Vintage 1964 Epiphone Casino (E230TD) – Rare Middle Pickup & Tremotone
Vintage 1964 Epiphone Casino (E230TD) – Rare Middle Pickup & Tremotone
Epiphone Casino E230TD | 1964 Sunburst USA Made
Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Fully hollow Maple body. Mahogany neck. Single P-90 pickup (Middle Mount). 1.68" wide nut. Includes non-original hard case. 2.7kg.
Epiphone Casino E230TD 1964 – Sunburst – Made in USA (Kalamazoo)
Available now is a rare and highly specific configuration of a vintage icon: a 1964 Epiphone Casino. Produced in the legendary Kalamazoo, Michigan factory alongside Gibson’s finest thinline hollow-bodies, this E230TD is a "sleeper" vintage gem. Unlike standard neck-mount models, this guitar features a factory-spec middle-position pickup, offering a unique tonal balance not found on more common versions.
The "Sweet Spot" Tonal Character
The single P-90 "dog-ear" pickup is factory-mounted in the middle position, capturing a perfect blend of warmth and snap.
Harmonic Richness: Because there is no second pickup, there is significantly less magnetic pull on the strings, allowing for greater natural vibration and enhanced acoustic resonance.
Versatile Voicing: The middle placement is cleaner than a neck pickup but fuller than a bridge unit, making it a standout studio tool for jazz, blues, and indie rock.
Premium Hardware & Player Upgrades
Original Epiphone Tremotone & Arm: This guitar includes its original Tremotone vibrato tailpiece complete with the original tremolo arm. This is a highly desirable feature for "Beatle-era" enthusiasts seeking authentic '60s shimmer.
Schaller Machine Heads: The original tuners have been upgraded to high-quality Schaller machine heads. This is a period-favored professional upgrade that significantly improves tuning precision and stability while maintaining a vintage-appropriate aesthetic.
Key Features & 1964 Specs
Year: 1964 (Golden Era Production)
Made in: USA (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
Model: E230TD (Rare Middle-Pickup Variant)
Finish: Sunburst, nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Wood: Fully hollow, 5-ply laminated maple
Neck: Mahogany with bound Rosewood fingerboard and Parallelogram inlays
Nut Width: 1.68 inches (Wide Nut) – The highly coveted pre-1965 specification.
Pickup: 1 × Original Nickel-covered P-90 (Middle Position)
Bridge: Original ABR-1 Tune-o-matic
Tailpiece: Original Epiphone Tremotone Vibrato (Original arm included)
Weight: 2.7 kg (Feather-light and incredibly resonant)
Case: Non-original hardshell case included
Sound and Tone
The middle-mounted P-90 is the crown jewel of this Casino, offering a perfectly balanced vintage output with exceptional note separation. At just 2.7 kg, the guitar is exceptionally lightweight; the fully hollow body vibrations are felt directly against the player, providing a woody, "alive" tone that defines the mid-60s sound.
Feel and Playability
The 1964 neck features the sought-after 1.68-inch nut width, providing a comfortable, substantial profile that fills the hand perfectly—a stark contrast to the narrower "pencil" necks of 1965 and beyond. It offers an authentic vintage playing experience that makes both rhythm and lead work effortless.
Condition
Very good vintage condition. This 60-year-old instrument shows honest finish checking and play wear that serves as a testament to its quality. All electronics are original and functioning perfectly. The professional Schaller tuner upgrade makes this a reliable, stage-ready investment piece. Includes the original tremolo arm and a non-original hardshell case.
Why This Listing is Special
Mid-60s Casinos are "blue-chip" vintage investments. Because this model features the rare combination of a factory middle-pickup, the 1964 wide-nut profile, and the original Tremotone arm, it stands out as a unique piece of Kalamazoo history.
Test it for yourself at our Sydney shop, or we can ship it safely to your door anywhere in Australia. Contact us for a shipping quote.
In stock at Guitar Garage Sydney. $8600