About two years ago I gave my 335 copy to a good friend of mine. He's one of the best guys I've ever met. He's a great dad and supports his family alone (his wife doesn't really work). He wanted to learn to play guitar but had no money to buy an electric. I built him a headphone amp, gave him a SD1, built him a rat clone, the guitar and I made his year. He was beyond happy but told me that any moment I wanted it back he'd ship it to me.
Fast-forward to a month or two ago: I've been missing having a semi-hollow around. No way in hell I'd ask him for the guitar but on the other hand, I have very little disposable income at the moment, major home-renovations are taking most of my money, including what I had on the side for my next amp build.
I managed to find a nice used Epi Dot for very little (considering where I live). My budget was below what used Ibby semi-hollows would've cost me once shipping and taxes are accounted for so the epi was the way to go, especially considering that there are a few of these on the used market in Ontario, which isn't too far from me (I only found 2-3 in quebec province and they were priced so high that buying a new one made more sense and I didn't want to go that high).
I must say that a fresh set of strings and a little clean up made this a very very cool guitar. I have no frame of comparison with Gibsons and other high-end instruments but it resonates well, plays very smooth and sounds pretty decent. I have a nice set of '59s that will most likely end-up in there but for now I'm satisfied leaving it stock. I would've liked a sunburst one better than the ubiquitous cherry but being difficult on such a detail wasn't gonna help my search and it's not like it's ugly, far from it.
Came with the original Epi hardcase too...
Hope you like:
Fast-forward to a month or two ago: I've been missing having a semi-hollow around. No way in hell I'd ask him for the guitar but on the other hand, I have very little disposable income at the moment, major home-renovations are taking most of my money, including what I had on the side for my next amp build.
I managed to find a nice used Epi Dot for very little (considering where I live). My budget was below what used Ibby semi-hollows would've cost me once shipping and taxes are accounted for so the epi was the way to go, especially considering that there are a few of these on the used market in Ontario, which isn't too far from me (I only found 2-3 in quebec province and they were priced so high that buying a new one made more sense and I didn't want to go that high).
I must say that a fresh set of strings and a little clean up made this a very very cool guitar. I have no frame of comparison with Gibsons and other high-end instruments but it resonates well, plays very smooth and sounds pretty decent. I have a nice set of '59s that will most likely end-up in there but for now I'm satisfied leaving it stock. I would've liked a sunburst one better than the ubiquitous cherry but being difficult on such a detail wasn't gonna help my search and it's not like it's ugly, far from it.
Came with the original Epi hardcase too...
Hope you like: