Casino rattle

For anything to do with Fender, Burns and other guitars; also amps, effects units inc eTap plus any other music making accessories

Moderators: David Martin, dave robinson, Iain Purdon, George Geddes

Casino rattle

Postby Mikey » Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:02 pm

No, Casino Rattle is not a song title although it would make quite a good one....i'll work on it!
I was playing my Epiphone Casino earlier tonight (have to give the Strat a rest now and again) and after a while there seemed to be a distinct vibration/ tremble that could be felt when bottom E, A and D strings in particular were struck. I check all the usual rattle spots like pickguard, p/u selector, etc and all seemed ok. All pickup combinations work ok too. Then I tipped the guitar over on its back and then back again and something inside seemed to slap against the back of the neck pickup as though it had partly come away. Also, when hit the strings with the palm of my hand there was a definite "slap" sound from that area. Obviously I'm going to have to get my local guitar techie to take a look but any ideas what it might be?
Mikey
 

Re: Casino rattle

Postby JimN » Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:39 pm

Connecting cable?

It might be the switch though - the electronics fitted to MIK standard range Epis are JUNK. Epiphones are made with good basic construction, but the electronics suffer from poor implementation and parts-sourcing. My son has a Casino and he (and Roberto) removed all the circuitry and rebuilt the wiring using the same quality of components as Gibson USA. Much improved and no rattles from the switch.

Incidentally, I have an Epiphone Emperor Regent (the one that's a copy of the Gibson Johnny Smith), bought in 1996. It always sounded good acoustically (fitted with flatwounds) but terrible when amplified - screechy and lacking in warmth. I managed to get a NOS Gibson JS pickup and had a luthier fit it and remove the scratchplate-mounted volume and tone controls, installing better components on the body. What a difference! That guitar now sounds more like my 175 (though it feeds back more easily and always will).

Bet it's the switch...

JN
User avatar
JimN
 
Posts: 4783
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:39 pm
Full Real Name: Jim Nugent

Re: Casino rattle

Postby Bill Bowley » Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:18 am

Sounds familiar!

Having recently bought an Epiphone BB King 'Lucille', I have found the switch to be unreliable and failing at times, and am about to fit a 'Switchcraft' as used by Gibson from USA to replace it -I have already replaced the Epiphone humbuckers with a set of Tonerider PAF's and should have done the switch then, however..... I agree with Jim, good guitar let down by not so good hardware IMHO. ;)
Bill Bowley
 

Re: Casino rattle

Postby Mikey » Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:09 pm

Thanks guys. I did wonder about the switch because of their poor reputation. I'll take it in and get it sorted.
Mikey
 

Re: Casino rattle

Postby RUSSET » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:09 am

Yes, I have an Epi Les Paul, which I bought new about 8 years ago. It is a 'Made in Korea' model & is a really good quality guitar, apart from the electrics. Within three months of purchase, I had to have the pickup selector switch replaced, under the guarantee, as it was cutting out intermitently. The luthier who did it said that this was a common problem with Epiphones, as the design of the switch, which was different from the Gibson version, was faulty. It has worked perfectly ever since, & I have also replaced the pickups with a pair of Wilkinson Vintage-style Humbuckers, & it now sounds like a proper Les Paul, & not an overpowered, mushy Heavy Metal guitar. Very good for playing 'Nivram' on the neck pickup.

Tony.
RUSSET
 

Re: Casino rattle

Postby chas » Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:44 pm

My initial thought was that it must be the dice in the roulette wheel......
User avatar
chas
 
Posts: 288
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:20 pm
Location: Croydon
Full Real Name: Chas de Lacy

Re: Casino rattle

Postby Stratstroker » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:09 pm

This reminded me of a problem I had with my Mexican Strat! I had already had it to bits to fit CS54 pups and some time later I started getting a buzz or rattle when I played certain frequencies. I took it to bits again taped up all the wiring etc. and it made no difference! After taking it apart again I gave up.
Then the same thing started to happen with my American Strat and I was well ------- off!
Fortunately before I dismantled it, quite by chance I found the problem - strap locks!! Sitting down to play with no tension on the strap the straplock was occasionally vibrating on the button at certain frequencies and it seemed to be coming from beneath the scratchplate.
So now, if I'm recording sitting down in front of the gear I take the strap right off - simples!!!

Al :D
Stratstroker
 

Re: Casino rattle

Postby Mikey » Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:32 pm

It's still in the repair shop. I hope it's nothing serious :!:
Mikey
 

Re: Casino rattle

Postby Mikey » Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:19 pm

For the record, the neck pickup had come loose. It's all fixed now, plus the intonation has been adjusted and is spot on. Even when I think a guitar is playing well it always seems even better after the "guitar techie" has given it the once over. I'd love to be able to do my own set-ups but I don't have the confidence.
Mikey
 


Return to Gear

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 29 guests

Ads by Google
These advertisements are selected and placed by Google to assist with the cost of site maintenance.
ShadowMusic is not responsible for the content of external advertisements.