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gibson 330 reissues, vs. epiphone john lennon signatures

handwerk

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Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Messages
44
sorry for posting for what is possibly a tired subject.
i would be interested in comparisons of overall quality in construction and sound, playability, between the 2; gibson reissues, vs. epiphone john lennon, signature casinos.
my experience is with the epiphone.

thinking of selling a gibson to finance a 330. in nyc, hard to believe there is not a store where they are plentiful. they do have a vintage 65, and 61 in one store. and also a reissue, out in long island, (with a bigsby).
i will check that out but vintage is not what i am desiring.

i keep reading the gibson 330 in general is constructed better, and sounds better, in general. i can believe this for obvious reasons, though i am certain you can find a casino which would out do a 330. i also like the idea of the 3 ply vs. 5 for added resonance. also, i honestly just prefer a gibson.

i have had a johnny a custom for 10 years and it is an excellent guitar, however i find i only use it for recording, and tho the value has doubled in that time, and will probably continue to do so i find my tastes have changed and i would rather have a guitar which also lends itself to creating music, (basically i write songs). have 2 casinos. one, too low volume/resonance. (i typically play unamplified), and the other, great acoustically, but somewhat harsh for my tastes, (the revolution model). I am also put off a bit purchasing on eBay for this guitar as guitars can vary so much, the chance of getting one that fits would be somewhat rare possibly.

Thanks for any input.
richard
 

joptunes

Member
Joined
May 28, 2015
Messages
73
Can't speak to the Casino but I have a 2012 330 custom shop model. The full hollow design is very appealing especially unplugged. Mine sounds great and is the best choice sitting around strumming unplugged.

i didn't think they put bigsbys on the 330s because they are full hollow.

I recommend the 330 but I'm biased šŸ˜€
 

deytookerjaabs

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Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,592
What do you mean by the Lennon being harsh? I had the non-revolution USA model and the only change I made to it was plastic covers on the p90's which IMO was an improvement, though I learned the hard way that all the repro parts aren't vintage correct. It was a great guitar, and the USA ES-330's are equally wonderful, almost the same but the Lennon Casino had a more vintage style fret wire from what I recall. I sold it to Rock and Roll vintage during a tax crunch, lol.
 

handwerk

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Mar 13, 2017
Messages
44
What do you mean by the Lennon being harsh? I had the non-revolution USA model and the only change I made to it was plastic covers on the p90's which IMO was an improvement, though I learned the hard way that all the repro parts aren't vintage correct. It was a great guitar, and the USA ES-330's are equally wonderful, almost the same but the Lennon Casino had a more vintage style fret wire from what I recall. I sold it to Rock and Roll vintage during a tax crunch, lol.

oh i mean it is loud, and the open chords are amazing but down the fretboard somewhat compromised, buzzing a bit, needs work. whereas the 1965 i have is/had a fret job when i traded for it. lower volume etc.
 

handwerk

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Mar 13, 2017
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44
Is the Casino full hollow body?

the signature is supposed to be. i have read some of the others, possibly the korean has some sort of wood there. but not like the 335. someone posted a photo on another forum where under the soundboard there was something.
 

mdubya

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Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
Is the Casino full hollow body?

Yes.

Certainly in the 60's they were nearly identical to ES 330 construction.

******

I have a late 2012/early 2013 Custom Shop ES 330 VOS. It is an exquisite guitar. Is the Lennon Casino an Elitist? Japanese made? Either way, nothing wrong with current Casinos. Maybe the one you describe as "harsh" sounding would benefit from a change of pickups or pots? :hmm

I love my 330 VOS. Buy with confidence, I say. My thing was, I wanted a 330. The Casino was a consideration, but I found an offer I couldn't refuse on the 330.
 

deytookerjaabs

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Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,592
Yes.

Certainly in the 60's they were nearly identical to ES 330 construction.

******

I have a late 2012/early 2013 Custom Shop ES 330 VOS. It is an exquisite guitar. Is the Lennon Casino an Elitist? Japanese made? Either way, nothing wrong with current Casinos. Maybe the one you describe as "harsh" sounding would benefit from a change of pickups or pots? :hmm

I love my 330 VOS. Buy with confidence, I say. My thing was, I wanted a 330. The Casino was a consideration, but I found an offer I couldn't refuse on the 330.

There was a limited run USA made version of the Lennon Casino in two forms..one was the "revolution" which was like the guitar after his refin, the other was what the guitar would've been like from the factory "John Lennon 1965 Casino". I scored mine for $1,000 on Ebay years ago, it was about dead on to a vintage Casino, the neck even had that real shallow set & angle, very impressive guitars that went under the radar on the used market for a while (not so much anymore).
 

handwerk

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Mar 13, 2017
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44
There was a limited run USA made version of the Lennon Casino in two forms..one was the "revolution" which was like the guitar after his refin, the other was what the guitar would've been like from the factory "John Lennon 1965 Casino". I scored mine for $1,000 on Ebay years ago, it was about dead on to a vintage Casino, the neck even had that real shallow set & angle, very impressive guitars that went under the radar on the used market for a while (not so much anymore).

yes the is the one i have.
 

jb_abides

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Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,275
The USA Lennon Casinos were made by Gibson, akin to 330 Reissues, but with the Epi specs and headstock, obviously. They are very well regarded and I kick myself on not getting both new (very few lefties out there, offered by MF, and Elliot Easton has the 1965)... but then again I didn't have the dosh then so it would've been a big deal :##

I picked up a used Revolution, and it's wonderful. I don't find it harsh but it is very alive and resonant given the ultra-thin coating of lacquer.

I have the VOS 330 and love it too. Can't say I'd have given up the Casino for the 330, but love having the 330. I prefer the neck.

I'd say you'd really need to comb over both and decide if you let go of a limited USA Casino for a 330. I wouldn't move the Johnny A either, but plenty of folks move things out they don't bond with, no matter the value or perceived investment. If you will have no regrets letting the JA or the Lennon go after thinking hard, then do go for it.

Me: I'd keep both, wait n' save for a used recent VOS 330, get a good price... they are out there and continue to be, so more guitars wins in this scenario (well, in most scenarios).

:salude
 
Last edited:

handwerk

New member
Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Messages
44
The USA Lennon Casinos were made by Gibson, akin to 330 Reissues, but with the Epi specs and headstock, obviously. They are very well regarded and I kick myself on not getting both new (very few lefties out there, offered by MF, and Elliot Easton has the 1965)... but then again I didn't have the dosh then so it would've been a big deal :##

I picked up a used Revolution, and it's wonderful. I don't find it harsh but it is very alive and resonant given the ultra-thin coating of lacquer.

I have the VOS 330 and love it too. Can't say I'd have given up the Casino for the 330, but love having the 330. I prefer the neck.

I'd say you'd really need to comb over both and decide if you let go of a limited USA Casino for a 330. I wouldn't move the Johnny A either, but plenty of folks move things out they don't bond with, no matter the value or perceived investment. If you will have no regrets letting the JA or the Lennon go after thinking hard, then do go for it.

Me: I'd keep both, wait n' save for a used recent VOS 300, get a good price... they are out there and continue to be, so more guitars wins in this scenario (well, in most scenarios).

:salude

the 330 you have. does it have the 59 neck? since the revolution model is the most resonant and actually inspires me to write i will probably keep it. the ja is amazingly well made, and a really professional instrument, but like i said used for recording only. i may wait a bit as i may be going thru a phase, but the 330 is a guitar i really want. just would want to find a good one. from what i've read they can vary and buying online from somewhere like wildwood is ok because you can return, eBay not. pretty much stuck with what you purchase.
 

handwerk

New member
Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Messages
44
The USA Lennon Casinos were made by Gibson, akin to 330 Reissues, but with the Epi specs and headstock, obviously. They are very well regarded and I kick myself on not getting both new (very few lefties out there, offered by MF, and Elliot Easton has the 1965)... but then again I didn't have the dosh then so it would've been a big deal :##

I picked up a used Revolution, and it's wonderful. I don't find it harsh but it is very alive and resonant given the ultra-thin coating of lacquer.

I have the VOS 330 and love it too. Can't say I'd have given up the Casino for the 330, but love having the 330. I prefer the neck.

I'd say you'd really need to comb over both and decide if you let go of a limited USA Casino for a 330. I wouldn't move the Johnny A either, but plenty of folks move things out they don't bond with, no matter the value or perceived investment. If you will have no regrets letting the JA or the Lennon go after thinking hard, then do go for it.

Me: I'd keep both, wait n' save for a used recent VOS 300, get a good price... they are out there and continue to be, so more guitars wins in this scenario (well, in most scenarios).

:salude
i did read the e. easton thread which he said he had epiphone make a dozen lefties. so a few are out there. tho, did mccartney just reverse the guitar, and set it up for the reverse?
 

jb_abides

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Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,275
the 330 you have. does it have the 59 neck? since the revolution model is the most resonant and actually inspires me to write i will probably keep it. the ja is amazingly well made, and a really professional instrument, but like i said used for recording only. i may wait a bit as i may be going thru a phase, but the 330 is a guitar i really want. just would want to find a good one. from what i've read they can vary and buying online from somewhere like wildwood is ok because you can return, eBay not. pretty much stuck with what you purchase.

I have 1 of 3 Lefty JA so yeah, I know they are special... he-he. Mine's a Bigsby.

Neck on VOS 330, it's a '59 Reissue, so it's got a mahogany neck, with a maple spline, '59 neck profile with dark rosewood and rolled cream bindings. 3-ply maple/poplar/maple, both front and back. Fully hollow, short scale.

PUPs are P-90s, slightly under wound. Sounds great unplugged too. Looks killer in Vintage Burst. The look was already a throughback look in 1959, so it has lots of vibe. I'd pick up a natural if I ever find one again.

Mike Votlz who runs Gibson Memphis has really upped their game, with things like the ES Paul and Reissues, and some Retro patterns with modern twists. With all the turmoil at over at Custom, I am keeping my eye on what Mike's doing in Memphis and hope to snatch up whatever lefty output they offer before the wind changes... :salude

Being a lefty I don't have the luxury of righty Try N' Buy. I look around online and dealers, and ask questions and go with my best instinct. Haven't lost yet, with a real dog. OK, so some have been "more special" than others; I wouldn't worry if you work with a LPForum dealer or someone online you trust (I'll place Sweetwater in that camp, and you can get them to do firsthand accounts too).
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,275
i did read the e. easton thread which he said he had epiphone make a dozen lefties. so a few are out there. tho, did mccartney just reverse the guitar, and set it up for the reverse?

Yes, I think there were 6 a piece, 1965 and Revolution.

Macca did the flip thing...

02-CASINO-McCARTNEY.jpg



I should say DOES the flip thing... I've seen him wield it!

4880355923_697425579d_b.jpg
 

handwerk

New member
Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Messages
44
Yes.

Certainly in the 60's they were nearly identical to ES 330 construction.

******

I have a late 2012/early 2013 Custom Shop ES 330 VOS. It is an exquisite guitar. Is the Lennon Casino an Elitist? Japanese made? Either way, nothing wrong with current Casinos. Maybe the one you describe as "harsh" sounding would benefit from a change of pickups or pots? :hmm

I love my 330 VOS. Buy with confidence, I say. My thing was, I wanted a 330. The Casino was a consideration, but I found an offer I couldn't refuse on the 330.


both were made in japan-assembled in use
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
sorry for posting for what is possibly a tired subject.
i would be interested in comparisons of overall quality in construction and sound, playability, between the 2; gibson reissues, vs. epiphone john lennon, signature casinos.
my experience is with the epiphone.

thinking of selling a gibson to finance a 330. in nyc, hard to believe there is not a store where they are plentiful. they do have a vintage 65, and 61 in one store. and also a reissue, out in long island, (with a bigsby).
i will check that out but vintage is not what i am desiring.

i keep reading the gibson 330 in general is constructed better, and sounds better, in general. i can believe this for obvious reasons, though i am certain you can find a casino which would out do a 330. i also like the idea of the 3 ply vs. 5 for added resonance. also, i honestly just prefer a gibson.

i have had a johnny a custom for 10 years and it is an excellent guitar, however i find i only use it for recording, and tho the value has doubled in that time, and will probably continue to do so i find my tastes have changed and i would rather have a guitar which also lends itself to creating music, (basically i write songs). have 2 casinos. one, too low volume/resonance. (i typically play unamplified), and the other, great acoustically, but somewhat harsh for my tastes, (the revolution model). I am also put off a bit purchasing on eBay for this guitar as guitars can vary so much, the chance of getting one that fits would be somewhat rare possibly.

Thanks for any input.
richard


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