Epiphone Casino vs Gretsch Electromatic 

This guy is one of the very best reviewers on youtube. He's my go-to for detailed information on guitars. He's also an excellent player. Keep up the fine work.

In my experience, tone-wise, give me the Gretsch any day. Not that the Casino is bad, but there's something special about the Electromatics with the Filter'Tron pickups..

There’s only one answer. Get both.

I can attest that this is a perfectly valid comparison, as I made it for myself two years ago with these very models. I already owned a Casino, but sometimes found myself wishing for more clarity and sparkle. The G5420T delivers this, but at the expense of some note fundamental, and warmth. The Casino can deliver a nice jazz tone much easier, and the Gretsch can more easily do country twang. Ultimately, the character of each is really consistent with the flagship models of each brand's "parent" company; If you're more of a Strat guy, you'll probably be drawn to the G5420T. If the thick tone of Les Paul blows your skirt up, you might be happier with the sound to the Casino. Individual build quality is spotty with both, though I'd give the edge to Gretsch, after playing many samples of both. (Except in terms of electronics; I've experienced more faulty switches, pots, and jacks on new Gretsch Electromatics than any other guitar line!). Typically, both are supplied to retailers with absolutely miserable setups, making quick comparisons at a place like Guitar Center fairly pointless. Both can be made to sound great. I still have my Casino. Couldn't justify pulling the trigger on the Gretsch. Yet...

I could have both, but if I had to pick one I would go Casino. Fantastic playing Jack, and a great video.

I respect the Casino's brashness, but that Gretsch sure is smooth.

Wow, perfect time for me to find this! I’ve had Casino on the brain for a couple of months now. Was getting ready to pull the trigger on one last week when the Gretsch caught my eye. I then remembered a friend of mine brought his to a jam awhile back so I rang him up and he gladly let me borrow it for a few days. I fell in love with it instantly. It’s beautiful, produces some of most glassy tones I’ve ever heard, and.....the Bigsby. Buttery smooth, dreamy vibrato. It inspired me to play some new stuff I’d never attempted. Putting the Casino on the back burner for now and ordering the Gretsch.

Hi Jack, that’s a really good in depth review and your observations are spot on. I have an Epi “Inspired By John Lennon” ‘65 Casino and a Gretsch G5420 T-TVJ. Both are wonderful guitars and as you point out, very different. I’ve gigged both and again you’re right, the Gretsch is more forgiving feedback wise. Being also the singer of the band did make things tricky as it meant I couldn’t get in that controlled spot regarding feedback and often gigs were cramped so couldn’t get the amp placement in an ideal spot. Thus it was a challenge using either of these two guitars but....highly rewarding when things worked out right. Must be honest and say it’s an amazing experience playing a semi like the Casino or 5420 at higher levels as not only do they feedback but the whole guitar comes alive, literally. Playing these guitars in a live environment at higher levels can be tricky but also learning to live with them is very rewarding. I’ve done a lot of recording with these two and have found they can work well together particularly when panned apart. Again, great review, cheers

Hello Jack, today I sell my Casino to buy à Gretsch 5420 lh. I was effraid to watch your vidéo! But now I'm happy! Greatings from France! Olivier

These are the two guitars I am currently looking at, thank you for this video!

This was a great idea for a comparison. Really well articulated and demonstrated.

I'm greedy, I want both

Love your videos! Great guitarist, great playing; very informative!!! I could look your (not only) comparison-videos for hours.... literally! Keep on with your channel - looking forward for many more stuff!!! Greetings from a fan from Hamburg, Germany Philip :-)

Thanks. I am recovering from surgery. Can't wait to try them both in person!

Both sweet guitars...I'm a huge Gretsch fan and I don't even own one yet. If I had to pick one of these two I'd have to pick the Gretsch.

Great comparison! Thanks. I prefer Casino to rock and roll and blues. Gretsch to country music and Rockabilly.

Excellent demo, thank you !

I play the Gretsch electromatic in my band. Cant Imagine liking another guitar as much. The blacktop filtertron is my sound now. I put those pickups in a strat and a tele so I could have a solid body as a backup just in case the feedback gets out of hand but it never has. I play with a tonemaster twin reverb at full volume for an over driven sound and I push it with an over drive pedal. I don’t have the amp in front of me but if I remember correctly, the attenuator is set to 12 watts. Feedback is part of our sound, when I want it, just hit the bigsby, and there it is. Sometimes, I have to make sure I turn off the volume in between songs on a small stage. I watched this video because I have seen the videos for the worn casino in olive drab green and I will be buying one. Keep up the good work.

Gretcsh! Maybe I'm biased but I tried both last week and took home the Gretcsh. The TONE, the Bigsby, the butter like action.

Easily the best video you've put out for various reasons

Thanks for having an actual analysis and comparison! This is such an amzing and helpful video!

Very intelligent and thoughtful commentary with nice playing😇

Thanks for the comparison. I just ordered a Casino and now I am glad I did.

I have a Casino Natural. I haven’t played that Gretsch model but others with Filtertrons and recognize the evenness you speak of. I like the feel of the Casino shallower body and the variability of tones and “compression” you get with different picking modes. I bought my Casino second hand (hardly used) and found that the truss rod has not been set up (easy fix) and the first fret action was a little high leading to minor intonation issues (rainy day job). It is always fun to play because of the range of tones.

I don't even play the guitar...maybe one day. However, I just love the look and sound of Gretsch guitars. Great video...thank you!

This is such a helpful video! Love the epiphone. Great playing man! Your signal is so clean and clear.

I’ve had both. I prefer the casino!

I have a 2008 Chinese-built Casino that I upgraded with a Bigsby. I bought it when I was 16 after saving for about a year and a half. It’s a truly fantastic guitar and when I plug it into my Vox Ac-15HW, it sounds so incredible, but I will have to say I think I’d give the Gretsch the win by a narrow margin.

It’s really odd - I’ve looked at Casinos for a long time because they tick all the boxes for me - fully hollow, thin body, single coils... but every time I hear a demo I’m not excited. That Gretsch though... That sounds *fantastic*. More bottom end and sparkly highs whereas the Casino sounds very mids heavy at the expense of higher and lower frequencies.

Fantastic video. Great concept, material presentation, and overall production. Thanks... Subscribed.

Great job describing the character for each guitar and doing the demo. Gretsch is more my thing - I'm considering the 5420T or maybe something in the 6000T series. Nice machines.

I thought I wanted a Gretsch until I heard the Casino! Thanks again making me want another guitar. Nice playing!

Great, great review / comparison. Thank you very much - keep 'em coming.

Great idea for a comparison, Jack. I happen to own a Wildkat and a Gretsch G5422, each relatively in the family of the two you compare here. As expected, in your comparison I hear the Gretsch with Filtertrons as more open, with greater clarity and resonance and more chime than the Casino and P-90s. Obviously, I prefer one over the other. That said, the P-90 in the bridge position sounded quite nice with all tonal elements in a pleasing balance. That's a winner, too!

The quality of playing does both guitars a lot of justice. I am a die hard Epiphone fan though and have a Casino so it gets my vote but I will certainly try out a Gretsch on the strength of what I heard here.

Best instrument comparison videos out there, Jack. While I'm a fan of the Casino, one thing is apparent in this video: The stock pickups on the Casino can be a bit muddy. (some would say "warm") The Gretsch is clearly brighter and more articulate. Also love the headstock binding on the Gretsch, and have long wished that Epi would do the same on the Casino even if it meant it would cost more. It's been a while since I have owned a Casino, but am considering another. One thing is for certain: The stock pickups and electronics are coming out right away. Rhett Schull has done a video on just such a conversion worth watching.

They compliment each other well👍😎 Miss my '76 Gretsch 7595. A little feedback with the Casino on a hot day and can cool yerself off with all the air comin' out of those "F" holes🤣👍😎 👍😎❤🖖 Love brother

They both sound great. very similar.

There’s enough difference to have both. I have the Gretsch, just ordered the Casino. I need to leave it in the case for a few weeks so when my partner says is that new? I can say it’s ages old. Has worked so far. I play left handed so no bigsby. The people who have added one say the bigsby helps with feedback, adds a weight even if it is not used. This video was worth a follow btw. Great playing and sound. Your voice sounds really good too. Made some great points. To sum up Gretsch sparkle but the Casino does mellow so well.

I have both, and love them.

I have had a variant of the Gretsch 6120 (mine is a 6120-CGP, a stereo guitar) for less than a year, but it has quickly become my favorite. Still want a Casino though.

One of the best guitar comparisons I’ve seen. 👏👏

The pickups on the Epiphone sound darker, almost muffled to me, and if you want a soft more pillowy tone, it's perfect. The Pickups on the Gretsch were clear, crisp and and brighter. With a tiny bit of dirt I like both plenty .The clean tones on the Gretsch is hands down the winner.

Thank you ! It would have been perfect to hear them unplugged too

Great comparison.. I have the same Gretsch and love it.. As stated before thanks to your review! I also played the Casino before purchasing but the Gretsch just had something special. It has become one of my favorite guitars ever played.

For people who say the Casino P90's sound dark and muddy, it's really how you look at it. To me, they sound phat and vintage-y...exactly how they're meant to sound. That said, for a while (currently? Not sure) they were using Chrome plated brass pickup covers, unlike the originals, which were chrome plated nickel-silver. Brass inherently filters out higher frequencies. I have a 90's, Korean-made Casino with p90's stamped "Samsung," on the back, believe it or not. They sounded great, but really opened up when I replaced the brass covers with nickel-silver ones. Now I actually have a TV Jones Classic in the neck position, it sounds fantastic and pairs really well with the bridge p90.

That was no help! lol.... Now i have to have both of them, especially after hearing them multitracked and layered like that. A very good demo, but did absolutely nothing to break the tie :)

It'd be great to see a head-to-head between the G5420T and the Epiphone Swingster.

Casino all the way. Such a warm and full sound!

Jack, here in Mexico. P90 for me, I guess most disagree, just where I am.

Very informative I watched your 5420 reviews before I got mine and you have been a great help. In two words quote I’m hooked !

Superb taste , excellent choice . Win Win no loseres here.

This is great. I like the 5420, has much more clarity and punch to me

To me, the Gretsch 5422T has more of a similarity with the Casino as it has the much thinner body and a double cutaway. I’d be interested in hearing that model compared to the Casino. I had both a 5420 and 5422 and the feedback issue is much more prevalent with the thinner 5422 and most likely more similar to the Casino In that respect.

I own two Gretsches: An Electromatic Jet named Mandy on whom I’ve replaced the nut with TUSQ, and the scratch-plate with a bespoke black-on chrome paisley design… And a G2622-P90 called Jeanette on whom I’ve replaced all the electronics but the pickups, and I’ve removed all the ugly plastic bits and replaced them with chrome and abalone. As a blues-based psychedelic-rock player, those two girls get me through. Edit: I should add that I’ve been playing guitar for 28 years, and I’ve owned a Yamaha, a couple Ibanezes, a (Gibson) Les Paul, an ESP, and a few cheap, used Epiphones (not of the quality of something like this Casino) and Squiers that I’ve used as mod platforms to experiment with different pickup combinations and capacitor types/values. In the end, I’ve decided I need three guitars for what I do as a player: that semi-hollow with dual P-90s, the chambered mahogany guitar with Filter’Trons, and lastly (I haven’t bought it yet-I’m shopping for the perfect one-a solid (or chambered, like a Thinline Tele) guitar with a Tele-style bridge and bridge pickup, and a mini-humbucker in the neck. Perhaps a gold foil humbucker in the neck. That trio of guitars will be the only guitars I absolutely NEED to do everything I want to do. On the other hand, my current two guitars are the only guitars I NEED to do everything I NEED to do as a musician.

Love these tone videos. Just bought a Casino Coupe and your videos helped me get dialed in quickly... As well as your tone videos helped me get back to loving my 5420T! I have a Yamaha Revstar with p90s that would be fun to see you dive into as there are many possibilities with that... Or how about a tone video for an SG?

FYI, if you're looking for something that's a nice "marriage" between these two sounds, the Gretsch G2420 Streamliner model uses the Broadtron-BT2S pickups which has a bit more midrange than the Filtertrons on the G5420 but still retains more chime than the P90's in the Casino. Also, unlike the G5420 model, the Streamliner is available in a stoptail model if Bigsby isn't your thing. In fact the stoptail model offers more bite and snap IMO.

I came into the video thinking, casinos are cool and I don't have any interest in Gretsch or Rockabilly... but that Gretsch is covering a lot of bases! The casino looks a lot better and the bridge pickup has the fuzzy snarl I love in p90's! Just based on tone and versatility you have to give it to Gretsch though.

This helped me so much! Thank you! I love the sound of gretsch guitars but I've been really wanting an Epiphone Casino for months now. I finally have enough to buy one of them. I sold all my video games because I don't play them anymore and I want the money from that to go to something as equally, if not more, special and sentimental. I love the clarity of gretsch but I don't like how "fat" the body of the guitar is. I love the Casino because I am heavily inspired by The Beatles and I love the growl of the guitar. It is the perfect shape and I like the look of P-90 pickups. But I'm worried I won't be able to get the same clear blues and rockefeller sound from it like gretsch does. I definitely prefer playing in small rooms like my bedroom or a club (if I could) and I'm mostly use my guitars for recording 🤷.☺️Thank you so much

Hi Jack, Great comparison, however it would be a closer comparison, if you could get a Gretsch 5422 and compare that to the Casino as they are more similar in body size and shape.

In general I liked the Gretsch for clean tones and the epi for overdriven tones. The Gretsch sounded more articulate to me. Have a Gretsch Setzer hot rod

I own four Gretsch guitars, within a couple of seconds I could hear that Gretsch, glassy, chime, goodness. I was thinking of purchasing an one of these Epiphone guitars, but I think I will stick with my Gretsch. Not only do Gretsch sound better, but they look amazing. Thank you for posting this video.

Great playing Jack!

I'm considering both of these but after this video the Gretsch seems like a better fit for me as I love playing rockabilly and shoegaze! Thanks! I'm going down to guitar center this afternoon to try them both out.

That Gretsch is just beautiful. I love your videos. I wonder if you have played a Centerblock Jr. and what the differences are.

Own that exact Gretsch and that exact Casino will be delivered shortly, thanks for the side by side, Nice.

I would love to have either one... and here you are with both, no big deal 😭

The Filtertrons have amazing clarity and chime to them. When put head to head with the P90s, the latter sound muffled and dark, they kinda lack definition. For me personally, the Gretch wins hands down.

Hi Jack I think that that casino is on fire 🔥🔥 here with you And the electromatic can't fite that fire Thanks 👍

Both sound good, I do prefer the Gretsch Electromatic

Nothing here to dissuade me from the Gretsch. It’s still number 3 on my list, after a Sheraton II and a ‘S-type’. Nothing at all against the Casino, but it doesn’t inspire me the way the Gretsch does. Thank you, Jack, for another engaging video.

It seems that the ES 335 is the Holy grail for the guitarist, but some others say that once you tame a 335 your next step is a ES 330... The Casino is the 330 evil twin!! It sounds so smokey, like Tom Waits singing...

I've got an Epiphone Broadway with flats and I'm about to drop some Seth Lovers in and upgrade the pots/wiring. The Casino is not my cup of tea. I also have a Gretsch 5232T, so a different thing altogether. That 5232 is more versatile than expected as you mentioned with the 5420T. Cheers!

I happily own both (two Casinos, one Electromatic upgraded with TV Jones PUPs, plus a Gretsch electric XII)

I own a 1972-3 Gretsch Viking double cutaway with filtertrons. I also own a 1965 Gibson ES 125 with a single p-90. I have noticed that the Gretsch pickups don't feedback nearly as fast as the Gibson P-90's. Also, the filtertrons feedback in a much more controlled and sweeter way! What I mean by this is that, even though the Viking will feedback, I can play MUCH louder without it feeding back than I ever could with the ES 125. Not only that, but the feedback comes on gradually and predictably whereas the ES 125 will just let loose with an electric goose squawk that is instant and unforgiving, moving the guitar or your position cannot and will not help you once the ES 125 loses it's composure. On the other hand, the Gretsch gives you predictable harmonics and sustain during feedback that you can stop and or change depending on where on stage and around your amp, you move! It's really fun to play the Gretsch on the edge of disaster, the ES 125, not so much!

Thanks for this video… been wanting a Gretsch and also a guitar with P90’s, not sure I can manage both, still not sure which one but this video is a great reference point to help with the decision

I just bought the Gretsch, best guitar I’ve ever owned, and I’ve had a lot!

For me the much more warmer Casino. Also I love the ffedback point any enjoy with it.

Well done!

I like the looks of the Casino, but I found myself liking the Gretsch sound, especially in the neck pickup. Middle and bridge not so much. Good review and playing! Thanks.

I've got a casino, now I want a Gretsch as well, great video though!

Im in the market so I really appreciate the comparison...leaning Gretsch

Okay I'm a idiot. I think putting these back to back a solid idea. The very specific sound of the p90 single coils versus the equally specific but in some weird ways comparable humbucker that are Filtertrons. At a comperable price points. Both are from the price/value brands/series of more expensive ones. With Epiphone having the history of its own that the electomatic doesn't. And the Casino is a design of its own. The Gretsch is a (very good) redesigned version of a more expensive guitar which sometimes gives a different vibe for some people. Epiphone being a "real brand". But that is not really something I would worry about. Or tell people to worry about. So good video. If I was in the market for either I'd like to know. It was a good comparison. My compliments. I am one of the few who always want a bit more clean sounds. Because I can imagine the distortion on clean sounds but I can't imagine clean from distorted. But what produce would people start talking about if they disagreed with this match up? Maybe because I'm not a frequent commenter. Or maybe it's because I'm not from the US. But what produce?

Great video! I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting this Gretsch, but now I don’t think I need it. Based on this demo, it sounds like the Filtertrons deliver a very similar sound and brightness to the stock pickups I have on my Epiphone Dot. I’m sure the Gretsch sounds better when it’s overdriven, but I really don’t use a ton of OD for the stuff that I write. Thanks for saving me a trip to the music store! I’ll stick with my Dot.

Nice job Jack - both sound great in their own way. I really enjoy my Gretsch G5420T (same color as yours!) and the Casino has been on my radar for a while. Keep up the great work,

I have the Gretsch, but I’d have a Casino too, if I thought it wouldn’t end up with me having to sleep in the shed. Apparently I have enough guitars...

I'd give the win to the Gretsch - it just plain sounded better to my ears. But I wonder if it's mostly the pickups. I've never been a fan of Epiphone pickups in general - I have three Epiphone guitars and I wasn't crazy about the pickups in any of them.

Like the Casino a lot. But LOVE the Gretsch. Yep - Give me the Electromatic.

Great playing Jack, I looked at both these models before buying the Gretsch in Aspen green. There’s a bit more clarity to it in my opinion. Both are brilliant though and you play them well. Keep the vids coming, interested in your views👍🏻

I'll toss in another vote for the Gretsch.

Both are great guitars. Is it not like comparing an apple and a pear, or a Bently or Rolls Royce?

I can't decide, they're so beautiful. Guess I need one of each, just to be sure. haha

Great comparison / overview! I own a Casino but modded with Lollar P90's / new wiring & bone nut so it has a little more clarity than the stock pick-ups. That said would be happy to have the Gretsch hollow-body as well - I have a Japanese made Gretsch solid body that I love. I often wonder how the Gibson 345 (?) sounds - same neck join as the Casino.

A year aogo or there abouts, Was forsed into guitar shopping by the mother in law (some do have all the tought luck). All I knew is I wanted Not a SSS strat or other variant the same with a les paul was not on the menu. In my mind it was short scale holow body and p90 like pickups. On the day there was a couple of epiphones holow bodys includig a paul holow body and one solotry Gretsch. The Humbucker equped guitars where so much in the same ball park of what I owned. There where a whole lot of WTF unplayable guitars. The best playing epiphone and sounding (of the bits that worked) was not chosen as it would have to go some where else before I could take it home. The Gretshc was wow played super nice and had a way different but cool tone Being a G5422TG its thin like the epiphone and has the two cutouts. Although it is not my number 1 it is like the 2nd equal out of 2 guitars playabilitly and use , Ihave 4 guitars Acustic, HSH stratish thing the Gretch and a 1984 MIJ s3t Squier 1 bullet which is my number one...

I have both. The Gretsch is 10 x better than the epiphone on every level. I can also say that every single epiphone I've owned won't stay in tune for 60 seconds.

It all comes down to maple necks (Gretsch) versus mahogany necks (Epiphone). If there's not too much high-end cutoff, the difference is very noticeable, and the thickness of the bodies.

Good enough for John good enough for me... 💣

I have an Epi Casino. I found the stock pickups a little disappointing, so I replaced them, added a Tusq nut and some Grover open-back tuners. Sweet! Just recently I felt the need for a Gretsch, and found a 2017 Electromatic G5435TG, which I love! It's not as brassy and "rock-ish" or "Beatle-ish" as the Casino, but that's what gives it value for me: it's another color for my palette. It's more lyrical, which might not mean much to some players, but I appreciate the delicacy it provides. I may have to try one of the hollow bodies someday soon, maybe a G5655TG? We'll see!

I play an Epi Dot (335) and an Epi Paul.(Paul). I also play an Electro 12-string. Both brands are very good guitars for a reasonable cost.

I prefer the Gretch. The Casino was rich, sweet and smooth, and is undoubtedly a great guitar, but the Gretch has a natural purity, and a certain raw grittiness, and yet it is still very musical. It has a clear, sparkling tone. I have that exact Gretch. At first I underestimated the pickups, but eventually grew to love. them. I also love the beautiful blue color and overall looks of the Gretch. Also, the Gretch has amazing versatility. I am a newcomer to Gretch, but they have such character and beauty. They have touched my heart and it would be easy to become addicted. Great playing, Jack. BTW, Is this before you changed the original pickups on the Gretch?