Epiphone Casino MIK vs. MIC quality and resale

[FFTT]

In search of an affordable P-90 based guitar and see a few nice ones
out there.

The Casinos interest me quite a bit since
I can't afford a Collings I-35 with P-90s at the moment.

I've heard the quality is all over the map on Casinos and that
it's a crap shoot finding a good one.

I see both earlier MIK and later MIC versions and wonder what you guys have found.

I've see used SOLD prices down to $250.00 with lists over $700.00

Averages around $300-400.00 SOLD used on a brief view.

I see two LIMITED MIK's with Bigsbys and wonder if they are worth
the extra money or if it's better to find a good playing plane Jane
and add the Bigsby later.

I can't find an affordable used Gibby that I really like with P-90's
and don't care for the matte finish models.

An advice would be cool.

Other well made affordable P-90's suggestions are also welcome.

 

[chad330]

I had a MIK Casino that played beautifully, but had a few issues (retaining wire rattled, PU switch did too and felt a bit cheap). Plus the tuners didn't say in tune well. Only cosmetic issue was sloppy painting around the f-holes.

But otherwise it was a great guitar. Sounded very similar to my ES-330 plugged in. If your willing to upgrade tuners and possible electronics, it could go from a good to great guitar for the price. I'd suggest if you do buy one, play it first, get a feel for it and then check it for any noticeable\cosmetic issues.

 

[shark_bite]

I actually don't think the quality of the MIK guitars is all over the map. I've never played a bad one, and I've played a few. Sure there are definitely a few stinkers out there, as there would be with anything else, but on the whole I'm pretty impressed with them.

 

[FFTT]

Are the more recent MIC builds any worse or better or pretty much the same
as the MIK's?

 

[shark_bite]

They say the MIK is preferable. I haven't seen any of the Chinese ones so I don't really know enough to comment from my own experience.

 

[rjaneshek]

Haven't played a MIC but I own a MIK and honestly the pups in that bad boy put all my other boutique expensive pups to shame. It sounds killer. Fit and finish seems a little on the cheap side and the switch and electronics are a bit flakey but it really plays well and for tone it is tops. The P-90s are everything I want in a pickup. The guy I bought it from had installed grovers over the stock cheap-o's and they work great.

 

[Thames]

In terms of finish, the Chinese ones are superior.
In terms of playability, almost every guitars need a setup.
In terms of tone, its all subjective, and no matter the price, some are great, some are OK, some are truly bad.

So I wouldnt bother too much for the MIC vs. MIK

 

[puls]

I've been keeping my eye out for a good 335 style guitar. Last weekend I stopped in a local shop & they had two new 335's. Tried them both out. The first played & felt very nice, but sounded just okay. The other sounded fantastic, but didn't play nearly as nicely, and didn't seem to hold tune very well (maybe new strings?).

So whatever you do, be sure to check the guitar out, because they're not all the same. And be patient, it may take a while before you find "the one." Same goes for just about any guitar actually - I must've played a dozen or more MIM teles before I found the one I currently own. And I'll probably never get rid of it either.

jwp

 

[FFTT]

This is the problem buying used!

I know, if wishes were horses, I'd go through 10 or so new ones to find the best one.

I'm considering a few used ones, so it's much more difficult.

Still wondering if a Limited Bigsby model is worth bothering with
if it leads to too many tuning issues.

I really want a Collings dad gummit !

 

[shark_bite]

What about the Gibson ES-330T? Higher quality, but not nearly as expensive as the Collings.