What is a Casino Guitar?
A casino guitar, also known as an electric S-1 model, is a type of hollow-body semi-acoustic electric guitar designed by Paul Barthelmes for Gibson’s subsidiary Epiphone in the early 1960s. Initially manufactured from 1959 to 1966, these guitars were part of Gibson’s lineup during the same period that saw the creation of other iconic models such as the Les Paul and SG. Although no longer Guitars casino part of mainstream production since its initial run, vintage Casino models have garnered significant attention among collectors, players, and enthusiasts due to their distinct sound quality and visual appeal.
History
During a time when electric guitars were primarily solid-bodied instruments with single-cutaway designs (like Gibson’s Les Paul), Barthelmes conceived an innovative design: the hollow-body semi-acoustic S-1. Epiphone began mass-producing this model in 1959 under the name Casino, which aimed to bridge the sonic characteristics of acoustic and electric instruments while maintaining a stylish appearance.
In addition to its novel design, another significant innovation behind the Casino was Gibson’s use of the new Alnico-V humbucking pickups. These were among the first types of ‘humbuckers,’ designed specifically to suppress electromagnetic interference generated by electric guitars’ coils when played near magnetic fields (such as those produced by speakers or amplifiers). This technology greatly improved noise reduction and, consequently, helped establish a cleaner sound quality in many instruments.
Design Features
Casino Guitars feature several distinct components that contributed to their unique character:
- Hollow-Body : Its body design allowed for increased resonance and projection without the need for external amplification systems typical of acoustic guitars.
- S-1 Pickup Configuration : Two pickups were situated at either end, providing balanced sound from both strings and neck side. This arrangement facilitated distinct tone capabilities depending on selected pickup settings (e.g., switching between bridge or neck positions).
- Cutaway Neck Design : A pronounced ‘cut’ in the body allowed players to reach upper frets easily without obstruction.
- Tuners and Bridge : Adjustability was ensured with machine heads featuring a string retainer attached directly above each tuning post.
Types of Casino Guitars
There were two main variations during their initial production period (1959-1966):
- 1960 Epiphone Casino : Featuring Alnico-V ‘P’ humbucking pickups and, according to many accounts, being made with mahogany necks.
- Epiphone Casino with Veneered Tops (approximately produced in mid-to-late production years): Although sometimes mistakenly identified as part of the early lineup.
After Gibson’s acquisition of Epiphone in the late 1950s, their models gained popularity for offering alternatives at more competitive price points compared to Gibson-branded instruments.
Variations and Similar Models
When examining various sources regarding specific details on post-production (i.e., produced after initial run) versions or near-identical counterparts, one must remain aware that several imitations have been made in different manufacturing locations across the globe. These do not necessarily reflect accurate representation of Gibson’s original specifications but often incorporate stylistic and functional changes.
