Gibson ES-330 vs Casino: there can be only one

alex matson · Post by **alex matson** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:35 pm

Got curious about the Gibson, read that the Casino is similar, saw on ebay that the 330 goes for 1-3 grand, and of course there's expensive and cheap Casinos. Are the cheapies any good? Does the 330 really have a tendency to 'fold at the neck' - that doesn't sound too promising...what's your favorite value-priced thin hollowbody?

??????? · Post by **???????** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:00 pm

which one do you think looks cooler? Otherwise they're the same (the old models anyhow)

justinf · Post by **justinf** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:10 pm

I got the Heritage 535 when I was looking for something similar, and was happy except for the bland pickups. I replaced the stock pups with Rio Grande Bastard/Fat Bastard P-90s and it became kind of a turbo Casino. Worth checking out if you can find a deal on a 535 (less than a grand).

themagicmanmdt · Post by **themagicmanmdt** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:33 pm

all i have to say is:

get an epiphone, change the pickups.

done. deal.

i've NEVER held a gibson and felt like it was worth even 2/3 the price tag.

i've got an epiphone 295 that i absolutely adore, and will never ever ever ever ever ever EVER part with.

LeedyGuy · Post by **LeedyGuy** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:40 pm

TOTAL EDIT:

I have a Gretsch single pickup hollow body (sunburst) that I love. It's awesome. Model number=no idea.

pineyb · Post by **pineyb** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:07 pm

I have a 65 Casino and a 90's Casino. I replaced the pickups, nut, and bridge saddles on the 90's model.... and I have to say, that there is very little difference sound wise between the two. 330s are great and should be exactly the same as the Casinos.... but I have always found them to be more aggressive sounding. There is no good reason for this that I can see......

Get a cheap Casino and fix it up a bit... plug it into some kind of Vox amp and go for it.

weatherbox · Post by **weatherbox** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:10 am

I have a '65 330. Friend just got one of the new Elitist line Epi Casinos, and I think it's really excellent and holds up surprisingly well against my 330. Were I in the market for a new hollow, it'd probably be the one I'd go for.

lanterns · Post by **lanterns** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:24 am

I've got the MIK natural Casino and kept it stock. Someday I will switch out all of the electronics and flip it left handed at the nut. I have no regrets about this guitar and look forward to having it forever.

dumbangel · Post by **dumbangel** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:49 pm

Get the Lollar P90 pickups. These will make a massive improvement to your sound. The difference between them and the stock Epiphone ones (they're Japanese Gibson copies) are like night and day.

weatherbox · Post by **weatherbox** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:07 pm

dumbangel wrote:Get the Lollar P90 pickups. These will make a massive improvement to your sound. The difference between them and the stock Epiphone ones (they're Japanese Gibson copies) are like night and day.

don't forget to do the pots at the same time!

also, anyone lemme know where you're seeing 330s for a grand... just that thought takes me back to 1999...

lanterns · Post by **lanterns** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:46 pm

How would you attempt to do the electronics on your own? It seems like you'd need a little telescope mirror and some probiscus on your hands to get thru the f-holes and install the pickups.

inverseroom · Post by **inverseroom** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:49 pm

TOKAI

??????? · Post by **???????** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:55 pm

inverseroom wrote:TOKAI

micyourbrain · Post by **micyourbrain** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:21 pm

lollar and epiphone elitist

nestle · Post by **nestle** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:20 am

themagicmanmdt wrote:all i have to say is:

get an epiphone, change the pickups.

done. deal.

i've NEVER held a gibson and felt like it was worth even 2/3 the price tag.

i've got an epiphone 295 that i absolutely adore, and will never ever ever ever ever ever EVER part with.

RIGHT ON, this is the one, the 295, put grovers on it, take the flowery pick guard off, screw the bridge down in the middle and change the switch to a gibson and this thing is just a great guitar. I've got a dozen fancier vintage guitars but the ES295 gets used on at least 75% percent of session work. Don't change the pick ups, they are the best part. It's great how in the 2 P90's middle position it's like a giant humbucker...no noise, great crunch.
I used to have a 66' Casino, sold it, it wasn't all that, also a 67 ES 335 let it go too...but I will hold on to the 295 forever.

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Gibson ES-330 vs Casino: there can be only one

Gibson ES-330 vs Casino: there can be only one

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