Epiphone Casino E230TDC

1966, made in USA (Kalamazoo, MI), thinline double cutaway, 22 medium-jumbo frets, 24.75" scale length, laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back/sides, 2 vol + 2 tone controls, 3-way pickup selector, 2-P90 single-coil pickups w/ chrome covers, tune-o-matic bridge, Bigsby vibrato (non-original), 3-ply w/b/w pickguard, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, sunburst finish, Kluson Deluxe tuners. (Beatles model)

The sound of this guitar is very full and rich. The two P90 pickups are very loud and powerful, especially when played through a blackface or silverface Fender amp. I've been playing this guitar through my 1966 Fender Pro Reverb for nearly 40 years, and it's a great combination. The neck pickup has a strong, full sound which is well-suited for blues or jazz. With both pickups together, the treble/bass mix is perfect for rock, country, or other styles. The bridge pickup is very bright and can easily cut through any mix. The overall sound of this guitar is perfect for blues and 50s-60s rock n' roll, rockabilly, etc. (no wonder John and George loved this guitar)

The action is nice and low without string buzz, and the medium-jumbo frets make string bending easy. The neck is a bit slimmer than a Gibson ES330 or ES335, and is very comfortable to play; the short scale length also makes playing a pleasure. The neck has only required minor adjustments and remains very straight with good intonation after 38 years. The sunburst finish is beautiful and the workmanship is comparable to any of the excellent Gibson guitars of the 1960s. The chrome hardware has retained its shine over the years and still looks brand new. The pickups and electronics are also high quality and sound fantastic.

This is a well-made guitar of high quality. The finish and hardware are still in exceptionally fine condition after nearly 40 years. However, like other similar thinline models, it is not able to withstand rough handling or abuse. I played this guitar as a band member for many years, on stage and in other live performances (without every having a backup guitar) but have always been careful to take care of it. Since this is now a collectible guitar, I would not use it in a 'live' situation, due to the risk for possible damage. It is definitely a reliable instrument, but I would use a more durable guitar if I were playing professionally.

Never needed customer support from Epiphone.

I started playing guitar c.1965 and this was my third guitar. Prior to owning this guitar I had a Vox Lynx (Bobcat?) which I traded in for the Casino. I own several other guitars, including a 1967 Epiphone Texan and a 1980 Guild F212. My main amp is a 1966 Fender Pro Reverb. This guitar has been with me for a long time and it is still one of the best guitars I have ever played. It is easy to play and sounds incredible. If it were lost or stolen I would definitely try to find another vintage Casino; my second choice for a replacement would probably be a vintage Sheraton. Before I got this guitar I wanted a Gibson ES330 or ES335, but they were a bit more expensive than the Casino. This guitar is all original except for the Bigsby vibrato, which I added in 1990. The Casino was available with a Bigsby option, but I didn't get it at the time, so I finally decided to add one (just like George's).

This is a Kalamazoo Casino of the Beatles era--made in 1963.Its a 22 fret fingerboard, cherry finish maple solid top and back, semi hollow. It has 2 classic P90 pickups and nickel trim with a Bigsby tremolo bar and Tune-o-matic bridge. I've kept it pure stock and it's in excellent condition although it has a bump or two in the headstock corners. It has Kluser deluxe tuning keys that never fail to hold tune. Wonderful neck with Rosewood fingerboard (I think). I'm original owner--got when I was 12 and playing in garage band.

Doesn't have the sustain of the Les Paul or a ES355 I have. But I love the sound of P90's through a Fender Vibrolux or Twin Reverb of that era. Feedsback easy, and can do Santana type controlled feedback sustain if you practice at it.

Too long to remember factory delivery--I didn't really know what I was doing back then anyway--thank *** I did not goof this instrument up. I had to get a refretting a few years ago from a local expert, and action and sound quality is better now than I ever remember. Only shortcoming is that the bridge was placed too short and it's difficult to get all the strings in tune and track properly to the frets.

It's lasted almost 40 years now--but I take very good care of it.I would not take it to a job these days--it's irreplaceable.

Never needed it.

Been playing almost 40 years. Seen many instruments in that time, but probably most attached to this given it was my first (electric) guitar. Had a Silvertone box guitar before this.