Have you ever listened to a record and felt a guitar tone so rich, so alive, it seemed to breathe?
Chances are, you’ve heard the Epiphone Casino. This isn’t just another electric guitar; it’s a legend.
Famous for being the favorite guitar of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison during the height of The Beatles‘ fame, the Casino has a sound that is simply unmistakable.
But this guitar is so much more than its association with the Fab Four. It’s a masterclass in design, a fully hollow body archtop that delivers a unique blend of acoustic resonance and electric punch, thanks to its snarling P-90 pickups.
Whether you’re chasing the tones of Keith Richards, the modern blues of Gary Clark Jr., or the swagger of Noel Gallagher, the Epiphone Casino delivers.
From its stunning vintage sunburst finish to its comfortable mahogany neck, this thinline marvel offers incredible playability.
So, plug into your favorite amp, add a touch of reverb, and let’s explore why this reissue of a classic continues to capture the hearts of musicians everywhere.
The Epiphone Casino of the USA Collection is now made in the USA for the first time in over 50 years! Since its introduction in 1961, the Epiphone Casino has been the choice of countless musicians including Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Keith Richards, Ray Davies, Dave Davies, and Paul Weller. The new Casino from the USA Epiphone Collection featuring a classic maple and poplar body with a Royal Tan or Vintage Burst nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The USA Collection Epiphone Casino also features hand-wired electronics with Orange Drop capacitors and Gibson USA P-90 Dogear single-coil pickups. Featuring Gibson Strings.
A Sound That Shaped a Generation
Let’s get one thing straight: when you hold an Epiphone Casino, you’re holding a piece of rock and roll history.
This is the guitar that powered some of the most iconic tracks ever recorded. When The Beatles needed a new sound for their revolutionary “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper” albums, what did they reach for?
The Casino.
Both John Lennon and George Harrison famously used this hollow body electric guitar to create their signature sounds.
But it started even before that. Paul McCartney was the first Beatle to get one, a 1965 Casino with a Bigsby tremolo, which he used for his fiery guitar solos on tracks like “Taxman.”
Soon after, Lennon and Harrison got their own, instantly falling in love with the guitar’s lightweight feel and raw, powerful tone.
In fact, John Lennon loved his Casino so much that he famously sanded off the sunburst finish to let the natural wood breathe, believing it improved the tone. That raw, natural look became as iconic as the sounds he made with it.
This casino electric guitar wasn’t just for The Beatles. Across the pond, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones used one to lay down the demo for “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
The Casino’s unique voice—a mix of airy hollowbody warmth and the aggressive bite of its P-90s—was the secret ingredient for countless artists. It gave players a way to stand out, to cut through the mix with a tone that was both beautiful and beastly.
The Secret to the Tone: A Truly Hollow Body
So, what makes the Epiphone Casino sound so different from, say, a Gibson ES-335?
The answer is simple but profound: the Casino is a true hollow body guitar.
Unlike semi-hollow guitars that have a solid center block of wood running through the body to reduce feedback, the Epiphone Casino is completely hollow. This full hollowbody construction, made from layered maple, allows the archtop to resonate freely, much like an acoustic guitar.
This design choice creates a tonal character that is simply magical. Notes don’t just “happen”; they bloom.
There’s a three-dimensional quality to the sound, with a rich, woody character and a warmth that you just can’t get from a solid-body electric instrument. It gives rhythm playing a jangly, chimey quality and leads a singing sustain that feels incredibly expressive.
When you’re playing unplugged on the couch, the Epiphone Casino is loud enough to be a satisfying acoustic companion.
Of course, the other half of the tonal equation is the pickups. The Casino is fitted with a pair of “dogear” P-90 pickups.
These aren’t humbuckers, and they aren’t traditional single-coils like you’d find on a Fender. P-90s have a sound all their own: thick, raw, with a midrange growl and a top-end sparkle.
The p-90r pickups and an elongated headstock design on some models contribute to this unique voice. The combination of the resonant fully hollow body and these powerful p-90s is what delivers Beatles tones and so much more.
It’s a sound that’s perfect for blues, rock, indie, and pop—versatile, yet always distinctive.
- Timeless 6-string electric guitar famous for its sparkling sound heard on classic tunes made by bands like the Beatles
- Vintage sunburst finish. Guitars are hand painted and there will be variances between individual guitars in color.
- Thin-line full-hollow construction, twin P-90 pickups, and streamlined neck
- Made with a select maple body and top with f-holes, trapeze tailpiece, mahogany neck
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Laminate Maple body
- Dogear P-90 Classic pickups
- Rosewood fretboard
- Maple top, 24.75 scale
Finding Your Perfect Casino: From Vintage Sunburst to Modern Worn
One of the best things about the Epiphone Casino is the sheer variety available. Whether you want a classic look or something with a modern edge, there’s a Casino for you.
The most iconic finish is undoubtedly the vintage sunburst, a timeless look that graced the guitars of Lennon and Harrison. The classic epiphone casino vintage sunburst is a stunning guitar that looks as good as it sounds, often featuring a beautiful sunburst finish.
Some aficionados search for specific production runs, like a 1996 epiphone casino or those with an antique sunburst finish peerless factory Korea was famous for producing.
For those who prefer a different vintage aesthetic, the Royal Tan and natural finishes offer a touch of understated class. The casino hollowbody electric guitar natural is particularly striking, showcasing the beautiful maple grain of the hollow body.
It’s a direct nod to John Lennon’s stripped-down Casino. These classic models often feature the traditional trapeze tailpiece, which adds to the guitar’s open, resonant tone.
More recently, Epiphone has introduced the Epiphone Casino Worn series. These guitars, like the Worn Olive Drab and Worn Blue Denim, feature a satin finish that not only looks cool and feels broken-in but also enhances the instrument’s resonance.
The casino worn models provide the same great tone and playability in a package that feels like an old friend from the moment you pick it up.
For players seeking the ultimate in craftsmanship, there’s the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino reissue. These made in Japan models are built with meticulous attention to detail and premium components, representing the pinnacle of the production run of Epiphone Casino guitars.
They are a testament to how Epiphone could create a truly high-end guitar.
More Than Just Good Looks: Playability and Feel
A guitar can have the best tone in the world, but if it doesn’t feel right in your hands, you won’t want to play it.
Fortunately, the Epiphone Casino is an absolute joy to play. Most models feature a SlimTaper ’60s “C” profile mahogany neck, a comfortable shape that feels fast and familiar to players of all styles.
It’s substantial enough for chording but slim enough for quick lead work.
The fingerboard, often made of pau ferro or laurel, provides a smooth playing surface for your fret hand, and the medium jumbo frets make bending strings a breeze.
The neck joint on a Casino is a classic set-neck design, which contributes to the instrument’s excellent sustain and resonance. Unlike some archtops, the neck joint is positioned at the 16th fret (or sometimes 17th fret), which can make accessing the highest frets a little tricky for shredders.
But let’s be honest, that’s not what this guitar is for. Its strength lies in chords, riffs, and melodic leads.
One thing to note is that, like any fully hollow body guitar, the Casino can be prone to feedback at very high volumes. This isn’t a flaw; it’s a characteristic.
In fact, players like Gary Clark Jr. have mastered this, using controlled feedback as an expressive part of their guitar work. For most stage volumes, it’s perfectly manageable.
And if you do encounter issues, a good setup from a luthier can make all the difference, ensuring the fret ends are smooth and the action is perfect. I truly love this guitar for its unique interactive feel.
- Features Dogear PROP-90 pickups
- Includes Premium Gig Bag
- 5-Ply Maple Body
- Lock Tone Tune-O-Matic
Getting That Sound: Your Amp, Your Style, Your Casino
The Epiphone Casino is a wonderfully versatile electric guitar. While it’s famous for that Beatles jangle, it can do so much more.
The key is how you pair it with your amp and pedals. Plug it into a classic Fender Twin amp, add a splash of spring reverb, and you’ll get shimmering, clean tones that are perfect for pop, soul, and jazz.
The P-90 pickups have a clarity and sparkle that is simply gorgeous.
But what happens when you push it?
Dig in with your pick, and those p-90s will start to snarl. Turn up the gain on your amp, and the Casino transforms into a blues and rock machine.
It has a raw, gritty bite that’s perfect for slide guitar or aggressive rhythm playing. It’s the sound that Gary Clark Jr. has built his career on.
That hollow body resonance adds a fatness and complexity to overdriven tones that solid-body guitars can’t replicate.
This casino electric guitar is not a one-trick pony. From the clean, articulate pop of Noel Gallagher in Oasis to the raw power of Howlin’ Wolf’s blues, the Casino has proven its adaptability time and time again.
It’s a guitar that responds to your playing dynamics. Play softly, and it’s gentle and sweet. Attack the strings, and it roars back at you.
This wonderful guitar is a true partner in tone creation.
Is the Epiphone Casino Your Next Guitar?
After all this, the question remains: is the Epiphone Casino the right guitar for you?
If you’re looking for an instrument with a unique voice, a rich history, and incredible versatility, the answer is a resounding yes. This isn’t just a guitar for Beatles tribute acts.
It’s for the songwriter who needs an inspiring acoustic and electric tool in one. It’s for the blues player who wants a guitar that can whisper and scream. It’s for the indie rocker who wants to stand out from a sea of Fenders and Gibsons.
The Epiphone Casino offers something that few other guitars can: a direct connection to the history of popular music, combined with a sound that is still fresh and relevant today.
It’s a hollowbody archtop that forces you to play differently, to interact with its resonance and feedback, and to discover new sonic possibilities. It’s a wonderful guitar that feels alive in your hands.
From the classic vintage sunburst reissue to the modern epiphone casino hollowbody worn, there is a model that will fit your style and budget.
This isn’t just a purchase; it’s an investment in your creativity. You owe it to yourself to experience the magic of a true hollow body electric guitar.
The ES-335 is crafted with layered maple top, back, and sides coupled with a solid maple tone block to create the amazing sustain, warmth and resonant tone that players crave in a semi-hollow instrument. Epiphone's Alnico Classic PRO Humbuckers deliver a wide range of vintage sounds while the rounded C neck profile is extremely comfortable and easy to play, and the headstock features the 60s style Kalamazoo shape. Optional hardshell or EpiLite Case available. In order to continually improve the design, quality and performance of our products and instruments and to make use of the best materials at all times, Epiphone reserves the right to change specifications without notice.
