The Epiphone Casino in Natural finish is a fully hollow body electric guitar that combines classic design with modern playability. Built with laminated maple construction and dual P90 pickups, it delivers the iconic tone that has defined rock and blues for decades.
The Epiphone Casino Natural represents one of the most recognizable hollow body electric guitars in music history. With its transparent natural finish showcasing the laminated maple grain, this instrument offers both visual appeal and the legendary Casino sound that has shaped countless recordings. Understanding what makes this guitar special requires examining its construction, components, and the unique characteristics that set it apart from other electric guitars.
The Casino in natural finish provides a clear view of the guitar's construction quality and wood selection. Unlike opaque finishes, the natural finish reveals the five-ply laminated maple used throughout the body, allowing players to appreciate the craftsmanship. This finish option has become increasingly popular among players who value the aesthetic of visible wood grain combined with the Casino's distinctive voice.
Built at Epiphone's manufacturing facility, the current Casino maintains the specifications that made the original design famous while incorporating modern manufacturing precision. The result is an instrument that delivers authentic hollow body tone at a price point accessible to working musicians and enthusiasts alike.
The Casino's body construction uses five-ply laminated maple for the top, back, and sides. This laminated approach provides several advantages over solid wood construction, including greater resistance to temperature and humidity changes, reduced feedback at high volumes, and consistent tonal characteristics across instruments. The lamination process creates a stable platform that maintains its shape and playability over time.
Unlike semi-hollow guitars that feature a solid center block, the Casino is completely hollow except for internal basswood bracing. This bracing serves to support the bridge and prevent the top from collapsing under string tension while allowing maximum resonance. The fully hollow design contributes to the guitar's remarkably light weight, typically ranging between six and seven pounds, making it comfortable for extended playing sessions.
The body depth and width create substantial internal air volume, which significantly influences the acoustic properties. When played unplugged, the Casino produces enough volume to be useful for practice and songwriting, a characteristic that many solid body guitars cannot match.
The neck is constructed from solid mahogany with what Epiphone designates as a SlimTaper D profile. This profile represents a medium thickness that accommodates various playing styles without feeling overly chunky or excessively thin. The neck joins the body at the 16th fret, providing comfortable access to the upper register while maintaining structural stability.
The fingerboard material is pau ferro, a sustainable alternative to rosewood that offers similar tonal properties and feel. The fingerboard features 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid dot inlays that provide clear position markers. The 24.75-inch scale length matches Gibson specifications, contributing to the slightly looser string tension that many players find conducive to bending and vibrato.
The Casino Natural comes equipped with two Dogear P90 Classic pickups with nickel covers. These single-coil pickups are fundamental to the Casino sound, offering a tonal palette distinct from both traditional single-coils and humbuckers. P90 pickups produce a thick, warm midrange with clear articulation and enough output to drive amplifiers into natural overdrive.
P90 pickups occupy a sonic territory between Stratocaster-style single-coils and humbucking pickups. They deliver more midrange presence and output than traditional single-coils while maintaining single-coil clarity and definition. The wider coil design of P90s captures more string vibration, resulting in a fuller, more robust tone that works exceptionally well for rhythm playing, blues, and rock applications.
The nickel covers on the Casino's pickups serve both aesthetic and tonal purposes. Nickel ages gracefully, developing a patina over time that adds vintage character. Some players report that nickel covers slightly warm the tone compared to uncovered pickups, though this effect is subtle.
The electronics feature a straightforward configuration with two volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way toggle switch. Each pickup has dedicated volume and tone controls, allowing precise tonal shaping and the ability to balance pickup outputs. The three-way switch selects between the neck pickup, both pickups together, and the bridge pickup.
This control arrangement provides significant versatility. Players can dial in warm jazz tones using the neck pickup with reduced tone control, achieve balanced rhythm sounds with both pickups, or select the bridge pickup for cutting lead tones. The top-mounted output jack is conveniently positioned for players who perform seated, keeping the cable out of the way.
The Casino represents true hollow body construction without a center block, distinguishing it from semi-hollow designs. This architecture creates exceptional acoustic properties and a lighter weight instrument that responds dynamically to playing technique. The five-ply laminated maple construction provides structural integrity while allowing the body to vibrate freely, producing the characteristic warm, open tone that hollow bodies are known for.
Modern manufacturing at Epiphone facilities ensures consistent quality control while maintaining traditional construction methods. Each Casino undergoes professional setup before shipping, with attention to fret leveling, intonation, and action adjustment. The combination of basswood internal bracing and laminated maple creates a balanced instrument that resists feedback better than vintage designs while preserving authentic tonal characteristics.
The Casino Natural features all-nickel hardware, including the tuners, bridge, and tailpiece. Nickel hardware complements the natural finish aesthetically while offering practical benefits. The tuneomatic bridge allows individual string height adjustment and intonation setting, ensuring proper setup across the fingerboard.
The vintage-style trapeze tailpiece is both a visual signature and a functional component. Unlike stop tailpieces that anchor directly to the body, the trapeze mounts to the body's end and suspends the strings at an angle. This design contributes to the Casino's characteristic tone and sustain properties. The trapeze also provides a convenient hand rest for players who anchor their picking hand.
Some players experiment with string wrapping techniques on trapeze tailpieces, either wrapping strings over the bar or threading them through. Each approach subtly affects string tension and break angle, allowing minor tonal adjustments.
The Casino comes equipped with vintage-style tuners that maintain period-correct aesthetics while providing reliable tuning stability. The gear ratio allows smooth, precise tuning adjustment. While some players eventually upgrade to locking tuners, the stock tuners perform adequately for most applications, especially when strings are properly stretched during installation.
The Casino's playability characteristics stem from its construction and setup. The lightweight hollow body reduces shoulder and back fatigue during long performances or practice sessions. The neck profile accommodates various hand sizes and playing techniques, from chord-based rhythm playing to single-note lead work.
One distinctive aspect of playing a fully hollow guitar is the acoustic feedback you feel through the body. The Casino vibrates noticeably against your body when played, creating a physical connection between player and instrument. This resonance provides tactile feedback that many players find inspiring and musically informative.
The acoustic volume also makes the Casino practical for quiet practice without amplification. You can work on technique, chord progressions, and melodies at conversation volume, making it apartment-friendly and suitable for late-night playing sessions.
The Casino typically ships with 10-46 gauge strings, a medium set that balances playability and tone. The 24.75-inch scale length means slightly lower string tension compared to 25.5-inch scale guitars with the same gauge strings. Many players find this tension comfortable for bending and vibrato.
Some players experiment with heavier gauges for increased volume and sustain, while others prefer lighter sets for easier bending. The hollow body construction responds well to various string gauges, though extremely heavy strings may require setup adjustments to maintain proper action and intonation.
The Casino Natural excels across multiple musical genres. Its P90 pickups and hollow construction create a versatile tonal foundation that adapts to different playing contexts. The neck pickup delivers warm, round tones ideal for jazz, blues, and rhythm work. The bridge pickup provides clarity and cut for lead playing and more aggressive rock tones.
The Casino's semi-acoustic nature means it responds dynamically to playing technique. Light picking produces clean, articulate tones, while aggressive attack drives the pickups harder for natural compression and grit. This touch sensitivity rewards nuanced playing and allows significant tonal variation without changing settings.
The natural finish on the Casino showcases the laminated maple construction through a clear polyurethane coating. Modern polyurethane finishes provide excellent protection against moisture, temperature changes, and physical wear. While thicker than vintage nitrocellulose finishes, contemporary poly finishes have improved significantly, with Epiphone working to reduce thickness while maintaining durability.
The natural finish reveals the wood grain patterns, making each instrument visually unique. The transparent coating allows you to inspect the quality of the lamination and appreciate the craftsmanship. Over time, natural finished guitars develop character as the wood subtly ages, though poly finishes age more slowly than nitrocellulose.
Proper setup significantly impacts the Casino's playability and performance. Most instruments arrive with professional factory setup, but personal preferences may require adjustments. Action height, intonation, and pickup height all affect tone and feel.
Hollow body guitars require slightly different maintenance approaches than solid bodies. The f-holes provide access to the interior, allowing you to address any loose components or rattles. Regular cleaning of the fingerboard, fret polishing, and hardware maintenance keep the instrument performing optimally.
The Casino occupies a specific position in the hollow body market. Compared to semi-hollow guitars with center blocks, the Casino offers more acoustic resonance and lighter weight but may be more prone to feedback at extreme volumes. Against other fully hollow models, the Casino's P90 pickups and specific construction create its distinctive voice.
The natural finish option provides a different aesthetic compared to sunburst or solid color versions while maintaining identical specifications and performance. Choosing natural finish is primarily an aesthetic decision, though some players believe transparent finishes allow slightly more resonance by using less finish material.
The Epiphone Casino Natural delivers authentic hollow body tone and construction at a mid-range price point. While more expensive than entry-level guitars, it provides professional-grade performance suitable for recording and live performance. The combination of quality materials, reliable hardware, and classic design makes it a practical choice for players seeking hollow body characteristics without premium pricing.
The Casino's reputation and historical significance also contribute to its value. As an instrument associated with significant recordings and artists, it carries cultural cachet beyond its specifications. This recognition can make it easier to sell if you decide to move on, as the Casino maintains strong resale value.
The Epiphone Casino Natural represents a well-executed hollow body electric guitar that balances traditional design with modern manufacturing quality. Its fully hollow construction, P90 pickups, and natural finish create an instrument with distinctive character and broad musical versatility. Whether you are drawn to its historical associations, tonal characteristics, or aesthetic appeal, the Casino Natural offers a complete package that serves players across skill levels and musical styles.
Understanding the Casino's construction, capabilities, and characteristics allows you to make an informed decision about whether this guitar fits your needs. Its lightweight feel, dynamic response, and classic tone make it a compelling option in the hollow body category, suitable for everything from jazz and blues to rock and alternative styles.
The Casino is fully hollow without a center block, making it lighter and more acoustically resonant than semi-hollow guitars. This construction provides more acoustic volume but can be more prone to feedback at high volumes compared to semi-hollow designs with center blocks.
The stock Dogear P90 Classic pickups provide solid performance suitable for most playing situations. While some players eventually upgrade to boutique pickups, many find the stock pickups deliver authentic P90 tone with good clarity and output for recording and live performance.
The natural finish itself has minimal tonal impact compared to other finish colors, as all Casino finishes use similar polyurethane coating thickness. The primary difference is aesthetic, allowing you to see the wood grain. Any tonal variations between finish colors would be negligible.
The Casino can handle moderate gain but is not optimized for high-gain metal. The fully hollow construction and single-coil P90 pickups are more prone to feedback at extreme volumes and gain levels. It excels at blues, rock, indie, and alternative styles with moderate overdrive.
The Casino ships with 10-46 gauge strings, which work well for most players. The 24.75-inch scale length provides comfortable tension with this gauge. You can experiment with 9-42 for easier bending or 11-49 for more volume and sustain, though heavier gauges may require setup adjustments.
Hollow body guitars benefit from standard maintenance practices. Keep the instrument in a case when not in use, maintain stable humidity levels, and clean it regularly. The hollow construction is durable, but avoid extreme temperature changes and physical impacts that could affect the laminated body.
The Casino can be played at moderate to loud volumes with proper technique and positioning. Fully hollow guitars are more feedback-prone than solid bodies, but the laminated construction helps control this. Using the tone controls, adjusting your position relative to the amplifier, and moderate gain settings minimize feedback.
Pau ferro is a sustainable alternative to rosewood with similar density, feel, and tonal characteristics. Most players find no significant difference in playability or sound between pau ferro and rosewood fingerboards. Pau ferro has a slightly tighter grain and may require similar conditioning and maintenance.
Available through authorized dealers across Canada
Enhanced Casino setup featuring premium aftermarket P90 pickups and upgraded wiring harness for expanded tonal range and improved clarity.
Professional setup package including action optimization, fret leveling, intonation adjustment, and premium string installation for maximum playability.
Natural finish Casino models currently available through authorized Canadian dealers with standard lead times.
Epiphone has refined their factory setup procedures, resulting in improved out-of-box playability for recent Casino production runs.
Current Casino Natural models ship with D'Addario strings instead of previous Gibson Brite Wire sets, offering improved tone and longevity.