If you’re thinking about getting a new hollow body guitar and you’re not sure if Epiphone Casino is a good guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that unique instrument. It’s a really popular model, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Epiphone Casino is a fantastic hollow body guitar. It certainly looks, sounds and feels like a guitar from a higher shelf. Surely, the vast majority of guitarists will really appreciate the high quality of that model. It’s definitely worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Epiphone Casino so good and so popular. Firstly, we’ll start with listing the specifications and the main advantages of that model. Additionally, we’ll see if it has any potential flaws. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Epiphone Casino is a high quality hollow body guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. It’s actually one of the most popular guitars of this type that are currently manufactured by Epiphone!
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features the laminated 5-layer maple body, a comfortable Mahogany SlimTaper “D”-profile neck and smooth Pau Ferro fingerboard with 12″ radius. The guitar is also available in two different color versions: Natural and Vintage Sunburst.
What’s important, the manufacturer equipped this model with a pair of really good pickups: Epiphone P-90R and P-90T. These pickups sound absolutely amazing and they can be used in a lot of different styles of music.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not exactly a cheap guitar. Still, it seems to be one of the best mid-level hollow body guitars that are currently available on the market. Undoubtedly, the Casino model is definitely worth every cent.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Epiphone Casino is suitable for all-level players. It doesn’t really matter if you’re a beginner or a more intermediate guitarist – you will definitely appreciate the high quality of that model. It’s also a perfect guitar for working musicians who often perform live.
It is also worth mentioning that this is a really versatile instrument, which means that it can be used in a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into rock, blues, jazz or rockabilly – this guitar won’t let you down.
The Casino model is also not overly expensive (especially in comparison with all the Gibson guitars), so it’s a perfect fit for those who don’t want to spend too much on new gear. Surely, saving up to get that particular model won’t be a massive issue.
Overall, Epiphone Casino is an excellent hollow body guitar available at a relatively low price. I’m positive that the vast majority of guitarists will absolutely love that model. Honestly, it will be tough to find a better guitar of this type, especially at this price level.
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of Epiphone Casino
In general, Epiphone Casino guitars don’t have any major factory flaws. This is a really well made guitar, so it’s really unlikely that you’re going to experience any serious issues after unboxing.
Nevertheless, this is still not a guitar from the highest shelf, which means that it’s not perfect either. Visiting a local luthier to adjust the string action and set up all the minor flaws may be a good idea, but it’s not necessary.
Also, bear in mind that the Casino model usually comes without a gig bag. If you’re planning on traveling or commuting with that guitar, you’ll have to get a soft or hard case separately from somewhere else.
Gibson ES-335 vs Epiphone Casino
A lot of guitarists wonder whether they should choose Gibson ES-335 or Epiphone Casino. And to be honest, it’s pretty difficult to pick a clear winner of that battle!
As you’re probably aware, Gibson guitars tend to be really expensive. You may think that they’re much better than less expensive Epiphone guitars, but the truth is that the sound difference is not that big.
If you’re on a tight budget, choosing the Epiphone will be a much better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for gear from the highest shelf and you don’t really care about the price, any Gibson will be a good fit for you.
Here’s a really good video that compares the sound of the ES-335 and the Casino – feel free to check it out below.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Epiphone Casino or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of other really good hollow and semi hollow body guitars that also deserve a lot attention. Of course, it all depends on your budget.
Here’s a few more gear recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out Gretsch G5410T Rat Rod. This is a high quality hollow body guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. For those who aren’t aware, Gretsch is an absolute leader when it comes to hollow and semi-hollow body guitars. This model guarantees a fantastic playing experience and it’s definitely worth the money!
Alternatively, you can also check out Ibanez AF75G. In comparison with Epiphone Casino, this particular model is actually far more affordable. It may not be the best guitar in the world, but it’s definitely a great choice for those who don’t want to spend too much on new gear.
Additionally, I highly recommend checking out my article about 10 Best Gretsch Guitars For Rock, Jazz & Worship. The guitars made by this brand always offer a great quality, so there’s a high chance that your dream guitar is on that list.
FAQ
Where is Epiphone Casino Archtop made?
Epiphone Casino Archtop hollow body guitar is currently manufactured in China.
Is the Casino model a good guitar for players with small hands?
Yes! Epiphone Casino has a 24.75″ scale length, which means that it’s really comfortable for guitarists with small hands.
Where can I find out more about Epiphone?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of guitars, check out the official website of Epiphone.
Summary
As you can see, Epiphone Casino is a really special hollow body guitar. I’m positive that a lot of you will immediately fall in love with that guitar. It will be really tough to find a better instrument of this type at this price level!
What do you think of that guitar? Would you add it to your own guitar collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
