The Epiphone Casino and Gibson ES 335 are two iconic instruments that have captured the hearts of many musicians over the years. Both guitars have their own unique features, tonal characteristics, and playing styles. In this article, we will delve into the details of each guitar, highlighting their differences and similarities.

Neck

One of the most notable differences between the two guitars is their necks. The Epiphone Casino has a D-profile neck with a slim taper, while the ES 335 has a slightly thicker neck that contributes to its denser and deeper sound profile. Both guitars feature a 24.75 scale length neck.

Tremolo

The ES 335 comes with a Bigsby Tremolo system as an optional add-on, whereas the Casino does not have a tremolo.

Pickups

The Casino is equipped with Epiphone P-90 single coil pickups, which are humbucker-style but deliver a bright and clear sound. The ES 335 features Gibson BurstBucker series pickups, which produce a fuller sound with a bit more warmth and edge.

Headstock

The Casino has a 'Kalamazoo' style headstock, reminiscent of vintage-era models. The ES 335 features a thinner and more tapered headstock, giving it a more modern look.

Body

The Casino has a fully hollow body made from laminated maple, which creates more resonance in the sound and makes it lighter and brighter. The ES 335 has a mix of maple, poplar, and maple laminate with a solid centerpiece and hollow wings, resulting in a deeper and richer sound with less resonance and feedback.

A Brief History

The Gibson ES 335 was launched in 1958, but Gibson had been working on this design for nearly 10 years prior. What made the ES 335 so unique was its semi-hollow design, which quickly became one of the most popular models. The ES 335 is an extremely versatile instrument, used in various genres such as blues, jazz, rock, and heavy metal.

The Epiphone Casino came out a few years after the ES 335 and was designed to be a more affordable version of what Gibson was offering. The Casino has some major differences in its construction and electronics, resulting in big differences in sound. The Casino was popularized by the Beatles, who used it extensively for both studio recordings and live shows.

Serial Numbers and Factory Codes

The Epiphone Casino and Gibson ES 335 have undergone numerous changes over the years. To better understand what kind of guitar you are dealing with, it can be helpful to look at the serial numbers and factory codes. Here are some tables to make this easier:

Gibson ES 335

Period Factory Code Serial Number Format
1958-61 No letter YNNNN
1961-69 A YNNNN
1969-75 B YYNNNN
1975-77 N YYNNNNNNN
1977-85 8 YYNNNNNNNN
1985-CURRENT 9 YYNNNNNNNNY

Epiphone Casino

Period Factory Code Serial Number Format
1961-69 No letter YMMNNNN
1970-75 K YMMNNNN
1976-80 J YYNNNNNN
1980-86 S YYNNNNNNN
2002-CURRENT F FYYMMDDNNN

The Epiphone Casino and Gibson ES 335 are two legendary guitars that continue to be popular today. Some people may prefer the classic vintage look, while others may appreciate the unique sound of these instruments. Even with upgrades and changes over the years, both guitars remain versatile platforms for musicians to build upon.