From a size point of view, the 390 is likely the same size as an ES-339, a guitar I am very familiar with.

The Elitist Casino is also less expensive.

The Elitist Casino also has a one piece top and back. Some new 330s also have two piece tops and backs - mine, for some reason, has a one piece top and back. The Casino has Nickel plated dog eared covers on its P90s, whilst the 330 has the black plastic covers. Well, the Elitist Casino has US-made Gibson P90s, which are an excellent p'up, and the ES-330 VOS has a lower scatter wound Gibson CS P90s, which carry a more 'vintage' sound. The Elitist Casino also has a superb fitted case, which also adds to the feeling of having something a little special. It's just that the MIJ Casino simply radiates a 'superior quality' when compared to almost any other guitar, and little things like the finish on the 330 are not quite as good as the Elitist, although admittedly the VOS finish on the Gibson hardware is very well done. Not that the the ES-330 is not put together in a totally workmanlike way, because it is. As far as workmanship and quality of assembly are concerned I would suggest that perhaps the edge goes to the Casino. Which do I prefer? Neither at this stage, as my ES is simply still too new to make a fair judgement. I also have an Elitist '65 RI Casino plus a recently acquired ES-330 '59 RI - both of which are truly fine guitars. On that guitar they really do a superb job, but as I say, they are much different to a P90.Īs for P90s I have them on a number of guitars including Les Paul Juniors and Specials, which are some of my very favourite guitars. Admittedly the only experience of the 'mini-humbuckers' that I really have is on my '76 Les Paul DeLuxe. The mini-humbuckers of the ES-390, and the P90s of the Elitist Casino and the ES-330, are like apples and oranges. I could cancel the Casino and order the ES-390 as its not *that* more expensive.

Only now I see that it got a little brother in the ES-390 albeit with a smaller body and mini humbuckers instead of P90's - but still fully hollow.Īnyone made a comparison between either the Casino or ES-330 and this new comer ? I have just ordered the Casino 65 Elitist as the ES-330 in the new 16.fret join version is simply too expensive for me. Has anyone done the comparison first hand ?

Epiphone casino vs gibson es 330