Musicman20 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I just absolutely love the body shape of the big E335's/Casino's. It's been years since I wanted a new 6 string, and at the moment its between a Strat, another Tele, or possibly a big ol' Gibson/Epiphone semi-hollow type guitar. Can anyone recommend an Epiphone Casino model? Pref. current. There are about 3-4 versions at the moment. Any other recommendations? I don't want to spend more than about £1000...really.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 If you're up for spending a grand, I'd consider looking for a (used, because they're no longer made) Yamaha SA2000. It was around for a few years in the late 70's/early 80's before being replaced with the SA2200 which is reportedly a lovely guitar too, but not [i]quite [/i]as lovely as its predecessor. It was Yamaha's top-of-the-range effort to show Gibson et al how it was done and is a stunning piece of kit. My brother acquired one and I've pinched it for a few extended loans ("Yeah, sure I'll bring it back at the weekend" ) and done a few gigs and recording sessions with it. It's the nicest guitar I've ever played bar none, and gave a great showing when compared to a mates recently purchased Gibbo Custom Shop 335. If you can find one, it'll be near enough on your £1k budget, but definitely worth a look. You'll be glad you did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Graham is pretty crap at his adverts but I was looking at this and they get v. good reviews. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/185710-fs-washburn-hb-35-with-seymour-duncans/page__p__2008453__hl__washburn__fromsearch__1#entry2008453 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 have you tried asking Brian at The guitar shop? (off high bridge) he's usually got a few pukka used gibson ones and they might just slip under your top price bracket, he's often got other nice semi-acoustics too at very sensible prices. I couldn't afford too much when i bought my 335 copy but managed to snag a mid 90's tanglewood cs-2 (chicago) a couple of years ago for 230 quid from a mates dad, really lovely guitar at bargain prices (much better than the current tanglewood chicago's) matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6v6 Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I think you should decide if you're after a casino or a 335 - they are pretty different (the ES330 would be a better comparison IMO) I have a 1984 Epiphone MIJ casino, it's really great - I've had it a long time so not sure what they go for nowadays, but I'd guess you could probably find one within your budget. Other options to consider, used guild starfire or gibson es135, gordon smith also make great instruments (I have a GS2) and they have a variety of nice semis in their range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 My friend has a mid 80s Epiphone Casino MIJ and its really great, I've been trying to buy it off him for years. They are hard to find in my experience. I think Epiphone went the way of Squier after the 80s. I bought an Epihone in the late 90s and it wasn't great, I sold it very soon after buying it. I haven't tried any recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I very much like the look of these: http://www.fret-king.com/eliseblacklabel.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 +1 for the Yamaha SA2000, I would also highly recommend an ESP PC-2V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 As with all instruments I think it's a case of getting out there and trying some out, what suits one person may be a dog to someone else. It's also worth remembering that not all guitars of the same make and model are created equal, the difference in feel and tone can be startling. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Gibson ES335 = semi-hollow, centre block, humbucking pickups. Epiphone Casino (equivalent to Gibson ES330) = fully hollow, no centre block, single coil P90 pickups. So, quite different guitars and you need to try them out. My son has a early 2000s Korean built Casino which he uses constantly in a variety of genres - it does seem to be an all-round guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigLicks67 Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Second Hand Yamaha Sa2200, Japanese Tokai ES Models, Ibanez John Scofield Model or Gibson ES339 (has a smaller body though). I've played a few Epiphone Sheratons and felt they were poor quality and had tuning issues, but the modern Epiphones seem to get good reviews. There's also the cheaper Ibanez 335, you get one and put in a set of 57 classic pickups and save yourself a lot of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121086633526?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 I don't know why Washburns haven't really taken off over here, the ones I have played have been really nice instruments. G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 Thanks all. I realie the two i've referred two are different, but I was just wanting to point in that direction. I think the idea of the P90s appeal as I really seem to get on with single coils on guitars. It would be nice to have a contrast to my Tele, but ultimately, that Casino idea seems great. I need to get to a big guitar shop and try a few out. I am not the best guitarist so I am always daunted by this, in contrast to going in and turning a bass up and playing loudly with no issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 (edited) Aw come on, for approx 700, you want one of these bad boys - (Gretsch G5422TDCG) Edited March 28, 2013 by EBS_freak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1364480069' post='2027046'] Aw come on, for approx 700, you want one of these bad boys - (Gretsch G5422TDCG) [/quote] Don't tempt me! There is a guitar shop right near my work with a load of Gretsch guitars. I ABSOLUTELY love how they look. I have no idea how good the budget Gretsch guitars are..but if they sound/feel have as good as they look, I'd be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 There you go, worth a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1364480069' post='2027046'] (Gretsch G5422TDCG) [/quote] [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1364483849' post='2027113'] Don't tempt me! There is a guitar shop right near my work with a load of Gretsch guitars. I ABSOLUTELY love how they look. I have no idea how good the budget Gretsch guitars are..but if they sound/feel have as good as they look, I'd be happy. [/quote] Friend of mine had a black one of those. It was very nice but he had constant trouble with the floating bridge and so with intonation. I believe the fix is usually double sided tape but instead he sold it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRagamuffins Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Ah, looks like someone has beaten me to it, but the new Gretsch 5422's are pretty, pretty good. Played one the other month and was impressed. I'd shop around and you can find some going for southwards of 600 notes, especially if you can find ex-demo ones. Gretsch also did a 5122 but I can't vouch for that and I've heard that the pick-ups are a bit hit and miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingmar808 Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 (edited) How come no one's mentioned the Epiphone Dot? They seem to thought of as the one, great, indisputable bargain out there - great to play, lively sound, and the build quality is incredible. Many feel the neck is more playable than the Gibson - it's a bit slimmer. I got a ten-year-old MIC recently - the older MIKs are said to be even better, though I'm not sure how they can be. Stupid cheap too - you could buy FOUR new ones for a grand - yet they're good enough for Josh Homme and various others. Edited April 24, 2013 by ingmar808 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I'd go a for a used Epiphone Casino with a P or R prefix, which means made in Korea, Peerless factory. Should get one for £350-£425. Peerless got the shape right and the quality is good. They used the same jigs on the Peerless Songbird model, which pissed Epiphone off no end. They really are very useable, and if I had to retire my old ES330 I'd probably get one myself. (And rewind the pickups). Otherwise the Lennon Casino with the Grover tuners from about 4/5 years ago was a bit of a cut above the rest IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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