• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

ES-330 VS Epiphone Casino

dlmorley

Active member
Joined
Oct 25, 2002
Messages
1,558
Having been after an ES-330 for a while, I may have the opportunity to get a 60's Casino.
Any opinions as to how the 2 guitars might compare? I know they are basically the same guitar, but I have heard that the Epi has a different top (3 ply on the epi instead of 5 ply on the ES?)
Anything else to consider?? Someone with experience of both compare build quality and of most importance, sound?
Thanks
David
 

plaintop60

New member
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
2,210
There are so many production anomalies on Gibson products from this period that any generalizations are probably of limited value. IMO as with any musical instrument purchase, an in hand inspection is necessary unless you are just buying it for raw materials to do a project. IMO, most of the Epiphone labeled instruments from this period are at least as good or better than the Gibson labeled ones.
 
T

Troels

Guest
Having been after an ES-330 for a while, I may have the opportunity to get a 60's Casino.
Any opinions as to how the 2 guitars might compare? I know they are basically the same guitar, but I have heard that the Epi has a different top (3 ply on the epi instead of 5 ply on the ES?)
Anything else to consider?? Someone with experience of both compare build quality and of most importance, sound?
Thanks
David

Epi had five layers (not ES) maple/birch/maple/birch/maple whereas ES-330 had four (not three like todays 335) in the early 60s..: Maple/maple(grains same direction lengthwise)/something (maple, poplar, birch or even mahogany)/maple. Except for the laminates and peghead style they were all the same construction and hardware. The most important thing to look after (next to neck angle, delamitations and lose parts) is top sinking. The string pull on a Casino/Epi (0.10 to 0.46) produce a downforce on the bridge equivalent to about 28 lbs and over the years this together with environmental influences such as temperature and humidity may cause the top to think - sometimes quite a bit.
 

dlmorley

Active member
Joined
Oct 25, 2002
Messages
1,558
Thanks for the info!
Yes Troels. Sounds wise to check the top...
 

kerryboy

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 20, 2002
Messages
1,199
Epi had five layers (not ES) maple/birch/maple/birch/maple whereas ES-330 had four (not three like todays 335) in the early 60s..: Maple/maple(grains same direction lengthwise)/something (maple, poplar, birch or even mahogany)/maple. Except for the laminates and peghead style they were all the same construction and hardware. The most important thing to look after (next to neck angle, delamitations and lose parts) is top sinking. The string pull on a Casino/Epi (0.10 to 0.46) produce a downforce on the bridge equivalent to about 28 lbs and over the years this together with environmental influences such as temperature and humidity may cause the top to think - sometimes quite a bit.

It never fails to amaze me of the knowledge some of you guys have. Brilliant
 

RAB

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Messages
2,122
As noted, the Epi quality is as good or better than similar vintage Gibsons...based on my '64 Royal Tan Casino, '62 blonde Sheraton and '63 Royal Tan Riviera...
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,166
It never fails to amaze me of the knowledge some of you guys have. Brilliant

Yup, Troels is arguably the quintessential expert in ES-330s and Casinos! He uses a dental mirror to inspect the inside of the guitar body and electronics inch-by-inch --- gets my vote! :dude:
 
T

Troels

Guest
Yup, Troels is arguably the quintessential expert in ES-330s and Casinos! He uses a dental mirror to inspect the inside of the guitar body and electronics inch-by-inch --- gets my vote! :dude:

I wouldn't hesitate to call myself an ES-330 cheerleader... :) :) :) :)
 
Last edited:

tooold

Active member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
2,071
Having been after an ES-330 for a while, I may have the opportunity to get a 60's Casino.
Any opinions as to how the 2 guitars might compare? I know they are basically the same guitar, but I have heard that the Epi has a different top (3 ply on the epi instead of 5 ply on the ES?)
Anything else to consider?? Someone with experience of both compare build quality and of most importance, sound?
Thanks
David

As a means of getting the conversation off the hypnotizing subject of Troels in a short skirt :wow , I think the only question you need to ask regarding sound is:

Do you like the Beatles?
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,166
I think this thread needs :photos :wow

Okay, you twisted my arm..... :)

more_330_shots_with_argentine_grey_010.jpg
 

tooold

Active member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
2,071
Okay, you twisted my arm..... :)

It's embarrassing how you make them jump through so many hoops before you post that photo, Mike...:rofl

I probably should know better than to ask, but is the Bigsby on the Argentine Grey 330 factory? Curious because it has the screw mounts. I have an old, but non-factory, one on my 330 and it's a floater...
 

dlmorley

Active member
Joined
Oct 25, 2002
Messages
1,558
As a means of getting the conversation off the hypnotizing subject of Troels in a short skirt :wow , I think the only question you need to ask regarding sound is:

Do you like the Beatles?
Well, yes but it has more to do with having played 330 and loving the feel and sound
I am trading one of my 2 Sid Poole lp's and have been offered a casino. No details yet though.
 

tooold

Active member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
2,071
Well, yes but it has more to do with having played 330 and loving the feel and sound
I am trading one of my 2 Sid Poole lp's and have been offered a casino. No details yet though.

Got it. Sounded like you were looking for examples of how Casino's sounded, so there are a few there... although you have to factor in the Vox thing...
 
T

Troels

Guest
As a means of getting the conversation off the hypnotizing subject of Troels in a short skirt :wow , I think the only question you need to ask regarding sound is:

Do you like the Beatles?

I love The Beatles... ask me and I play any solo or chord progression from any Beatles song (even the "And your Bird Can thing" harmonized solo) - and I'm not joking... I also play the non-Lennon-McCartney recordings from the early days. We do play a lot of Beatles stuff in our rock'n'roll trio: Guitar, bass and drums and three voices. The audiences love it.

I'm still finding new things listening to the records. Sometimes I take a CD with Beatles and then listen to it - instrument by instrument: First for instance only lead guitar, then only rythm guitar, then bass and the song - even drums. It's a very interesting way to listen to records.

Most Beatles songs are recorded with a ground track of three or four instruments and cue song - and then some overdubs (I mean these tracks are what ends up on the final record). I do record like that myself all the time - and it's a great way to do it. Sometimes you even don't need dubs - except the human voices.

You hear new things all the time - a clack from a toggle switch, a scratching pick, a sticky finger on the string - everything... :)
20 minutes ago I did listen to "Abbey Road" the way I described. It's an AMAZING record. There are tons of electric lead guitar arpeggios - it SO good! It's advanced and simple at the same time... I'm not superstitious at all... but I do think Beatles got a touch from somewhere we don't know of :)
 
Top