Ace126 Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Considering the purchase of one for $300- no case, opinions please? Pros and cons of the Korean Dots Vs. the current Chinese made Dot. Haven't owned an Epiphone since my 65 Casino, wanting to wade back in. Interested in any comments, good or bad on this axe. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 The general consensus here is that the MIK Epiphones are better built than the MIC or MII versions. But some of the Chinese and Indonesian examples are very nicely done. And I'm sure there were some poor examples of Korean Dots too, so probably better to judge the guitar on it's own merits. In any case, unless it's one of the rare block inlay or other "special issues" $300 seems a bit steep for a used standard Dot with no case. They're only $399 new, and with 15% off sales you could get a new one in your choice of colors or sunburst flametop and with a warranty for $355. But maybe there's someting special about it? Did the owner upgrade the electronics and/or pickups, get the ftes dressed and leveled, and upgrade the tuners? BTW, the necks on dots are fairly different than Casinos. I'd probably offer him $250 and see what happens... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smips65 Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Welcome here Kdot. +1 to what BrianH suggested Got this for under the sticker, and with the 15% off currently, basically the case was free. With respect to the Korean vs Chinese, have to judge the actual guitar on its own merits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Hi kdot, and welcome to the forum. I have a 2007 Cherry Dot that I got off Craigslist for $200. It's made in China and it is a great guitar that I would put up against any Korean made one. So IMO $300 is way too much. You can find a better deal. And look at the individual guitar, not so much the country it was made in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deflepfan Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Hi kdot' date=' and welcome to the forum.I have a 2007 Cherry Dot that I got off Craigslist for $200. It's made in China and it is a great guitar that I would put up against any Korean made one. So IMO $300 is way too much. You can find a better deal. [b']And look at the individual guitar, not so much the country it was made in.[/b] Agreed. Except maybe Japan. Though there are the questionable manufacturing of some of the guitars, there is also the noticeable improvement over time. For example, many people hated the early China mades, but now, not so much. Look at the guitar as an individual. Sheila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace126 Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share Posted March 27, 2010 Thanks for the replies all, looks like I need to just give the guitar a good going over. The only upgrade that was done on the Dot was a tusq nut. I plan on installing a set of Grovers if it doesn't have them already and go from there. My Grandson just bought a new lefty Dot (chinese) and loves it! $400- from Musicians Freind. I had heard that the quality and workmanship of the chinese guitars was heinous and have been looking at the korean axes only. It has been my experience that the korean and japanese luthiers were a cut above most others. I don't mind forking over 3 bills if it is a nice guitar which this one is supposed to be. It only has seen a couple hours out of the carton since new, so the story goes. I will see tomorrow. Thanks again for the feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deflepfan Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Thanks for the replies all' date=' looks like I need to just give the guitar a good going over. The only upgrade that was done on the Dot was a tusq nut. I plan on installing a set of Grovers if it doesn't have them already and go from there. My Grandson just bought a new lefty Dot (chinese) and loves it! $400- from Musicians Freind. I had heard that the quality and workmanship of the chinese guitars was heinous and have been looking at the korean axes only. It has been my experience that the korean and japanese luthiers were a cut above most others. I don't mind forking over 3 bills if it is a nice guitar which this one is supposed to be. It only has seen a couple hours out of the carton since new, so the story goes. I will see tomorrow. Thanks again for the feedback![/quote'] Please let us know what your experience is, and if you buy . . . post the pics! Sheila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace126 Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share Posted March 27, 2010 Sheila, I am supposed to get with the seller tomorrow, if I score I will post some pics and info about the guitar. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Careful inspection, of ANY guitar is paramount, these days...even "Gibson USA!" IF all things are good/equal, of the newer ones, I'd prefer a great Chinese version (more Gibson/Epiphone like body shape)...especially, in the upper bout/horns area. The Korean versions, though good, or even "great" guitars, had a more "generic" shape to them. But, that's just Me! ;>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7C Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 I have never tried a Korean Dot but my 2008 Chinese Ebony Dot is flawless. I even like the stock pick-ups. The neck is very good but certainly 'different' - try before you buy. 7C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace126 Posted March 28, 2010 Author Share Posted March 28, 2010 Wowza! I saw this thing sitting in its original carton, all tags and stickers intact, did a quick strum, sighted down the neck, pluged in to my Fender Mycro belt clip amp to check pots, swithch and pickups and immediatelt threw down! What a nice axe! My Grandson and I are comparing each others Dot and so far the only difference is the truss rod covers, his says Dot and mine says Gibson. Photos later. I am pumped about this guitar to say the least. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace126 Posted March 28, 2010 Author Share Posted March 28, 2010 Side by side not much difference, still chasing a slight 3rd string buzz but I get him! These are two fine little horns! Two very happy Dot owners! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 Yep. Nothing beats a good Dot. Happy New Guitar Day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 Hey that's awesome, your grandson's a lefty so you're like bookends, give or take a half century or so. COngrtas on the new guit! PS: Post some close ups of that double-neck CBG in the background when you think of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace126 Posted March 28, 2010 Author Share Posted March 28, 2010 Hey that's awesome' date=' your grandson's a lefty so you're like bookends, give or take a half century or so. COngrtas on the new guit! PS: Post some close ups of that double-neck CBG in the background when you think of it.[/quote'] Here ya go............ I build these guitars, 2-3 a month or so, If you ever get the urge for one let me know. I build only 3 stringers, this is the only double so far. I bought a quantity of nice boxes a while back from a cigar store in Nashville and tis one was a little larger than most. It occurred to me that someone might want a double, no takers so far. Serial #1 went to my Grandson, the kid in the photo with the Lefty Dot. It is the only lefty that I have built so far, he gets some very gnarly, bluesey sounds ourt of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsmith3 Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Nice Dot! I am really, really happy with my MIC Dot after changing to DR Blues strings and tweaking the set-up (just a 1/4 turn on the truss rod and intonation on one string). I got rid of a slight buzz with 5th and 6th strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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