I waited along time before buying the '65 JL Casino. I researched it, read reviews, played every low budget version I could find. I finally shelled out the cash 5 months ago and bought one. I have not regretted it for one minute. I am a Beatles fan. I love my Rickenbacker 325 Miami and my Gretsch Tennessee Rose but when I sit down to play, 7 times out of 10 I grab the Casino. It is light with a nice slender neck. The finish is gorgeous. It is quite versatile with those P90 pickups. I have waited this long to write the review because I wanted to play it through the right amp. It sounds amazing through a Vox AC15. It is expensive, but it is definitely worth it.The only thing I would change would be the flimsy pick guard, but then it wouldn't be true to the original Lennon version.

I have a top of the line Gibson ES335, this 1965 Epiphone blows it away. Sounds better, exactly like "Your Bird Can SIng", "She Said", "Tax Man", etc. Can also handle just about anything else you want to play. Light weight, perfect finish, made with care. Epiphone knows how to make guitars. Before this Epi, I had a Epiphone Sheraton II, which is the best guitar made "for the money". I suggest getting one before it's too late.

To be honest, I purchased my Casino mainly because I'm a huge Beatles/Lennon fan and I always liked the look of the Casino (especially the Sunburst). When I opened open the case and made my initial inspection of the Casino, I was absolutely blown away by its beautiful fit and finish! After plugging in and playing it for a couple of hours I was totally amazed at the range of sounds I could get from this monster! No wonder Lennon and Harrison (and McCartney) played these things so much! The combination of the hollow body, pickups and selector switch allows you to play very clean (pickups turned down very low) to a total grunge sound with lots of feedback (pickups cranked up). I don't think it would make the best stage guitar because the hollow body would feedback too much. It really excels at studio work and casual playing. The fact that it's very, very light is also a big plus. I also own a Les Paul Custom (1981), and a Fender Ultra Strat (1996) that I play much less since I got the Casino. It's just a very friendly and inviting guitar to play. You won't be disappointed!

I own a new Casino--the made in Korea kind--and the difference between the Lennon and the "new" ones is incredible. The Lennon Casino has a smaller neck, much easier to play and the sound is simply fantastic. A side by side sound and appearance comparison made it obvious that there is a world of difference between the two. While the Lennon costs 3X as much there is definitely a reason for this; the fit and finish is superior, the sound is pure post-'65 Beatles and the overall quality is second to none. If you buy this guitar you will enjoy playing it.

I recently became very interested in the hollow body Casino. I bought first a natural finish Korean model, then the VS Korean model. I had become very interested in why Paul, the first Beatle to own one, John and George all owned this guitar. Of course we know that John is the one that brought attention to this guitar and quickly became his main axe. After I was fortunate to find a Lennon mint Ltd 65 Edition, I see why. This guitar was tooled to Lennon's 65 in Japan and reproduced (1965) units to these specs. Great sound, very thin neck(totally different to current Korean models), and plays with ease and sounds outstanding. This guitar plays as easily as anything I have ever played. Well Worth the investment and a Beauty !!