Epiphone Dot Studio Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar, Black

 A very pleasant surprise...
I purchased my Dot Studio on impulse from Musician's Friend. It was a closeout factory refurb, and at $219.00 I figured it was worth a try.

It is no industry secret that quality control on this particular instrument is all over the map. Generally, if one lucks into a good one, there is little to complain about. Conversely, if ya get a lemon, there is little hope for it. I decided that since the one I had ordered had already been sent back to the factory and out again, that it might be in solid working order, if cosmetically a little off kilter.

I was right. And to my surprise, a little sticker on the back of the headstock stated that it was "100% inspected and set up" in the good ol' USA. It WAS a great player, straight out of the carton.

My color 'option' was black, A-OK for my rather mundane aesthetic sensibilities. Yes, there are a number of cosmetic 'irregularities': an indentation on the back of the headstock that looks like a machine boo-boo, and a patch of thin finish (paint) around one of the F holes, but other than that, it is a very sweet, spartan looker. Absent even fret markers, the box looks like one of those stripped-down Cali hotrods (I forget what they're called). I don't mind the absence of independent volume/tone controls, as such is the same configuration as a Tele (my prefered git-box). So how does it sound?

Fan-doggone-tastic. No hype. The 'buckers are not a bit dark -- in fact, on neck position, with the tone wide open, the sound is pop-jangly. The bridge PU, with a bit of OD can certainly deliver hard rock tones, if not metal. The looming question, of course, is whether it nicks a decent 335 vibe. A qualified "yes" -- but one of a slightly different flavor. It is bluesy as all get out, but in an 'old school' fashion: it lacks the 'refinement' of the modern 335 sound. The cream of say, a Chris Cain sound, will not happen without a good deal of compression, IMHO. But this is a matter of taste, and to a certain extent an attribute that one can get rather sweet on. I listened closely to a bandmate's '67 335 the other night, and didn't perceive any more honey there than from the Dot.

So to the acid test: recording, direct, with just a twist of 'verb, and almost imperceptible chorus. WOW!!! Let's see: B.B., 60's soul, Grant Green, even a pinch of Pat Martino. Luv it. The only 'issue' I contended with was keeping it in tune. The tuners will likely have to be replaced.

Sooo...In conclusion a great, expressive workhorse, at a very attractive price. Caveat: play before buying. There may still be a few lemons around. And about the binding: I understand it is painted on. Mine doesn't have a 'binding'. Weird.