Not Just Another Semi-Hollow
This is the most important thing you need to know: the Epiphone Casino has no center block. Unlike its cousin, the ES-335, the Casino is fully hollow. This changes everything. It makes the guitar lighter, incredibly resonant, and gives it a three-dimensional acoustic character that you can feel in your hands and hear in the notes. It’s a lively, breathing instrument that rewards a dynamic touch. It also means that when you crank up the gain, you can play with the edge of feedback, turning it into a tool of sonic expression.
The Soul of the Sound: P-90 Pickups
The other key ingredient to the Casino’s legendary tone is its pickups. Those “dogear” P-90s are the perfect engine for this hollow-body machine. They sit in the glorious middle ground between the glassy clarity of a single-coil and the thick power of a humbucker.
- At low volumes, they are warm, clear, and wonderfully articulate, letting the guitar’s natural hollow resonance shine through.
- When you dig in, they break up with a signature snarl and a raw, vocal-like midrange that is pure, unapologetic rock and roll.
The combination of the airy, hollow body and the aggressive P-90s creates a sound that is uniquely touch-sensitive and inspiring.
The Sound of a Revolution
You can’t talk about the Casino without talking about The Beatles. It wasn’t just a prop; it was a crucial tool for the most innovative band in history. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison all used Casinos to create the sounds that defined their mid-to-late ’60s albums. From the lead on “Taxman” to the rhythm on “Revolution” and the iconic feedback on “I Feel Fine,” the Casino was all over landmark records like Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was the sound of the world’s biggest band pushing the boundaries of music.
Why Buy a Casino?
You choose a Casino because you want a guitar with character. You want an instrument that feels alive and responds to every little thing you do. It’s not a sterile, perfectly-behaved guitar; it’s a co-conspirator. We love the Casino because it has a personality that pulls new ideas out of you. If you’re ready for a guitar that will challenge and inspire you in equal measure, you’ve found your match.