Epiphone Sheraton vs Casino: Which Hollow Body Reigns?
Looking for a classic hollow-body electric guitar? You’ve likely stumbled upon two legendary contenders from Epiphone: the Sheraton and the Casino. Both guitars boast a rich history and have graced the hands of iconic musicians, but which one is the better fit for you?
The Epiphone Sheraton offers a more refined and versatile approach, often featuring a semi-hollow design with a center block for increased sustain and reduced feedback. It’s a fantastic option for a wide range of musical styles, from jazz and blues to rock and even country. You’ll also find a more ornate design with premium hardware.
On the other hand, the Epiphone Casino is a pure hollow-body guitar, known for its bright, resonant tone and feedback-prone nature, perfect for a raw and expressive sound. This guitar became famous thanks to the Beatles. This makes it ideal for blues, rock and roll, and other genres where a vibrant, airy tone is desired.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Sheraton | Casino |
|---|---|---|
| Body Wood | Laminated Maple | Laminated Maple |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck Profile | SlimTaper™ C-profile | SlimTaper™ C-profile |
| Fingerboard | Indian Laurel | Indian Laurel |
| Scale Length | 24.75″ | 24.75″ |
| Number of Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Pickups | ProBucker™ Humbuckers | Dogear P-90T Classic Single-Coil |
| Bridge | LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic | LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar | Trapeze |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Toggle | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Toggle |
| Tuners | Grover® Rotomatic | Grover® Rotomatic |
| Binding | Multi-ply | Single-ply |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Body Style
- Epiphone Sheraton: A semi-hollow body guitar, typically with a center block for increased sustain and reduced feedback. Offers a more versatile sound, suitable for a wider range of genres. The larger body can be less comfortable for some players.
- Casino: A fully hollow body guitar, known for its bright, resonant tone and pronounced sustain. Prone to feedback at higher volumes, making it less suitable for high-gain applications. The fully hollow construction offers a light and airy feel.
- Winner: Sheraton
Body Wood
- Epiphone Sheraton: Usually features a laminated maple body, often with a maple center block. Maple provides a bright, articulate tone with good sustain. Laminated construction contributes to durability and affordability.
- Casino: Typically constructed with a laminated maple body. The fully hollow design emphasizes the wood’s resonance, contributing to its distinct tone. The laminated construction helps to manage feedback.
- Winner: Tie
Pickups
- Epiphone Sheraton: Equipped with humbucker pickups, known for their powerful, warm tone and ability to handle high gain. Provides a wide range of tonal options, from clean to overdriven. May lack the distinct chime of single-coil pickups.
- Casino: Usually comes with two P-90 single-coil pickups. These pickups deliver a bright, articulate tone with a characteristic “bark” and excellent note separation. Can be prone to hum and noise.
- Winner: Sheraton
Neck Profile
- Epiphone Sheraton: Often features a SlimTaper or similar neck profile, providing a comfortable feel for a wide range of players. Offers good playability and easy access to higher frets. May not suit players who prefer thicker necks.
- Casino: Commonly has a rounded C-shape neck profile. Offers a comfortable feel and good playability, but some players find it less easy to navigate than a slimmer profile. Can be preferred by players with larger hands.
- Winner: Tie
Hardware
- Epiphone Sheraton: Typically features a Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece for excellent intonation and sustain. Grover or similar tuners ensure stable tuning. Offers robust and reliable hardware.
- Casino: Usually has a trapeze tailpiece and a Tune-o-matic bridge. The trapeze tailpiece contributes to the guitar’s resonant qualities. Tuners are generally reliable, but can vary in quality.
- Winner: Sheraton
Scale Length
- Epiphone Sheraton: Usually has a scale length of 24.75 inches, contributing to a warm tone and comfortable feel. Offers a slinkier feel and easier string bending compared to longer scales.
- Casino: Also typically features a 24.75-inch scale length. Provides the same benefits as the Sheraton in terms of tone and playability.
- Winner: Tie
Tone Characteristics
- Epiphone Sheraton: Known for its versatile tone, capable of delivering warm, smooth tones as well as more aggressive sounds. The semi-hollow design provides a balance of sustain and feedback resistance.
- Casino: Characterized by its bright, resonant tone with a pronounced attack and chime. The fully hollow design contributes to its airy and vibrant sound, but can be prone to feedback at high volumes.
- Winner: Tie
Price Point
- Epiphone Sheraton: Generally offers a good value for its features and build quality, often positioned in a mid-range price bracket. Provides a more affordable alternative to higher-end models.
- Casino: Typically priced similarly to the Sheraton, also offering a good value. The price can depend on the specific model and features.
- Winner: Tie
Winner by Category:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Versatility | Sheraton |
| Classic Tone | Casino |
| Pickup Type | Tie |
| Aesthetics | Tie |
What They Have in Common:
- Body Wood: Both guitars are constructed with a laminated maple body, contributing to their bright and resonant tone. This choice of wood provides a balanced sound profile suitable for various musical styles.
- Neck Profile: Both the Sheraton and Casino feature a SlimTaper™ C-profile neck. This design offers a comfortable and familiar feel for players, facilitating ease of playability and quick transitions across the fretboard.
- Neck Wood: Both guitars utilize a mahogany neck. Mahogany is known for its warmth and sustain, which complements the bright sound of the maple body, creating a balanced tonal spectrum.
- Scale Length: The scale length of both guitars is 24.75 inches, a standard for Gibson-style guitars. This scale length contributes to a comfortable string tension and a characteristic feel for both instruments.
- Grover Tuners: Both guitars are equipped with Grover Rotomatic tuners, providing reliable and precise tuning stability. These tuners ensure the guitars stay in tune even during heavy playing.
Epiphone Sheraton Vs Casino Buying Guide
Tonewoods and Construction
The Epiphone Sheraton and Casino guitars, while both hollow-body electrics, differ in their tonewood choices and construction techniques. The Sheraton often features a laminated maple body, known for its bright and articulate sound, paired with a solid center block that provides sustain and reduces feedback. The Casino, on the other hand, typically boasts an all-mahogany construction, contributing to a warmer, more resonant tone. This difference significantly impacts the guitar’s sonic characteristics, making the Sheraton a better choice for cleaner tones and the Casino ideal for vintage rock and blues.
Electronics and Hardware
Electronics and hardware play a crucial role in shaping a guitar’s sound. The Sheraton often comes equipped with humbucker pickups, providing a powerful, full tone suitable for various genres. The Casino, in contrast, usually features P-90 single-coil pickups, delivering a brighter, more gritty sound with increased sensitivity to playing dynamics. Hardware differences include bridge styles and tuners, affecting tuning stability and overall playability. Consider your preferred pickup type and desired tonal range when making your decision.
Playability and Feel
The playing experience is paramount. The Sheraton typically has a slightly wider neck profile and often features a set-in neck joint, offering a more robust feel. The Casino is known for its slimmer neck profile and often has a neck-through or set-neck construction, facilitating faster playing and easier access to higher frets. The choice between these two largely depends on personal preference and hand size. Try both guitars to determine which neck profile feels most comfortable and suits your playing style.
Aesthetics and Design
Aesthetics are an important consideration for many guitarists. The Sheraton often boasts a more luxurious appearance with features like bound f-holes, a multi-ply binding, and gold hardware, creating a sophisticated look. The Casino frequently features a more stripped-down, vintage-inspired design with a simple unbound body, often with a natural or sunburst finish. Ultimately, the best choice depends on personal taste. Consider what design elements appeal to you and reflect your style.
Price and Value
Price and value are always factors. Both the Sheraton and Casino offer excellent value for their price point, but they can vary depending on the specific model and features. The Sheraton often costs slightly more due to its more complex construction and features. The Casino, while often more affordable, still provides incredible value. Consider your budget and the features you desire to determine which guitar offers the best value for your needs. Research current market prices.
Intended Use and Genres
Consider your preferred musical genres and playing style. The Sheraton’s versatility makes it suitable for genres like jazz, blues, rock, and even some heavier styles, thanks to its humbucker pickups. The Casino, with its P-90 pickups, excels in blues, rock and roll, and classic rock. The Casino’s raw, gritty tone is ideal for players seeking a vintage sound. Consider your preferred musical style and the tones you want to achieve when choosing between these two guitars.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy epiphone sheraton If…
- You prefer a versatile guitar capable of handling a wide range of musical genres, from jazz to rock.
- You desire a guitar with a warm, full sound and humbucker pickups for powerful tones.
- You appreciate a guitar with classic aesthetics and premium appointments, such as multi-ply binding.
- You want a semi-hollow body guitar with excellent sustain and a focused sound.
Buy casino If…
- You’re looking for a guitar with a bright, lively tone and a distinctive single-coil sound.
- You prefer the simplicity and directness of P-90 pickups.
- You enjoy the vintage vibe and iconic look of the Casino.
- You want a guitar that excels in blues, rock and roll, and early rock music styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between the Sheraton and the Casino?
The primary differences lie in their construction, pickups, and aesthetic design. The Sheraton typically features a laminated maple body with humbuckers and a more luxurious appearance. The Casino typically has an all-mahogany body with P-90 pickups, and a more stripped-down aesthetic. These differences result in distinct tonal characteristics and playing experiences, making each guitar well-suited to different styles and preferences.
Which guitar is better for jazz?
Both guitars are suitable for jazz, but the Sheraton often has the edge. Its humbucker pickups provide a warmer, fuller tone that is well-suited for clean, complex chord voicings and smooth solos. The Sheraton’s enhanced sustain also helps with jazz articulation. However, the Casino can work in a jazz context as well, especially if a more raw, dynamic tone is desired. The choice depends on the specific jazz style.
Which guitar is better for blues?
Both guitars excel in blues, but the Casino is often preferred due to its raw, gritty tone. The Casino’s P-90 pickups deliver a characteristic blues sound with a strong midrange and excellent response to playing dynamics. The Sheraton can work in blues, but it might require adjustments to achieve the right tone. The Casino’s vintage vibes and responsiveness make it a blues classic.
What kind of pickups do they have?
The Sheraton typically comes equipped with humbucker pickups. These pickups deliver a powerful, full tone that’s great for various genres. The Casino, on the other hand, usually features P-90 single-coil pickups. These offer a brighter, more gritty sound with a very dynamic response. Each pickup type contributes to the distinct tonal characteristics of the guitars.
What is the body wood used in the Sheraton and Casino?
The Sheraton often features a laminated maple body, known for its bright and articulate sound, sometimes with a center block. The Casino typically has an all-mahogany body, contributing to a warmer, more resonant tone. The wood choices significantly impact the guitar’s sonic characteristics, influencing its sustain, resonance, and overall tonal profile. This is crucial to consider.
How does the neck profile differ?
The Sheraton often has a slightly wider neck profile, providing a more robust feel. The Casino is known for its slimmer neck profile, often facilitating faster playing and easier access to higher frets. The choice between these two largely depends on personal preference and hand size. Trying both is key to determine the best feel for your playing style.
Which guitar is more versatile?
The Epiphone Sheraton is generally considered more versatile due to its humbucker pickups and more robust construction. It can handle a wider range of genres, from jazz and blues to rock and even some heavier styles. The Casino, while excellent for blues and classic rock, has a more specific tonal character that might limit its versatility in some musical contexts. The Sheraton’s tonal range is wider.
Final Verdict
The Epiphone Sheraton and Casino are both excellent guitars with unique strengths. The Sheraton offers versatility and a refined tone, while the Casino delivers a raw, vintage sound. The best choice depends on your preferred musical style and tonal preferences. Consider the characteristics of each guitar and the styles you wish to play before making your decision.
Winner: Casino