DATE :
Saturday, April 12, 2025
1964 Epiphone Casino: The Original Hollow Body That Changed Rock History
1964 Epiphone Casino: The Original Hollow Body That Changed Rock History
The 1964 Epiphone Casino represents a pivotal moment in electric guitar history—the first full year of production for what would become one of the most influential hollow body guitars ever made. Built during Gibson's ownership of Epiphone but before the brand's quality decline, the 1964 Casino captured the perfect balance of affordability and professional-grade construction that would soon attract some of the world's most famous musicians.
What makes 1964 special: This was only the second year of Casino production, featuring the refined P-90 pickup combination and hollow construction that would define the model. These guitars were built in Gibson's Kalamazoo factory using the same materials and craftsmanship as Gibson's ES series, but at a more accessible price point. The 1964 models retain all the premium construction details that would be cost-reduced in later years.
Historical Context: Epiphone's Renaissance Under Gibson
When Gibson acquired Epiphone in 1957, they initially struggled with how to position the brand. By 1961, they had found their answer: use Epiphone to offer Gibson-quality instruments at lower price points while exploring new designs. The Casino, introduced in 1961, was revolutionary as Gibson's first fully hollow electric guitar without a center block.
The 1964 Casino was built during what collectors consider Epiphone's "golden era" under Gibson ownership (1961-1969). These instruments were manufactured in Gibson's Kalamazoo, Michigan facility using the same wood selection, construction techniques, and quality control as Gibson's premium models. The Casino filled a unique niche—offering the feedback resistance and sustain of a hollow body with the bite and clarity of P-90 pickups.
This specific year marked important refinements to the original 1961 design. By 1964, Gibson had perfected the Casino's construction methods, resulting in more consistent neck angles, improved fret work, and better overall setup from the factory. The model was gaining recognition among professional musicians who appreciated its unique tonal characteristics and stage-friendly feedback control.
Detailed Identification Guide
Serial Numbers
1964 Casinos typically carry serial numbers in the 200,000-210,000 range, stamped inside the f-hole on a white oval label. However, Gibson's serial number system during this period had overlaps, making other dating methods more reliable.
Factory Order Numbers
The most reliable identifier is the Factory Order Number (FON) stamped inside the body, visible through the f-holes. 1964 Casinos show FONs in the format of a letter followed by 4-5 digits. Look for stamps beginning with "T" or "U" followed by numbers indicating 1964 production.
Potentiometer Codes
1964 Casinos used CTS potentiometers with date codes that can be decoded:
CTS manufacturer code: 137
Year code: 64 (indicating 1964)
Week code: Two-digit number indicating week of manufacture
Key Visual Identifiers
Headstock: "Epiphone" script logo in mother-of-pearl with small "e"
Truss rod cover: Bell-shaped with "Epiphone" engraved
Tuners: Epiphone-branded versions of Kluson Deluxe tuners
Pickups: Two dog-ear P-90s with cream-colored pickup rings
Bridge: Adjustable rosewood bridge with metal saddles
Tailpiece: Epiphone-branded version of Gibson's stop tailpiece
Control layout: Two volume, two tone controls with three-way selector switch
Construction Details
The 1964 Casino features fully hollow construction with no center block—a design that was unique among Gibson/Epiphone's lineup. The laminated maple body construction uses the same techniques as Gibson's ES series, with multiple plies of maple for stability and tone. The neck is mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard and dot inlays.
Detailed Physical Specifications
Body Construction:
Fully hollow laminated maple body (no center block)
16" body width
1.75" body depth
Natural binding on top and back
Typical weight: 5.5-6.5 lbs
Neck Specifications:
Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard
24.75" scale length
1.65" nut width
Dot position markers
22 frets
Medium C-shaped neck profile
Electronics:
Two P-90 single-coil pickups in dog-ear mounting rings
Individual volume and tone controls for each pickup
Three-way selector switch (rhythm/both/treble positions)
Standard Gibson wiring with .022 microfarad capacitors
Hardware:
Epiphone-branded Kluson-style tuners
Adjustable rosewood bridge with metal string saddles
Epiphone-branded stop tailpiece
Chrome-plated hardware throughout
Tonal Characteristics
The 1964 Casino delivers a distinctive sound that bridges the gap between hollow body jazz guitars and solid body rock instruments. The P-90 pickups provide aggressive midrange bite and clarity that cuts through band mixes, while the hollow body construction adds acoustic resonance and complex harmonic content.
Sound Profile:
Bridge pickup: Bright, cutting tone with excellent note definition
Neck pickup: Warm, round tone suitable for rhythm work or blues leads
Both pickups: Balanced output with enhanced midrange presence
Unplugged tone: Significant acoustic volume and resonance due to hollow construction
The lack of a center block allows the entire body to resonate freely, creating natural compression and sustain characteristics different from semi-hollow designs. This construction makes the Casino particularly responsive to playing dynamics and picking attack variations.
Many players describe the Casino's tone as having "woody" characteristics—the hollow maple body imparts a natural acoustic quality that complements the P-90s' inherent brightness. The combination creates a tone that's simultaneously vintage and aggressive, explaining its appeal to both traditional players and rock musicians.
Common Issues & Modifications
When evaluating a 1964 Casino, watch for these common issues:
Structural Concerns:
Neck joint loosening: The hollow body construction can lead to neck joint issues over time
Top cracking: Nitrocellulose finishes are prone to checking, particularly around the bridge area
F-hole binding: Check for cracks or separation in the binding around the f-holes
Bridge settling: The adjustable bridge can settle or tilt, affecting intonation
Electronics Issues:
Pickup replacement: Many Casinos have had P-90s replaced with humbuckers—original P-90s are crucial for authenticity
Wiring modifications: Check for non-original wiring or component replacements
Jack replacement: Output jacks frequently require replacement but should maintain original specifications
Hardware Modifications:
Tuner upgrades: Many players replaced original tuners with Grover or other modern alternatives
Bridge modifications: Some guitars have had bridges replaced or modified for improved intonation
Tailpiece changes: Bigsby vibrato additions were popular modifications in the 1960s-70s
Finish Concerns:
Refinishing: Check for overspray in f-holes or control cavities
Touch-up work: Heavy play wear sometimes leads to touch-up work that affects value
Sunlight fading: Natural finish guitars can show uneven fading from sunlight exposure
Why Players and Collectors Value This Model
The 1964 Casino occupies a unique position in electric guitar history as Gibson's first production fully hollow electric guitar. This construction approach created an instrument that offered feedback control superior to acoustic guitars while maintaining much of the acoustic resonance and complex harmonic content.
Playing Characteristics:
Exceptional comfort due to lightweight hollow construction
Responsive to playing dynamics and touch sensitivity
Versatile enough for jazz, blues, rock, and pop applications
Natural acoustic volume makes it suitable for unplugged practice
Collector Appeal:
Built during the peak of Gibson/Epiphone quality in Kalamazoo
Association with The Beatles' mid-period recordings and performances
Relatively low production numbers compared to Gibson ES models
Represents innovative hollow body design approach
Premium construction quality at accessible original pricing
Investment Potential: The Casino has shown consistent value appreciation, particularly as more players discover the unique qualities of fully hollow electric guitars. The model's historical significance and association with important recordings should continue supporting collector interest.
Historical Significance: The Casino influenced the development of hollow body electric guitars and demonstrated that fully hollow construction could work in electric guitar applications. The model's success paved the way for other manufacturers to explore similar designs.
Selling Your 1964 Epiphone Casino
If you own a 1964 Casino or any vintage Epiphone instrument, Edgewater Guitars offers several advantages over traditional selling methods:
Premium Valuations: We recognize the true market value of Kalamazoo-built Epiphones and typically offer 30-40% more than local guitar shops who may not fully appreciate these instruments' quality and collectibility.
Expert Authentication: Our team understands the specific features and construction details that distinguish authentic 1964 Casinos from later production or modified examples. We can help verify originality and assess condition factors that affect value.
Immediate Cash Offers: Unlike consignment arrangements or private sales that can take months, we provide immediate cash payment for qualified instruments.
Specialized Knowledge: We understand the Casino's significance in music history and its current market position, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your instrument's true worth.
Ready to sell your vintage Epiphone? Contact us for your free valuation or call us directly at (440) 219-3607.
Related Resources
Our comprehensive resources can help with identification and valuation:
Recently Purchased 1964 Casino
We recently acquired this exceptional 1964 Casino in natural finish from a collector in Toledo, Ohio. The guitar retained all original components including the original P-90 pickups, hardware, and even the original case. After providing a thorough evaluation, we made an immediate cash offer that exceeded the seller's expectations by more than $2,500 compared to quotes from local music stores.
The owner, a retired music teacher, commented: "I was amazed by Edgewater's knowledge of vintage Epiphones. They immediately recognized details about my Casino that other buyers had missed, and their offer reflected the true collector value of the instrument."
Expert Authentication and Valuation Services
Edgewater Guitars specializes in purchasing premium vintage guitars throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and West Virginia. We provide in-person evaluations for high-value instruments like 1964 Casinos, bringing decades of experience in vintage guitar authentication and current market knowledge directly to your location.
Our expertise with Gibson-era Epiphones ensures accurate identification of original components, proper assessment of condition factors, and fair market valuation based on current collector demand. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation professional evaluation.
Edgewater Guitars - Your Trusted Partner for Vintage Guitar Sales
Serving collectors and players throughout the Midwest with expert knowledge, fair valuations, and immediate payment for quality vintage instruments.
