Looks great Jesse, and I bet it sounds good. I started with exactly the same guitar, and have done similar upgrades. Thanks for the idea to use polish remover on the truss rod cover - I paused there and did mine straight away. I also added a set of old Gibson deluxe tuners with the greenish tint, and it looks great against the olive finish.
Great video as , I’ve been trying to find more recent reviews for this guitar. The Casino is probably, in my opinion the perfect hollow body guitar and perfect for Mods. I recently got the Worn Ebony and I love it. First thing I did was put on a new set of locking cream vintage klusons keystones which really balances the profile of the guitar and look great ( highly recommend) . I’ll be upgrading the p90’s ( Recommendation?) on mine with black covers and the knobs to black. It’s going to look and play like a monster. Great tip on the binding smooth out by the way.
I put a Gotoh GE103 I think it was on mine, because the stock bridge had rattling saddles. The bridge had a loose fit, so I used plumbers tape to make it a little more firm, and I have used almost the same fix as you with the extra nut, I just used regular washers under the nut, and I upgraded the PU´s to Lollar standard wound. Absolutely a fantastic guitar.
If your thinking of upgrading the pickups you should look into the Lindy Fralin P90’s. I put the black dog ears on my casino a few months back and it really takes the tone to the next level.
I wish my ES-335 pro in red were this color. Looks fantastic to me. Thanks for the modification ideas and please let us know about what you do with the muddy sounding pickups. I am researching the idea as we “speak”.
I had a B7 with a vibramate on my Epi 335 and really like it. When I got my Casino I put a B3 Bigsby on it and couldn't be happier with the function. Everything but the body has been upgraded on mine and it's a real versitile guitar. The pick ups made a giant difference as the stock ones are way too hot.
I own one of these guitars these Casinos are great I didn’t feel the need to do any of these mods. Only thing I’d consider is change the pickups eventually
I just ordered one of these with the intention of changing the guard, knobs, and adding the bigsby! You literally did exactly what I was envisioning! Any links for the guard would be great!
Thanks, I was looking for a pick guard in black and am glad to see yours is the perfect fit. I’ve also added the B-7 in nickel and it really complements the guitar.
nice video and great info. A part of me wants to get one of the sheraton 2 and put a riviera tailpiece on it, as well as change the pickguard. I just can't stand tortoise shell pickguards
Thanks for the video Jesse. Any chance you could do a follow-up or edit showing the whole guitar clearly with all of the upgrades? And/or a sound demo with the new perks. Thanks again.
Thanks for a great video. Has inspired me to give it a go! Can you just clarify exactly which bridge? I've just bought a worn casino. I'm reading conflicting info on post size and also imperial vs metric vs nashville.....
These are great guitars , I had a go of the worn and the American made Casino with the old/new head stock not much difference although the back of the American made one has a beautiful finish lol , not enough for me to blow an xtra 2500 on .
I buffed the neck to a gloss. Same for back and sides, but just less to a shine. Ordered Fender-like amp knobs, a gotoh nashville (nickel), will age the shine on the dogears and bridge. Removed the pg. Lastly, will probably go for a frequensator tailpiece or some whammy thing.
That sounds awesome! Did you hand rub it with some product or hit it with a buffing wheel? I'm curious what an amber tru-oil would look like over the olive drab
@@VERBANDTREM Hi have a turtle wax orbital buffer (cheap handheld thing). I used a cutting compound, towel the excess then buffed again with a polishing compound. I would not use tru oil as I don't really like that feel but my method gives a really cool finished look without looking like crap. The shine is pretty much like a vintage dulled-out finish. Try it on the neck, you'll be surprised.
Hi Jesse, nice video. Can you tell me more about the Bigsby installation? How difficult was it? Did you have to drill the top? Does it stay in tune? Cheers.
Hi, the bigsby B7 install requires some holes to be drilled in the top. It's one of those jobs where you measure everything 10x before drilling. If you're not too confident i would reccomment getting it done by someone. Theres also the B3 which requires less holes. The tuning stability is fine, about as good as any trem.
I love the mods, they look amazing. But are you worried about the bigsby putting too much stress on the top? It's a hollow guitar with no support posts anywhere (the gloss Casino has two). The Bigsby puts much more break angle on the bridge and anchors the strings to the top vs the trapese anchoring them to the reinforced frame of the guitar. I'd love a Bigsby on mine but I'm kinda worried the top will eventually implode.
It's more than strong enough. The top is about 2cm thick through the centre to support the bridge. Plus 90% of the pressure is on the end block where the strap pin attaches. (Same as when it has a trapeze). Basically you definitely don't need to worry.
I am on the fence about p90's.. my Tele player has a set and the sound is very muddy.. middle position is great and quacky but any other position is just meh. Going to try and change the pot's and wiring first but as for pup idk.. Nice Cas.. I was looking at adding a 335 style guitar.. either a sherry or a cas... cas is fully hollow, sherry has centre block... decisions decisions!
I guess it depends on what you like... My taste usually goes toward the single coil/p90 sound because I like high mids and treble. But try them all if you can. I'm surprised a tele with p90's doesn't sound great though. In theory it sounds awesome!
@@VERBANDTREM it surprised me too!.. I am going to see if it's a wiring/pots/caps issue or if it's the budget fender pups... like I said the middle position is awesome but can't say that for the neck or bridge on their own.
Are the fret ends on your guitar not fully seated against the binding? Mine has several that I can fit a post-it under. Curious is this is a common issue on these?
Mine was fine in that respect. I just had to dress the 9th fret because it was a little high and buzzed. I would say these guitars require a propper setup after purchase.
with the B7 so close to the bridge, are any of the strings resting on the back of the bridge? I'm thinking of trying this, but on your guitar, it looks like that may be the case. I'd appreciate the info. Thanks.
In my case no there was clearance. But I'm pretty sure the tone pros bridge has slightly more clearance than the stock bridge. Also would depend on the neck angle/bridge height.
Looks nice. With the cost of the B7, knobs and pickguard that is probably 2/3rd of the price of the actual guitar….Pretty costly to upgrade a cheap guitar. I have a Worn Ebony, I upgraded the knobs, put a Lennon foiled ‘E’ pickguard on that’s all just looks. The Bigsby B7 is nice, but not worth putting on this cheap guitar. Maybe if you got an ES-330 it’d be different.
I agree, but on the other hand if I had a Beautiful ES-330 i'd be too scared to bigsby it. It made alot of sense for me because I needed a vibrato system on something because i've got a bunch of stoptail guitars already.
I disagree. Adding the B-7 not only gives the guitar a lot of character, it opens up the guitar to a different playing style. I’ve done the same and I love it.
ES-330s are overrated! Like its literally just an Epiphone casino with the Gibson name slapped on the headstock SMH and casinos are NOT cheap guitars they just aren’t overpriced!
@@j.j.riverhill2831 The pickups aren’t that bad on these worn ones. I have a Peerless Casino and the more expensive John Lennon Limited Edition 1965 Casino and the worn can hold their own against these.
Roller bridge is a good choice, but a standard bridge can work well with well slotted and deburred saddles. I like to use coated strings like elixir, I find they glide through the nut and saddle with less friction.
I think it's a great break angle. the strings easily clear the rear edge of the ABR and the strings stay seated at the bigsby is used. Too little break angle seems to effect the treble and sustain in my experience.
I've got the chance of using a Gibson ES-335 for few years and I own my own Epiphone Casino and to be honest, Gibson needs the same adjustments as my Casino but not many adjustments. Intonation for sure but then the other adjustments this guy made is just personal preference. Nothing absolutely required. Maybe pickups if you have money to burn but not necessary.
You don’t have to make these upgrades. I have this guitar ‘as is’. I don’t feel the ‘need’ for the upgrades. I respect the author of the video has chosen to do so; but as a matter of choice, not necessity. There’s also no need to add a bigsby. I have bigsbys on 4 other guitars so I don’t feel the need for a bigsby here. As far as a second hand Gibson, I don’t have the confidence in second hand guitars that what I’m buying is what I’m getting. This casino worn is a great guitar. $900 Australian. Good buy.
The OP did this to suit his tastes, not out of necessity. These are great guitars out of the box without the upgrades, so don’t be discouraged. They are well worth the money.
You did a beautiful job on this guitar. It looks great.
Looks great Jesse, and I bet it sounds good. I started with exactly the same guitar, and have done similar upgrades. Thanks for the idea to use polish remover on the truss rod cover - I paused there and did mine straight away. I also added a set of old Gibson deluxe tuners with the greenish tint, and it looks great against the olive finish.
Great video as , I’ve been trying to find more recent reviews for this guitar. The Casino is probably, in my opinion the perfect hollow body guitar and perfect for Mods. I recently got the Worn Ebony and I love it. First thing I did was put on a new set of locking cream vintage klusons keystones which really balances the profile of the guitar and look great ( highly recommend) . I’ll be upgrading the p90’s ( Recommendation?) on mine with black covers and the knobs to black. It’s going to look and play like a monster. Great tip on the binding smooth out by the way.
I put a Gotoh GE103 I think it was on mine, because the stock bridge had rattling saddles. The bridge had a loose fit, so I used plumbers tape to make it a little more firm, and I
have used almost the same fix as you with the extra nut, I just used regular washers under the nut, and I upgraded the PU´s to Lollar standard wound. Absolutely a fantastic guitar.
If your thinking of upgrading the pickups you should look into the Lindy Fralin P90’s. I put the black dog ears on my casino a few months back and it really takes the tone to the next level.
I wish my ES-335 pro in red were this color. Looks fantastic to me. Thanks for the modification ideas and please let us know about what you do with the muddy sounding pickups. I am researching the idea as we “speak”.
I did replace my bridge and love the sound with no vibration. I went with a non wire style bridge.
Love what you did with it. I might have changed to black dogear covers.
I have the exact same Casino with the upgraded Bigsby!! Great Taste!
I had a B7 with a vibramate on my Epi 335 and really like it. When I got my Casino I put a B3 Bigsby on it and couldn't be happier with the function. Everything but the body has been upgraded on mine and it's a real versitile guitar. The pick ups made a giant difference as the stock ones are way too hot.
I own one of these guitars these Casinos are great I didn’t feel the need to do any of these mods. Only thing I’d consider is change the pickups eventually
I just ordered one of these with the intention of changing the guard, knobs, and adding the bigsby! You literally did exactly what I was envisioning! Any links for the guard would be great!
www.ebay.com.au/itm/363681087308?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item54ad14ff4c:g:cxUAAOSwvB5gpcTM&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACsPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsS5%252FLJbfonbQUYd49AU1AJYx8yiaM6B6HaQ%252FgJQ37adoNt5FI17JfemHNcsqQFXDr6f2uwSec1L1D4ycaJOMjh88%252F7qUP4CRmgkuwAxHI656vLKkN9kj63p0dilejJ7Lz0rrsGWPdr7UqI18NCqYNr6%252B5cuA%252FMONmJdgag3acEdMFwgFmG7ND%252Bg%252FCGtonYcp%252Fvdf2C%252BFZ7OXZPY7OzrWWO%252BhjV9Ozhuu7R%252FimuEYlwYFoEOmkjoXhicXr6iEfmoStkphP5xat4Q2QNnvcMXoUK11SO5tvfBv%252BF8y%252FdSn2qgUQ6EFAP4wv1pV798OG7c%252BEnh64HZsnXIffJnnfDbq%252F6rYxB8XCa7LzOuJ9YqmkkVxqfXu69t4LWVrro4plqbzgqxXAKweCznyeROUVB%252FPndWmLCDcV%252FrazSCmW76WHtgtWcZfDpPHMxiwQYNpaX%252FdThRWKgwvo8yHc2Cnk%252FfbwYI3qwjkd%252BNAqXGgYUZGwIfUQby2vFfIsVfdQhH0JgC7Myku50PbDtpecFy32pmF4Jk5Q%252FDbzfSOwdybdMgq5dnYHjL1M%252BVEqvcTLSWdOIK822Yxqt5%252BhEus5o5v3OsQNVxU%252Bx%252F2W%252BSjeaPYmr2Hhi4RWS8HOb4rgVw9%252FumrF2Q%252BUlqyAM4HUtm3ofSK9TZsX8LxsJNzA3y5ndCVwum8RK%252BhzPkLNsdCiohIZdDtAyoYVG5TKpGt1YGnhmT3QhJz6Zvn6BF8c5IdZO%252B27L%252BJY9dkSgcj8gb%252BQp3GPP4wCpgcmb9v1mSlSxRMtmUi6T8QJwVFLlJ%252F3nf9EwOxw4s6IQkZQ3HlmuCJcdjATtIaBEVIt82WBnkNDXTZ5Rj6kL8sOxBTEyz8BNGiVzalU7VR%252FNyWU%253D%7Cclp%3A2334524%7Ctkp%3ABFBMvK7rws5f
@@VERBANDTREM Thanks boss!! I appreciate it!
Thanks, I was looking for a pick guard in black and am glad to see yours is the perfect fit. I’ve also added the B-7 in nickel and it really complements the guitar.
nice video and great info. A part of me wants to get one of the sheraton 2 and put a riviera tailpiece on it, as well as change the pickguard. I just can't stand tortoise shell pickguards
Thanks for the video Jesse. Any chance you could do a follow-up or edit showing the whole guitar clearly with all of the upgrades? And/or a sound demo with the new perks. Thanks again.
Thanks for a great video. Has inspired me to give it a go! Can you just clarify exactly which bridge? I've just bought a worn casino. I'm reading conflicting info on post size and also imperial vs metric vs nashville.....
These are great guitars , I had a go of the worn and the American made Casino with the old/new head stock not much difference although the back of the American made one has a beautiful finish lol , not enough for me to blow an xtra 2500 on .
I recommend putting on a roller bridge. it eliminates the rocking of the bridge in the body of the guitar. I put one on my Epiphone Wildkat .
you can peel off the e from the stock guard and put it on the new one, just make sure to put in in the same spot!
Congrats for the review! I’m looking for the same pickguard and knobs… could you please send me the links? Thank you 🙏🏼
I was just looking at this guitar online yesterday and was thinking it needed a black pickguard.
would help if you put the links in the video description to where you bought all the bits and what they are exactly.
I buffed the neck to a gloss. Same for back and sides, but just less to a shine. Ordered Fender-like amp knobs, a gotoh nashville (nickel), will age the shine on the dogears and bridge. Removed the pg. Lastly, will probably go for a frequensator tailpiece or some whammy thing.
That sounds awesome! Did you hand rub it with some product or hit it with a buffing wheel? I'm curious what an amber tru-oil would look like over the olive drab
@@VERBANDTREM Hi have a turtle wax orbital buffer (cheap handheld thing). I used a cutting compound, towel the excess then buffed again with a polishing compound. I would not use tru oil as I don't really like that feel but my method gives a really cool finished look without looking like crap. The shine is pretty much like a vintage dulled-out finish. Try it on the neck, you'll be surprised.
Looks good!
Maybe add a coat of nitro too?
Oh baby! Do you have a link to that pickguard?
Awesome! is this a Bigsby b70?
Hi Jesse, nice video. Can you tell me more about the Bigsby installation? How difficult was it? Did you have to drill the top? Does it stay in tune? Cheers.
Hi, the bigsby B7 install requires some holes to be drilled in the top. It's one of those jobs where you measure everything 10x before drilling. If you're not too confident i would reccomment getting it done by someone. Theres also the B3 which requires less holes. The tuning stability is fine, about as good as any trem.
"The pickguards are identical in every way"
One of them has a great E on.
The black one came with the E sticker which I didn't put on.
Can anyone recommend higher quality, drop-in replacement tuners with the original small oval button look?
I love the mods, they look amazing. But are you worried about the bigsby putting too much stress on the top? It's a hollow guitar with no support posts anywhere (the gloss Casino has two). The Bigsby puts much more break angle on the bridge and anchors the strings to the top vs the trapese anchoring them to the reinforced frame of the guitar. I'd love a Bigsby on mine but I'm kinda worried the top will eventually implode.
It's more than strong enough. The top is about 2cm thick through the centre to support the bridge. Plus 90% of the pressure is on the end block where the strap pin attaches. (Same as when it has a trapeze).
Basically you definitely don't need to worry.
I am on the fence about p90's.. my Tele player has a set and the sound is very muddy.. middle position is great and quacky but any other position is just meh. Going to try and change the pot's and wiring first but as for pup idk..
Nice Cas.. I was looking at adding a 335 style guitar.. either a sherry or a cas... cas is fully hollow, sherry has centre block... decisions decisions!
I guess it depends on what you like...
My taste usually goes toward the single coil/p90 sound because I like high mids and treble.
But try them all if you can.
I'm surprised a tele with p90's doesn't sound great though. In theory it sounds awesome!
@@VERBANDTREM it surprised me too!.. I am going to see if it's a wiring/pots/caps issue or if it's the budget fender pups... like I said the middle position is awesome but can't say that for the neck or bridge on their own.
I could do with a replacement knob.
Are the fret ends on your guitar not fully seated against the binding? Mine has several that I can fit a post-it under. Curious is this is a common issue on these?
Mine was fine in that respect. I just had to dress the 9th fret because it was a little high and buzzed.
I would say these guitars require a propper setup after purchase.
with the B7 so close to the bridge, are any of the strings resting on the back of the bridge? I'm thinking of trying this, but on your guitar, it looks like that may be the case. I'd appreciate the info. Thanks.
In my case no there was clearance.
But I'm pretty sure the tone pros bridge has slightly more clearance than the stock bridge. Also would depend on the neck angle/bridge height.
Looks nice. With the cost of the B7, knobs and pickguard that is probably 2/3rd of the price of the actual guitar….Pretty costly to upgrade a cheap guitar. I have a Worn Ebony, I upgraded the knobs, put a Lennon foiled ‘E’ pickguard on that’s all just looks. The Bigsby B7 is nice, but not worth putting on this cheap guitar. Maybe if you got an ES-330 it’d be different.
I agree, but on the other hand if I had a Beautiful ES-330 i'd be too scared to bigsby it.
It made alot of sense for me because I needed a vibrato system on something because i've got a bunch of stoptail guitars already.
I disagree. Adding the B-7 not only gives the guitar a lot of character, it opens up the guitar to a different playing style. I’ve done the same and I love it.
ES-330s are overrated! Like its literally just an Epiphone casino with the Gibson name slapped on the headstock SMH and casinos are NOT cheap guitars they just aren’t overpriced!
You did all that bus didn't change the pickups? I would have left everything and changed the p 90's
@@j.j.riverhill2831 The pickups aren’t that bad on these worn ones. I have a Peerless Casino and the more expensive John Lennon Limited Edition 1965 Casino and the worn can hold their own against these.
white guard looks waaaaay better
I thought a Bigsby needed a roller Bridge? How's that one working out, mate?
Roller bridge is a good choice, but a standard bridge can work well with well slotted and deburred saddles. I like to use coated strings like elixir, I find they glide through the nut and saddle with less friction.
That string break angle looks a bit severe 😕
I think it's a great break angle. the strings easily clear the rear edge of the ABR and the strings stay seated at the bigsby is used. Too little break angle seems to effect the treble and sustain in my experience.
I was ready to order this guitar. If I have to make all these “upgrades” and adjustments, what’s the point? Might as well buy a used Gibson.
I've got the chance of using a Gibson ES-335 for few years and I own my own Epiphone Casino and to be honest, Gibson needs the same adjustments as my Casino but not many adjustments. Intonation for sure but then the other adjustments this guy made is just personal preference. Nothing absolutely required. Maybe pickups if you have money to burn but not necessary.
You don’t have to make these upgrades. I have this guitar ‘as is’. I don’t feel the ‘need’ for the upgrades. I respect the author of the video has chosen to do so; but as a matter of choice, not necessity. There’s also no need to add a bigsby. I have bigsbys on 4 other guitars so I don’t feel the need for a bigsby here. As far as a second hand Gibson, I don’t have the confidence in second hand guitars that what I’m buying is what I’m getting. This casino worn is a great guitar. $900 Australian. Good buy.
The OP did this to suit his tastes, not out of necessity. These are great guitars out of the box without the upgrades, so don’t be discouraged. They are well worth the money.
Other than the Bigsby all of these mods are cheap.
@@michaelnarainsamy3670 335 is totally different guitar
big gap there between the bigsby and the body? is that screw going into solid wood or is it hollow there?