@chasetower6773]

Thanks again 5 Watt World !!!

[@thomasmorris2245]

Thank You- I bought a John Lennon Casino about 2011 reissue- surprised to hear them through Marshall Stacks

[@DavidFell]

Great video. I’ve recently purchased one of the new USA Collection Casinos. It’s quickly become my favorite guitar.

[@armandosalgado7624]

Great video Keith, I’ve learned some things that I didn’t know about Casinos. I need to get one yet… best regards 🙏🏼

[@stevebloch3184]

Great show. I've got what I believe is a 67 casino and it's been sitting in its case for the past 20 years, I think I'll get it out and take it for a spin.

[@scottmacphee35]

Keith, thank you for spotlighting the Casino, one of my favorite guitars.

[@bristolfashion4421]

Fab, fab, fab ! Thanks Keith :-) I bought an Epi dot last year without fully realsing that it has a centre block and is *heavy* ... I should have watched more FWW vid.s before I splashed the cash ;-) I'm now after a Casino Coupe. All The Best from over here in Bristol, UK

[@adambeachard6794]

I just walked past the old silver birch behind the elementary school and crossed over to Williams Street to get to where I am watching this video right now. For some reason that just makes me smile. I think it may be because you are proof that it's possible to get out of this little town and make it somewhere in life. Thanks! I always enjoy these videos tremendously!

[@pjbarford]

Great video as always. I love my casino, though I had to swap out the bridge to stop the rattling. Also was that Shenandoah you were playing, reminded me of Bill Frisell

[@PlaydateDrummer]

Sorry I can't write more.. gotta go play a Casino.. I have to find one first... Thanks for the inspiration once again, Keith!

[@RobertNolan]

Upgraded my worn casino with SD antiquity pickups. The guitar is built so well that it leaves you with so much room for upgrade, but the pickups are a tad too hot for my liking. Pickup Shims are essential for a casino imo, they balance the output and tone of them really well. Lollar and Mojotone both make a really great P90 shim.

[@johnbhumphrey]

Great video, I own a 1962 Epiphone Sheraton so you can imagine the interest I had in this video. In fact, I binge watch the Five Watt World series. Keith, you have to be the hardest working and most knowledgeable man on KZbin when it comes to guitar history. Thanks friend.

[@MrTimdriver]

Must try. This was excellent.

[@BrianOboylemusic]

I am on reverb all day looking at gear and just finding all about them,, but now I ask myself if the money would be better spent on more lessons etc…. Thanks for the shift in thinking!!

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Great video of course. I had a 68 Riviera in the seventies, Kalamazoo built, and that guitar showed me the quality of the Epiphones.

[@neilegan5088]

Thanks Keith. Great video. My favourite part of the Casino story is the Cherry Casino that I just got as a 60th Birthday present from my partner and her family. It's my second Epiphone after my Firebird and I just love it. It's unlike anything I've ever played before.

[@christopherstapleton2934]

Thank you Keith for these videos... you do a very good job making these!

[@christopherstapleton2934]

I have a '96 Epiphone Casino reissue.

[@austinmichels5527]

You’re playing on your 390 was so great, excellent tone and phrasing!

[@Guitar5986]

Excellent video! I bought my '60 ES-330 a few years back. On the positive side it is one of the best guitars I've ever played. On the negative side, it completely spoiled me to vintage guitars and inspired me to spend way too much money on other models from the 50's & 60's. Then again...maybe that's a good thing?

[@54macdog]

Another great documentary. I love these!

[@jackpine70]

Thanks again Keith. Short histories are such a great contribution to the wealth of youtube knowledge.

[@Teletex82]

Thank you for doing a video on one of the most underappreciated guitars around, Keith.

[@mairenared]

Another great video Keith. I've always loved the Casino sound from both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and hope to own one one day. Sadly, I also hope to own a good 12 string acoustic and electric, a Joe Pass Emperor III but am running out of space to store them. I already own two acoustics, two resonators, a Weissenborn and four electrics. I can almost hear my wife saying, "Not another guitar!".

[@charlie-obrien]

The Casino is a "thin" hollow body, so maybe you can slip it in between a couple of those full sized ones and she won't notice. :)

[@bobsteel6916]

Another fabulous video Kieth. My friend is a total Beatles enthusiasts, and has an Epiphone Casino for years. I however am more of a Stones man, and loves The Great Richards Casino. It's all great isn't it.

[@binkieruby2191]

As always great video. Thank you

[@ogri214]

People rave over PAF pickups but personally there is just something about a P90 that screams rock and roll.

[@mikegray-ehnert3238]

Love your Snorlax! My son got me playing Pokémon. Back in Red, Blue and Gold days on the og Gameboy!

[@jdguitarmusic]

Excellent Keith! This is one of the Short Histories to which I've been looking forward the most. I have a "Lennon Revolution" Casino and absolutely love it (and I'm a P-90s guy as you might remember). There's something about that "edge of distortion" sound as you put it that just screams rock'n'roll to me. Huge kudos to your guests on this episode - John Cordy's intro/outro was sublime, Mick Taylor's Casino sounded (and looked) fantastic, and anytime I get to hear Rhett Shull and R.J. Ronquillo play I'm happy. Makes me want to ditch work today and play late-era Beatles songs on my Casino!

[@srvmotoman]

Just bought one of those Casino Worn (Olive Drab). I was about to walk out of the music shop after playing three guitars that I was certain would sound great. Those three did not move me as much as this $499 Casino did. Might I mention, one of the three that I played was a top shelf guitar which will remain nameless. Super impressed with the Casinos. First one that I have owned. There will be a few more. My sights are set on the 'Blak & Blu' one now. Great video as always.

[@TheFretwalker8]

I traded my fully rebuilt Epi ES335 for a stock Epi Casino. I did a complete overhaul with all USA period-correct hardware, including the Lollar pickups and a Bigsby B-12 with the Chet Atkins arm. Now, a sweet-sounding, beautiful guitar. I love the way the casino feels and sounds.

[@joerobinson2538]

I bought an import Casino in denim blue last year and absolutely love it. It checked off 2 boxes of types of guitars I didn’t own-P90 and jazz box.

[@ianbarnes1406]

Ha ha. Just bought one in Ebony for the same reasons!👍

[@daveparkin3286]

Loved this. I have a 1964 epiphone casino, with the vibrato tailpiece. It was great to hear all of this information. Love my casino very much..😊

[@mschroeckenfuchs]

I treated myself with a Casino of the worn series last Christmas, absolutely inspired by 'Get Back' to some degree. I mostly play a Fender stuff in recent years and the Casino is my first hollow body guitar. By now I have to say it might actually be my favourite for everything but the snappy Fender coil tones or high gain stuff! The thin 'worn' finish allows to feel the wood grain all over neck and body, it's fantastic!

[@TheRuachBand]

As always, a wonderful video. A few years ago I bought a 1961 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Casino that was built in 2011. Found it in an independently owned local pawn shop and paid $175. One of my greatest guitar finds. Plays great and sounds terrific. It will never leave my stable.

[@slimkickens]

My 61 reissue is my all-time number one.

[@hollis3853]

Good job... Love these videos. Very informative and illuminating. And inspiring...

[@JJ-316]

I really love your videos Keith and I enjoyed hearing of the Casino history. Keep up the great work sir!

[@davidmiller6504]

Another great presentation. Most uplifting this morning. Today I will mostly be fumbling on my Epiphany

[@travismeares4880]

I genuinely can’t believe these videos are free, you are a real one Keith

[@Stratocus]

Excellent video, as always. Thank you, Keith! I've been a big fan of Epiphones since my first wife gave me a 6830 acoustic as a wedding gift back in 1975. Made in Japan in the early 70s with a bolt on neck I changed the tuners and replaced the adjustable bridge with a bone saddle it's a prince amongst guitars. I also built my own "tribute" to the Casino/Sheraton/ES330; semi-hollow, double cutaway, carved top, thinline with a single P90 and a neck from another MIJ Epiphone acoustic. It's become my main electric guitar although the old 6830 has been supplanted by a 1970 Gibson LG-12...

[@claytondenton2385]

Great video Keith! Love these videos of the history. Please do one for ESP/LTD guitars

[@melnavarro3758]

Thank you Keith. Love this chanel.

[@dlw11235813]

Thanks for playing in the video Keith! You should throw more of those snippets in!

[@mariodriessen9740]

Great episode! I knew a lot less about Epiphone than I thought I did. I learned a lot. Thanks!

[@samshrimpton407]

Really enjoyed this one. Adding in the other KZbinrs performances was a really nice touch. For some reason this series really brings me back to my teenage years, reading the UK guitarist magazine on the long bus rides to school, and drooling over some of these mythic instruments that felt so far out of reach. You have a knack for capturing the vibe and magic of those old magazines, and the culture they celebrated. Thank you!

[@truckatadders]

The tones coming out of the guitars being played during this vid making the hairs on my neck stand up.....just amazing 😳😳

[@1040ecapja]

The elitist series were not built in china, but Japan. Also, no mention of the 90s production in Korea (Peerless, Samick) which are very good bang for the buck.

[@JoshuaC923]

Another fantastic short history lesson of a great guitar. I recently got an epiphone Sheraton and I'm loving it. Thanks for the great content Keith!

[@tomm1413]

Thanks for this awesome video! I bought the olive green Casino they did some time ago and I honestly love it to bits. It wasn't expensive at all, but that guitar just puts a smile on my face all day long. It's amazing and I can't keep my eyes (or hands) of it. This video about the history of my favorite guitar was so interesting to watch! Keep up the good work Keith! Your videos are amazing!

[@JGlassy]

Thanks much for this work, Kieth, great history story on the Casino! Love my Epi 339 too!

[@MattyK-USA]

Great topic, Keith. I certainly was an Epiphone owner and player along my personal journey, and the Casino is an emblematic example to be sure. Bravo! 🔥👊❤️

[@Iggysluckytonite]

just bought VS casino bc I didn't have one with me here on a work assignment. My 2 casinos and other guitars are at my home and not with me- couldn't live without a casino even for this brief stint!

[@johnbohlinger]

Epiphone Genesis was the first guitar I bought.I have The Revolution Casino.. US built copy of Lennon's. Love it

[@benmorris118]

Micks playing shows off some beautiful feedback tones. Big fan

[@TeleCaster66]

I've come to be a single coil guy over 42 years of playing and the P-90 works so much better than a humbucker for me that I'm now looking at hollow bodied P-90 guitars. This video came out at a good time for me. Actually looking at the Eastwood Tuxedo.

[@michaelshearer3559]

RJ sounded so good when that footage rolled in! I'll be honest as the biggest Grant Green fan, I am partial to the ES-330. In my opinion the most underrated guitar of all time. I appreciate a Casino, but pales in comparison to a 330. Great video as always. Amazing work!

[@DenMan24Fan]

Glad to see some Casino love here! My 2011 goldtop is the one guitar I’ll never part with. It has the overwound P-90s that so many people hate. But if you take the time to dial it in, all the classic tones are there. If you add a little more gain, they start to sound like humbuckers, so it’s very versatile.

[@diegomunoz9980]

Thank you man! The promised episode!!! Grettings from Costa Rica. Keep up!!

[@davemeshamsr6000]

Love the royal tan

[@scotthendricks7813]

Outstanding work as usual Keith. I learned a bunch about a major guitar brand that I didn't know. Very informative!

[@elcano7751]

they are two legends, with similar looks and completely different construction and sound. Neither is better than the other, both are irreplaceable.

[@drstrangelove4925]

The Beatles and Radiohead were plenty to have an excuse to fall in love with them

[@landscapetalknet]

One of the best guitar documentaries I’ve seen. I’m a lefty and have two lefty Casinos (one with a Bigbsy). There is no guitar that sounds and feels like one. You did a great job encapsulating it’s history and I’m glad to see this icon get some more lovin. Epiphone is making a bit of a comeback today with their IBG line. I’m an Epi lover and proud of it. Thanks for this!

[@littlerhodyguitar2169]

Great video Keith as always. Thanks for what you do for our community. ☮️

[@artrogers3985]

Great stuff sir.

[@davemeshamsr6000]

Great segment so much valuable info thnx again for ur knowledge and insight always a great resource for gear 🙏🏼