NGD: 1967 Casino

RiftAmps

Always loved a Casino, and have had my turquoise reissue for years now (pic below). I love it, it's bloody loud acoustically and after finally installing a set of Mojo replacement pickups, it now sounds as good plugged in -  a great workhorse guitar.

A few weeks back during an amp shootout for G&B, I had the chance to play a '61 Gibson 330, which was on another level to my Casino. Everything about it was just better - the neck was oh-so perfect, the body resonated like it was actually singing, the feedback was never uncontrollable, and the neck pickup was the sweetest and woodiest thing I've ever heard.

My GAS juices started flowing immediately.

Then on Sunday night, I see this '67 Casino on Reverb for a ridiculous price, phoned the dealer up and squeezed him a little more on the price, and bought it unseen with the agreement that I could return it if I didn't get along with it, no questions asked.

It arrived the other day and it's just as good as I remember that '61 330 was, yet it has it's own thing going on too. The pickups are 7.7k (bridge) and 7.5k (neck). They needed a little dialing in to get them balanced, but it didn't take long.

Yes, it's a players grade guitar, but that's what I wanted. The Cherry finish has faded and reminds me of Gary Clark Jr's. It'll need a refret in a few years time (there's room for one more dressing), and it's missing the original pickguard, but I don't care about that, I'll get a replacement. I'll be fitting a Bigbsy at some point as that's my thing, but the Trapeze tailpiece has a cool vibe to it.

CloudNine

Holy sh*t, that's amazing.. Well done.

guitars4you

that is cool and my idea of a nice vintage guitar - interesting how this is essentially the only guitar that Gibson and Epiphone made exactly the same, yet due to Weller, The Beatles and to a degree Keef, The Epi version commands more far more money than its Gibson sibling does

A good refret with 6100's or similar, sure enhances the guitars playing performance as well - plus on these, I find 10-52 gauge works better than 10-46 - IMO

Winny_Pooh

Good call

IvisonGuitars

Oooof!! I'm having to type this left handed....

streethawk

Gorgeous.

mburekenge

You win! That is unbelievable. 

MtB

That wouldn't have been the 'burst 330 at Pym's would it? I'd been lusting after that for some time - a birth year guitar for me - but couldn't find the time to get down to try it out.

Alterlifeson

That is lovely. The faded cherry looks great in those photos.

Bridgehouse

The checking on that is fantastic...

RiftAmps

MtB said:

That wouldn't have been the 'burst 330 at Pym's would it? I'd been lusting after that for some time - a birth year guitar for me - but couldn't find the time to get down to try it out.

It's owned by Huw Price of G&B, but that one at Pyms looks great. I think he's got quite a few 330s in various specs so definitely worth going to try some out.

Alterlifeson said:

That is lovely. The faded cherry looks great in those photos.

It's really difficult to photo accurately, I'll keep trying to get a better one, but thank you.

skaguitar

Please don't put a bigsby on that...

Wazmeister

Brill. Love it, and man that aged checking is crazy and stunning ! Congrats

tbm

I approve of this message. I also covet that guitar.

Good work fella.

shugz

Lovely. Was this the one at CC's Glasgow?

Enjoy.

Cheers
Hugh

RiftAmps

skaguitar said:

Please don't put a bigsby on that...

Why not? It's an era-appropriate modification as it was a factory option (earlier models were available with the Tremotone). It's not like I plan to fit EMGs and refinish it in Zakk Wylde Bullseye...

shugz said:

Lovely. Was this the one at CC's Glasgow?

Enjoy.

Cheers
Hugh

Yup, that's it.

guitars4you

RiftAmps said:

shugz said:

Lovely. Was this the one at CC's Glasgow?

Enjoy.

Cheers
Hugh

Yup, that's it.

is Steve Caban still there at CC

blueskunk

Classy. Well done. 

Nitefly

Well f*ck my old green waders.  That is gorgeous.....

IvisonGuitars

Nitefly said:

Well f*ck my old green waders....

I shall be using THIS frequently from now on!! :-D

skaguitar

RiftAmps said:

skaguitar said:

Please don't put a bigsby on that...

Why not? It's an era-appropriate modification as it was a factory option (earlier models were available with the Tremotone). It's not like I plan to fit EMGs and refinish it in Zakk Wylde Bullseye...

because it is a lovely guitar just as it is....I seem to have touched a nerve here..?...but it's your guitar to do with as you please...my statement wasn't a form of criticism...:)