1965 Epiphone Casino Sunburst

If there was ever a guitar to be held responsible for the paradigm shift in rock and roll from the early to late 1960s, the Epiphone Casino would be a strong candidate. Toted by all three pickers of the Beatles, as well as Keith Richards before them, the Epiphone Casino can be heard on many of the most iconic British songs of the era.

The first A7 chord strummed on this guitar transports you back to Abby Road. The earthy snarl of the fully hollow body with warm, nickel covered P90s conjures up that sound that is instantly familiar. It is almost surprising how much of that classic Beatles tone is held in these mid 60s Epiphones.

This guitar is set up well and is a joy to play. The neck is on the slimmer side at 1 5/8ths nut width. With nice straight neck, low action and smooth frets with minimal pitting this guitar is very easy on the hands.

This Epiphone Casino appears to have all original wiring, pickups and potentiometers. On 3 of the pots the date code is obscured by solder, but the last pot reveals a date of 1964. On account of the longer headstock, this places the build of this guitar in late ’64 or possibly early ’65. Earlier 65 instruments typically have a 1 11/16ths nut width, while later ones typically have a 1 9/16ths nut width. This guitar has a nut width of 1 5/8” which is smack dab in between the two nut widths. Necks on these mid 60s Epiphones often had an approximate 1/16ths variance from one guitar to the next.

This guitar sports nickel P90 covers, and an original white scratch plate with the plain metallic pre 1966 “E” decal.

Interestingly, the Trem O Tone tailpiece sports the ’66 and later raised plastic “E” logo. It is also chrome, rather than nickel. These attributes show that it is slightly newer than the rest of the guitar. The transition was made from nickel to chrome in ’65. Underneath the tailpiece there are two extra screw holes which, it is believed, are from the original trapeze tailpiece. The original tremolo arm and clamp are not with this guitar.
This style of vibrato tailpiece did come as standard on this model of Casino, and its fitment was done very early on. Possibly even before its initial sale. The original tuners have been replaced with contemporary Schaller tuners. The original case is also no longer with the guitar and has been replaced with a modern Epiphone case.

The original bridge with nylon saddles has been replaced with a newer Gotoh bridge, sitting on the original posts and thumbwheels. The 21st fret inlay has been replaced at some stage.

There is no significant damage to this guitar. The paint is in great shape throughout with no signs of touch up or repair. There is light patina and checking on the headstock and subtle checking on the body. There are some small bumps and nicks to the finish as evidenced in photos, but, over all is in great shape.

Despite several modifications, this is a very clean example of one of the most recorded guitars of the 60s and a model that holds a high ranking in the history rock and roll.

 
Brand: Epiphone
Model: Casino 230TD
Country: USA
Year: 1964/65
Serial: 175XXX
Case: HSC
Body Colour: Tea Sunburst
Neck Colour: Brown
Finish Type: Nitro
Body Material: Maple
Neck Material: Mahogany
Fretboard Material: Brazilian Rosewood
Scale Length: 24 3/4”
Frets: 22
Neck Radius: 12”
Action (Low E): 2.1mm
Neck Profile: C
Nut Width: 41.1mm
12th Fret Width: 49.8mm
1st Fret Depth: 20mm
12th Fret Depth: 23.7mm
Pickups:
Resistance: Neck: 11.7k Bridge:12.6k
Electronics: Original
Knobs: Original
Pick Guard: Original
Hardware: Chrome
Weight: 2.89kg
Mods, Repairs: Tuners, Tailpiece, bridge, case.