We’re attempting to look past players’ preconceptions and emotions, focusing instead on the objective issues of cost, components, selection, and value. With all that in mind, we thought we'd spend some time today trying to answer what makes Epiphone and Gibson different today. According to most players, quality for both brands has fluctuated over the past decade or two, as have the exact specs and designs being brought to the table. The truth of the divide, though, is much more complex than a simple split between high- and low-end.

The split is considered to be cheap vs expensive, imported vs American-made, and at its core, budget-friendliness vs historic quality. It's a long and entwined history, but for most modern players, Epiphone is seen first and foremost as the current low-end of the wider Gibson catalog. In 1957, Gibson purchased Epiphone and used the brand as a way to broaden their distribution network and, eventually, to expand production beyond just the US. The two companies were competitors in the archtop market in the 1930s and during the development of the earliest electric models. But, even those two are subjective.Gibson and Epiphone are two of the oldest brands in the whole history of guitar production, especially when focusing on electrics. Including the Entry level Asian Guitars which are really good too… Epiphone has done an excellent job on Casinos.Ībout the only thing you might want to do on the Entry level Casino’s is a Pickup upgrade to Fralin, Lollars or something similar for a more Gibson USA P90 sound… And add a Bigsby B-7 which look great & are a great Effect. You probably guessed by now I’m a Casino fan! I play them more than any of my other Electric Guitars! IMO they’re the most versatile Electric Guitar you can buy….Įpiphone has done a number of different limited run models in the past 10-15 years. I have a new Royal Tan USA Casino with Nickel Covers which is a work of Art! Love this Guitar! I bought a Bigsby B-7 for it but it’s such a beautiful Guitar I might leave it as is since I have a Casino with Bigsby already…

Casino has the Tremotone & is also very cool! It’s like Keith’s in the early days… My Natural Revolution Casino is Lennon Spec & I dig that one a lot! My Sunburst 50th Anniv. My Sunburst Peerless Casino has a Bigsby which is very cool! It’s like Paul’s & George’s.

Congrats! Which one did you get? They really don’t need anything other than new Strings & a good Setup.

Epiphone casino upgrade