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Post by LesTele on Mar 27, 2020 20:14:58 GMT -5
Spinning off from the ‘itching’ thread, I have decided that I definitely deserve a new guitar.
I had expressed a desire for a ES335 type guitar and the Dot Pro seems ideal. I also mentioned that I liked the idea of a Junior too. I had a PRS soapbar and loved the different sound of the pickups but did not love the neck.
I wondered whether a Casino may be a good fit. I know about the differences in construction between the two. My electrics are a Strat, a Tele and a Les Paul. Rather than another twin humbucker guitar, I would be adding a different beast to my stable.
It would be a bog-standard Casino (full sized) and my first ever mail order guitar.
Any thoughts?
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Post by LTB on Mar 28, 2020 0:26:50 GMT -5
Epiphone ES-335 Pro is much better than the Dot. Casino close 2nd but I am sure others may have different opinions. That is the reason so many models, types etc are out there is to fill someones perfect Niche that fits them personally. Having said that "I think there are way too many flavors of Ice Cream" out there.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Mar 28, 2020 5:09:00 GMT -5
LT,
I bought a "used" Casino Coupe in natural last year when I was on a major Beatles/ John Lennon kick. It was my first ever semi-acoustic. I think I paid about £200 for it, and when it arrived it was in pretty much pristine condition.
My observations are that build quality and finish are very good, neck is medium, comfortable and playable, action is low, but could probably be lower with a good set up. Tonally, it's quite different to any of my current/ previous guitars due to being hollow bodied, and P90 pickups. I haven't gigged it, but it nails the late 60's Beatles sound through my AC15. If I had my time again, I'd *probably* go for a full size Casino, although I've never owned a 335 sized guitar.
I've not played an Epiphone 335, but I have played a 339 which was a decent guitar. I also think the 335 Pro with the block inlays looks much nicer than the 335 Dot. I have however played a Tokai Japan ES178 (335 Pro Copy) which belongs to the young guy who runs the local Buskers' Night and I have to say, it's probably the best guitar I've ever played! So much so, that when I got home I immediately looked them up on eBay...…. £1,800 :-(
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Post by chimpo on Mar 28, 2020 5:36:16 GMT -5
I'll echo ayns with regard to the Casino Coupe. I love ES335s and always wanted the real deal Gibson but $Aus 6000 is way to much. It dawned on me eventually that Epiphone are reasonable quality so I went searching for a Dot. No stores in my local area had any but I played a Coupe and fell in love. I can not fault it at all, top notch fit and finish and it sounds great. It amazes me how the P90s reasonably translate the woody unplugged acoustic tone. I've since read negatives about Epiphone P90s, don't sound like the real deal, muddy etc. Well, I disagree at least in respect to the set in my guitar: clear, articulate, fat n'juicy. Awesome when over-driven. I cannot get enough.
If Casinos or Dots are as good as my Coupe I highly recommend them. If you go that way I guess the deciding factor will be P90s or humbuckers. Also, the Casino is totally hollow where the Dot/ES355 has a solid block down the centre of the cavity to reduce feedback.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Mar 28, 2020 5:43:52 GMT -5
Also, if you're looking on eB*y, there are dozens (hundreds) of Epi 335 Dots to choose from, quite a few Casinos and Casino Coupes, and virtually no 335 Pros.
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Post by LesTele on Mar 28, 2020 5:56:03 GMT -5
Also, if you're looking on eB*y, there are dozens (hundreds) of Epi 335 Dots to choose from, quite a few Casinos and Casino Coupes, and virtually no 335 Pros. Thanks for that and your thoughts on the Casino. I’ve sold a few guitars on eB*y but for some reason I’m very wary about buying guitars from there. It’s probably an irrational fear because I’ve bought a number of film cameras on eB*y and been very pleased with the results. I’m going to limit myself to UK retailers in this instance. It will be my small contribution to keeping British retailers in business
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Mar 28, 2020 6:17:45 GMT -5
Nice one LT ;-)
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 28, 2020 8:22:54 GMT -5
Do you like skinny necks? The Epi ES-335 Pro is really thin.
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Post by LesTele on Mar 28, 2020 9:30:30 GMT -5
Do you like skinny necks? The Epi ES-335 Pro is really thin. I don’t mind them. My left hand can deal with violin and mandolin necks. It’s wide fat necks that I don’t like. I find them tiring. If I hadn’t experienced the hand fatigue for myself I would never have believed it was a thing. My Les Paul has a 60s neck.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 28, 2020 9:33:56 GMT -5
You would then likely dig the Epiphone Pro. It also has the pull pots that I personally think offer a nice option for snappy rhythms and such.
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Post by oldnjplayer on Mar 28, 2020 10:52:30 GMT -5
what no love for the Sheraton II.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Mar 28, 2020 11:05:33 GMT -5
what no love for the Sheraton II. I haven't played one, but I believe they're an "upgrade" on the Epi Dot.
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Post by LesTele on Mar 28, 2020 11:06:49 GMT -5
what no love for the Sheraton II. It’s much the same story as the ES335, another twin humbucker guitar (minis as I understand it) with a centre block. The Pro has the same coil splitting. It’s in the same price range as the Casino in the UK. It looks kinda fancy! I’m open to all suggestions - no Sheraton hate here. So far, I have ruled out the basic Dot. Edit. Checking again the Sheraton pickups appear to be normal humbackers
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Post by Charente on Mar 28, 2020 13:44:50 GMT -5
I recently bought an Epi 335 pro on a blowout deal (on the vintage burst models) and it's a really nice instrument as long as you're OK with 60's slim taper necks.
FWIW I've always fancied a 335 but was wary because of comments about the sheer size. It's not a problem at all.
Personally, given the guitars you already own, I'd be tempted to go for the Casino as you're adding two things you don't currently have in the arsenal. On the other hand, even with P90s a Casino isn't a Junior.
Strangely enough my last two guitar purchases have been a Gibby Junior and the Epi 335. The newly revamped Epiphone range does pretty nice versions of both.
Maybe you 'deserve' two?
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Mar 28, 2020 14:16:49 GMT -5
The Sheraton is a Dot with lots of gingerbread. Think of it as a pimped-out 335-alike The Dot is like the Motel 6 of 335s, and the Sheraton is like...the Sheraton. A Casino would be great for you because you currently have no P90-equipped arrow in your quiver.
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Post by Charente on Mar 28, 2020 14:22:03 GMT -5
Actually Les, the following vid suggests the Epi 2020 LP Special is the guitar for you :
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Post by LTB on Mar 29, 2020 7:10:29 GMT -5
Also, if you're looking on eB*y, there are dozens (hundreds) of Epi 335 Dots to choose from, quite a few Casinos and Casino Coupes, and virtually no 335 Pros. I wonder why that is 😉
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Post by LTB on Mar 29, 2020 7:14:13 GMT -5
what no love for the Sheraton II. I played one in Guitar Center a while back and liked it It is a great guitar. Wasn’t too wild about the Bling on the headstock though
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Post by guildx700 on Apr 1, 2020 21:18:16 GMT -5
I've got an old Sheraton I love the hell out of. No markings, made in on it so unsure of the year.
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Post by LesTele on Apr 1, 2020 21:32:49 GMT -5
I think I have made up my mind. The Casino seems to tick all the boxes. I play with only a minimal amount of dirt and feedback will not be an issue.
The P90s will be an addition to my arsenal and I fancy a finish similar to John Lennon’s stripped down Casino.
If I didn’t already have a Les Paul I would have seriously considered the Sheraton and the Epi ES 335 pro.
Now there’s been a lot of chat about the cheaper Gretsch models......
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Post by guildx700 on Apr 1, 2020 21:38:07 GMT -5
I think I have made up my mind. The Casino seems to tick all the boxes. I play with only a minimal amount of dirt and feedback will not be an issue. The P90s will be an addition to my arsenal and I fancy a finish similar to John Lennon’s stripped down Casino. If I didn’t already have a Les Paul I would have seriously considered the Sheraton and the Epi ES 335 pro. Now there’s been a lot of chat about the cheaper Gretsch models...... IMO one needs a minimum of one P 90 Gui-tar. Love their growl, very unique sound.
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Post by Vibroluxer on Apr 2, 2020 0:02:08 GMT -5
I had a made in China and an Elite Casinos. The elite boasted made in USA electronics. While it was a bit nicer overall the pickups sounded the same to me. P90s in a hollowbody sound like nothing else. Warm and creamy to sparkly cleans.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Apr 2, 2020 3:07:49 GMT -5
You're gonna love the P90s.
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Post by jhawkr on Apr 2, 2020 5:44:40 GMT -5
I've had a Casino Elite since 2002. One of the finest guitars I've ever owned and I own a lot of fine guitars. MIJ with all USA made hardware and electronics. 18 years and I've never had to touch the original setup.
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Post by Vibroluxer on Apr 2, 2020 7:02:36 GMT -5
I've had a Casino Elite since 2002. One of the finest guitars I've ever owned and I own a lot of fine guitars. MIJ with all USA made hardware and electronics. 18 years and I've never had to touch the original setup. The Elite/Elitist was apparently discontinued because it cut into sales of the Gibson models. The quality was superb.
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Post by LTB on Apr 2, 2020 7:29:10 GMT -5
I've had a Casino Elite since 2002. One of the finest guitars I've ever owned and I own a lot of fine guitars. MIJ with all USA made hardware and electronics. 18 years and I've never had to touch the original setup. The Elite/Elitist was apparently discontinued because it cut into sales of the Gibson models. The quality was superb. I memory is correct I believe when they first surfaced Epi Casino's were $500 ish while Elites $700-$800 then elitist came out a around $1000-1000 (am I right JHawkr
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Post by Vibroluxer on Apr 2, 2020 7:48:23 GMT -5
That sounds right to me.
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Post by rdr on Apr 2, 2020 10:14:40 GMT -5
I have a Gibson 335 and a "Inspired by Lennon" Casino (not the 1965 Revolution model). This Casino has Gibson P90s and U.S. electronics and the build quality is outstanding. Love them both. 335- 9 pounds. Casino- 6.4 pounds. I had a Chinese Casino and was not impressed and sold it. It is worth looking for a used "IBL" Casino. Seem to be scarce tho. Maybe the standard ones are better now.
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Post by LTB on Apr 2, 2020 10:43:14 GMT -5
I think I have made up my mind. The Casino seems to tick all the boxes. I play with only a minimal amount of dirt and feedback will not be an issue. The P90s will be an addition to my arsenal and I fancy a finish similar to John Lennon’s stripped down Casino. If I didn’t already have a Les Paul I would have seriously considered the Sheraton and the Epi ES 335 pro. Now there’s been a lot of chat about the cheaper Gretsch models...... Check out this Youtube review of the Casino Coupe. I think it is awesome
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Post by Mfitz804 on Apr 2, 2020 20:49:01 GMT -5
I’d like to try out a Casino Coupe. I liked the Casino but I’m so used to a smaller solid body electric so it feels way too large. Casino Coupe seems to be right in my wheelhouse.
Maybe one day.
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