Why don't you get a set of chrome Casino/Wildkat PUs and install those? They don't cost too much and you can always change them back. The paint won't hold up to pick scratching very long.

I know, from experience, that painting them will look good, until you start playing. Royal tan looks so much better with the chrome. This is the look I'm trying to achieve (yes, the 2nd guitar is a Riviera): So I'm considering buying the creme and spray painting them chrome. Some really nice figuring in the top finish: Here's a shot of the 'two-tone' fretboard: Here are a few pics for you, starting with our own Kat (I need to get a smaller guitar for her to hold on to at some point!) Guys, I’m a “Casino Convert” for sure! Maybe not this model, although at $799 it is a great deal with the vintage hardshell case and specs), but I will have to add one of these to the collection at some point. A few minutes later, I was ripping into the opening licks of “Revolution” with a pretty fair amount of distortion (and volume!!!) and she never missed a note … just as creamy as she had been on the clean setting! These were some of the fullest, sweetest, roundest and tastiest tones I’ve ever heard out of a guitar! I started out, as I always do on a completely clean amp setting, enjoying the richness and depth of this instrument. Oh my GOD … does this thing play! I now know why some of you guys are such lovers of this model. There was some weirdness on the fretboard, as you’ll see in the pictures: I don’t know if the dying process was done incorrectly or what, but the board is two distinct shades for just about the entire length. Other than that, she’s a real stunner … I love the way the burst follows the shape of the instrument and fades gently into the center color. I know that it’s “vintage correct” for this model, but I really do feel that the Casino does look better with the chrome pickup covers. You could gig with this guitar all night long and never get tired! I was just floored at how light this instrument is! It is an absolute feather-weight and it felt like I was holding a balsa-wood glider compared to what I usually play.

All of my non solid-body guitar experience has been limited to semi-hollows with the exception of my Gretsch 5120. To begin with, I have next to no experience with Casinos. A Royal Tan model showed up at the store, and I couldn’t wait to try her out … and snap a few pics for you guys! Today I got my first look and “test-drive” of Epiphone’s 50th Anniversary 1961 Casino Reissue.

Epiphone casino 1961 reissue