Dillion DL650Q

* LP Copy thru and thru, 2005, Korean
* Noteworthy features:
* 2 PAF vintage sounding humbuckers
* Neck is glued, not bolted.
* Pretty headstock
* Nice fretwork; medium-to-large frets
* Tulip tuners
* Plastic nut
* Thin maple cap
* Oak Sunburst Finish, just like the picture, looks like caramel.
* On the heavy side

Picture: http://www.dillionguitars.com/guitar/electric/DL/DL650/DL650-oaksb.jpg

Sustain is terrific. The accoustic sound is nice and rich like you want. Decent harmonics. This guitar nails "that classic LP sound". Blind folded you can't tell the difference between this instrument and the *high priced* ones made by you know who.

When I read reviews that say stuff like this, my skepticism kicks in. I hear ya. You get your hopes up and then boom, reality slaps you in the face. But I'm saying it.

The guitar was setup by the store for free and plays smoothly. There are little minor cosmetic things like a few places where the finish is not perfect on a wood joint or the pickup cover has a little peice from the mold. That kind of thing. Nothing that you can see from a few feet away or which effects sound or playability. Just those little "indications" of a mass produced object. But the binding is real nice and the frets are smooth.

The overall look, finish, inlay work, tulip tuners gives a nice impression.

So far, the tuning and intonation have been nice and stable.

Seems solid. Feels a little heavy, but I like that in a LP.

I am curious to see how in the future the tuning, intonation and neck hold up. But that's a general worry.

I emailed the company and John Dillion replied promptly.

I have researched for many months to try to determine who makes the best guitars for about $400-500 US. I suggest you look at Dillion and Schecter.

Soon after purchasing this instrument I went out to GC and played 6 LPs off the $2000+ wall. This took about an hour. I would compare them this way. 2 were not as good(the necks and sustain weren't quite there), 2 were about the same and 2 were a somewhat better(better fretboard wood, finish and detailing). The detailing on some of those 4K LPs is something. In terms of sound, let's just say that the difference was "subtle".

The Dillion is a quality LP copy from stem to stern. Forget EPI. There is no comparison. The round bellish sound is really there. Warren Haynes, Santana, Zep. It's all there. For metal, get the Dillion and maybe put in the EMG Zak PUPs ?

Upgrades might include special PUPs, a fancy-smancy pickguard or a bone nut.

Been playing for 25 years, this is my 12th guitar. #13 will likely be a Dillion DSR300. I play all kinds of rock, blues, jam, folk and jazz. Good luck to all while "sorting through the woodpile".

* LP Copy thru and thru, 2005, Korean
* Noteworthy features:
* 2 PAF vintage sounding humbuckers
* Neck is glued, not bolted.
* Pretty headstock
* Nice fretwork; medium-large frets
* Tulip tuners
* Plastic nut
* Thin maple cap
* Oak Sunburst Finish, just like the picture, like caramel.
* On the heavy side

Pic: http://www.dillionguitars.com/guitar/electric/DL/DL650/DL650-oaksb.jpg

Sustain is terrific. The accoustic sound is nice and rich like you want. Decent harmonics. This guitar nails "that classic LP sound". Blind folded you can't tell the difference between this instrument and the *high priced* ones made by you know who.

When I read reviews that say stuff like this, my skepticism kicks in. I hear ya. You get your hopes up and then boom, reality slaps you in the face. But I'm saying it.

The guitar was setup by the store for free and plays smoothly. There are little minor cosmetic things like a few places where the finish is not perfect on a wood joint or the pickup cover has a little peice from the mold. That kind of thing. Nothing that you can see from a few feet away or which effects sound or playability. Just those little "indications" of a mass produced object. But the binding is real nice and frets are smooth.

The overall look, finish, inlay work, tulip tuners gives a nice impression.

So far, the tuning and intonation have been nice and stable.

Seems solid. Feels a little heavy, but I like that in a LP.

I am curious to see how in the future the tuning, intonation and neck hold up. But that's a general worry.

I emailed the company and John Dillion replied.

I have researched for many months to try to determine who makes the best guitars for about $400-500 US. I suggest you look at Dillion and Schecter.

Soon after purchasing this instrument I went out to GC and played 6 LPs off the $2000+ wall. This took about an hour. I would compare them this way. 2 were not quite as good(the necks and sustain weren't quite there), 2 were about the same and 2 were somewhat better(better fretboad wood, finish, inlay work and detailing). The detailing on some of those 4K LPs is something! In terms of sound, let's just say that the difference was "subtle".

The Dillion is a quality LP copy from stem to stern. Forget EPI. There is no comparison. That round bellish sound is really there. Warren Haynes, Santana, Zep. It's all there. For metal, get the Dillion and maybe put in the EMG Zak PUPs.

Upgrades might include special PUPs or a bone nut.

Been playing for 25 years, this is my 12th guitar. #13 will likely be a Dillion DSR300. I play all kinds of rock, blues, jam, folk and jazz. Good luck sorting through the proverbial woodpile.

Just like a LP Standard. Of note: nice binding, medium to large frets, set neck (NOT bolt on neck), tulip tuners. Pretty headstock.

If you want that classic LP sound, this is the model for you. Dillion makes another hotter LP model (DL750).

The pickups were a happy surprise. This guitar just nails the sound you'd hope for in any "classic" LP.

The sustain is terrific. I get all those warm bellish LP tones. I get some nice Zeppelin heavier tones.

Fretwork was good, neck was straight, neck binding was good, finish was lovely (I got the oak sunburst flame top). Setup from the factory was good. It played great out of the box (store wall rack).

There were a few minor cosmetic imperfections in the plastic peices, and a few places where the finish was not "just so".

Seems solid. Only time will tell.

I would use it on a gig without a backup--theoretically.

N/A

I've had the instrument for a few weeks, so some of the initial excitement has warn off. Forget the comparison to Epiphones. If you are shopping for an Epi LP. Think it through ! If you are shopping for a sub $1500 Gibson LP. Play a Dillion and see if you can tell the difference.

I went to GC and played a handfull of Gibson LP's from the expensive rack. > $2000. I left with a smile. The difference in construction and the feel of the necks were small and the difference in sound was negligible. Blindfolded, you might be fooled. (:>)'

In 2005 I did substantial research to figure out what $400-600 electric guitars are good. The conclusion is Dillion and Schecter. I have recently bought 1 of each. (Dillion LP; Schecter Tele) Both guitars are fine musical instruments and the price can't be beat.

Experience: I've been playing for 23 yrs and this is my 12th guitar. Main Gear: vox tonelab and fender blues deville
Style: rock, blues, jam, funk, jazz, folk, slide.

Features have already been listed in other reviews. This is Dillion's version of a Les Paul type guitar and is a stunning guitar to look at, gorgeous quilt top, fit and finish are top class. Has a set in neck which is always nice to see. This is a heavy guitar ( solid Mahogany body) so if you buy one of these, get the widest strap you can find, unless you've got shoulders like Arnie.

I've been a Strat player for 30 years so I'm still getting used to the sound of the humbuckers. The sustain is brilliant. The sound is very full even at low volumes and really screams along when things are turned up. Great rock and roll, blues weapon but you could play just about anything on it. I run straight jacked into a Fender Super 60 amp (all tube) and the DL650Q has certainly expanded the range of sounds I can now produce ( along with my Strat).

As mentioned in other reviews, the workmanship on this guitar is first class. Everything fits and works as it should. I got mine from the Australian distributor (off eBay) who said that it had been set up by a professional before it was offered. Certainly feels like it. Action was excellent straight out of the box. Think it could go a tad lower but I'm just being picky.

Haven't gigged with it yet but I don't expect any problems from this guitar ( my back and shoulders may be another matter). The finish seems to be quite thick and I don't think that it will wear off in a hurry.
Everything else is rock solid.

Only dealt with Steve, the Oz distributor, and he has been friendly and most helpful.

I've been playing for a long time (38 years) and for most of that time I've been content with my Strat. This is only the second electric guitar that I have bought since the Strat ( the other being an SG Gibson) and I love it. Its brilliant. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a well made, very playable, gorgeous looking guitar at a reasonable price.
Wish it came with a case but for the price its still a great buy.

I won't give it a ten because nothing is a ten except God and Andie McDowell in "Groundhog Day," but this guitar is set up just about exactly the same as a Les Paul Standard. Besides, many others here have listed the guitar's features. A couple things, though: The wood is GREAT: Full mahogany body with a gorgeous quilted maple top, and a maple neck that feels oh-so-sweet in the hands.

Again, no ten, but the guitar sounds great. I've played it through my Marshall, recorded it off the Marshall, and direct-injected it into the board, and it sounds fantastic. It sounds like a Les Paul, of course, which doesn't sound like a strat, or a telly, or an SG. I've gotten great sounds out of it ranging from crunch metal to flaming punk to gentler stuff. It's not as clean as my Strat, but it's not a Strat.

This is where I want to RAVE about my Dillion. This is one beautiful, and beautifully made, guitar! It's quite heavy; solid mahogany and all, so I'm not as inclined to do long gigs with it because my back ain't what it used to be, but it is absolutely freakin' gorgeous. It seems to me that the materials are first-rate. The finish is nearly flawless, though probably a hair under the quality of an American Les Paul - but who's quibbling? Here's a good comparison: I am a left-hander, and of course there's very few guitars made for us. I have a vintage, factory-left SG ('64) and a lefty American strat, and I ALWAYS wanted a Les Paul, but of course I can't afford one (I'm a musician, after all!). I came quite close to buying a lefty Epiphone Les Paul Standard, but it was.... just a pile of crap, and they wanted $619 for it. I essentially gave up the idea of ever being able to own one... Then I stumbled over a Dillion in the local shop. It outclassed the Epi by a HUNDRED MILES.

Can't really say much about reliablility/durability at this point as I've just had it for a couple months, but the thing is built like a brick s***house.

I sent an email to John Dillion, the owner, and he promptly emailed me back, recommending a specific internet dealer, who dealt with me quickly and with total honesty. So far, so good! I'd actually like to hear more about John Dillion. He's got a great thing going.

I'm going to give this an overall rating of nine-PLUS. It may be the single most outstanding value I've ever encountered as a consumer. Sure, it's a copy, and if you have GOT to have the real deal -- and can afford the jack -- go for it. But if you will settle for a copy, absolutely RACE to acquire one of these Dillions. You can't go wrong. This thing leaves all the other imitators in the dust.

2004, made in Korea, standard Les Paul configuration of 2 humbuckers, 2 volume, 2 tone knobs, 22 frets, mahogony body with thin maple quilt top, necks seems to be maple but I'm not certain. It has a rosewood neck with outstanging inlays and nice, fat frets, hand polished. It came with the hard case.

The sound is very much old Gibson PAF, reminds me of Jimmy Page's 58 flame top. You can get crunch and growl but it also cleans up pretty well and can be mellow as well. I am playing through a Johnson J Station with 24 built in amps and effects so I've been experimenting with everything I can get out of it. I mostly play classic rock and oldies, but sometimes blues and even newer rock. I am very impressed with the standard pickups and will not be swapping them out.

Factory set up was very good. I will probably drop the action just a tad. The only flaw I see on my guitar was that whoever painted on the side dot markers on the neck binding didn't get them in a perfect line. The quilt top is gorgeous and the inlays are flawless, very impressed with the quality there. I love the neck and playability with the jumbo frets but if I had one dislike, the heel where the neck joins the body is huge. It made access to the upper frets a little difficult but I have been adjusting. Personally, I like this guitar better than any other guitar I own, have owned or played, including Gibsons. This is the best guitar I've ever played, bar none!

This guitar would definitely withstand live playing but it is HEAVY! My other Les Pauls are all quite a bit lighter. I haven't weighed it yet but it has to be heavier than the 11 lbs it was supposed to be. I know one of my other LP's is over 10 lbs and that one feels like a feather weight now in comparison! It is very, very solid and the hardware seems like it will last. The clear coat is heavy too and I don't expect this to get scratched easily.

I emailed with the company owner, John Dillion, several times before I decided to buy and he answered every email that day so I would have to say the customer support should be excellent. In fact, that was one of the deciding factors to buy a guitar online, sight unseen. A lot of the comparable copies don't even have a website, let alone a company president who will personally answer all your questions.

I have been playing for 23 years and mainly have owned Gibsons, though I have pretty much played them all by now. I spent several months researching Dillion guitars and asking questions and reading reviews before I decided to buy it. If it were stolen or lost I'd buy another in a heart beat. This has become my favorite guitar and I can't imagine not having it. I am a woman so I wouldn't mind it being a little lighter weight wise but I am playing as a hobby these days so that isn't as much of an issue for me as it might be for you smaller people who are gigging with it all night. These guitars are certainly worth looking into for quality at a price that just can't be beat.