Phil O'Keefe Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 I had thought that there was another difference in the guitars - neck angle? My understanding is that the Casino (or rather, the classic design of the Casino, which may or may not have been tweaked for MIK / MIC runs) had a smaller neck angle than 335s (and by extension, Sheratons, of which I have a '93 Samick MIK that's quite nice). And that the reduced angle led to a bit 'looser' feel. No? I don't think they've changed the neck angle, but IIRC, Gibson / Epiphone has done different things with the angle of the headstock. Gibson usually uses a 17 degree angle for the headstock, while most Epiphones use a 14 degree pitch. Do those three degrees make a difference? I dunno... There are some who say it improves the pressure at the nut, and helps sustain. Others say it makes it easier for the headstock to get snapped off, although I've seen Epiphones with snapped headstocks too. It probably does make a wee bit of a difference in terms of string tension, giving the Gibsons a bit of a tighter feel. My Samick has MOP-ish looking inlays, but I like the 'dull' ones from the Peerless guitars in this thread. Of course, that may be due to my reading about how the worldwide abalone population is just cratering, in no small part due to the love of MOP. Give me an ecological alternative any day of the week, and I will almost always find it more beautiful than a destructive but traditional option. I don't think that's real MOP from shells that's being used anymore for the Epiphones - I think they use an acrylic / plastic ("pearloid") for the inlays. Maybe that's more sustainable and ecologically friendly, but the earlier versions just didn't look very good to me. If they swirl the acrylic a bit to give it some character and variation, it looks better IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wasgtrjones Posted June 2, 2015 Members Share Posted June 2, 2015 Having owned and played both (67 Gib 330, 83 Dot RI 335), I can say I was never able to get along with the 330 onstage... slipped into feedback way too soon/easy for me. I liked the rawer sound, but could never quite keep in under control. 335 worked much better for me, live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wankdeplank Posted June 2, 2015 Members Share Posted June 2, 2015 I don't know, the 330 felt rather toyish to me when I compared the two at GC one day. Mine is an MIK Carlo Robelli 335 knockoff with impeccable routing, I believe a mahogany block, nicely done MOP cloud inlays and no pickguard. Changed the neck pickup out for an SD 59 and this thing purrs and growls just like the real deal. Dig it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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