Connect the Dots!

And, Lo, this shall be the appreciation thread specifically for the Epiphone Dot.

The future classic, that has captured the the hearts of many....as a platform for a sweet semi-hollow guitar on a budget...

O.K. lets Play........

I call mine Red. So far, his electronics are stock, but that will change soon. I ditched the pickguard, added cream pickup rings, and a bone nut...

I haven't polished it in a while, and it's developed a nice "patina" (I guess thats what I'd call it) sort-of like a billiard ball...looks cool to me actually, but I like satin finished stuff.

I know from another thread that there are many other folks out there with a particular affinity for specific semi-hollow. So, everyone start bragging.....

here is a link to the thread that was the inspiration for the Club. Thanks for the cool name Bolide

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/other-guitars-other-instruments/290757-ngd-epiphone-dot.html

"Dorothy" is dead stock. So far.
She needs a companion, she needs a faithful but feisty T-Style Toto.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/other-guitars-other-instruments/95934d1315819100t-ngd-epiphone-dot-dot_2011-jpg

A few mods to a 2009 Indonesian Dot:

Bigsby B70
Tonerider AlNiCo IV Classics
Gotoh Nashville bridge
Grover vintage-style tuners
Small pickguard
Reflector knobs and cream switch tip
DIY "Custom Made" plaque

All it needs is a channel drilling for the bridge ground wire and a bone nut, but the plastic nut is cut well and tone is good so I might let it wear out first. The electronics are good in this one.

Here is a shot of my Epiphones. That is the Joe Pass up front and the Dot in back. I am liking the Dot, but it may need some nut/fret/neck attention to make it perfect.

Worn Brown Studio here (actualy that would be a good name for a studio..)
All stock at the moment, thinking of fitting a P-94 type thing in the neck..
Someday I imagine this will be my only electric, it it's the one affordable guitar I own where there were no obvious compromises, the average person seems to think it cost @ $1000..sounds great thru my Roland Cube...

Apparently I started the thread that was the inspiration for this club. Here's mine--with lugnut knobs. No, I don't like them.

http://lizardsfromafar.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/epidot1.jpg

My other electric guitar is a parts-built Esquire:

http://lizardsfromafar.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/esquire-outside.jpg

Here's my '03 Dot with replaced pg, pup bezels, and Carvin C-22 coil-split pups, along with a daguerrotype of me and my ES330TDC back in the day.

I'm in. I have a Dot Deluxe. Its quite a beauty. It was modded when I got it, with SD Pearly Gates and '59 pickups. I really love the sound of it, but sometimes I feel like the neck is a little fat. I dunno if I could play it all night, but dang, it gets some sweeeeet tones.

Here it is with a few family members....

I had a real nice one I had to let go a while back.

http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/MasterDelayer/For%20Sale/ForSale019.jpg

Had her dressed up like a mid 60's 335
http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/MasterDelayer/For%20Sale/ForSale021.jpg
http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/MasterDelayer/For%20Sale/ForSale022.jpg

Replacement keystone tuners
Gibson 57 Classic pickups
CTS pots
Tonepros bridge

Miss her!

I had a real nice one I had to let go a while back.

Had her dressed up like a mid 60's 335

Replacement keystone tuners
Gibson 57 Classic pickups
CTS pots
Tonepros bridge

Miss her!


yeah, ya know? I realize that its the little details I like the most..when customizing.. nice

you'll go back..:wink:

I have a pair of seymour duncan '59s on the way, can't wait!

I'm thinking about going with one of those ES-335 tundratone wiring harnesses. Anyone have any experience with them?

I have 6 Epiphone DOTs. I love them all!!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q126/davecooper36/guitars%20and%20amps/lightened11-26-07.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q126/davecooper36/guitars%20and%20amps/DSC02676.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q126/davecooper36/guitars%20and%20amps/NaturalDotwithflyremoved8-07.jpg\

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q126/davecooper36/guitars%20and%20amps/DSC02601.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q126/davecooper36/Pedals/DSC05094.jpg

I have 6 Epiphone DOTs. I love them all!!

Ha, you ave every color!

Mine is Chinese Dot, with SD Alnico II Pro (b) - '59 (n)

Were the Dots always Chinese, or weren't they Korean at some point?

I think I remember reading that they were made in Korea back in the early 2000's.

And, is that true of all Epi's?

Mine is Korean. Samick factory. Check out the Epiphone Wikipedia page for figuring out where it was made. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphone

Were the Dots always Chinese, or weren't they Korean at some point?

I think I remember reading that they were made in Korea back in the early 2000's.

And, is that true of all Epi's?

Some are Korean. Some are Chinese.

Epiphone MIK 1992-2002. Epiphone MIC 2002-? (http://www.epiphone.com/News-Features/News/2007/Gibson-Qingdao-Factory--All-Epiphone--All-The-Time.aspx) Chinese Dots have better parts than their Korean siblings.

Epiphone MIK 1992-2002. Epiphone MIC 2002-? (http://www.epiphone.com/News-Features/News/2007/Gibson-Qingdao-Factory--All-Epiphone--All-The-Time.aspx) Chinese Dots have better parts than their Korean siblings.


I have heard that before. I think a bridge replacement on a Korean Dot is a HUGE improvement for sure. Everything else seems ok on mine....well the G is a bit dull higher up the fretboard....not yet sure what the deal with that is.

got my duncan 59's

waiting for my all American, Vintage style es-335 wiring harness from Tundratone. from the correspondence I've had they hand-make them when ordered.

pretty soon my Dot will be Chinese on the outside and American on the inside.

man!! I need a new soldering iron! and a reamer just incase the holes for the pots are too small.

some goodies came in the mail today.:twisted:

Dot Schmott, what is up with that Zebra Tele in the 1st picture...

some goodies came in the mail today.:twisted:

Nice!! I'd like to upgrade my Red Epi DOT with something similar to that.

My other DOTs sound really good...... and my red one does too.... but it's a little shallow and and thin in comparison.

A set of Seth Lover Seymour Duncans and a wiring kit like that would wake it up very nicely I bet. :cool:

Epiphone MIK 1992-2002. Epiphone MIC 2002-? (http://www.epiphone.com/News-Features/News/2007/Gibson-Qingdao-Factory--All-Epiphone--All-The-Time.aspx) Chinese Dots have better parts than their Korean siblings.

The 90s MIKs maybe, my 80 s335 Epiphone I'd say not, a lot better than the 97 Samick Dot I had for for 10 years IMO.

some goodies came in the mail today.:twisted:

Nice!! Lets us know how enlarging the holes goes. I am always nervous about doing that to my guitars...which is why I have yet to try it.

So what is up with that Zebra Tele, not going to beg... ;)

Nice!! Lets us know how enlarging the holes goes. I am always nervous about doing that to my guitars...which is why I have yet to try it.

the company that makes them sells a kit that comes with a manual tapered reamer and new top hat knobs also, but i thought i might just look around the hardware store here and see if i could find something similar.

dcooper830 - you should look into it they're dirt cheap right now, and you can get them made pretty much to your spec. it even came with a certificate of authenticity. I'm almost afraid that the cap values will make it a little on the bright side, but i'm gonna go for it. I have the duncan '59s to go with it.

The 90s MIKs maybe, my 80 s335 Epiphone I'd say not, a lot better than the 97 Samick Dot I had for for 10 years IMO.

I like that headstock better than what we have now. I think they should put a "Masterbuilt" type headstock on, but it's all about the tone anyway so..

I got the vntage Es-335 wiring harness and Duncan '59s installed!:mrgreen:

Worth every cent; and ounce of frustration! It's bright and clear, and quiet. Every note is very distinct. I haven't had time to try it out with my big Fender amp, but it is indescribably good! the Volume and Tone pots have more effect; very quiet to very loud.

Sounds really expensive now. my $400 guitar definately has a $2500 sound; no question.

it is gonna make me a better player because the mistakes can be heard easier; it's like a Tele in that respect now.

Mine's on the bench at the moment. I decided to ground the Bigsby at last, and thought I'd drill the channel from the tailpiece (like the old Bigsby-ed Lesters). The idea was it was an easier repair if I got the angle wrong, a slip would happen on the bout rather than the top, and dragging the bushings in and out always feels prone to disaster.

All went fine until I found out the drill bit was slightly too short. So I'm waiting to get a longer one now, and the channel's half-drilled. Dear, oh dear.

I have a nice shiny red one - totally stock at present, but not for too much longer - earlier today I ordered a B70 Bigsby for it.
Two questions - how to hide the original tailpiece holes, and does the original bridge work with the Bigsby (I guess the second point I'll find out for myself)

Am I odd? I actually like the original pups...

Jimclarke100 > Several ways that people treat the holes:

- Leave the bushings and posts (The Back To The Future 345 look)
- Leave the bushings alone
- Take out the bushings and plug the holes. Gibson used to use pearloid stuff. Some people use those plastic caps you get covering screw heads on office furniture.
- Cover them with a 60s-style "custom made" plaque. I made mine out of plastic card and laserjet decal paper. You can buy copies on eBay too.

Some people do like the original pups. The Toneriders in mine aren't miles better, just voiced differently. I got some decent sounds out the originals that I do miss at times, but the replacements have a wider range and feel closer to the versatility of a Gibson 335.

I have a nice shiny red one - totally stock at present, but not for too much longer - earlier today I ordered a B70 Bigsby for it.
Two questions - how to hide the original tailpiece holes, and does the original bridge work with the Bigsby (I guess the second point I'll find out for myself)

Am I odd? I actually like the original pups...

mine was good with the original electrics, I was a bit scared to mess up a good thing. I have an OCD problem! I'm obsessed with a 2000 dollar les paul, and every time i get the bug really bad for something really expensive, I do something like this upgrade to distract myself from spending the big bucks. Or, charging it on the credit card, that is.

Nice!! Lets us know how enlarging the holes goes. I am always nervous about doing that to my guitars...which is why I have yet to try it.

by the way, I did have to ream the wholes for the new american made POTS. I got a uni-bit from lowes, and I turned it by hand. I used a T-handle from a tap and die set i had. But, the chuck end of the bit will fit inside the end of a multi bit screwdriver/nutdriver. just go slow and easy, and no problem. I used some rolled up sandpaper also.

that bit was designed for use with metal and PVC, but it works just fine on the wood.

Okay I'm in - got a 2004 lefty epi dot. I had been looking for a long time but lefty'a are hard to come by so trying to test them to find a good one is even more difficult. Of all the places I found it in this mediocre pawn shop - I probably paid a little more than I should have but it felt right. I did change the pick ups to Gibson classic 57/ 57 plus and changed the posts, switch and jack. I knew it was hard but feeding the electronics thru the F-holes was hard but didn't realize it would be that hard. After the first couple of times it got easier!

Yes I had to ream out the pots and jack holes a little larger - went the caveman way and just used an electric drill rather than a reamer. The only other thing i did was after setting it up was to cut some small diameter copper piping as an insert between the stud flange and the anchor flange to keep from accidentally bumping it when changing strings and screwing up the action. If you do bump it just screw down the anchor and the copper pipe spacer returns it to the right height. It actually looks kind of cool to. Don't ask to post pics of it cause I don't know how. I am just still learning to use a forum!
Oh and I cut the pick guard to look like the Gibson one (IMHO I think the gibby one looks better) and painted the pu rings and the pg an off white.
Love the sound of a semi-hollow. If only my wife could appreciate the horrible noise I make with it though.

by the way, I did have to ream the wholes for the new american made POTS. I got a uni-bit from lowes, and I turned it by hand. I used a T-handle from a tap and die set i had. But, the chuck end of the bit will fit inside the end of a multi bit screwdriver/nutdriver. just go slow and easy, and no problem. I used some rolled up sandpaper also.

that bit was designed for use with metal and PVC, but it works just fine on the wood.

Good to know. Glad it worked out. I have two (Joe Pass and Got) that are going to get similar upgrades sometime in the future.

I searched the subject elsewhere on this forum and found that if you pass some thin string through the switch and pot holes and then out through the F-hole; you can tie off the the ends to the apropriate control and this helps the find there final resting place. I also read that one guy uses sergical tubing. If you search the drug stores, you can find long, thin medical tweasers and clamps that will help too.

I'll Probabaly go with the 60s-style "custom made" plaque - but make it myself.
I checked on fleabay, and the only one I can find is in the US - I kinda object to paying $50 plus postage plus duty for what looks like a scrap of pickguard.
I've got a whole bunch of pickguard scraps in the garage that'll do the job fine.

I'll Probabaly go with the 60s-style "custom made" plaque - but make it myself.
I checked on fleabay, and the only one I can find is in the US - I kinda object to paying $50 plus postage plus duty for what looks like a scrap of pickguard.
I've got a whole bunch of pickguard scraps in the garage that'll do the job fine.

I like the plaque option. It's the best looking. And, it really will be "custom".

I feel a little guilty for doing the upgrade on my Dot. just a little.

I almost feel like I killed the instrument that was just to have the instrument that could be. But, OOOOOOHHH, it's sooooo Gooood!

I felt the same way when I modded my Tele.

I'm such a sap! :roll:

The Bigsby arrived yesterday, and was fitted last night - dead simple to do only took about half an hour including restringing. Only problem was it then kept me up well past midnight playing it - not good when the day starts at 6am!

I guess I have a job for the weekend now....

The Bigsby arrived yesterday, and was fitted last night - dead simple to do only took about half an hour including restringing. Only problem was it then kept me up well past midnight playing it - not good when the day starts at 6am!

I guess I have a job for the weekend now....

I didn't get to really break-in my upgrades till Tuesday and Wednesday. The wife left for thanksgiving early and took the baby with her. I pulled out the big amp, a phaser pedal and an overdrive and went nuts!

One of the last guitars shipped from the late Daddy's Junky Music-Got it for $311, supposed to include the factory hard case, but they never shipped the case. I emailed the CS guy, and he had the case ready to ship...and they went into bankruptcy the next day...:(

BUT the guitar is beyond anything I expected. I have owned 2 semi hollow bodies, an old Gretsch Chet Tennessean and a Mosrite of some kind and the Dot beats them both. My ebony Dot is set up with Ernie Ball 9's, which I recently learned to play after years of playing 13's and dropping through 11's to 10's...

The Dot is a really great guitar, way better than the price would indicate, and I am not surprised there is an owners' club and worship society...the guitar deserves it!

I got it in late October and I'm already thinking that I might need another one...

mark

Added to the above post: I DID buy another one! It's a 2011, with Gibson Les Paul humbuckers installed...It's a Natural, and comes with a high end hard case. Being shipped today.

mark

I love my Dot. GFS vintage 59s and a set of black "speed knobs" are the only modifications.

Update again: My new Dot with the Gibson HB's arrived today around noon!!! WOW! What sounds! This thing is LOUD!
Very interesting that is seems pretty different from my '02 Korean Dot. The neck on the Natural is mahogany and feels fatter, and the guitar feels heavier. I took the PG off and filed the screw holes with wood putty to give it a different look and so I can get my fat hands in there to fingerpick.

I like having 2 so different but same guitars...and I got an email from Paypal that they found in my favor against Daddy's Junky Music and they will get me $100 to compensate for the missing case. I will wait and see, though...I think they are going to try to get it from Daddy's, which won't happen.

mark

The neck on the Natural is mahogany and feels fatter, and the guitar feels heavier.

Yep, I think mine's made of mahogany. They used to be maple but changed a few years ago as far as I can tell.

The centre block is mahogany too. I think 335's are traditionally maple. It makes it a slightly dark sounding guitar with the stock pickups, especially when compared to the Gibsons.

I guess all that mahogany explains why the PAF copies I put in sounded so close in range to my SG with similar-output 490s.

I guess all that mahogany explains why the PAF copies I put in sounded so close in range to my SG with similar-output 490s.

I take that back. Last time I recorded them side-by-side it was through an amp and mic and they sounded close. Directly into a soundcard tonight, the Dot has much less high end. Not much surprise as that's what you can hear unplugged.

In other news, got my long drill bits and finished the ground channel! The regular 75mm bit was only about 5mm short. I drilled a hole at an angle from the right of the strap button toward the cavity. I then fed some of the stiff, cloth covered wire through. I used no solder in the end, just hooking and twisting it around the collar of the switch. it's well secured between the wood and the metal. The other end was inserted into one of the Bigsby mounting screw holes and is held in by the screw.

Matthias: I just found that the "First Generation" Dots had maple necks and the truss rod cover reads "Gibson". My Dot #1 has these, and it was made in 2002, supposedly the last year for the First Gen.
My Dot #2 was made in 2011, and has a mahogany neck, the TRC has a stylized Epi E on it, and the headstock appears slightly wider, as does the fingerboard.

Things I would never know if I didn't have 2 of these things....;)

mark

Added: My 2002 Dot was made in Korea, while my 2011 Dot was made in China.

Here's my Pelham Blue Dot. It was a limited run last year. It's since been modded with new knobs, locking Grovers with imperial buttons, a Les Trem from Duesenberg, and GFS retro-trons. I've since put the original pups back in, and rather like them.

It's with my beloved '89 Sheraton. Part of the reason for getting the Dot was that the the Sheraton is sentimentally important for me and there are some places I play that I did't really want to bring it to any more. I've played hundreds of gigs with it over the last 16 years, given it two refrets, Grover Imperials, and an SD '59 at the bridge with series parallel switching.

The Dot's proving to be an excellent live replacement.

http://gallery.me.com/stevenalanbullock/100123/Brussel-20110417-00121/web.jpg?ver=13030343460001

I swear that blue is my favorite color. I never saw one until after they stopped making it. If they even had it here in the U.S.

Have any of you guys with aftermarket pickups noticed that the string spacing is off; biased to the treble side?

I noticed this about mine after I installed all the new electronics. the sound isn't really affected, but it looks funny.

what has been your solution? Nut and Bridge?

Edit:

I figured out the problem, it was the freebie pickup mounting rings I got...go figure.:confused:

you guys sure don't talk much.:lol:

Here is my DOT. My awesome wife got me this for Christmas. I have wanted one since I was a kid!!http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/ADKTeleman/EG2.jpg

I'm trying out a new look on mine. What do you think?

I also tried a cream poker chip on the switch for a laugh... It looked goofy :)

Hi All,
I've been working on this 2006 lefty for a few months, finally got it done and wanted to share some pics. What I replaced:
Tuners - Kluson/TonePros
Pups - SD '59 set
Wiring - BSC Guitars "Vintage 335"
Bridge saddles - Graph -Tech "Tusq"
Pickguard, Knobs and Pup Rings - cream
It has a very slim neck and the quality of the build, I would put up against any 335 coming out of Nashville now. This guitar is capable of anything!
Thanks for making a space for DOT lovers:lol:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa211/lefty52/P2161726.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa211/lefty52/P2161725.jpg

I swear those SD 59's are absolutely the best man!

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=peerless+guitars&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS371&biw=1375&bih=871&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsfd&tbnid=xpUZ6TsswycmdM:&imgrefurl=http://www.gbase.com/powered/geardetails.aspx%3Fdealer%3D973177a5-608b-4197-abf9-38b42f0d7a06%26item%3D2179305&docid=X072Vpk0ZK1VgM&imgurl=http://cdn1.gbase.com/usercontent/gear/2179305/p3_ucjopekoq_so.jpg&w=1200&h=1600&ei=gDtJT_C1OYncgQetqJ2SDg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=544&sig=107784187659617718566&page=5&tbnh=158&tbnw=123&start=133&ndsp=34&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:133&tx=28&ty=96http://guitarsnjazz.com/products/peerless/thinline-hollow/renaissance/Got a ridiculous deal on the Peerless Renaisance Custom. It's completely hollow and an '07, the only year they were all solid wood.
It sounds great, but I thinkcan be made better with new pups. These are the Epi '57 Classics.
I'm thinking of Tonerider Classics or Dimarzio Classics.
Eventually it'll get a roller bridge and a Bigsby.http://http://guitarsnjazz.com/products/peerless/thinline-hollow/renaissance/

The guitar I have always had on the bucket list has been a Gibson 335/347/355. However, I like the quality and price of all the Epi Dots. My moniker is after the 1963 Epiphone Dot reissue. If I could never get one of those, then teles are great, of course.:mrgreen:

Hi Guys
Long time TDPRI'er, long time owner of just Tele's and Strats, short time Dot thread stalker! - picking up a 2007 Epi ES335 Dot tomorrow (case incl) - soon to be the HB guitar in the stable after selling my LP 2 yrs ago.

She's Classic Cherry, I can't wait to hear what she has to give - the quality of the build is such that current owner says I may like to do a pup upgrade (to bring the guitar up to full ES-335!). We'll see ......

Apart from Fatcat's SD-59's above - anyone put in 57 Classics / Classic Plus etc - and what was the effect? Any other upgrade suggestions?

Thanks, TM.

Here's a cool video from last Thursday night (3-1-12).

I was playing my natural finish Epi DOT through my Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 100 head into my Lopoline 2x12 cab with Celestion Vintage 30s.

The guitar is completely stock except I changed the knobs to reflectors.

Not the greatest performance musically... but I love the tone I'm getting here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hy7iLPxjKk

3hy7iLPxjKk

Here's a cool video from last Thursday night (3-1-12).

I was playing my natural finish Epi DOT through my Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 100 head into my Lopoline 2x12 cab with Celestion Vintage 30s.

The guitar is completely stock except I changed the knobs to reflectors.

Not the greatest performance musically... but I love the tone I'm getting here!



That's a great tone. I love the sound of a semi-hollowbody in a Marshall, especially a JCM 2000. The last big gig I had I went through a JCM 2000 with a stock semi-hollowbody Ibanez AS-73 (very similar to the Epiphone Dot which I almost bought) and the sound was like yours, fantastic.

While the music was different, hardcore punk, I used the hollowbody with its flatwound 13s I have for jazz class, and the Marshall took that signal and rocked it up to very high volumes. My drummer has all types of heavy guitars like 25 odd strats with EMGs, Jacksons with EMGs, Ibanez RG/S with EMGs, and a few old Les Pauls but I chose the hollowbody through that JCM 2000 and I am glad I did. It was a last second change to swap out my ESP Viper/EMGs through JCM 800s and 900s which I had used exclusively in practice up to the gig.

People spend so much money on guitars, effects, and pickups but if they only go through a Marshall or Boogie if they want a solid rock tone, they could save a lot of futile work. Again, great tone and I was in Apple Store rocking it out!

Hi Guys
Long time TDPRI'er, long time owner of just Tele's and Strats, short time Dot thread stalker! - picking up a 2007 Epi ES335 Dot tomorrow (case incl) - soon to be the HB guitar in the stable after selling my LP 2 yrs ago.

She's Classic Cherry, I can't wait to hear what she has to give - the quality of the build is such that current owner says I may like to do a pup upgrade (to bring the guitar up to full ES-335!). We'll see ......

Apart from Fatcat's SD-59's above - anyone put in 57 Classics / Classic Plus etc - and what was the effect? Any other upgrade suggestions?

Thanks, TM.

Picked her up today, sweet neck (kinda chunky like my 50's Tele, feel the flatter radius), great acoustic tone.
Can't run her through an amp today, until my Lightning arrives - gotta line on a Chieftain too.

Pre - owner says the only weakness is the pups - I can really see an upgrade in my future.

After a little inspiration from here, I made some cosmetic mods to the Dot:

After a little inspiration from here, I made some cosmetic mods to the Dot:

I like the white pickup rings and the loss of the pickguard. That is a really sharp guitar!

I like the white pickup rings and the loss of the pickguard. That is a really sharp guitar!

Thanks, (Ivory rings [matching the binding] pg off) $2 all in ........... money well spent! :wink:

Just need some cream knobs ...... and those 57's, of course.

Thanks, (Ivory rings [matching the binding] pg off) $2 all in ........... money well spent! :wink:

Just need some cream knobs ...... and those 57's, of course.

I like the '57 since it's like the Epi and old Gibson PAFs but with a little more kick. If you want considerably more with some midrange added, there is the '57 Plus. I don't know if this one is an extra wound alnico pickup or full on ceramic but it's a measure between the vintage PAF and the popular hard rocking Duncan Distortion or DiMarzio Super Distortion.

What's really great is that the semi-hollowbody can take anything from an underwound humbucker all the way to powerful pickups usually found in superstrats. I play my semi (an Ibanez) through three different Marshall heads and it pushes the air convincingly without feedback unless I am really cranking it and standing right in front of the 4 or 8x12s. That being said, the Duncan Seth Lover can run into problems with a lot of distortion and volume but it has the most authentic sound with that really woody and hollow tone.

10 yr old set of 57 Classics on the way ............ :cool:

Was really pleasantly surprised by my stock Dot pups, nice full sound, rich, beautiful; if the 57 Classics are a significant improvement they will sound awesome.

Mind you, I was playing through this other recent acquisition:

Was really pleasantly surprised by my stock Dot pups, nice full sound, rich, beautiful; if the 57 Classics are a significant improvement they will sound awesome.

Mind you, I was playing through this other recent acquisition:

Man, that's going to make both the Epi/Gibson alnico stock pups and the '57s sound great. You can get a Seymour Duncan Liberator switch which allows you to swap out different pups without soldering if you like both sets for different reasons.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Liberator500?utm_source=none&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CLX9xeDM7K4CFSMHRQodWhY4Iw

Man, that's going to make both the Epi/Gibson alnico stock pups and the '57s sound great. You can get a Seymour Duncan Liberator switch which allows you to swap out different pups without soldering if you like both sets for different reasons.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Liberator500?utm_source=none&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CLX9xeDM7K4CFSMHRQodWhY4Iw

If I can sort out the idiosyncrasies of my Flip (camera) application I'll put together a clip with the Dot then my 70/71 Tele through the Chieftain - whether that comes across as amazingly rich as it really is I don't know ... can but try. May take a while though - Mothers' Day on Sunday.

I have to say, that after the wiring and pickup upgrade, I have wondered what difference that just a wiring upgrade would have made.

BUT, with the difficulty fishing through the F-hole, if you are going to do it, do it all at once and be done! they really should call it the A-hole!? :lol:


I have been playing with a new Agile for a bit, and Red (my Dot) looked mistreated hanging on the wall. So, I put on a new set of strings and cleaned him up. I remembered why he is No. 1; OOOH THE TONE!. I hooked up to my Fender Hot Rod deluxe with my new 12" ext. cab connected also; thus running 2-12's.

The way he is set up, that is the tone in my soul. I would like to try a new bridge just to see if I can get a little more sustain, but no hurry.

NGD! :-) :-(

Looks like they dropped it at the factory and thought it was ok to sell it that way. :-(



http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b138/triggerlocks/ad93dc5c.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b138/triggerlocks/47cf8baa.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b138/triggerlocks/a7b64ae6.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b138/triggerlocks/fec910a7.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b138/triggerlocks/4d8ad810.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b138/triggerlocks/d2140caf.jpg

:shock: That's unacceptable.

still lovin' it kids..

any updates?

I'm in. Scored this off CL yesterday for $100 incl. OHSC. Needed some major TLC, but got it set up real nice. 1999 MIK Samick Epi. I put on some Grovers I had sitting around. The neck pickup was weak so I sprayed the selector switch with contact cleaner and that fixed the problem. The input jack was shorting so I put a small flat blade screw driver down the jack and bent it back into place. The wiring was redone by Guitronics in San Francisco and is real nice. Orig. pickups, don't sound too bad. Very clean condition overall. Not a bad guitar at all. Doesn't compare to the 1980 Yamaha SA2000 I had but stupidly sold last year, but that was ten times as much.....

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/8161/cimg0893.jpg
By dada1952 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/dada1952) at 2012-07-25

I'm back to my original 2004 Unsung Korean-made cherry Dot.

I swapped it out five years ago for a Cort-built Dearmond Starfire Special. At the time I thought the pickups were a little dull and I wasn't delighted with the scarf joined maple neck. I felt if it had a mahogany neck like a 335 or Casino it would sound better.

After a couple of months I started missing my Dot but it took me a couple of years to find another I liked as well--a 2010 natural Dot made in Epiphone City, China. The Chinese Dots have a mahogany neck with a built up headstock.

All was well until a few months ago a familiar cherry Dot showed up at another local guitar shop. It was my old Dot, now sporting a fret leveling and some tweaking by a guitar repairman. That guitar flat out sounded great. So after a head-to-head comparison I swapped the newer Dot for my old one.

If I didn't have as many guitars as I do I would have kept the natural one as well because it was a good sounding/playing guitar.

I picked up a used Dot yesterday. Here is a thread I started in another forum on TDPRI:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/other-guitars-other-instruments/348769-ngd-epiphone-dot.html

I picked up a used Dot yesterday. Here is a thread I started in another forum on TDPRI:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/other-guitars-other-instruments/348769-ngd-epiphone-dot.html

Holy Cheese man, your avatar, are you holding one of those funky sticks, that I cant remember the name of, that is pretty much all fretboard and has like 20 strings.

Can you actually play that thing? I know I must sound crazy, but the first time I saw someone play one (youtube) I was gobsmacked!!

fatcat? Where is Bolide? I haven't heard him him in ages>

fatcat? Where is Bolide? I haven't heard him him in ages>

I dunno? I don't really know the guy..?

Ok I'm in, nearly anyway. Bought one on trademe last night for not much as it has a broken headstock. Have not got it yet but as soon as I can get it and repair it I will be in properly. Looking forward to it. Probably the closest I will ever get to having an es335.

Here we go, glued and clamped the broken headstock and just waiting the last few hours till it has cured for 24 before I string it up and play it. Looks so much better in reality than it does in the photo.
It was built in 2006 and I think it has hardly been played, it is in such good condition, apart from the break and associated damage of course.
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/DSCF2740.JPG

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/modestglock/guitar%20gear/DSC_6857.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/modestglock/guitar%20gear/DSC_6864.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/modestglock/guitar%20gear/DSC_6847.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/modestglock/guitar%20gear/DSC_6845.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/modestglock/guitar%20gear/DSC_6857.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/modestglock/guitar%20gear/DSC_6864.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/modestglock/guitar%20gear/DSC_6847.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/modestglock/guitar%20gear/DSC_6845.jpg

Go on, put pics a thousand times better than mine, straight after me! Very nice

Holy Cheese man, your avatar, are you holding one of those funky sticks, that I cant remember the name of, that is pretty much all fretboard and has like 20 strings.

Can you actually play that thing? I know I must sound crazy, but the first time I saw someone play one (youtube) I was gobsmacked!!

I've been playing the Chapman Stick for 18 years. I gave up guitar for a good bit of that time, but have been playing a lot more guitar in the past few years.

Here is a performance from this past summer:

1uFWSC6KVHE

I've been playing the Chapman Stick for 18 years. I gave up guitar for a good bit of that time, but have been playing a lot more guitar in the past few years.

Here is a performance from this past summer:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uFWSC6KVHE">YouTube Link</a>

More power to ya, man. I saw one in Vancouver, BC one time, wanted to love it, but just couldn't figure the intervals.

I need more sustain......

anyone find a TOM bridge that is like heavy brass or something?

check out this GFS solid Brass bridge cool cats


http://www.guitarfetish.com/SOLID-BRASS-locking-Tuneomatic-bridge-locking-Saddles-ALL-BRASS_p_4217.html

Blows the cobwebs away.... it's been a while since anyone posted here....

Just looking at ideas for upgrading the pups in my Dot as despite liking them initially I've become a little less happy. The standard ones are great for a more driven sound, but less so IMO for the clean tones.

I was toying with the idea of dropping in some HB sized P90s as I've been liking the Gary Clark Junior Casino tone of late. Then I had the though of looking at the P-Rail units from Seymour Duncan which, if you believe the hype, would give a P90 Casino-alike tone, a standard Dottish tone and a new mystery singe coil tone. The drawback is the cost which is something like 2/3 the cost of the Dot itself

Has anyone actually tried these in a Dot? Any thoughts or comments?

I picked up an Epi ES-335 Pro and couple months back.

American Vintage wiring
Classic 57/57+

wow! Beautiful. Sounds awesome. Love the 60's slim neck.

always wanted a Gibby 335, but too much $$. I think this as close as one can get without dropping the big bucks

Here's my brand spanking new Dot. It was sitting in the local music/computer shop for over a year with a busted high E string. Everytime I went in I thought I should buy that, I asked if they would give a deal, it was listed at $349 CND. He said shoot an offer, I said $300 taxes in and walked out the door with it. Filed the nut for heavy bottom, medium top strings and played it at practice the other night. Quite enjoyed it. Looking forward to gigging it next month. Cheers from Canada.

Some sweet looking Dot's here! I'll be aquiring this natural beauty in a few days via trade. I'm going to play it stock for a bit, but I'm already trying to decide between a set of Tonerider A4's, Dimarzio 36th PAF's or Van Zandt True Buckers.