The peoples' democratic blog of Matt Hayward

A fine array of Epiphone Dots. Mine is the colour on top.

This post is prompted by the several guitar store visits where there are many of these models getting around. My model is a Korean made version about 6 years old. I bought mine new and have been very, very happy with it despite its natural yellow, urine like finish. It cost me about $1200 Australian Dollars, which is significantly more than what newer models are going for now. Especially the Dot Studio that goes for around $600.

Now we get to the short and skinny. These sub $1000 versions seem to be made in either China or Indonesia or somewhere. They definitely look the business, but they don’t sound it. I tried a Chinese one out the other day and it totally lacked character. So my advice to you if you want a cheap, quality and versatile guitar look out for the Korean Epiphones from the early noughties. Like the early Ibanez guitars of the seventies, they really rock for comparitively little cash to a real Gibson.

For those not in the know, the Epiphone Dot is a cheaper version of the Gibson ES335 – the Chuck Berry guitar. Its sister guitar is the Epiphone Casino which John Lennon played (They look the same but the construction is more like an acoustic guitar). It’s a semi acoustic with big beautiful F-holes and it’s a big heavy lug that makes a Les Paul look compact. Despite its size, it rewards you with a big, sweet sound and awesome tonal versatility. You can go light and funky or super heavy as you wish, all on the one guitar.