Epiphone USA Collection Frontier and Casino review

Some of Epiphone’s most iconic electrics and acoustics are being built again in the USA. We examine a legendary electric and a show-stopping acoustic

Epiphone USA E230TD Casino
(Image: © Future / Phil Barker)

Guitar World Verdict

Two exemplary US-built guitars that are quite legendary in their own right, the Casino and Frontier exude class and are hopefully a sign of more to come from Epiphone's high-end line.

Pros

  • +

    Fabulous-looking, big-sounding acoustic.

  • +

    Balanced range of sophisticated tones.

  • +

    Excellent plugged and unplugged.

  • +

    The Casino's back and built in the USA.

  • +

    Great range of tones, distinctive from its ES-330 sister.

  • +

    And perhaps more desirable due to solid gold heritage.

Cons

  • -

    Might need height shims under the Casino's low-mounted pickups.

  • -

    Hefty price tag.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Epiphone guitars hold a distinct place in the hearts of people of a certain vintage. Anyone who followed the pop-music TV shows of the '60s will have seen Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Dave Davies, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and others wielding various iterations of the E230TD Casino. 

And those who watched McCartney’s legendary TV performance of Yesterday will have seen him playing his Texan acoustic. We don’t have a Texan here but the more elaborate Frontier, which sat neatly alongside acoustic guitars such as Gibson’s Dove and Hummingbird.  

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