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59’ 330T vs 64’ Casino

benhrungtoc

New member
Joined
Apr 7, 2020
Messages
1
Hello,I’m looking at another ES guitar at the moment and it’s a battle between a 59’ 330T and an epi ‘64 Casino.i haven’t actually played a 330T yet but it’s always been on the list.i’ve played the casino and it’s a dream, however.what would you do? Why?
 

Guitar Whiskey

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
2,757
I had years ago a '64 Casino which was a lovely guitar but never bonded with the super skinny neck. Tone wise it sounded great although the out of phase wiring when both pickups were on wan't my thing. It began to need frets so rather than messing with it I moved on.

I later had an ES330 RI which IMO was much better guitar overall. It sounded phenominal, had a generous sized neck and truly played wonderfully. Should have kept that one but didn't.

I would not go out of my way to get an ES330T unless you are just targeting it since they cost substantially less than the 2 pickup models. The ES330 RI is a pretty darn good guitar especially for the money.

My first choice would be to opt for a vintage '59 ES330 if you can swing it. The best from a tone, playability and collectability perspective. Beatiful guitars.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGLsaGcrXag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgqTHNyjS3c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfwxxRDOQTM

Pics of my old guitars below.


BYwXE67.jpg


pufoUTI.jpg
 

OKGuitar

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Jan 20, 2011
Messages
938
A Gibson from 59 will be a better investment than a 64 Epiphone. That's just the reality of the vintage marketplace. The guitars themselves are largely identical other than the differences between the years (bigger neck in 59). Construction is identical. If they are both single pickup, I'd go with the 59 by a mile. If the 64 is a two pickups, I would go with that one. I find the single pickup 330 to be somewhat limited in its versatility. It is the worlds best "couch guitar" though.
 

Elliot Easton

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Joined
Mar 5, 2003
Messages
3,478
A Gibson from 59 will be a better investment than a 64 Epiphone. That's just the reality of the vintage marketplace. The guitars themselves are largely identical other than the differences between the years (bigger neck in 59). Construction is identical. If they are both single pickup, I'd go with the 59 by a mile. If the 64 is a two pickups, I would go with that one. I find the single pickup 330 to be somewhat limited in its versatility. It is the worlds best "couch guitar" though.

I thought 330's were 3-ply and Casino's 5-ply, making them a bit more resistant to feedback. Yes, they're shaped the same, but I believe there are slight structural differences such as the one I mention.
 

Ken Fortunato

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Staff member
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Feb 26, 2006
Messages
2,742
Elliot,

I found this on Wiki... When they say "Early versions of the Casino had a spruce top", I'm not sure how far back they mean, but you may be right... :hmm

"Early versions of the Casino had a spruce top. Through 1970, the Casino headstock was set at a 17-degree angle and the top was made of five laminated layers of maple, birch, maple, birch, and maple. With the exception of the John Lennon models, subsequent Casinos have been made with 14-degree headstock angle with five layer all maple laminated tops. Current versions have a laminated maple top, sides, and back, and a mahogany neck."
 

Elliot Easton

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Joined
Mar 5, 2003
Messages
3,478
Elliot,

I found this on Wiki... When they say "Early versions of the Casino had a spruce top", I'm not sure how far back they mean, but you may be right... :hmm

"Early versions of the Casino had a spruce top. Through 1970, the Casino headstock was set at a 17-degree angle and the top was made of five laminated layers of maple, birch, maple, birch, and maple. With the exception of the John Lennon models, subsequent Casinos have been made with 14-degree headstock angle with five layer all maple laminated tops. Current versions have a laminated maple top, sides, and back, and a mahogany neck."

Kenny, i know that i'm right about the amount of layers of lamination. It has been discussed extensively on this forum, which is how I learned of it. This site is a great resource; often you will find that your questions have already been discussed in great detail. Have some fun with this site; ask it questions, and you will probably find the answer. We maniacs leave no stone unturned, but the difference between 5 and 3 ply-that's a biggie.
 

Ken Fortunato

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2006
Messages
2,742
Kenny, i know that i'm right about the amount of layers of lamination. It has been discussed extensively on this forum, which is how I learned of it. This site is a great resource; often you will find that your questions have already been discussed in great detail. Have some fun with this site; ask it questions, and you will probably find the answer. We maniacs leave no stone unturned, but the difference between 5 and 3 ply-that's a biggie.

Absolutely! The best guitar resource on the internet. :salude
 

Finbar

Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
67
OP, I just acquired a 64 casino. Hit me up if you have questions or want detailed pictures. (I have nothing else to do)
 
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