Epiphone casino review

With its iconic slim semi-hollowbody design, the Epiphone Casino has been the affordable gateway to that revered “beatle” tone for generations of guitarists. As Epiphone’s take on the legendary Gibson ES-330 model, this guitar blends classic looks with raw tones that have graced countless recordings across genres like rock, blues, indie and more.

Design and Build Quality 

The Epiphone Casino faithfully recreates the iconic hollow-body formula of the original Gibson ES-330 model. Its distinctive fully-hollow, laminated maple body with rounded double-cutaway horns has inspired generations of players across genres.

The set mahogany neck features a comfortably rounded ’60s C-shaped profile that sits nicely in the hand. The Indian laurel fingerboard topped with pearloid dot inlays provides a familiar playing feel. At roughly 24.75″ scale length, it’s a tried-and-true design for effortless playability.

While fully hollow, the Casino includes crucial bracing to support the string tension and prevent body distortion from the LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece. This pro-grade hardware along with premium die-cast tuning machines ensures solid tuning stability.

The lightweight laminated maple/basswood construction results in an airy, lively acoustic resonance that surpasses semi-hollow guitars like the ES-335. Yet the Casino retains excellent feedback resistance thanks to its parallel bracing design.

Epiphone rounds out the Casino’s vintage-inspired recipe with a pair of classic dogear P-90 soapbar pickups. These bright yet smooth single-coils have been a staple on this model since its inception, delivering unmatched warmth and articulation.

Available in classy finishes like Natural, Turquoise, and Vintage Sunburst, the modern Epiphone Casino lives up to its pedigree with premium tonewoods, quality hardware, and keen attention to detail. The nickel-plated hardware will develop a graceful patina over time. Small tweaks like replacing stock strings or tightening a loose control knob are common.

For look-no-further vintage vibe, the fully-hollow Epiphone Casino captures the iconic sophistication of one of Gibson’s most beloved designs at outstanding value.

Pickups and Electronics

A huge part of the Epiphone Casino’s vintage mojo comes from its pair of dogear P-90 single-coil pickups. These bright yet smooth soapbar pickups have been an integral part of the Casino’s magic since its inception, delivering unmatched warmth, aggression and articulation.

The P-90s in the neck and bridge positions pack a punchy, present midrange snap that simply sings for rock, blues, indie and more. They have a more aggressive, biting attitude than mellower single-coils while avoiding the scooped mids of many humbuckers. This distinct voicing helped make the Casino a favorite of legends like John Lennon and Keith Richards.

While not as hot as humbuckers, the Casino’s P-90s still pack impressive output when paired with a cranked tube amp. They retain excellent string definition and clarity without becoming mushy or indistinct. Many players remark on the “cut” and presence these pickups provide.

The stock Epiphone P-90s are generally well-regarded, providing a solid foundational tone suitable for several genres. However, more discerning players often look to upgrade to premium aftermarket P-90s from Lollar, Lindy Fralin and others. These can offer a more nuanced, three-dimensional character with better high-end articulation and balance.

Electronics are simple but effective with individual volume/tone controls and a 3-way pickup selector allowing either solo’d or combined pickup settings. Some owners elect to upgrade to higher-quality pots and a more premium wiring setup inspired by vintage ’50s spec guitars. Epiphone keeps unwanted noise well-managed.

With their signature snarl and sublime articulation, the P-90 soapbar pickups are simply sublime partners for the Epiphone Casino’s lively, resonant hollow body. They remain a huge tonal selling point for this iconic model.

Tonal Characteristics

From the opening riffs of the Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” to the cult indie favorites of the past few decades, the Epiphone Casino’s P-90 pickups have delivered an unmistakable and revered tonal signature.

In the bridge position, the Casino’s dogear P-90 serves up an aggressive snarl and low-end growl that simply sings when pushed into overdrive and fuzz territory. There’s a focussed midrange punch that allows these pickups to project and cut through a mix with authority. The bridge P-90’s vibrant blend of warmth and grit has made it a go-to for scores of legendary riffs and lead lines over the decades.

The neck P-90 takes on a more balanced, vocal-like persona ideal for expressive chords and melodic rhythm work. It retains clarity when played clean while still capturing the Casino’s distinctive character. Neck+Bridge settings combine the two voices into a full, complete sound.

And despite the Casino’s fully hollow construction, its bracing and wood combinations provide decent feedback resistance when leaning into amp distortion. While perhaps not as controlled as a semi-hollow, players can confidently dig in without excessive howling at stage volumes.

The hollow maple body construction imparts a lively, resonant tonality with impressive acoustic presence. Notes bloom and decay in a very musical, three-dimensional way associated with premium hollow body guitars. A warm, rounded low-end provides outstanding balance and body.

From sparkling clean tones to searing fuzz explosions, the Epiphone Casino covers a wide stylistic range while retaining its signature voice. Its blend of vintage P-90 snarl and unfettered hollow body resonance simply inspires expressive playing across genres like indie, blues, hard rock and more.

Playability and Feel

Part of what makes the Epiphone Casino so addictive to play is its lightweight yet balanced construction and broken-in neck feel. This iconic hollow body was simply made to spend hours on the strap.

Tipping the scales at around 6 lbs, the Casino feels remarkably nimble and comfortable despite its 16″ wide hollow body. The fully laminated maple/basswood construction keeps weight down without sacrificing resonance or tone. The hollow design provides an airy, acoustic-like responsiveness that semicosmetic simply can’t match.

The set mahogany neck features a vintage-inspired ’60s C-shaped profile that avoids feeling too flat or too rounded. The moderate depth and shoulder combine for a supremely comfortable handfeel that almost seems to mold to your grip over a gig or recording session. Simply an effortless playing experience whether chording, fingerpicking or digging into leads.

The 24.75″ scale length and 12″ radius Indian laurel fretboard provide a familiar, broken-in feel right out of the case. The pearloid dot inlays are classic and elegant. While individual setups may vary, most players report the Casino playing extremely well with minimal tweaks needed to the stock setup.

The iconic Epiphone Casinos body style sits beautifully in playing position, balancing nicely on a strap. The upper shoulder carve allows unrestricted access all the way to the highest frets. It’s simply one of the most inspired and timeless designs from an ergonomics perspective.

Combined with the Epiphone Casino’s lively hollow body resonance and signature P-90 bite, the supremely comfortable playing feel makes this an instrument that bleeds vintage mojo while inspiring new musical ideas for hours on end in the studio or on stage.

Value Proposition

With typical street prices ranging from $500 to $600, the Epiphone Casino represents a truly outstanding value for players seeking an iconic hollow body guitar loaded with vibe and versatile tones. This faithful recreation of the legendary Gibson ES-330 makes the revered Casino experience accessible to everyone from beginners to working musicians.

What you get for the money is simply staggering. The fully hollow laminated maple body with its distinctive double-cutaway shape has inspired generations of players across genres. The set mahogany neck with ’60s C-shaped profile provides a supremely comfortable, familiar handfeel. And the hardware is pro-grade, featuring an accurate LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge, stopbar tailpiece, and premium die-cast tuners.

Tone is, of course, a huge selling point. The Casino’s pairing of bright, aggressive yet smooth-sounding dogear P-90 pickups has been a recipe for magic since the 1960s. These punchy single-coils have an amazing ability to project, cut through a mix, and simply sing when pushed into overdrive. It’s the reason legends like Keith Richards, John Lennon, and Noel Gallagher made them staples.

But don’t just take professionals’ word for it – plug into the Casino and experience its glorious hollow body resonance and responsiveness firsthand. Notes bloom and decay with a three-dimensional, breathtaking character that inspires you to play for hours on end.

Whether you’re looking for authentic vintage rock and indie bite, expressive jazz warmth, earthy blues tones, or anything in between, the Epiphone Casino delivers the complete package at a price that makes it an absolute steal. Premium tone, iconic style, and road-worthy reliability – what more could you want?

Popular Modifications and Upgrades

While the Epiphone Casino arrives as an incredibly capable, toneful instrument right out of the case, its straightforward design also lends itself well to further tonal tailoring through upgrades and modifications.

A popular starting point is swapping the stock P-90 pickups for hotter aftermarket options from names like Lollar, Lindy Fralin, and TV Jones. Higher output P-90s or mini-humbuckers can allow the Casino to venture into heavier rock tones while retaining that signature snarl. Some even blend P-90s with mini-humbuckers for a fatter, more versatile voice.

The simple control layout is also ripe for upgrading to higher-grade pots, capacitors and wiring methods inspired by vintage ’50s circuits. This can open up more dimensional tone with increased harmonic content.

Other common mods include swapping hardware like the bridge, tailpiece, and tuners for increased sustain, tone, and playability tweaks. The iconic Casino shape looks stunning with premium components.

Performing and Recording With the Casino

With its warm yet focused midrange growl, the Epiphone Casino has been a beloved studio and stage companion for decades. The hollow body’s acoustic responsiveness and projection make it ideal for nuanced playing styles like jazz and blues. Yet the P-90s cut through even heavy-hitting rock mixes.

And unlike many hollow body guitars, the Casino delivers impressive feedback resistance thanks to its strategic bracing and wood combinations. Players can confidently lean into cranked tube amps and heavy distortion without excessive howling. It’s no wonder the Casino has graced so many iconic recordings.

From The Beatles’ revolutionary “Revolution” to Television’s shimmering cult classic Marquee Moon, the Casino’s distinctive voice has driven scores of legendary tracks across genres like rock, blues, jazz and indie. John Lee Hooker, Gary Moore, Paul Weller – the list of Casino champions goes on and on.

Whether plugged into a lightweight amp for acoustic-like clean tones or a powerhouse stack for aggressive overdrive, the Epiphone Casino simply sings with an authentic vintage spirit and character that inspires melodic creativity. It’s a distinguished instrument for both stage and studio.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros:

– Iconic semi-hollow body design with premium looks  

– Bold and gritty yet nuanced tones from the P-90 pickups

– Very comfortable playing feel from the C-shaped set neck

– Incredible value as a pro-level guitar on a budget

Cons:

– May require some setup work out of the box

– Lacks pickup versatility of humbuckers or coil-splits

– Hollow body prone to some feedback at high volumes

Final Thoughts

The Epiphone Casino absolutely nails the look, feel and raw tones that have made its forefather the ES-330 an absolute legend in the pantheon of semi-hollowbody electric guitars. With its biting P-90 snarl and airy hollowbody resonance, this guitar delivers pro-grade performance and vibe that far exceeds its affordable price tag.

Whether you’re a beginner longing for that iconic rock rhythm crunch or a working indie musician looking for a bargain workhorse, the Epiphone Casino should be on your shortlist. It’s a testament to just how much an iconic guitar can be had for while staying true to the original spirit. Plug in and let your inner Lennon or Richards shine.

Levi Todd