|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Epiphone Casino
Thinline semi acoustic
|
|
1960s Casino | 1980s Casino | Casino timeline
|
 | 1967 Cherry Epiphone Casino - E230TDC.
Photo ©2007 Andy Brauer |
 1961 full line catalog
The 1961 description mentions humbuckers rather than the single coil P90s more usually associated with the Casino. This anomaly is corrected for the 1962 catalogue
 Powerful humbucking pickups with individually adjustable polepieces provide clear tone and wonderful sustain |
 1962 full line catalog
Brilliant new guitars in a wide range of finishes - dramatic in appearance and tonal qualities. Ultra-modern, thin-body, double cutaway styling in single and double pickup models - with or without trem-o-tone vibrato |
 1964 full line catalogue
This is the first catalogue to show the Casino in colour |
 1966 full line catalog
Today the electric Spanish guitar is found everywhere... orchestras, combos, jazz bands and as a featured solo instrument. Epiphone electric Spanish guitars suit the need of every player, from the top professional, to the semi-pro, to the amateur |
| Model | Casino E230T | Casino E230TD |
| Available | 1961-68 | 1961-69 |
| Pickups | One single coil dog-ear P90 | Two single coil dog-ear P90s |
| Scale | 24 3/4" |
| Body | Maple top sides, bound. 16" wide (lower bout), 19" long, 1 3/4" thick |
| Neck | One-piece set mahogany with binding, rosewood fingerboard with pearloid inlays. 22 frets. |
| Hardware | 1 volume and 1 tone control. Tune-o-matic bridge. Tailpiece is either a trapeze, Frequensator or Tremotone vibrola. | 2 volume and 2s tone control. Tune-o-matic bridge. Tailpiece is either a trapeze, Frequensator or Tremotone vibrola. |
| Finishes | Shaded/Sunburst, Royal Tan, Cherry from 1967
|
The Epiphone range of the 1960s closely followed the Gibson guitars of the same time; they were both made in the same fatory in Kalamazoo. The Casino corresponds to the Gibson ES330 having the same dimensions and construction, but with different headstock shape and (sometimes) tailpiece. The 1961 models came equipped with the Tremotone vibrato, which was optional by 1962. The Frequensator tailpiece was used on a number of models - the point being that it would lengthen either the three thickest or three thinest strings, maximising treble and bass response.
 The most famous Casino users were Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, and John Lennon and George Harrison of the Beatles, who were given a pair of Casinos in 1965. Both had a sunburst finish, Georges had a Bigsby vibrato, whilst John's had a stop tailpiece. It was Lennons of course that had the most use; he was widely pictured with it, and used it extensively live and in the studio. He also had it stripped down in 1968. Epiphone make two John Lennon signature Epiphone Casinos - one based on the unstripped 1965 model, and one, the 'Revolution' Casino based on the stripped instrument. Epiphone engineers studied the original guitar to get these signature instruments as exact as possible
| | |
| | E230TD | E230TDV | E230TDC | E230TDVC | E230TDRT | E230T | E230TV | TOTAL |
| 1961 | 439 |
| 1962 | 381 |
| 1963 | 376 |
| 1964 | 731 |
| 1965 | 853 |
| 1966 | 1655 |
| 1967 | 1814 |
| 1968 | 468 |
| 1969 | 140 |
| Total | 2852 | 2141 | 440 | 467 | 39 | 764 | 154 | 6857 |
|
Shipping figures for 1960s Epiphone Casinos The earliest Epiphone catalogue to feature the Casino (1961) lists just the single (E230T) and double (E230TD) pickup models - with vibrola as standard. These shipping figures suggest that non-vibrola models were shipped later in the same year. Early finishes were Royal Tan and Shaded (sunburst), and figures do not differentiate between the two. From 1967 Cherry became available (C), and Royal Tan was given the designation RT. From '67 models with no colour code were Shaded
|
|
|
1960s Casino | 1980s Casino | Casino timeline
Back to the Epiphone Index
|
|
|
|
Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar
The Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar is the guitar that put Epiphone on the map. Ever since The Beatles purchased three Casinos back in 1964, this hollow Epi model has taken on a life of its own. Equipped with two vintage P-90 single-coil pickups, the Casino still delivers those Beatlesque tones at a price every player can afford. Made with a select maple body and top with F-holes, trapeze bridge, mahogany neck (24-3/4" scale), neck and body binding, two volume and two tone controls, and parallelogram inlays. Limited lifetime warranty 
Epiphone Revolution Casino Electric Guitar
The Epiphone Revolution Casino Electric Guitar without doubt showcases Epiphone at their highest level of quality. In 1966, during the recording of Revolver, John Lennon and George Harrison acquired sunburst Casinos. John was taken by his new guitar and made it his main axe from that point on, using several different versions over the ensuing years. In cooperation with Yoko Ono, Epiphone introduced 2 Limited Edition Lennon Casinos. The '65 Casino is a reproduction of the original guitar John purchased with its sunburst finish and stock hardware. In 1968, John had his Casino sanded down to bare wood and finished with a thin, dull coat of lacquer. He first used this "natural" Casino in The White Album sessions of '68. The John Lennon Revolution Casino is a reproduction of this stripped guitar as it remains today, featuring one coat of lacquer, gold Grover tuners, and the pickguard removed. A combined total of 1,965 of these individually hand-numbered, historic instruments have been produced, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each goes to the BMI Foundation for the John Lennon Scholarship Fund, which supports music education. Limited lifetime warranty. Includes hardshell case. 
Epiphone Elitist Riviera-12 Electric Guitar
The Elite series are instruments that approach custom shop perfection. They're made with premium woods, fitted with American pickups and circuitry even American-made toggle switches and Grover tuners. They are made at a special factory exclusively devoted to their manufacture where they receive a high degree of hands-on luthier attention. Here Epiphone has beautifully produced one of the warmest, sweetest toned guitars of all time a jazz, blues, and country classic and this 12-string version adds richness to the Riviera tone 
Epiphone John Lennon 1965 Casino Electric Guitar
The Epiphone John Lennon 1965 Casino Electric Guitar has a heritage as fascinating as the man whose name it bears. In 1966, during the recording of "Revolver," John Lennon and George Harrison acquired sunburst Epiphone Casino guitars. John was taken by his new guitar and made it his main axe from that point on, using several different versions over the ensuing years. In cooperation with Yoko Ono, Epiphone introduces 2 Limited Edition Lennon Casino guitars. The '65 Casino is a reproduction of the original guitar John purchased with its sunburst finish and stock hardware. In 1968, John had his Casino sanded down to bare wood and finished with a thin, dull coat of lacquer. He first used this "natural Casino in "The White Album sessions of '68. The John Lennon Revolution Casino is a reproduction of this stripped guitar as it remains today, featuring one coat of lacquer, gold Grover tuners, and the pickguard removed. A combined total of 1,965 of these individually hand-numbered, historic guitars have been produced, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each goes to the BMI Foundation for the John Lennon Scholarship Fund which supports music education. Limited lifetime warranty. Epiphone includes a hardshell case wiht the '65 John Lennon Casino Electric Guitar. 
Epiphone Elitist Nick Valensi Signature Riviera
Nick Valensi, lead guitarist for the Strokes, used to call his customized '60s Epiphone Riviera "the greatest instrument never made," but he can't say that any more. The Epiphone Elitist Nick Valensi Riviera P-94 is part of the prestigious Elitist line of vintage-inspired Epiphones, and the classic semi-hollowbody model is fitted just like Valensi's, with genuine Gibson P-94 pickups. The patented P-94 is a unique combination that provides the best of both worlds the hot, thick, punchy sound of a Gibson P-90 in a humbucker-size housing. The P-94 uses the same enamel-coated vintage wire and Alnico-V magnets as the P-90 and comes in calibrated neck and bridge models for balanced output. The P-94 has higher output and sustaining qualities than traditional single-coil pickups, giving it plenty of bite when needed, with enough responsiveness to allow subtle nuances for enhanced dynamics.Just like a '60s Riviera, the Valensi signature model has 5-ply maple top, back, and sides; a one-piece set mahogany neck, 22 frets, a bone nut, tune-o-matic bridge, and trapeze tailpiece. 
Epiphone Sheraton II Electric Guitar Ebony
The semi-hollow design of the Epiphone Sheraton II Electric Guitar uses a solid center block and hollow "wings" to give it the fat, mellow tone of a jazz guitar and the sustain of a solidbody. Features an arched maple top, back, and rim; laminated maple neck; gold hardware; multiple bound body, neck, peghead, and F-holes; and vine inlay on peghead with mother-of-pearl and abalone fingerboard inlays. Includes two humbucker pickups and separate tone and volume controls. Limited lifetime warranty 
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino
You'll love the light weight and comfortable neck of the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino. The Elite series are instruments that approach custom shop perfection. Crafted with premium woods, fitted with American pickups and circuitry -even American-made toggle switches and Grover tuners-they're made at a special factory devoted to their manufacture where they receive a high degree of hands-on luthier attention. You'll find the Elite 1965 Casino true to the original made famous by The Beatles. A finely crafted, great-sounding, and easy-playing instrument that beautifully blurs the line between Epiphone and Gibson. Includes hardshell case |
|
