DaveRobrecht Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Hey folks, first post here. I'm looking for a guitar that can give me Epiphone Casino/Gibson ES330 tones in a smaller package. I know the H530 would be the logical choice. From the specs it seems like the body would be a little shorter and the same width as a Casino. In my emails with Jay Wolfe he indicated that Heritage would make a hollow Prospect with the dogear P-90's and a trapeze tailpiece. I currently own a Prospect with the solid center block and the size is great, but it came up short of giving me the airy ES335 tones exactly in a smaller package. It's a cool guitar in its own right. So, can anyone tell me if the H530 is the same or smaller than a Casino? Does anyone have any experience with a hollow, P-90 Prospect? I'd like to order something soon, but I'm torn and want to get it right. Thanks! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 hi, dave, and welcome! i can shed a little light here as i have a 530 and what may still be the only full hollow prospect on the planet. the 530 is the same size as a gib es335, which i believe makes it same as or close to the casino. super guitar dripping with moj. my prospect has seth lovers so it is more mellow than it would be w/ p90s, of course. i prefer the smaller size of the prospect. jim duerloo mentioned that one of H's endorsing artists was interested in a full hollow prospect so mine might not be unique-in-all-the-world any more. even so, the new one, if it exists, probably has humbuckers. i say, for fun and moj, get a full hollow prospect w/ p90s and you'll have a superb and exclusive ax. good luck w/ your quest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyGrass Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Is a Casino too large for you? You cannot get a big sound in a little box. But you can get a Prospect with a deeper box. That may help get what you want. The H530 is not as deep as a Casino, as I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveRobrecht Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share Posted January 1, 2013 Thanks for the help, guys. I agree the Casino tone would be hard to replicate in a smaller body. Yes the Casino is a bit big on me. From my research it seems the Casino/330/335 are, depending on vintage, 19" long and 16" wide. The H530 is listed as being 17 + 5/8" long. The 16" width probably wouldn't bother me. It's only an inch wider than the Prospect. The length is more of an issue. The other factor is the Casino/330 have the "short" neck inset into the body further while the H530 has the regular "long" neck. I wish I had a stocking dealer near me to try one out and compare against the Prospect, Casino and H530. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spectrum13 Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 A Custom Prospect P90 with a floating block would look like this. Since they made LJ one without a block, imagine this with a trap tailpiece. It would be an inch smaller, and a little thinner than a ES 330 but the neck pickup would be in a different place due to the neck coming into the body at the 19th fret. They might build it a little fatter but doubt they could tool it for a neck joining at the 16th fret. I think you could get close. Not better or worse but different. Might just work out to be better than expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveRobrecht Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share Posted January 1, 2013 Nice! I wouldn't want the neck placement changed on either guitar I'm considering. While I like how the neck sits on the Casino, I restricts upper fret access too much. Thanks for the picture! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spectrum13 Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Nice! I wouldn't want the neck placement changed on either guitar I'm considering. While I like how the neck sits on the Casino, I restricts upper fret access too much. Thanks for the picture! Your are welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 A Casino is a ES-330, so the H-530 is your best bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveRobrecht Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 DB, yes I know that would be closest, but I'm still concerned about the body size. I've gotten more info from Jay Wolfe and Heritage will make a deeper, fully hollow Prospect with a trapeze tail and Dogear P-90's. I'm leaning towards that right now. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genericmusic Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I've gotten more info from Jay Wolfe and Heritage will make a deeper, fully hollow Prospect with a trapeze tail and Dogear P-90's. I'm leaning towards that right now. Thanks! That sounds like a nice music box. I say go for it an post pic's when she arrives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveRobrecht Posted January 4, 2013 Author Share Posted January 4, 2013 Well I've got Jay working on a quote for me on a hollow Prospect as I detailed above. I should know something Monday. Hopefully it won't break the bank and I can get this project rolling! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyGrass Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 If I were going to order a custom Prospect, I'd make sure I got exactly what I wanted because there would be a major financial hit with reselling it. Guitar makers guide their decisions in design at least in part as a response to the market. When you go custom, it is to please yourself only, not to increase the market value and return on investment. I mention this because we have all seen people flip guitars on HOC. Personally, I like the idea of a 2" or 2 1/4" Prospect. I would splurge on a bound headstock, abalone inlays, an ebony board, and maybe bound f holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitfiddler Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 If I were going to order a custom Prospect, I'd make sure I got exactly what I wanted because there would be a major financial hit with reselling it. Guitar makers guide their decisions in design at least in part as a response to the market. When you go custom, it is to please yourself only, not to increase the market value and return on investment. I mention this because we have all seen people flip guitars on HOC. Personally, I like the idea of a 2" or 2 1/4" Prospect. I would splurge on a bound headstock, abalone inlays, an ebony board, and maybe bound f holes. Very good advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveRobrecht Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 I hear ya, but I'm perfectly happy without the binding and I will stay with the rosewood board in keeping with the Casino/ES330 ethos. I won't go any deeper than 2" to keep it comfortable for me. I like the idea of a "vintage" Heritage that never existed and the simpler, stripped down look. And it saves me some $$$$ too. I'll keep you posted on what I find out. Oh, I'm looking to have it finished in natural too. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 DB, yes I know that would be closest, but I'm still concerned about the body size. I've gotten more info from Jay Wolfe and Heritage will make a deeper, fully hollow Prospect with a trapeze tail and Dogear P-90's. I'm leaning towards that right now. Thanks! It's what you asked for.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibsonman Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 dave check out my epi casino on e-bay cherry red w/mods like a 335 2010 model p90 pups e-bay "2010 epiphone casino" $449 w/case like new scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveRobrecht Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Well, I made my decision. I ordered a custom fully hollow Prospect with a deeper body, TonePros bridge, trapeze tailpiece and Lollar 50's wind dog ear P-90's. All finished in Antique Natural. I'm excited, but hopefully my patience will be rewarded. Thanks for all the input! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spectrum13 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Well, I made my decision. I ordered a custom fully hollow Prospect with a deeper body, TonePros bridge, trapeze tailpiece and Lollar 50's wind dog ear P-90's. All finished in Antique Natural. I'm excited, but hopefully my patience will be rewarded. Thanks for all the input!Dave I have made my decision. Pictures when done. What color pickguard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith7940236 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 How deep is the body? Are you going to have a floating bridge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyGrass Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveRobrecht Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 No floating bridge. it will be like the H530. The body will be 1+3/4" deep. No pickguard on this one. Clean and mean. Pictures in 8 to 12 weeks. Joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 good on ya! swelling the ranks of the hollow prospect owners . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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