(4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. This particular guitar is one of the nicest examples we have ever had light, handy, with a fantastic feel and the expected classic sound. It was featured in the hands of countless '60s British invasion bands - The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and many more all used them on many of their signature records. The Epiphone Casino was especially popular in the UK in the early 1960s, distributed aggressively by the jobber Rosetti as a pro-grade guitar. This two pickup, Tremotone-equipped guitar was the most expensive version of the Casino and listed at $314.50 in 1961 it is also complete with the very rare original #1519 blue-lined hard case, which added $50 to the price. Despite being intended by Gibson as an 'amateur' instrument (the least expensive of the double-cutaway thinlines), the Casino has been used by professional players in many styles of music since its introduction. The Epiphone Casino is a great-sounding, versatile guitar at home in many musical situations. This instrument is fitted with the 'Tremotone' vibrato, an extra-cost option at the time. The nickel-plated Tune-O-Matic bridge is the original '50s style 'no-wire' version. The twin P-90 pickups are mated to the standard Gibson wiring rig, with '60s-style plastic tone and volume knobs without markings on the metal cap and a white switch tip. The early 'short' headstock carries a pearl Epiphone logo the tuners are individual enclosed Kluson Deluxes with plastic buttons. The neck profile is the wide, flat '1960' style that would be changed back to a chunkier, rounder feel the next year. The single-bound body is fully hollow, unlike the semi-hollow 335-355 series, and the neck joins the body farther in at the 16th fret. Only 153 vibrato-equipped Casinos were shipped out in 1961. In 1962 the model was fitted with pearloid block inlay and nickel-plated metal pickup covers, making this first version a rather rare example. There is dot inlay on the bound rosewood fingerboard, and 1950s-style black plastic covers on the P-90 pickups.

The finish is a beautiful subtly blended light sunburst, quite different from the darker Gibson 'bursts of the time. This guitar remains in very fine condition, showing all the earliest features of the Casino. This is a very nice all-original example of an Epiphone Casino Model ES-230TDV from 1961, the first year of issue for this classic model. Epiphone Casino Model Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1961), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 35766, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original tan hard shell case.

Epiphone casino body size