Epiphone Casino, not USA
- Thread starter sgrady41
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pontaeri
Member
NIce!.
To answer . . . assuming this is the more recent casino (not the MIK ones or . . . ) First off is how long have you had it and playing it. Then the next question to ask yourself is do you like the tones you can get out of it. Usually spend a month (better 3) testing it on your set up, if after some time it's not, then you have to ask, what is missing? Too tinny, not enough crunch? Can adjusting the pick height change it more to your liking?
Another question is if it's a quality of life / tone thing? Or I saw Rhett Shull do it and he likes it, so . . Or something needs actual repair? Sometimes issues in cheaper parts show up . . . After a few months of play it will show up, like the jack is coming loose and you have to tighten it . . . or the pots scratch (and usual fixes like contact cleaner or using anti static wipes don't work), then replacing with swtich craft switch / jacks or CTS Pots. Or if its like the volume control is great at 1-4 as you roll the knob but drops off at 5, then getting
If you don't like the tone or wish it did something else, you'd have to figure out (the bf likes lollar 50's wind p90s or my band lead guitarists like seymour duncan antiquities) for yourself, which p90's you like.
If the tone you want is something like more specific, like "I want that casino tone in revolution, " that will be hard to nail and other factors play into it (amp / cab used etc) but I'm sure you can find others who have tried and start down that rabbit hole. Also if not sure on how to do the upgrades, find someone who knows how to work on hollow / semi hollow guitars . . . as its not easy to mod.
To answer . . . assuming this is the more recent casino (not the MIK ones or . . . ) First off is how long have you had it and playing it. Then the next question to ask yourself is do you like the tones you can get out of it. Usually spend a month (better 3) testing it on your set up, if after some time it's not, then you have to ask, what is missing? Too tinny, not enough crunch? Can adjusting the pick height change it more to your liking?
Another question is if it's a quality of life / tone thing? Or I saw Rhett Shull do it and he likes it, so . . Or something needs actual repair? Sometimes issues in cheaper parts show up . . . After a few months of play it will show up, like the jack is coming loose and you have to tighten it . . . or the pots scratch (and usual fixes like contact cleaner or using anti static wipes don't work), then replacing with swtich craft switch / jacks or CTS Pots. Or if its like the volume control is great at 1-4 as you roll the knob but drops off at 5, then getting
If you don't like the tone or wish it did something else, you'd have to figure out (the bf likes lollar 50's wind p90s or my band lead guitarists like seymour duncan antiquities) for yourself, which p90's you like.
If the tone you want is something like more specific, like "I want that casino tone in revolution, " that will be hard to nail and other factors play into it (amp / cab used etc) but I'm sure you can find others who have tried and start down that rabbit hole. Also if not sure on how to do the upgrades, find someone who knows how to work on hollow / semi hollow guitars . . . as its not easy to mod.
Davis Sharp
Well-Known Member
Also, if you plan to do the work yourself, you should have a really good reason for replacing electronics on a hollow body; e.g., my family, next-door neighbors, and people down the street have not yet heard all my four-letter words.
Noodling Guitars
Well-Known Member
For me, the electronics (excl. pickups) are usually pretty low priority because the incremental difference is usually fairly small if you're not changing the wiring schematic. If the pots work and aren't scratchy, I usually leave them until they need replacement (though in some cases this can be a very short period - have had ones where they come slightly scratchy and no amount of cleaning would fix it).
If you mean you want to try different pickups, that's going to be an actual commitment $$$ wise. Given it's a hollow body, if this is what you're after, you might even want to think about wiring it in a way that allows for easy pickup changes (i.e. splicing the wires so that you don't need to take out the harness every time you change pickups).
If you mean you want to try different pickups, that's going to be an actual commitment $$$ wise. Given it's a hollow body, if this is what you're after, you might even want to think about wiring it in a way that allows for easy pickup changes (i.e. splicing the wires so that you don't need to take out the harness every time you change pickups).
the only real weakness in the electronic chain of the modern Casinos are the pickup covers.
they have a dramatic effect on the pickup performance. Stock - the p90's are dark-ish. If you could pull the covers and swap them for plastic you'd notice a big jump in attack and treble.
there's NOTHING to be gained from swapping out the pots. the Stock pots have a great taper and are pretty tight to 500k ohms. I mean they're not my Favorite pots... but Emerson isn't selling pots anymore.
they have a dramatic effect on the pickup performance. Stock - the p90's are dark-ish. If you could pull the covers and swap them for plastic you'd notice a big jump in attack and treble.
there's NOTHING to be gained from swapping out the pots. the Stock pots have a great taper and are pretty tight to 500k ohms. I mean they're not my Favorite pots... but Emerson isn't selling pots anymore.
Amen. The trouble is with some models, mine in particular, getting the stock covers off may require divine intervention or at least a competent luthier with tools I lack. Don't know what kind of solder Epi used but mine are welded with stuff with such a high melting point even a butane torch couldn't set it free.
Already have a set of nickel silver replacements I just need to find a well versed and equipped tech or luthier around here who can do the work.
sgrady41
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Well, first I do not like the switch at all. And i do have one scratchy pot. I am making the asumption that if I am doing one, I will do them all. Now maybe I am wrong, thus asking here. I talked to Fralin and Lollar. I would want a more original sound. these do sound dark.
I am also a pedal guy and have a few electrics besides the casino.
I am posting the pics, just to say I am not a kid, or a you tube worshipper, I was legit asking a question.
I am also a pedal guy and have a few electrics besides the casino.
I am posting the pics, just to say I am not a kid, or a you tube worshipper, I was legit asking a question.
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Noodling Guitars
Well-Known Member
Ohhhh love the walls (and the Gibson logo). Is the third from the left a Classic Custom? Nice Dean too!! How'd you get so many signatures on it?
Since you'd have to fish out the harness even to replace one pot, I guess you might as well just replace the entire thing (esp. if cost of parts isn't too big an issue relative to Lollars/Fralins). When replacing the harness, you might even want to prewire an extra lead to go into the pickup cavities for ease of future pickup replacements.
Love Lindy Fralin's P90s.
swap out whatever you want. just get the right tools. if it was a difficult as people complain about all these ES style guitars would have control plates on back.
they don't. because with a bent end forceps and any amount of hand eye coordination you'll be fine.
they don't. because with a bent end forceps and any amount of hand eye coordination you'll be fine.
sgrady41
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The third from left LP is a Bengal Burst Axcess. Great piece. Thanks for the compliment. The dean is from a Hand bangers b concert in Jax. My thoughts were if you are going to switch do it all at once. and great idea on the extra lead.
sgrady41
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I have never used his pick ups thus why i asked.
sgrady41
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Decided to order Fralins
I believe you're gonna love 'em.
Several years ago someone posted a shoot out between around a dozen or so different P90s that included Fralins, Lollars, Seymour Duncans, Gibsons, a German brand I can't recall the name of right now, and several others.
To my ears I ranked the Fralins best overall followed by the SD Antiquities and then the German brand. The Lollars were close behind. I ranked the Gibsons much lower despite the fact that to many they have the true original P90 sound.
The grit was their in spades but when asked to clean up they lacked all of the sweetness and clarity of others like the Fralins and the Antiquities. They're pricey as all hell but if I ever replace my Epi P90s they're the top choice on my list.
IGRocker
Well-Known Member
Is that Casino an “Inspired by” John Lennon? I had one a few years back. Regret selling it because it sounded so good, but I hated how paper thin the neck was. In hindsight, I should’ve just kept it and used it for studio recordings.
