CasinoGambler Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Hello, last time I posted here it was regarding my Casino IBJL.  I have in my possession a beautiful Natural Epi 335 Dot. It belongs to a friend who has loaned to me to see how we get on 😊. He didn't buy it new so has no information about it. However I'd be interested to know something of its history as in where it was made and what year. I've had a good look around the Internet but when keying in its serial number which is on the back top of the headstock it comes up with a No Result.  The beige/orange factory paper sticker inside the f hole only states DOT NA ( hardly surprising ) but no number where it says Seriek Number. The scratch plate doesn't have an e on it and is black/white/black. The truss rod cover says Gibson.  The last mystery is the neck, it appears to be a maple (rosewood fingerboard) and not what I assume is the normal mahogany.  I could post here the guitar's serial number but not sure if it's the done thing here. About supplying photos, my iPad2 has a very poor camera and to be honest we all know what an Epi 335 Dot looks like 😉 So it seems pointless as I've hopefully described all the points of interest.  If the serial number can be a help and posted here I'll gladly supply it. So, really hoping for some feedback here, many thanks in anticipation  Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Without the serial number, or Pics, there is little anyone can tell you. Â Go here and stick in the serial number ---> http://www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasinoGambler Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 Without the serial number, or Pics, there is little anyone can tell you.  Go here and stick in the serial number ---> http://www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx  Yeah Brad...but as I pointed out we all know what an Epi 335 Dot looks like and apart from the descriptions I pointed out it looks like every other one out there.......unless you think I don't have one 😉  Thanks for the link but that's where I got the No Result. Series Nimber is 103012894 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 There are subtle differences in body shape and hardware from different factories and time periods. The serial number you mention sounds like it could be from Qingdao in 2010, but the Gibson trussrod cover was standard for a brief period in the late 80's and early 90's from the Samick facory in Korea. Trussrod covers are easily replaced, though, so a picture would help us determine which of those possibilities is more likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Not much help here other than to say that I have a Dot from Quingdao, made in January '07 and it clearly has the serial number on the tag inside the body, matching the headstock (which starts with EE) Photo: Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Not much help here other than to say that I have a Dot from Quingdao, made in January '07 and it clearly has the serial number on the tag inside the body, matching the headstock (which starts with EE) Photo: Â I have an '07 Dot from Quingdao also. Mine is Cherry though. It also has the serial number on the sticker in the inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasinoGambler Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016  Hopefully this will help   Back of headstock with series number   Back view which shows what I presume is the maple neck, not usual (?) mahogany.  Any help would really be appreciated. Cheers 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Serial number starts with an I, not a 1. Â Your guitar was made at the Saein Plant, Korea/China January 2003 Production Number: 2894 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasinoGambler Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 Serial number starts with an I, not a 1.  Your guitar was made at the Saein Plant, Korea/China January 2003 Production Number: 2894  Ahhh, brilliant, thank you.  Yes mistook that I for a 1.  Guess someone has popped on the Gibson truss rod cover and perhaps changed the scratch plate too as it doesn't have the usual e  A while back I had a friend's Gibson ES335 on loan for sone time, prior to getting the Casino IBJL Casino. This Epi 335 Dot in question sounds every bit as good plugged in and acoustically better, less like a banjo. So this has been quite an interesting experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 My 2001 epiphone has a Gibson TR cover and I think that was toward the end of that practice. It wouldn't be out of the question that in 2003 they may have still had the Gibson TR covers. It could easily have been changed too as many people like to swap them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 A while back I had a friend's Gibson ES335 on loan for sone time, prior to getting the Casino IBJL Casino. This Epi 335 Dot in question sounds every bit as good plugged in and acoustically better Now that the mystery of the origin of your guitar has been solved, so to speak, let me welcome you to the Dot club. They are great values for the coin. I kept mine stock (see previous photo) for a year or so, then did a total upgrade on electronics, wiring, p/u's etc. then added the Bigsby. (and I also have an Elitist Casino). Â I love this guitar and it's never going anywhere as long as I'm vertical and playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Â I love this guitar and it's never going anywhere as long as I'm vertical and playing. Â I hope to own one one of these days. I just spent the cost of one on cushions my wife wanted for two chairs of ours. Â One of these days.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berd Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 I had a 335 Dot in Ebony, only sold it after I got my 339 Ultra. The 335 had a larger neck profile and the body was a bit big for sitting around noodle-ing. But tone through tubes was great. Â My main comment here is about the guitar dater link that is listed. Be careful using that as many counterfeit outlets get one serial number that works and keep reproducing it. Note that it gives date and location but no detail about the guitar: Model, color, hardware. If you have doubts, 1-800-4Gibson is fast and friendly with complete detail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Zeplin Posted May 23, 2016 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Ahhh, brilliant, thank you.  Yes mistook that I for a 1.  Guess someone has popped on the Gibson truss rod cover and perhaps changed the scratch plate too as it doesn't have the usual e  A while back I had a friend's Gibson ES335 on loan for sone time, prior to getting the Casino IBJL Casino. This Epi 335 Dot in question sounds every bit as good plugged in and acoustically better, less like a banjo. So this has been quite an interesting experience.  Epis sported the Gibson truss rod cover for a time. I had three LPs, a '00 (Unsung) '01 (Saein) and a '03 (China) and all had this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasinoGambler Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 Hi everyone, thank you for the additional info. and the kind welcome DennisG.  My Epi ownership started way back in very early 70's with the purchase of two Made In Japan acoustics, a 6 string and a 12.These are fabulous instruments with highly adjustable bridges and necks that are more akin to an electric. Still have them with the 6 string tuned to David Crosby's wonderful, often titled Deja Vu tuning. Then a few years ago Epiphone introduced the Inspired By John Lennon Casino's. I bought the Sunburst '65 model, absolutely great guitar. Later I noticed an Epi EB3 advertised locally which gives just 'the sound' I want for recording my originals (60's/70's vibe stuff). And now the Dot 😊  Before buying the Casino and being unsure whether a semi would be what I needed a friend lent me his Nat 335 Dot Gibson for a while. Nice guitar but played acoustically sounded more like a small banjo. Plugged in, what you'd expect. Interestingly, the Epi Dot sounds far more balanced acoustically which has been a pleasant surprise and plugged into my Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb it sounds fabulous. Because this has been owned by previous owners and I haven't taken the pickups out yet I've no idea whether the pups are standard or upgraded. Doesn't bother me either way as it sounds really nice.  So, again I'm incredibly impressed by Epiphone guitars. Maybe a Wildcat beckons next? 😄  Finally cheers for an excellent forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekster52 Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Hello, last time I posted here it was regarding my Casino IBJL.   The last mystery is the neck, it appears to be a maple (rosewood fingerboard) and not what I assume is the normal mahogany.  Nick  Nick - That neck is "mahogany". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Nick - That neck is "mahogany". Duh! I missed that question in my earlier responses, but yes, if you look at the first pic I posted earlier in this thread, you can clearly see the mahogany neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 The 335 had a larger neck profile and the body was a bit big for sitting around noodle-ing. Â Yep, the Dot is one big mother. A MILP. Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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