Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Epiphone Dot Studios


wiggy

Recommended Posts

I did a search and didn't come up with anything much on these. Considering adding a semi to my small stable of guitars later in August and I rather fell in love with an Epi Dot Studio in faded cherry (both on looks and price.)

 

Has anyone got any experience of these i.e. how do they compare with the higher spec dots, what are the pups like, recommendations for upgrades, etc.

 

I play mainly blues as a guide to my expectations.

 

Cheers

 

Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, Ian, fair enough. It's basically a no-frills Dot, the biggest non-cosmetic differences being the hot bridge humbucker and the single tone and volume controls. Great bang-for-buck quotient. Upgrades are subjective and I suggest you play the guitar (assuming you buy one) for a while to see what upgrades, if any, you might want. My DS plays great, has good action and stays in tune well. I installed GFS Mean 90 pickups in mine after thoroughly checking out the stock pickups, including playing the guitar through other amps as part of the evaluation. Otherwise, I don't feel it needs any upgrade besides maybe a nut adjustment/replacement (could be a bit lower).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Ron

 

many thanks, that's just the sort of info I was looking for. At curret prices I guess it's a no brainer really - just got to work out how to convine the wife that it's an old thing which has been at the back of the wardrobe for years!! :-

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In my opinion the Epi Dot Studio is the best deal going in the guitar market these days. On top of that its understated elegance with no fret markers and minimal controls makes it as beautiful as it is economical. It also looks awesome in all the various finishes, be it the worn cherry/brown finishes or the snazzy black or the funky tomato finishes. It's just too bad you can't get 'em in white anymore.

 

I came this close to getting one in faded cherry, sight unseen, after hearing about them being unveiled at the NAMM show in 2004. Unfortunately they were talking nine months delivery and the GAS pressure wasn't going to stand that kind of wait so I picked up a regular Dot instead. However when we finally got some of the worn finish Studios in I was blown away by their tone and feel and that tiny price tag is definitely icing on the cake. I have no problem recommending these guitars to anyone looking for an awesome guitar and a great value. If I ever run across one of these in one of our 'B-stock' promotions I'll be hard put not to grab it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw the Dot Studio featured on the Guitar Center website earlier this year and loved the looks of it. My wife surprised me an my birthday, got home from work and it was sitting on a guitar stand in the living room.

 

I like the stock pickups, with my gear I get a good range of sounds from clean to really dirty. I initially had some tuning issues especially with the G after lots of bending strings. I just upgraded the nut to a Graphtech, the one they make for Epiphone fits great with some minor filing of the ends and headstock side. Replaced the bridge saddles with string savers. Also changed the tuners to Sperzels after reading a lot of good reviews on those.

 

After the upgrades I was either having to have the action really high, or lots of fret buzz. A quarter turn looser on the truss rod seems to have helped matters considerably, I'm still in the process of tweaking the setup. Overall I'm really happy with the guitar. My boys wanted me to get an Explorer or LP, just for the looks, but they have to admit it plays and sounds great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...