Epiphone guitars

[stephena]

That's cool, John! Great collection By the way, I have a Rickenbacker 360/12 Mapleglo, too.

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

But in general, it sounds like you all like the build quality...

I'm feeling another jones coming on. I just spent several weeks with a friend's 1967 ES-335 and have grown accustomed to the feel and sound of a semi-hollow body and the tone it gives, plugged or unplugged. I now understand why Lennon stuck with a Casino throughout the late 60's and all the musical changes of that particular period--a very versatile sound. But I just sort of assumed these Epi Dots that fill so many racks at Guitar Center were bound to be about as well-built as the price tags reflected.

I am in a cash-strapped period of life. I can hear Tom Waits moaning "Temptation" in my ear...

[stephena]

The Epiphone Dot Studio got a really good review in Guitar World magazine (June 2007, the issue with the Beatles "Hello Goodbye" cover - note the photoshopped Rick bass!), and that's a big part of why I was anxious to try one. I can't seem to find that review online. However, Guitar Player has some very nice things to say.

Also take a quick look at Electric Guitar Review has to say.

[firstbassman]

Well, you certainly know Mark (K) that if one goes to a guitar forum and asks for recommendations for an inexpensive 335-like guitar, one is going to get a dozen different responses (at least).

I am loathe to tell anyone to get any particular guitar (other than a RIC 12) and then run the risk of having them later hate my recommendation. However, here is my two cents as a humble hacking guitar player.

I believe there is no guitar more versatile than a 335-type hollow body electric guitar. It can play sweet perfectly clean. It can play country twang. It can play cool jazz chords and riffs. It can do Chuck Berry. It can play gritty blues. Naturally, it can play real dirty. And can even easily handle heavy metal. If I could only keep one six-string guitar, a 335-like machine would be it. (Or a RIC 330 with hi-gains.)

OK, which one to get. I can only speak of the Ibanez Artcore and the Dot Studio. Both would be great choices. The Artcore is one or two steps up above the Studio. It has a lacquered finished coat (sorry, forget the technical term for that), covered humbuckers, fretboard inlays and real binding.

The Studio has fret markings on the side only and the “binding” is painted on. For my level of playing the stock pickups are fine in both guitars.

One word of caution. From my experience and based on the input from others in different forums, the individual quality on the Studios seems to vary. If you order it online, you may have to return it or fix it yourself. If you go to your local Guitar Center, try them out. Out of the ones I tried at my local GC, one was perfect (the one I bought) and the others each had a minor fault (broken strings, unscrewed on knobs, frets over the edge, etc.).

Here is a pretty accurate Guitar Player review from 2005:

http://www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?storyCode=8532

[chuck_king]

I have a Sheraton II and a korina Flying V, and both are very nice guitars. The V in particular has become a real favorite. It's got an incredibly punchy, thick tone. I also have a korina Explorer that I never really gelled with. They are all Epiphones and all made in Korea but each was made by a different Korean manufacturer. You can tell from the first letter of the serial number who actually built a recent Epi. I don't remember who made the V or the Explorer off the top of my head but the Sheraton was made by Samick, and it has the best fit-and-finish of the bunch.

[janglerocker]

I just put a deposit on a used Dot that I'll have home in a week or so. Vintage sunburst finish and upgraded PAF humbuckers already in it. John I like the pic of yours with the B-7 Bigsby. Looks like you just left the original taipiece mounts as is?

Does anyone have a production history on these? When did production start? does Epiphone have a serial number decoder like Rick?

[scotty]

Heres my epiphone Les paul standard.

And somemore

[admin]

Nice lineup Scotty. By the way, would you please send me a working email address.

[sloop_john_b]

John I like the pic of yours with the B-7 Bigsby. Looks like you just left the original taipiece mounts as is?

Yep, I don't mind the holes. I think in the 60's. Gibson actually sold pearl plugs for the old holes, as well as badges that said "CUSTOM MADE" or something to that effect.

Edit: Like the one shown here: http://www.gruhn.com/features/335chbigsby/EH5830ang.jpg

[charlyg]

There is a thread on my Dot Studio upgrades(Vintage Cherry) and the black binding is real.

[janglerocker]

Yep, I don't mind the holes. I think in the 60's. Gibson actually sold pearl plugs for the old holes, as well as badges that said "CUSTOM MADE" or something to that effect.
Edit: Like the one shown here: http://www.gruhn.com/features/335chbigsby/EH5830ang.jpg

Those "custom made" stickers are available on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-MADE-COVER-F ... dZViewItem

[charlyg]

Very cool. I just bought one!

[leesh]

Ronn - Great Supernova! I'm in love with that guitar. I saw one for the first time in Melbourne, Australia. I should have bought it. Haven't seen one for sale stateside.