It features the fairly rare Royal Tan finish, a lighter, more golden sunburst that was unique to Epiphone. The Casino was introduced in 1961 and this particular guitar was built in 1966.

George Harrison inspiring English guitarists to pick up Epiphone Casinos of their own. Thanks to the Beatles, the model continues to have a certain cachet and today players like Paul Weller, The Edge, Thom Yorke of Radiohead and Noel Gallagher of Oasis seek out and play vintage models for their unique tone.

Lennon essentially used his Casino as his main guitar from then on and McCartney has referred to this as his favorite electric guitar on numerous occasions. Keith Richards played one during the Rolling Stones’ 1964 American tour and Paul McCartney used a 1962 model on “Ticket To Ride,” “Drive My Car” and “Taxman.” George Harrison and John Lennon got their own Casinos, both 1965 models, soon after. Although it’s not a particularly well-known guitar here in the US, in England the Epiphone Casino is quite popular and it is still considered to be one of the main weapons used during the British Invasion.

1962 epiphone casino