Sammyg Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I am real new to this website I found it awhile back while looking for some answers on a finish issue with my Gibson J200. But getting back to this subject, I have wanted a natural finish Gibson ES-335 for many years and anymore I can't bring myself to spend that much on a guitar. I have been looking alot at the Epiphone Dot model in a natural finish and am thinking of getting one of these instead. In looking around on the internet and Ebay at the Epi Dot guitars I have found quite a few with neck issues, mainly cracks at and around the headstock or the headstock broken off. Does anyone here know of any issues that frequently occur with these guitars that would cause this ? Do they use sub quality woods in the necks that would be the culprit ? I can get one new for about $400.00 in my neck of the woods , that is not alot of money but at the same time it's not chumpchange either, but I would hate to spend that and have to worry constantly about neck issues. Hoping someone here could offer some answers on this subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I've gota few Dots and a bunch of Epi's. Cracks can happen occasionally in shipping, when the headstock isn't properly supported and the box gets dropped in the massive conveyor belt systems they use. Remember, these things are coming from the other side of the world, and not getting pampered en route. But outside of that, the only way for it to happen is abuse or gross negligence. All my guitars have angled headtsocks and I've never damaged one of them. They just don't crack on their own. You have to do something stupid. I picked up a used natural finish Dot last summer in nice condition, with a thick mahogany neck. Put in a pair of Duncan Seth's (also used), and it sounds almost as good as a Gibson 335. Can't beat it. Just a fraction of the cost. If you're the guy of guy that regularly drops your guitars and leaves them laying on the floor to get stepped on, you're better off with a bolt-on neck so you can keep replacing them. But if you're a responsible adult and take resonable care of your possessions, you'll never have a problem with a Dot or any angled headstock guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammyg Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 I've gota few Dots and a bunch of Epi's. Cracks can happen occasionally in shipping, when the headstock isn't properly supported and the box gets dropped. But outside of that, the only way for it to happen is abuse or gross negligence. All my guitars have angled headtsocks and I've never damaged one of them. They just don't crack on their own. I picked up a used natural finish Dot last summer in nice condition, with a thick mahogany neck. Put in a pair of Duncan Seth's (also used), and it sounds almost as good as a Gibson 335. Can't beat it. Just a fraction of the cost. If you're the guy of guy that regularly drops your guitars and leaves them laying on the floor to get stepped on, you're better off with a bolt-on neck so you can keep replacing them. But if you're a responsible adult and take resonable care of your possessions, you'll never have a problem with a Dot or any angled headstock guitar. Thanks, I was guessing and hoping that what I have seen was due to carelessness and rough handling. I was just wanting to see if anyone had heard of anything else that might cause this problem. By the way, I have a 1967 Epi Casino that I've had since I was 14 and have never had any neck issues with it. My dad was a Navy Seabee and bought it for me after he came home from Viet Nam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Thanks, I was guessing and hoping that what I have seen was due to carelessness and rough handling. I was just wanting to see if anyone had heard of anything else that might cause this problem. By the way, I have a 1967 Epi Casino that I've had since I was 14 and have never had any neck issues with it. My dad was a Navy Seabee and bought it for me after he came home from Viet Nam. Right. You have nothing to worry about. Angled necks last a lifetime or two (or more). Import guitars get bounced around a lot in cargo ships across the oceans and in all the handling, but once it's in your possession, the risks are over. A lot of the transport casualties wind up on eBay as 'You Fix.' But don't judge guitars by that. '67 Casino...nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrymac Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I am real new to this website I found it awhile back while looking for some answers on a finish issue with my Gibson J200. But getting back to this subject, I have wanted a natural finish Gibson ES-335 for many years and anymore I can't bring myself to spend that much on a guitar. I have been looking alot at the Epiphone Dot model in a natural finish and am thinking of getting one of these instead. In looking around on the internet and Ebay at the Epi Dot guitars I have found quite a few with neck issues, mainly cracks at and around the headstock or the headstock broken off. Does anyone here know of any issues that frequently occur with these guitars that would cause this ? Do they use sub quality woods in the necks that would be the culprit ? I can get one new for about $400.00 in my neck of the woods , that is not alot of money but at the same time it's not chumpchange either, but I would hate to spend that and have to worry constantly about neck issues. Hoping someone here could offer some answers on this subject. It has nothing to do with the quality of wood, but rather the type of wood. Mahogany is an open grain wood, and susceptible to breaking where the headstock angles back. As the headstock angles, the mahogany is cut across the grain creating what they call short grain. Not only is that the weakest part of the wood, it's also the exact point that absorbs most impact when the end of the headstock hits something. As we say in Latin, Neckum snapum en teum. All mahogany necks with an angle headstock risk this damage, even Gibsons. Ask anyone who ever knock a Gibby off a guitar stand. Actually, since most Epiphones use a scarf joint to attach the headstock to the neck, they might even be a bit less likely to break. If you're worried about it, why not consider a Sheraton with a maple neck? You don't have the same problem with weak grain - maple is closed grain. Plus maple absorbs shocks way better than mahogany. But you don't get the same warmth with maple. It's part of the Gibson sound, set mahogany neck with an angle headstock. Yes, it's a bit more fragile but I wouldn't worry, just be careful and don't drop it. Don't leave it in a vulnerable place where someone might knock it over, and if you gig, get strap locks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Ask anyone who ever knock a Gibby off a guitar stand. +1. Never put a guitar on a stand on a crowded stage. Too much gear and cords for band members to climb over; it's bad enough when they're sober, but if they've been drinking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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