Epiphone Hollowbody Questions

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:01 pm

i didn't like the new casinos or sheratons when i tried them but as everyone has said the MIK Epis are lovely. I had a sheraton in the early 90s and loved it. As for which to get I know you like your shoegaze so it would be worth trying both with your set up. I think the casino might be more versatile for you though

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:04 pm

The only thing I noticed about the Casino is that it's easy to get feedback going without meaning to. I was playing one in a GC last week sitting directly in front of an amp and all hell broke loose. It did sound great, though (the guitar, not the feedback). It was a new MIC model. Haven't seen any MIK Casinos locally.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:07 pm

plaidbeer wrote:The only thing I noticed about the Casino is that it's easy to get feedback going without meaning to. I was playing one in a GC last week sitting directly in front of an amp and all hell broke loose. It did sound great, though (the guitar, not the feedback). It was a new MIC model. Haven't seen any MIK Casinos locally.

the feedback is one of the reasons I liked it

I have a similar issue with my JM but I make sure I stand in a spot where it isn't affected so much, its a control thing that you adapt to

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:08 pm

Did you find a way to use the feedback musically? I'd certainly be interested in doing that.

Since I know you're a fellow House of Love fan-both Chadwick and Bickers use Epis (probably vintage). From looking at their pictures I couldn't tell if they were using Rivieras, Sheratons, or Casinos. Would you happen to know (for curiosity's sake)?

SGJarrod · Post by **SGJarrod** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:08 pm

what r ur concerns of buying used?.... if u need tips of things to look for I am more than willing to drop a little knowledge as I am sure everyone else is willing to help out too

The main thing I would do is check the neck and nut..... place the ass of the guitar on the top of ur foot and look down the neck from above the head stock to see if the neck is straight and the frets are not all borked

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:11 pm

plaidbeer wrote:Did you find a way to use the feedback musically? I'd certainly be interested in doing that.

i'm a sucker for feedback in the JAMC & MBV all hell let loose style. it has its place. you will be able to manage it with volume, placement and technique though. Being right in front facing it will have a greater affect though.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:19 pm

i always thought bickers used a sheraton. not quite sure. I do know that creation had a semi hollow guitar they loaned to bands and teenage fanclub never gave it back

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:29 pm

This is sort of intriguing. Came from the Peerless plant in Korea. Not crazy about the color (I'm partial to the natural finish), but looks like it might be a decent deal. Just wondering if the scuffs are real or if they're some sort of weird reflection:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/msg/2302850879.html

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:39 pm

they looks like lighting, maybe ask for a shot taken outside. interesting colour for a semi though. is it far from you? might worth a visit anyway just so you know how a MIK one compares to the new ones

SGJarrod · Post by **SGJarrod** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:40 pm

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/msg/2349194145.html

so ur looking more like this?

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:50 pm

lorez wrote:they looks like lighting, maybe ask for a shot taken outside. interesting colour for a semi though. is it far from you? might worth a visit anyway just so you know how a MIK one compares to the new ones

That's a Casino, so it's fully hollow. I was hoping to get one for a little less, but MIK Casinos are seemingly hard to find and it comes with a case.

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:53 pm

SGJarrod wrote:http://stlouis.craigslist.org/msg/2349194145.html

so ur looking more like this?

Yeah, either a Sheraton or a Casino and I prefer the natural color vs. the sunburst. I know of a couple of local shops where I can get a new MIC Sheraton II for $500 and a used Korean model for $500.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:54 pm

plaidbeer wrote:
lorez wrote:they looks like lighting, maybe ask for a shot taken outside. interesting colour for a semi though. is it far from you? might worth a visit anyway just so you know how a MIK one compares to the new ones
That's a Casino, so it's fully hollow. I was hoping to get one for a little less, but MIK Casinos are seemingly hard to find and it comes with a case.

Go see it and play it and see if its worth the extra. Its a rare colour and has a case. If I was looking for a MIK casino here in the UK I would expect to pay the about that in pounds without a case in a standard colour. You might also be able to talk him down on the price, if you don't ask you don't get and you might be surprised.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:07 am

holy shit, i was at a guitar center the other day and played a sheraton. dude, that guitar played fucking great. DO IT

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:14 am

Played a MIC Casino today at GC and sounded decent, but the tone knobs were sluggish. QC was spotty on it. It felt a little more comfortable than the Sheraton. Will try to check out the MIK Casino tomorrow.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:06 pm

Sloan wrote:holy shit, i was at a guitar center the other day and played a sheraton. dude, that guitar played fucking great. DO IT

john lee hooker can't be wrong

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:10 pm

There's a MIK Sheraton II at the GC nearest to me for $500. Tuners were crap and the pickup selector switch was missing its tip. Thought the price wasn't that great for something that's going to require little fixes/upgrades right off the bat.

Meeting the seller of the MIK Casino tomorrow morning and hopefully something good happens. She sent me a lot of pics and it looks great. Burgundy mist (discontinued color) with a yellowing white binding and pickguard.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:26 pm

plaidbeer wrote:There's a MIK Sheraton II at the GC nearest to me for $500. Tuners were crap and the pickup selector switch was missing its tip. Thought the price wasn't that great for something that's going to require little fixes/upgrades right off the bat.

Meeting the seller of the MIK Casino tomorrow morning and hopefully something good happens. She sent me a lot of pics and it looks great. Burgundy mist (discontinued color) with a yellowing white binding and pickguard.

Switch tips cost next to nothing, and I'm sure the tuners would cope with a bit of tinkering - I find even the worst tuners can do a good job if they're tightened and lubricated enough. If there are tuning problems 9 times out of 10 its the nut causing the issue.

However if it were me I'd hold out for the casino, I LOVE LOVE LOVE hollow bodies

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:40 pm

i say play both if you can and then you won't have any questions. like MrP says they are minor fixes and the nut is a likely culprit in tuning situations and the tuners can easily be sorted as well

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Mon May 02, 2011 2:38 am

I bought the burgundy mist MIK Casino. It's with my guitar tech right now--being without a guitar sucks. The bridge on it was really made for 9s and because I'm used to using 10s, the bridge will be replaced by a Nashville bridge and it was also suggested that I replace the tuners, so those things are being done as well as a proper set up. This guitar has basically spent years inside a case and was barely ever played. I have the original receipt for it, too. No blemishes or anything from what I could tell and I actually like the yellowing of the white pickguard and binding.

I have some pictures that the owner sent me via e-mail, and I'll post some of my own when I get it back with the new hardware. Because he has to order the parts and the guitars being worked on front of it, I'll probably get it back at the beginning of next week. Thanks to everyone for your advice and input.