Casino/dot advice

[Sleeping Martyr]

SO, I've been contemplating getting a hollow/semi-hollow guitar for quite sometime now and i was down at the local music store and had a shootout between an epiphone Casino and a Epiphone Dot and the Casino (in my opinion) came out WAY on top. Fuller, more articulate, sparkly/jangly and an ultimately heavier sound (distorted and clean) than the dot which sounded thin and nasal by comparison. The only problem is that I have heard many horror stories about the Casino's feeding back hard when plugged in and turned up. Granted I won't likely be plugging it in with my hard rock/metal band and distorting the hell out of it (though that'd be nice once in awhile) but I WOULD like to rock it out along the Black crowes/Aerosmith etc. styles . . . is that doable or will it be a feedback monster?? Would the Dot be a better choice in that department?? i DO have a noise gate, thoughts/opinions??

[butnut]

I play my Epi Riviera at gig volume and it does feedback. It has the center block and it's scarey/kool when you feel the note being pushed outta the F hole, the whole body vibrates. I usually have to roll one of the vol knobs waaay down (both pups on). My fave guitar for Black Crowes and Stones stuff. I would imagine the full hollow Casino would have bigger feedback issues IF you play loud. Good luck. Oh yeah, I use a Boss noise gate, helps only a little.

[gilles27]

Casino's got the p90s right? i've always had more trouble with p90s feeding back than humbuckers. the dot will probs be a bit tamer in that department although i've lways found semi hollows/hollows produce a much more musical feedback than most solids. you might find the sound a little more to you liking on the dot once you gave it some aftermarket pickups. the stock ones are useless imo.

[Pastor of Muppets]

I had a few feedback issues with a Casino I owned a few years ago - nice sounding guitar, but feedback combined with a so-so neck feel meant she had to go...

[blueman335]

I have both, and yes, the Casino feedbacks much more easily, especially at stage volumes or with overdrive. If you're playing small bars, stand facing away from the amp, and hold the strings when you're not playing; you should be fine (I've seen local guys do this with no problem). The louder you are, the more you'll feedback and the more careful you'll have to be. Advantages to a Casino are: 1) light weight, 2) very comfortable to hold because of the thinline body, 3) nice open single-coil tones with acoustic harmonics (although improved with upgraded PU's), and 4) better neck access than almost any other full hollowbody (17th fret juncture I think). Drawbacks are that it's neck heavy and of course the feedback.

I prefer 335's myself as the tone is beefier with more sustain, more like a solid body, and at normal gigs, feedback isn't an issue. You still get some overtones from the hollow wings. I'm pleased with my Dots, the workmanship & materials are great for the price, and you can find good deals on used ones in very good condition (I found a like-new flame top Dot Deluxe for $215). The PU's need to be upgraded, and there are some combinations I particularly like:

- a pair of '59's (vintage '50's sound)
- a C5/JazzN (rock)
- a pair of Carvin Classics (surprisingly good)
- a '59B/Phat CatN (best of both worlds)

[guitfiddle]

- a pair of Carvin Classics (surprisingly good)

I gotta chime in for the Holdsworth pickups, too. They're good if you like a really warm, yet still sharp tone.

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

The only Casino I played felt like a cheap toy, and the craftsmanship sucked. Are certain manufacture years better than others? Did I find an exception to the rule?

- Keith

[blueman335]

The only Casino I played felt like a cheap toy, and the craftsmanship sucked. Are certain manufacture years better than others? Did I find an exception to the rule?

Like everything else, they're going to vary. The one I have is very nice, as are the other ones I've seen. But I wouldn't expect all of them to be.