I am steping over here to the epi place to ask a question about upgrading epi

[djwilbanks]

IMO:

RE: Pick Ups: Why would people want to swap their Gibson Burstbucker Pro pups to other pups? It's not because Burstbucker Pros are not good sounding pups, but simply because the person is looking for another type of tone/sound. So matters regarding Pickups, it's not that Epiphone Pickups are not good, but it's a personal preference, some people love it for nuts because of the tone/sound. Doesn't mean it's stock from Epiphone it's not good, it's just not the person's taste.

RE: POTs / Switch: I must admit, the stock ones from Epiphones, do break down easily for some unlucky ones. It ain't of a quality grade pots / switch to be exact. So if you think it is working fine for you and has not break down yet, then don't be bother to replace it.

RE: Wiring: Simplify the wiring, definitely can boost the tone a little, it will help alot for your future upgrading or replacement of electronics too.. If you ever open up your own electronics cavity, you know how messy the wiring goes.

RE: CAPS: I must say CAPs is one that really boost the difference in your tone. The industrial stock caps hmmmm sucks.. BUT! if you don't even bother to fiddle with your tone pot, then don't bother to change man.

RE: Bridge, Nut: Whatever your bridge is, bigsby / bridge n stopbar / tremolo wadsoever and nut.. does affect the tone, but minimal.

Every changes have minimal effect on the tone, but if there's many minimal changes to your tone, it will be a big change.. haha.. you get what I mean?

OF COURSE there are so many other external yet IMPORTANT factors such as AMPs / Cable bla bla bla wadsoever.. I don't bother to name them all.

I agree with you mostly. A lot of guys change out that plastic job for a bone nut and it say it explodes with tone that wasn't there before. And Cap'n tightpants was saying that his Dot really opened up with the installation of the Bigsby.

What's minimal to one, may be over the top for some.

If you want a Casino, then get a Casino and upgrade it until it sounds like you want. That's my 2 cents.

 

[st.bede]

wow, once again thanks to you all...

 

[jonesy]

wow, once again thanks to you all...

So are you going to get the casino or what????

 

[st.bede]

In my experience with my Epi, rewiring and replacing the caps opened up the sound considerably. It sounds like what you're describing is that the Casino sounded wrapped up, and tightly bound. No clarity in the top end and a slightly "flubby" bottom, right? The right sounds were there, but they didn't ring out the way you thought they should?

Cleaning up the wiring made my Epi much more comparable to my Gibson concerning the complexity of the notes and their overtones.

If you have the extra scratch, and want a great guitar out of the box, an Elitist Casino is a great choice (if you can find one). If you want a good guitar that can be really good with a few mods, and great with a few more, then the regular line Casino is a great choice as well.

So are you going to get the casino or what????

I have to say....I go back and forth...sometimes I know that I am going to get the reg casino...sometimes I know I am going to get the elitist...sometimes I go WTF get a usa hamer or the eastman look really good....and then I think my wife will kill me if I get another guitar at this moment...so?

 

[WhippingPost]

I have to say....I go back and forth...sometimes I know that I am going to get the reg casino...sometimes I know I am going to get the elitist...sometimes I go WTF get a usa hamer or the eastman look really good....and then I think my wife will kill me if I get another guitar at this moment...so?

Okay, look at it from a different perspective:

A) Are you looking for a screaming hollow-body with P90s that you can/will modify, and play to your heart's content?

B) Or, are you looking for a Casino? The guitar that has the curves and the screams that only a Casino has? Sure, you'll mod it a bit, and you're going to play it like crazy, but it's a Casino.

If A sounds more like you, then the regular line should suit you fine.

If the answer is B, then you owe it to yourself to get the Elitist. It's as close as you're going to get to the original spec's with a modern guitar. And, it's a Casino.

Betcha can't tell which one I'd choose.

Now, if we're speaking of money being the issue, and that's why you're not sure if you should buy, I'll have to think back to my dad's teachings:

"If you're not sure if you should spend that much, then you shouldn't."

Hope this helps!

 

[Jason]

IMO:

RE: Pick Ups: Why would people want to swap their Gibson Burstbucker Pro pups to other pups? It's not because Burstbucker Pros are not good sounding pups, but simply because the person is looking for another type of tone/sound. So matters regarding Pickups, it's not that Epiphone Pickups are not good, but it's a personal preference, some people love it for nuts because of the tone/sound. Doesn't mean it's stock from Epiphone it's not good, it's just not the person's taste.

Okay then.. if I MUST rephrase: The stock pickups don't sound like a Les Paul (to me). They're weak and muddy... very little tone compared to even stock Gibson pickups. If you're into that type of sound (which I can't call shitty apparently), then enjoy.

 

[inxs996]

What are you epi peoples experence with upgrading....how much difference does it make...and could an epi be a "pro" guitar (say, usefull for solo recordings)...has any one ...upgraded thier epi and then compared it to a gib?

these questions stem from:

well...I played an epi casino...impressed...the casino played very well for a 600$ guitar ...and I liked it much more then the: pass, sheriton, or an electromatic gretsch (even though orange is too cool), and it even favored well compared to a gibson 335

but, one thing that really bothered was the notes on the casino were not as complex as I feel like they should be...the overtones are a bit muted....which makes it not as usable for critical things...

I want to believe that it is just due to electronics but, I am afraid to make that assumption....



I want to buy it but, it looks like I should get a casino elite (1400$)...or something simular...

Man don't believe the Gibson hype, if you change out the electronics in the Epiphone, it will make a world of difference, Epiphones kick ass, don't let anyone tell you different...End of story....

 

[ethanleow]

Me no gibson fan either..

However, I would want to believe 1 thing that I would say about gibson that epiphone is unable to have is the QUALITY of the wood use.

All Gibson electronics are bullshit, can always replace your Epis one to the same as a Gibson at a much much lower cost. Gibson pups are good, but simply over priced. Any Seymour Duncan or EMGs or any other brands will do the job perfectly.

 

[st.bede]

I went today and played the reg casino after spending time playin 3 of my fav axes and, untill I read what wipping post wrote..I WAS GOING TO GET THE REG. (if I can figure how to convince my wife I do need another guitar) now I need to KNOW what a REAL CASINO sounds like.... I do not want to miss out...

 

[overdriver]

now I need to KNOW what a REAL CASINO sounds like....[/B] I do not want to miss out...

Pretty much the same!

 

[st.bede]

Pretty much the same!

ok....reg it is...now I have to sell some gear but, not too much..nothing good though LOL

 

[overdriver]

You can look up how others feel about them. I think some have em on this forum, maybe in my other guitar section. IMO you have played the 335 and epi dot, much difference? to you. dcopper has a youtube comparision 335 vs dot. That being said the Epiphone reg. P-90s are thought by most , to have a closer sound to a Gibson P-90 than the Epi Humbucker do to their Gibson counter parts (HBs)

 

[overdriver]

stok epi reg casino Vox ad50vt www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBumULPYOUI

 

[overdriver]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhq7DYI08jg stock reg ltd with bigsby

 

[overdriver]

There is IMO a fitting plug for the ? on sound of the reg. Go to youtube epi casino check out the video a fellow does thats a cover of U2's even better than the real thing , thats a stock reg. casino.

 

[WhippingPost]

Pretty much the same!

Yeah, there are subtle differences. But how can he choose between the two if he doesn't play them both?

I'm playing devil's advocate here.

 

[WhippingPost]

ok....reg it is...now I have to sell some gear but, not too much..nothing good though LOL

You will enjoy the regular line Casino. Great guitar.

I want one in red.

 

[overdriver]

Yeah, there are subtle differences. But how can he choose between the two if he doesn't play them both?

I'm playing devil's advocate here.

I did suggest he try em both , but how can a person try em both when few places carry the Elitist? and you know as well as I WP ,best to try as many of the same model, models to find the best example for ones self!

 

[overdriver]

now I need to KNOW what a REAL CASINO sounds like.... I do not want to miss out...

One other consideration - REAL CASINO sounds like Gibson has not made them as a standard production product for decades. You would have to find a vintage one for that treat.

 

[WhippingPost]

I did suggest he try em both , but how can a person try em both when few places carry the Elitist? and you know as well as I WP ,best to try as many of the same model, models to find the best example for ones self!

Very, very true. I've only seen a handfull in person, and they were in private hands.

Now a vintage model... Hm, there are occasionally some very good deals on "player's" Casinos on thiefBay.