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Korean Dots vs. Chinese

scantron

By scantron
in Epiphone Electrics

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lefty52

lefty52

Posted
Posted

I just bought a 2004, lefty MIC and it looks and feels as good as any MIK that I've seen, it even feels better than some Gibson 335's I've played! The quality, fit and finish are spot on. I think having a dedicated plant made all the difference.

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scantron

scantron

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I just bought a '97 Korean Dot, and the neck/frets needed a lot of levelling to get rid of buzz. The truss rod is pretty cranked too, and it's still got a bit of bow.

 

I've had Korean Dots in the past and they were nice, the first batch of Chinese ones that came out were not so nice. Since I might need to re-fret my current Dot, I was thinking of just selling it and getting a newer MIC one instead.

 

Also, have the hardware specs changed on the new MIC Dots? Mine has the big old Sheraton-style square bridge, do the new ones have a more Gibson-shaped TOM style bridge? I'm asking because I want to swap out the bridge for something better, and nothing fits the post spacing on my MIK Dot.

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Stig

Stig

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I had a MIK Sheraton II, and just sold it to buy a MIC Casino. The sheraton was great, but the Casino is definitely a better guitar. The wood doesn't seem so "Plastic-y) when you tap on it. Also, the neck flexed more than I'd like on the Casino, and the gold hardware tarnished pretty quickly.

The Chinese guitar from the dedicated Epi factory feels more like a "real" guitar, for lack of a better word.

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charlie brown

charlie brown

Posted
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I've noticed that the MIC Dots are closer to the correct shape of a real 335' date=' especially in the horns..[/quote']

 

Yeah, I noticed that, too...even from the photos. I think Epi is (finally) getting back to their original specs, and

now that they have their own dedicated factory, that makes perfect sense. Let's hope so, anyway! The

recent Riviera P-93 LE was more in line, shape wise, with the originals...or at least more toward a "Gibson"

product, than a "Generic" version, as many in the past were. No big deal, in respect to sound or playability,

but it's nice that they look and feel more like their heritage. I loved the Elitist versions, for that reason (among

others), too. They were always much closer...to "spot on," the original specs...with exception of a bit narrower

headstock (at the top). My P-93 Riviera is a bit wider, at the top of the headstock, too...so, more like the originals.

So, I hope that kind of accuracy will continue, and even improve...like going back to the Riviera inlay in the head-

stock, instead of the "Gibson" crown? Just a thought.

 

CB

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Fubar

Fubar

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I was at one of our national big box stores up here in the great white north......now having been a tele and strat guy for a hundred years........when I brought my casino home, the locals thought I had lost it........having said that, while I was at L&M I pulled down a 335........I could not believe the inferior workmanship and build of this guitar, if I were Gibson, I would have been embarassed to have my name associated with that particular chunk of wood[-x .......

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zonie

zonie

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How does one know where their DOT was made?

 

I bought mine used and the only factory sticker on the back of the head says "100% Inspected & Set-Up in the USA by 28".

There are no other marks on the head except the serial number which starts with a "U". There are no markings on neck or body and the previous owner had replaced the pickups.

 

The Epi logo inside the F hole doesn't say anything about the country which made it. It only shows the Model as "DOT".

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captmidnight

captmidnight

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How does one know where their DOT was made?

 

I bought mine used and the only factory sticker on the back of the head says "100% Inspected & Set-Up in the USA by 28".

There are no other marks on the head except the serial number which starts with a "U". There are no markings on neck or body and the previous owner had replaced the pickups.

 

The Epi logo inside the F hole doesn't say anything about the country which made it. It only shows the Model as "DOT".

 

The "U" tells you were it was made zonie, Unsung Korea, the next 2 numbers tell you the year..as in 03 means 2003, 04 -2004... the next 2 tell you the month and the last set of numbers tells what number it was in that run of guitars.

There is a guitardater that you can type in the numbers and it will do all that figuring out for you...just type "guitardater" in the search box here in the forum and you can find the link.

Capt

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charlie brown

charlie brown

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From what I've seen, and played in the stores, the MIC Dots just keep getting better! The first batch was a bit "lacking," but the later ones, especially EE series (maybe they all are, now?), were really nice! Certainly NOT 2000 dollars less quality, than a Gibson....which still makes wonderful gutiars! Every company has a few "dogs," that get out, along the way...that's why there are return and warrenty policies. But, if Epiphone keeps going, the way they seem to be going, now...I think their products will only get better? Hope so, anyway...for our sakes, and theirs too. We may complain about "prices" of goods, now and again, but rarely complain about good/outstanding quality...especially where there's substantial value/dollar attached.

 

CB

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Dennis G

Dennis G

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From what I've seen' date=' and played in the stores, the MIC Dots just keep getting better! The first batch was a bit "lacking," but the later ones, especially EE series (maybe they all are, now?), were really nice!

CB[/quote']

 

I've owned a 2007 EE Dot since January and the quality, fit & finish on this thing couldn't be better. I recently had the pickups and wiring, pots, et al replaced and this thing just flat sings. My luthier loved it and he said he's done several Dot upgrades.

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ButchCassidy

ButchCassidy

Posted
Posted

I own two korean made semi-hollows and just bought a chinese dot studio for my friends x-mas gift. That's right, I bought it in October so I could play with it until I had to surrender her to my friend. Anyways, at the store where I bought it there were three other Dot studios on racks. 2 of the 4 had wobbly knobs and seemed kinda cheap (but maybe they were harmed though, as I was buying this from a Guitar Center type of store). The one I bought though, I've been very impressed with. It sounds really good IMO and I'm honestly not even disappointed by the strings. The pickups are going to definitely be changed, but playability and quality wise it is very good. There is no buzzing on the fret board, and the sustain is very good. I'd honestly say that it's as well made (if not better) than my korean sheraton.

 

In conclusion- go to the store to buy your guitar and decide for yourself.

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captmidnight

captmidnight

Posted
Posted
Can i be your friend? Stan.

 

I'm with Stan...ButchCassidy, can't we be your friends too? Hey Stan I'll bring the beer you get the chips and dip...lol

I am sure Stan will agree here...you can buy ours and play it for a couple months...no problem there...can work all the kinks out too while you do it!

Capt

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ButchCassidy

ButchCassidy

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haha. He is my best friend, so i'd like him to finally learn guitar so we can talk about it! He has the ambition now, finally, but not the guitar. I talked his parents into buying him a SG special a couple years ago, but he sold it to make his car payment... >:( Anyways, he hasn't seen it in person yet, but from pictures he really likes it so hopefully this one won't end up in a pawn shop [-(

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CasinoRoyale

CasinoRoyale

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The Chinese Dot is the clear winner for me. I tried out nearly a dozen different versions, older Korean ones with the weird squarish neck profile, new Korean ones with the slimmer 60's taper and I found ALL of the Korean Epi Dots to have VERY wobbly necks. Also the tone of the Korean ones was thinner and reedier sounding than the Chinese Dots with the thick 58/59 style rounded neck. The finish (paint, poly) on the Korean guitars was markedly better than the Chinese, but the the Chinese Dot was a FAR superior instrument in this players humble opinion. The Chinese Dot even outshines my 1984 Gibson 335 with Tim Shaw humbuckers in almost every instance. Much more prescence and twang with the Chinese Dot. The only thing the Gibson sounds better at is in the midrange.

 

BTW I heard that Gibson actually sent real Gibson people to China to train the employees over there.

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zonie

zonie

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Thanks: It says my DOT was made in Unsung Plant, Korea in November 2000.

The previous owner had changed the pickups but I have no idea what they are and I don't feel like unstringing it and removing them to find out. Whatever they are they sound good to my ears.

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