Refurbished Epiphone Dot - Good or Bad?

[astrozombie]

Re: Refurbished Epiphone Dot - Good or Bad?

First - I've purchased a few items from Music123 and I've always had good luck working with them. One time the shipper (FedEx) messed up the delivery and Music123 was all over it trying to make it better. FedEx finally came through, but I really appreciated the effort on the part of Music123.

Second - a friend of mine has an Epi Dot and he loves it - and he is not easy to please.

Third - refurbish in my mind is a used item with worn parts that have been cleaned up or replaced. I could be wrong -- but it could be a sweet deal.

+1000000000000

there ya go.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Refurbished Epiphone Dot - Good or Bad?

I do not know what applies here but refurbished and remanufactured can mean several things.

At the best case scenario a refurbished item is one that was bought and for whatever reason was returned in a timely manner and in mint condition while a remanufactured item is one that did have an issue that made it non-sellable but it was possible to repair it, usually by changing out the defective part for a new one.

In both cases however after the make-over a refurbished and a remanufactured item should be in as-new condition save for one or two cosmetic flaws.

I say if possible ask what its' defect, if any, is and what, again if any, is the return policy.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Refurbished Epiphone Dot - Good or Bad?

I do not know what applies here but refurbished and remanufactured can mean several things.

At the best case scenario a refurbished item is one that was bought and for whatever reason was returned in a timely manner and in mint condition while a remanufactured item is one that did have an issue that made it non-sellable but it was possible to repair it, usually by changing out the defective part for a new one.

In both cases however after the make-over a refurbished and a remanufactured item should be in as-new condition save for one or two cosmetic flaws.

I say if possible ask what its' defect, if any, is and what, again if any, is the return policy.

that doesnt sound so bad, actually. you would still be getting a quality product, either way.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Refurbished Epiphone Dot - Good or Bad?

you'll probably be better off buying one you've played... only one really spoke to me with its tone...I'd say play it before you buy it.

The traditional advice is that you have to "play it first", but there's some big flaws in that theory:
1) Music store guitars, especially mid-priced imports, are not set up well, so the intonation may be off, the strings too high, the PU's too low, the neck needing a truss rod adjustment, etc. Maybe a $3,000 Gibson or PRS comes from the factory with a great set up, but don't count on it with an Epi.
2) Doesn't take long for a few kids with grubby hands to coat strings with sweat, dirt, food, etc. and deaden the strings, or even start them rusting. Some of those strings qualify as biohazards.
3) The Achilles heel of imports is their PU's, which are usually Asian-made, meaning they're buried in cheap wax and wound differently. Which translates to an invariably muddy tone. To hear any guitar's real potential, you need to put in a set of American-made PU's, for clarity, depth, and definition. Cheap PU's mask a guitar's true tone.

The "play it first" theory means that you'll turn down some good guitars that just need a good set up, or happen to have particularly poor PU's. The best inport in the store may have a bad set up, and you'll turn it down because the intonation makes the chords sound sour. What "speaks" to you first & foremost is a good set up. Secondly, you notice good pickups. Many good imports lack both of these.

If you buy your guitar in a store, the first thing you want to do is change the strings. Get Dan Erlewine's book on setting up guitars, and you can do the set up yourself. A $250 refurb (with a return guarantee...how can you go wrong?), leaves you cash for a set of SD's, DiMarzio's, or Gibson's. You can make it sound like you paid 10 times as much for it.

My theory: you usually can't tell squat about how a mid-priced import will play & sound until it's properly set up & rewired (upgraded PU's). That's a rare thing in most music stores. So buying in a store vs online isn't an issue. Don't be a nervous old lady. Get one in good condition and do a set up, and if all is good, swap out the PU's; if not (twisted neck, frets unlevel, etc) send it back, & get a replacement.

By the way, 335's are a GREAT design You'll love the feel and the sound. I was a solid body man for years, and now 335's are my favorite.

 

[Blues_N_Rock]

Re: Refurbished Epiphone Dot - Good or Bad?

The traditional advice is that you have to "play it first", but there's some big flaws in that theory:
1) Music store guitars, especially mid-priced imports, are not set up well, so the intonation may be off, the strings too high, the PU's too low, the neck needing a truss rod adjustment, etc. Maybe a $3,000 Gibson or PRS comes from the factory with a great set up, but don't count on it with an Epi.
2) Doesn't take long for a few kids with grubby hands to coat strings with sweat, dirt, food, etc. and deaden the strings, or even start them rusting. Some of those strings qualify as biohazards.
3) The Achilles heel of imports is their PU's, which are usually Asian-made, meaning they're buried in cheap wax and wound differently. Which translates to an invariably muddy tone. To hear any guitar's real potential, you need to put in a set of American-made PU's, for clarity, depth, and definition. Cheap PU's mask a guitar's true tone.

The "play it first" theory means that you'll turn down some good guitars that just need a good set up, or happen to have particularly poor PU's. The best inport in the store may have a bad set up, and you'll turn it down because the intonation makes the chords sound sour. What "speaks" to you first & foremost is a good set up. Secondly, you notice good pickups. Many good imports lack both of these.

If you buy your guitar in a store, the first thing you want to do is change the strings. Get Dan Erlewine's book on setting up guitars, and you can do the set up yourself. A $250 refurb (with a return guarantee...how can you go wrong?), leaves you cash for a set of SD's, DiMarzio's, or Gibson's. You can make it sound like you paid 10 times as much for it.

My theory: you usually can't tell squat about how a mid-priced import will play & sound until it's properly set up & rewired (upgraded PU's). That's a rare thing in most music stores. So buying in a store vs online isn't an issue. Don't be a nervous old lady. Get one in good condition and do a set up, and if all is good, swap out the PU's; if not (twisted neck, frets unlevel, etc) send it back, & get a replacement.

By the way, 335's are a GREAT design You'll love the feel and the sound. I was a solid body man for years, and now 335's are my favorite.

You highlight many good points blueman. So often I walked into GC, picked up a fine looking instrument, and it sounded less than impressive. With so many customers coming in and grabbing whatever they pleased, no wonder the guitars can't sound its best. Not to mention, the lower cost Epis are not necessary setup for the best playing sound right out of the box. And their PUs may not be the best made product. But I guess that is expected for the price you are willing to pay. My only concern was purchasing a guitar online that had a significant flaw to the neck or body. Sure a return policy is a nice feature of the online retailer. But it is a hassle to call the retailer for the return number, box it up, and drive to the post office. Whereas walking into a store you can see what you maybe purchasing. If the neck or body appears to be questionable, skip it and ask for another guitar. A person just needs to be aware of the potential flaw of playing and hearing a guitar that is sitting on a wall within the reach of anyone to grab and play. As you said, look for a deal especially one with a return policy, buy it, set it up and hear what it says when played. If it is priced right, it overcomes many of the concerns or risk of online purchasing. My intent with these epis was to swap out the PUs with a set of SD Seth Lovers. Probably move on next to the tuners and bridge.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Refurbished Epiphone Dot - Good or Bad?

Neck issues aren't that common. I've bought many used guitars online, and had a few I've had to make a slight truss rod adjustment for due to a bow. Usually necks with twists don't make it that far. Most "2nd's" are minor comestic issues. I've done enough set ups & re-wiring that I know I can get a guitar, bought sight unseen, sounding & playing very nice. Recent Epi's have Grover rotomatics, which are good tuners; odds are you don't need to change them. I used to replace tuners, but once I found out about lubing nuts with graphite powder, I haven't had to do it since. Most "tuner" slipping problems are actually strings caught in the nut slots.

Set it up, put in a set of American-made PU's, and you'll be impressed at the quality of tone. I've got used Epi's that I've got $400 in (including replacement PU's) that can hold their own with most Gibsons. Relax, get that Dot and enjoy it.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Refurbished Epiphone Dot - Good or Bad?

Neck issues aren't that common. I've bought many used guitars online, and had a few I've had to make a slight truss rod adjustment for due to a bow. Usually necks with twists don't make it that far. Most "2nd's" are minor comestic issues. I've done enough set ups & re-wiring that I know I can get a guitar, bought sight unseen, sounding & playing very nice. Recent Epi's have Grover rotomatics, which are good tuners; odds are you don't need to change them. I used to replace tuners, but once I found out about lubing nuts with graphite powder, I haven't had to do it since. Most "tuner" slipping problems are actually strings caught in the nut slots.

Set it up, put in a set of American-made PU's, and you'll be impressed at the quality of tone. I've got used Epi's that I've got $400 in (including replacement PU's) that can hold their own with most Gibsons. Relax, get that Dot and enjoy it.

:13: problem solved.