headcase79 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I posted this on the Gretsch forum and figured it was only fair to post here for your thoughts. I'm up for a new guitar and having a very hard time deciding bewteen a Pro Jet and an Epiphone Dot Deluxe. I've read all the reviews, played them, listened to others play them and am just stuck. Any new perspective would help. For the record, I like to play everything between "the blues" and punk. I play through a Blues Deluxe. I've gone through a few guitars since I started playing 15 years ago, but the only electric I've stuck with is a mutant mid-90s maybe-it's-a-squier-maybe-it's-a-MIM-standard Stratocaster. I'm looking for something new and a little off the beaten path in the $550 and under category and have narrowed it down to these two: Dot Deluxe: What I like - Seems like a better value, especially with the '57 Classics at the same price as a regular dot. At the end of the day, it had a better tone, too. It's $100 cheaper than the Gretsch and someone sent me a brand new $100 case for one for my birthday thinking I already had one (yeah, it was the worst gift ever, thanks for asking). What I don't like - I feel like I'm going to break it. I had to work a lot harder to get that sweet tone out, too. And hooo, it is ugly with that gold hardware. Pro Jet What I like - I've always wanted a Gretsch, period. It was marginally, but noticably, easier to play than the Dot. It LOOKs 1,000x better than the dot. It's got a kooky tone to it that I've never gotten before. What I don't like - I don't have much confidence in the hardware. I didn't have any troubles in a short trial run, but I hear so many complaints about the tuners and bridges on these things that it makes me nervous. The idea of replacing tuners out of the box makes me want to pull my teeth out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I have a Dot Deluxe and believe me... you won't break it. I used to worry about my Casinos getting bashed about and they've stood the test of time and so has my Dot Deluxe. My guitars are gigged regularly and I played the Dot Deluxe about twice a week for almost a whole year (2 hour sets and plenty of travelling) It has been dropped, knocked, bashed about is still in great condition. It's a workhorse. I also didn't like the Gold Hardware at first and initially intended to strip it but it grew on me and now I'm a bigger Gold hardware fan. The grovers stay in tune well and the pickups really sing/roar. I also loved the neck of the Dot Deluxe even though it took me a few weeks to get used to the heavier body/bigger neck after switching from my Casino. I've never liked Gretsch's solidbodies or solidbodies in general so can't really comment on the Pro Jet. I would get the new G5122DC Electromatic Hollowbody - Double Cutaway but that suits my style more. You should also have a look at some of the Greco, Orville, Elite/Elitist Les Pauls on ebay if you want a sturdy high quality solidbody. ***It seems to me though that you want that Pro Jet more. Gretsch guitars, even the electromatics are built really well and installing a new set of good quality tuners is a small price to pay in comparison to buying the wrong guitar or always being out of tune. It's an obvious upgrade to most korean/chinese guitars so you may as well go for the guitar you really want and make the small changes it needs to make it perfect for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindjimmy Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 if you spend much time playing above the 12th fret, gretsch's seem a lot chunkier up there, i have a difficult time playing in that 17th fret area on gretschs, i wind up moveing my thumb up front, which i saw nugent doing at a concert years ago. never a problem on the 335. i love my 335 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Get 'em both! Totally different sounds...which may be one reason you're having difficulty deciding? If you love both tones, that can be a problem. Just get whichever one you can afford, FIRST...add the other, later. Most players have at least one Semi-hollow body, along with their solid body arsenal. So...you don't really have to pick "Which," as much as Which One FIRST. ;>) Both are excellent choices, by the way, in their respective price ranges. Good luck... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headcase79 Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 "***It seems to me though that you want that Pro Jet more." Based solely on looks, heck yeah. If I could find that Dot Deluxe in different colors, it would be a different story. At the same time, I can be practical. I think the Dot is far more guitar for the dollar AND I already have a $100 case for it. At the same time I used to go to the guitar store as a kid and drool on a green duo jet they had behind the counter from the 50s. FYI, the jets aren't solid bodies. More like mahogany on the bottom, slab thru the middle, maple on top. Allegedly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 What colour would you prefer? Why not buy the colour you want in normal Dot? I have both a Dot and Dot Deluxe and can honestly say that for 90% amps I've used I haven't noticed too much difference... but maybe I'm naive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Also, as far as I'm aware the pickups aren't Gibson 57 classics. I think they're just "designed by Gibson" rather than stock Epiphone ones. I thought the only differences between these and the dot were the flamed top and the gold hardware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headcase79 Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Just get whichever one you can afford' date=' FIRST...add the other, later. Most players haveat least one Semi-hollow body, along with their solid body arsenal. So...you don't really have to pick "Which," as much as Which One FIRST. ;>) Both are excellent choices, by the way, in their respective price ranges. Good luck... CB[/quote'] Dot Deluxe: $399 Pro Jet: $499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headcase79 Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Also' date=' as far as I'm aware the pickups aren't Gibson 57 classics. I think they're just "designed by Gibson" rather than stock Epiphone ones. I thought the only differences between these and the dot were the flamed top and the gold hardware.[/quote'] Great point! I saw a lot of conflict on this issue when I was doing my research. So, I called Gibson Monday and asked them. I asked the customer service rep and asked if the pickups were different he said yes, and that the pickups in the Dot Deluxe were "57 alnicos." I asked, "you mean 57 classics?" and he responded, "yeah." Otherwise, I'd get the cherry dot. Musician's Friend advertises "2 '57 Classic Alnico humbuckers," in the deluxe too, FYI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Yeah but to me, if they were the same pickups as the after market gibson 57 Classics then they would advertise them as Gibson 57 Classics and the reviews would reflect that. I'm still not convinced TBH... But it would be cool if they do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headcase79 Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Yeah but to me' date=' if they were the same pickups as the after market gibson 57 Classics then they would advertise them as Gibson 57 Classics and the reviews would reflect that. I'm still not convinced TBH... But it would be cool if they do![/quote'] You may be right. Score another in favor of the dot, too. I found out last night that the Pro Jet mini humbuckers are entirely unique to that guitar. Try to put "real" Gretsch or TV Jones pickups in there and you have to do some surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Try to put "real" Gretsch or TV Jones pickups in there and you have to do some surgery. Ooh that's annoying. It's not that the Gretsch pickups are bad - they're actually very good/unique but I suppose it's just the idea of the hassle later. If you like the Cherry Red/Chrome you should definitely give it a go. Earlier this year I picked up a second hand Cherry Epiphone Dot made in the Peerless Plant for about £320 on ebay and it's flawless. No issues and plays like a dream. So much so that my housemate/band's guitarist has decided to use it as his full time axe. I'm not against upgrading it all one day but for now it does a fantastic job, looks the part and feels great to play. Action, weight, sound are all tops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headcase79 Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 I ordered the dot deluxe this afternoon. My decision was made a lot easier when I discovered I couldn't use a gift certificate I had to buy the Gretsch anyway. Better to get the Dot now, which I think is an incredible value, and to save up for the Gretsch I really want a while down the road without the mini Gretsch mudbuckers. I'm also considering throwing a DeArmond dynasonic into an Epi Les Paul my sister never plays... or maybe into that strat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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