Opinions about Epi Dot

[rjames1973]

Hey Everyone,

 

I have a black Epi Dot that I got last October and I wanted to get some feedback from others on this guitar. I really liked this guitar when I bought it, after having played it a couple of times at my local guitar store. Now, I'm not that impressed with it. One thing that bothers me -- besides the fact that it goes out of tune every time I play it -- is that the volume knobs don't seem to crank up the volume that loud. I also have an Epi Les Paul Standard and the volume seems to crank up pretty high on it. For some reason, though, my Epi Dot just doesn't get that loud when I crank up the volume knobs. I don't think it would have to do with the pickups, since they are basically the same pickups as on the Epi Les Paul, correct? Has anyone else had this volume issue with their Epi Dot(s)? It's an attractive guitar with a pretty decent sound, but the volume issue has me concerned. I suppose a trip to the local guitar tech might be in order soon.

[DMC59]

My G-400 had no tone adjustment capability and weak volume. When I upgraded to better quality (apparently) pots -- all four of them --, I gained a lot of volume and now can adjust the tone. I don't know if that is the solution for you -- just a possibility.

[Plymouth58]

I have the Dot Studio and love it. I play that guitar the most. No tuning or volume issues with mine.

The Dot is reasonably priced, so you can always consider a pickup/electronics and tuning machines upgrade to make it perfect to your taste.

[audiomitch]

Have you set it up? Are the pickups close enough to the strings? Are they too close? Lots of variables here.

 

I've owned a couple of Dots, and now own a Casino. There were tuning issues with every one of them, including the Casino. I also owned a Gibson 335 that didn't have the tuning issues as bad.

[Doc Helliday]

My G-400 had no tone adjustment capability and weak volume. When I upgraded to better quality (apparently) pots -- all four of them --, I gained a lot of volume and now can adjust the tone. I don't know if that is the solution for you -- just a possibility.

I echo this. Take your guitar to get set up by a professional. Epi Dots make great beginner and hot rodding platforms. The standard equipment such as the electronics (wiring, pots and pickups) are not of the best quality and neither is the plastic nut.

 

I upgraded my pots (after they gave out) and pickups to my taste and now its a grade A axe.

 

I don't want to sound presumptuous but knowing how to string the guitar properly makes a great difference on tuning stability.

 

I use this method on my non-locking tuner guitars and it works just as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGLMy6DbpBc

[BillyGibson]

I use this method on my non-locking tuner guitars and it works just as well.

 

Good video. Thanks for sharing. I don't think I've ever strung my guitars the same way

twice. Of course, I only change strings a couple times a year and need a refresher each time.

 

As far as Dots go - I had a Dot Deluxe. Liked it a lot. Pickups were great on it too. But got GAS

for a Gibson LP, so I traded it at GC. I only wanted on Humbucking guitar and the LP is it.

[wiggy]

A quick run through with short lengths of the respective strings on each of the wound ones to clean up the nut slots when I bought her and a good application of pencil lead at each string change and my Dot Studio is tuning is rock solid. G wanders out a bit but that's because I bend it a lot and it's no worse that any of my other guitars.

 

Never had a problem with the volume of the oem pickups ( they sounded c**p but were plenty loud!)

 

Replaced them with a GFS Mean 90 at the neck and a Gibson 57 Classic at the bridge - sonic heaven!

[rdsmith3]

I really like my Dot, and it stays in tune very well. For example, I was away last weekend and did not play my guitar. I did not touch it from Thursday to Sunday, and it was still exactly in tune. I set it up myself at a class I took on how to set up a guitar. It just needed a tiny tweak of the truss rod, and a slight intonation adjustment on the 5th string.

[i Can Tuna Guitar]

Except for the body and the bridge pickup, a Dot and a LP are essentially the same guitar. Assuming they're working properly, they will sound different, but not hugely different. If the volume difference of your two guitars is as "bad" as you say, I suspect something other than basic differences is the cause.

[rjames1973]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Sorry it took me until now to respond. I'll just have to make my Epi Dot my next guitar project. I'm working on upgrading my Epi Les Paul Standard at the moment. I think Epi Les Pauls Standards and Dots are great guitars, as long as you buy them knowing that upgrades need to be made. They're still a steal after they are upgraded compared to Gibsons (IMHO).

[Dennis G]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Sorry it took me until now to respond. I'll just have to make my Epi Dot my next guitar project. I'm working on upgrading my Epi Les Paul Standard at the moment. I think Epi Les Pauls Standards and Dots are great guitars, as long as you buy them knowing that upgrades need to be made. They're still a steal after they are upgraded compared to Gibsons (IMHO).

If you make it a project, change everything; pots, p/u's, switches, wiring, etc. I did that (er...had it done ) and it is one hell of a great guitar. 335 sound at a much lower cost. It works for me!

[rjames1973]

Dennis G - I definitely plan to do that -- after I deal with some issue with my Epi Les Paul Standard. Nothing easy, I guess...

 

If you make it a project, change everything; pots, p/u's, switches, wiring, etc. I did that (er...had it done ) and it is one hell of a great guitar. 335 sound at a much lower cost. It works for me!

[cjlandry]

I want a Dot, but I don't want to scratch the finish when I change electronics. I wish they had an easier way to access the pots and pickups.

[amx05462]

i have a 99 dot sound perfect no control problems at all. all ive ever done to it is change the control knobs . i didnt like those orange ones that came on it i put on gold top hats and recently i put on a casino tail piece. its one of my best guitars. on the other hand the 56 gold top i bought i had to completely rewire. new pots caps wiring everything but the pickups replaced. including those orange control knobs for a set of gold top hats. i had no tone control. sounds great now.

 

when you go to work on your dot. get some of that blue masking tape the wide stuff. home depot carries it. just mask around the f hole. and where ever else your concerned about. then again unless you have one of the satin finish ones you dont heve to do that . modern finishes are pretty durable.ive done a few f hole guitars in my time. to put the pots back i use a long piece of solder wire p.put it through the split in the pot and once around the shank. . then you can get them back to where you can grab them.