NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

Nacho8807

Nacho8807

New member
So I made a total impulse buy last Friday that was very out of character. I was perusing craigslist, as one does, and came across a nice looking Korean-made Epiphone Dot at a pretty good price. Before I saw it I would have never thought that my next guitar would be a semi-hollowbody. I really wasn't in the market for a guitar at all, but the price was right and something told me I had to at least go play it.

This guitar totally won me over. I did have to get used to the larger body, but it looks great in person and in photos, and plays really great. The previous owner said he had the frets dressed and it really shows. There are no buzzes or dead spot anywhere, and the action was the lowest I'd ever played I think. Someone had expertly set this guitar up. I also like the pickups just fine, though I think if I keep it for any length of time I will switch them out (recommendations welcome!). The neck pickup is a little hot, and could be sweeter. The bridge pickup is dark and has a nice bark to it when overdriven. I am already planning on replacing the switch and maybe the pots, if for no other reason than I'd like to learn how to work on a hollowbody guitar's electronics.

Originally my plan was to get to know this guitar for a while, and maybe tinker a bit before hopefully turning it around for a quick buck someday. However, now I think that I could see myself holding onto this guitar for longer than I expected. With some nicer vintage output pickups, slightly heavier strings (I think it has nines as of now), and a slightly higher action, I might really struggle to part with it.

So for $200 I'd say I found myself a really nice little learning experience. I really recommend these early 2000's MIK Epi Dots to anyone interested in a budget semi-hollow. I think one that's been well cared for can be a fantastic guitar for the money. From what I've heard the newer ones are even better, but I don't think I'm really missing out.

Epi Dot.JPG
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

Congrats! I got my first semi-hollow last year (Ibanez Artcore AS83) and, like you, have learned to really love it after getting used to the larger body. I put P-Rails in mine (the stock Ibby ACH pickups were "meh") and it made a huge difference.

Enjoy your new toy! :fing2:
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

For $200 it's a no-brainer,esp set-up & tweeked!

Good luck w/the swap-out,pics please!!!
(& of course/p/ups)... ;)

Case/Bag?

Big 'Grats, hopefully it'll serve you well!!!

I played a friend's old Artcore Mini-Semi thru my rig a while back(gainy),no f/b issues whatsoever!

:headbang:

:D
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

BriGuy1968 said:
Congrats! I got my first semi-hollow last year (Ibanez Artcore AS83) and, like you, have learned to really love it after getting used to the larger body. I put P-Rails in mine (the stock Ibby ACH pickups were "meh") and it made a huge difference.

Enjoy your new toy! :fing2:
Click to expand...

Thank you! These pickups are a little better than "meh" but I think there's definite room for improvement.

Rand-O-Monium said:
For $200 it's a no-brainer,esp set-up & tweeked!

Good luck w/the swap-out,pics please!!!
(& of course/p/ups)... ;)

Case/Bag?

Big 'Grats, hopefully it'll serve you well!!!

I played a friend's old Artcore Mini-Semi thru my rig a while back(gainy),no f/b issues whatsoever!

:headbang:

:D
Click to expand...

Thank you, and yes it did come with a genuine Epi hard case, forgot to mention that. I was also pleasantly surprised that I didn't have any issues with feedback either. I didn't even change my settings from what I normally use, which is pretty gain-y. I just get a nice big, raunchy blues tone out of it.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

Sweet!

Gotta lerv teh "Cheapie Keepers"!!!

:D

'Grats Again!

If I may,how'd the LP repair go?
Understand if you don't wanna discuss,can/will delete if needed...

Dig the VSB,too!
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

I have a set of '59s in mine, but I hear that WLHs are great as well.

DSC_0083.jpg


The center block really helps w/ feedback IMO. I can play it through a cranked Marshall and have no feedback issues what-so-ever.

Edit: I really need to get some new pics. I've had a Bigsby B5 / Vibramate on it for nearly a year now and they seem made for each other. Tuning stability isn't perfect, but it's better than I expected. I figure a TusqXL nut will get me the rest of the way there.
 
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Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

Rand-O-Monium said:
I played a friend's old Artcore Mini-Semi thru my rig a while back(gainy),no f/b issues whatsoever!
Click to expand...
Nacho8807 said:
I was also pleasantly surprised that I didn't have any issues with feedback either. I didn't even change my settings from what I normally use, which is pretty gain-y. I just get a nice big, raunchy blues tone out of it.
Click to expand...

:feedback:
I have surprisingly little feedback problems with mine as well, although at stage volumes it can start to act up. It's pretty cool, though, to use the feedback every once in a while for effect... all you have to do is stand in front of your amp, let go of the strings, and turn your body a little to control it!
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

Rand-O-Monium said:
Sweet!

Gotta lerv teh "Cheapie Keepers"!!!

:D

'Grats Again!

If I may,how'd the LP repair go?
Understand if you don't wanna discuss,can/will delete if needed...

Dig the VSB,too!
Click to expand...

No worries, I haven't actually done anything about it yet due to the cost, but I found a guy who does great work out of Tennessee. In the meantime, I've found that a little bit of lemon oil in the scratches hides them really well, so you cant even tell they're there unless you're looking for it. Once I get that done I'll have another post with pictures because I, like you, love the VSB and I plan on having it redone in kind of a "darkburst" style finish. Should be cool.

dystrust said:
I have a set of '59s in mine, but I hear that WLHs are great as well.

DSC_0083.jpg


The center block really helps w/ feedback IMO. I can play it through a cranked Marshall and have no feedback issues what-so-ever.

Edit: I really need to get some new pics. I've had a Bigsby B5 / Vibramate on it for nearly a year now and they seem made for each other. Tuning stability isn't perfect, but it's better than I expected. I figure a TusqXL nut will get me the rest of the way there.
Click to expand...

I have been interested in trying some WLH's and this guitar may be a perfect excuse to pull the trigger. I'd love to see an updated picture because one of the first things I thought about was how cool it would look to have a Bigsby on this thing. Tuning nightmares be damned.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

Nice score. Dots are a lot of guitar for the money, even moreso used.

Before you buy new PU's, flip the existing ones over and make sure they haven't been upgraded. I bought an Epi Flying V and the seller forget to mention, or didn't know, that there were a pair of DiMarzio's in it. If yours happens to have upgraded PU's, it's worth trying a different mag or two to get what you want.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

I have a Dot Studio Craigslist find, and it's one of my favorite guitars. It's had all its electronics changed and upgraded, and a set of Seth Lover pickups put in it. The ridiculous thing is I paid $100 for it, and put many times that in it, but it was worth every penny. They are not THAT different from a 335, though I still want a real one sometime in the future.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

I opted for the smaller Les Paul sized Florentine Epi to satisfy my Semi hollow GAS

I blame Jerry ( MetalManiac ) for this gas

I considered the 339 and the Dot / Sheraton Epi's as well

I may still get a 339
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

It has been my experience that the Korean-made hollowbodies are superior to the modern ones. Just my opinion.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

BriGuy1968 said:
Congrats! I got my first semi-hollow last year (Ibanez Artcore AS83) and, like you, have learned to really love it after getting used to the larger body. I put P-Rails in mine (the stock Ibby ACH pickups were "meh") and it made a huge difference.

Enjoy your new toy! :fing2:
Click to expand...

How do the P-Rails fair in a semi-hollow? I've been thinking about picking up a used Dot and dropping a set in. I've been really intrigued by the P-rails for a long time, and am about to put a set into my strat, but I wouldn't be opposed to moving them to a semi-hollow if they work well in semis.

I've never had any issues with feedback on a semi-hollow before. I borrow my brother's Dot to gig with all the time. My Gretsch 5120 though... any gain at all has a tendency to put out a massive feedback blast.
 
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Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

Matt42 said:
How do the P-Rails fair in a semi-hollow? I've been thinking about picking up a used Dot and dropping a set in. I've been really intrigued by the P-rails for a long time, and am about to put a set into my strat, but I wouldn't be opposed to moving them to a semi-hollow if they work well in semis.

I've never had any issues with feedback on a semi-hollow before. I borrow my brother's Dot to gig with all the time. My Gretsch 5120 though... any gain at all has a tendency to put out a massive feedback blast.
Click to expand...

I really like the P-Rails in it. Was playing her tonight at band practice and she just has such a rich, warm growl. We play classic rock, so I don't use particularly high gain settings. The semi-hollow has a naturally warmer sound and then the P-Rails have kind of a unique "thick" sound as well... and the two go well together in my opinion. I also installed Triple Shots so I could have all the switching options, and I really like the P-90 option too (like an old Riviera).

Bottom line: I think it's a winning combination and I highly recommend it, but if you're looking for a classic PAF sound it may not be what you're looking for.

Here's a sound sample with my band playing "Balinese." I'm strictly playing rhythm, but it gives you a good idea of how the bridge humbucker sounds:

http://youtu.be/CYCnFmce0ig
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

NotCardio said:
It has been my experience that the Korean-made hollowbodies are superior to the modern ones. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...


After having owned and/or played dozens of Epi's in the last 20 years, I think the Chinese ones are overall much better, especially the ones in the last few years with upgraded PU's. Korean Epi's were very inconsistent depending on which contractor made them, some were definitely much better than others. The pre-2000 Koreans usually had 'mudbuckers', no-name tuners, and tiny pots, all needed to be upgraded. In 2000, just prior to the Epi factory opening in China, the overall quality & consistency of Korean Epi's improved.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

blueman335 said:
After having owned and/or played dozens of Epi's in the last 20 years, I think the Chinese ones are overall much better, especially the ones in the last few years with upgraded PU's. Korean Epi's were very inconsistent depending on which contractor made them, some were definitely much better than others. The pre-2000 Koreans usually had 'mudbuckers', no-name tuners, and tiny pots, all needed to be upgraded. In 2000, just prior to the Epi factory opening in China, the overall quality & consistency of Korean Epi's improved.
Click to expand...

This particular one is a 2001 model. I cannot say I have any huge issues with the electronics, other than the selector switch being kind of flimsy, and the previous owner said he replaced the output jack, so I would guess that crapped out at some point. Either way it'll all be coming out soon, and seeing as the guitar itself seems to be of surprisingly solid construction, I'd say I'll have myself a mighty fine guitar for a while.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

trevorus said:
I have a Dot Studio Craigslist find, and it's one of my favorite guitars. It's had all its electronics changed and upgraded, and a set of Seth Lover pickups put in it. The ridiculous thing is I paid $100 for it, and put many times that in it, but it was worth every penny. They are not THAT different from a 335, though I still want a real one sometime in the future.
Click to expand...

They really aren't hugely different, but there were a few things that I couldn't compromise on. If none of these bother you, a Gibson 335 probably isn't worth the price premium.

#1 Neck backshape: I just don't like really skinny necks on vintage-style guitars (on a Charvel it's fine), so the slim taper neck on the Epis and the Gibson 335 Dot were deal-breakers for me. My 335 is the 'Fatneck' version, and it really lives up to its name. The only Gibson necks I've played that were bigger were R7 and R8 historics.

#2 Fingerboard finish & edges: I've played lots of Epis with fingerboards that feel laquered or plastic and it drives me crazy. The also tend to leave the fingerboard edges very square, and I don't care for that either. The only exception I've come across are their few MIJ & Elitist models which are excellent.

#3 Hardware & electronics: I'm leaving pickups and pots out of this because they're junk in both cases IMO. OTOH Gibson uses better jacks and switches than Epiphone; these were the only electronic components I didn't replace in my Gibson 335. I'm also not a fan of the bridges Epiphone (and some Gibson) semi-hollows come with. The only bridge for a semi-hollow is an ABR-1 (again IMO), as a Nashville style bridge has too much low end that leaves the guitar sounding bloated and muddy.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

dystrust said:
They really aren't hugely different, but there were a few things that I couldn't compromise on. If none of these bother you, a Gibson 335 probably isn't worth the price premium.

#1 Neck backshape: I just don't like really skinny necks on vintage-style guitars (on a Charvel it's fine), so the slim taper neck on the Epis and the Gibson 335 Dot were deal-breakers for me. My 335 is the 'Fatneck' version, and it really lives up to its name. The only Gibson necks I've played that were bigger were R7 and R8 historics.

#2 Fingerboard finish & edges: I've played lots of Epis with fingerboards that feel laquered or plastic and it drives me crazy. The also tend to leave the fingerboard edges very square, and I don't care for that either. The only exception I've come across are their few MIJ & Elitist models which are excellent.
Click to expand...

I know you weren't talking about mine, but I just wanted to comment on these two points in regard to my specific guitar, if I may.

1. I would not call the neck shape of mine slim-taper, and it is pretty close to the "50's" profile on my LP Standard. I enjoy the chunky neck shapes, and this feels right at home.

2. The fingerboard does not feel plastic at all. It is no different than any other rosewood board I have played, although the back of the neck you are dead-on. The finish overall is very plastic-y, and the only thing that prevents it from feeling like a more expensive guitar. As for the edges, that's personal preference I guess, and I don't mind it.

3. You are right about the electronics and other hardware. No further comment is needed from me lol.
 
Re: NGD: Epi Dot with opinions

Epi's vary a lot in neck thickness, I think intentionally, to appeal to as many players as possible. I have a Dot that has a mahogany neck that's a 1958-59 thickness (most Dots have maple necks and aren't as beefy). The ad copy' on their current production G400's say 'slim taper neck', but they're thick and chunky. You can't lump Epi necks all together.
 
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