Dillion DSE533

2004(?) model made in Korea. My understanding is that Dillions are made in the same Korean factories as the Tokais.

It's a clone of a Gibson 335. The semi-hollow body consists of a laminated maple top and back with a solid maple block inside the body. Mine has the cherry red finish. The clear coat appears to be polyurethane.

The neck is bound and has 22 frets. The Dillion differs a little from a Gibson 335 in 2 respects -- the neck is made from maple rather than mahogany and the Dillion neck is a little thicker. The fretboard is made of rosewood. The neck is set and is finished almost seemlessly into the body. This is an important distinction as I've seen some 335 copies that either have bolt on necks or large glued neck joints.

The guitar has 2 covered humbuckers wired into a 3 way switch with separate volume and tone controls for each pickup. The input jack is on the face of the guitar.

Hardware is chrome plated and appears to be decent. Tuning machines are generic kluson-style -- not the greatest, but servicable.

The nut appears to be synthetic, like graphtech, but definitely not plastic. The nut is cut fairly well, but interestingly, it is actually short of hitting the edge of each side of the neck.

I purchased a nice tolex covered hardshell case from the dealer for an additional $60.

The guitar sounds like a Gibson 335. The only difference is that the pickups seem to run a little hotter than Gibson pickups. Overall, the sound is very versatile -- you can play clean, play slightly distorted blues, you can even play punk if you want.

The action out of the box was actually too low. When's the last time you had to complain about action that was too low? I increased the string height and still have low action with no buzzes.

The body finish is very good. There are a few paint/clearcoat flaws, but nothing significant (you have to look really close to find them).

I really only have 2 complaints:

(1) Neck binding. At the factory, someone went back over the fret ends and could have done a better job of keeping an even angle with the fret file. While the binding is white, it appears slightly yellowish because of the clearcoat. Where the frets were touched-up, the binding is extremely white because the clearcoat had been filed off. It has no effect on the playability, just the guitar's appearance.

(2) The rosewood fret board was extremely dry when I received the guitar. It was so dry that the fretboard appeared to be light brown rather than it's natural dark brown. I doused the fretboard with lemon oil everyday for a week and it's fine now.

The guitar is built like a tank. I don't think I'll have any problems with it.

The strap button on the back of the guitar was loose when I received it -- nothing that couldn't be fixed easily with a turn of a screwdriver.

"John Dillion" (I think its really John Vinci) responds promptly to e-mails. When I received the DSE-533, it came with a warranty registration card. I had previously purchased a Dillion DFB60RX (Firebird copy) that did not come with a registration card. I e-mailed John and asked how I could register my other Dillion and he said he would mail out a warranty registration card. A few days later, I received a box from Dillion guitars that contained the warranty registration card, along with a Dillion tweed guitar strap and a Dillion polish cloth! I wasn't expecting the extra items, but it was a nice surprise.

I believe the guitar is warrantied for 2 years, but I can't really see anything that will go wrong with the guitar that will require warranty service.

I have been playing guitar for almost 20 years and I have now purchased 2 Dillions. In my opinion, they are probably one of the best values out there.

My 2 Dillions -- the 335 copy and the Firebird copy -- are amongst my favorite guitars to play. I had always wanted a 335 and a Firebird, but I could never bring myself to pay $1,500 - $2,000 to purchase a real Gibson. I've played a few Epiphones and I don't think they are a good purchase. The Dillions are well-built, play well and look great. Oh yeah, and they are definitely priced right.

If you're reading this review because you're thinking about buying a Dillion -- do it! You won't be disappointed.

update on my 2/26/04 review

here's the deal - GO GET A TONEPROS LOCKING BRIDGE AND TAILPIECE!

I thought this Dillion was about as far as you could go. I got real nitpicky about the intonation on one string, and just didn't have enough adjustment to nail it. So John Dillion says go to TonePros, tell them I sent you and you'll get a great deal. NO KIDDING! The TonePros guys obviously like Dillion, did give me a deal and I AM BLOWN AWAY BY THE IMPROVEMENT in the sound. Sustain and harmonics took a whole step up from an already great sound. The ringing and chiming are TO DIE FOR. I used a good strobe tuner to intonate and everyone who hears me play this guitar falls in love with the sound. Currently playing through an Andy Fuchs amp (awesome) that seems like it was made for this guitar. Heaven, indeed.

John Dillion, even if that is a pen name, is super responsive by email and obviously has a great relationship with the nice folks at TonePros. Do yourself a favor and check out TonePros.

for the guitar with mods, it's a total 10. Better than the '64 335 I had and sold in need. Don't miss it any more.

This is the "Deluxe" model (the inlay on 12th fret says Deluxe) and is a faithful es335 tribute. All-blonde with laminated lightly flamed maple top, maple sides and back, and even a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. Basic features, 2 humbuckers, vol/tone for each, and 3-way toggle switch. Output jack mounted on top. Tuneomatic bridge w/stop tail. Kluson replica tuners. 24 3/4" scale, medium-jumbo frets. Bought used so no idea what accessories may have been included.

Taking off a couple of points because of the kluson-style tuners (OK but I'm used to sperzels and these aren't in that league) and because the factory pickguard (black 3ply) seems to relay static pops/crackles if your fingers touch or rest on it. I removed the pickguard and that stopped the annoyance, but I'd rather leave the pickguard on.

The sound is totally alive and resonant, the sustain is magnificent. I'd credit the liveness to the amount of maple and the internal sustain block. The sustain comes from a decent nut and bridge and the basic set-neck and stop tail tensioning. The other part of the sound owes to the fact that the prior owner put Bill Lawrence pickups in it (YAY!!!) some of my all-time favorites. With the BL pickups set far down from the strings you get an indescribably sweet set of tones, very rich and full with a solid bottom (no flab or wheeze) a full mid and a crispy but not ice-picky top. A holy-grail type of toneset to my ears. Superb for any rock ex metal and blues, well, outta the park. Even the characteristic hollowbody feedback at higher volumes is a feature in my book - it's controllable and can really add to your sonic attack and trickbook.

I love the sounds of this axe and can play for hours without getting bored. Of all the guitars I've ever owned, only a natural ash strat with joe barden pickups has the same degree of tone appeal. I'm rating this se533 with the BL pickups, I have no idea what the factory buckers sounded like.

I don't think the previous owner messed with the setup too much. It was good but not great. The fret end dressing was impeccable, but the 14th fret was high on the 1st and 2nd strings and needed a little leveling to lose a buzz with relatively low action. The truss adjustment was OK. The intonation wasn't quite right and I replaced the factory saddles (metal) with graphtec (personal preference). Intonation was correctable (the guitar came with 09-42 and I left them on although 10-46 would probably be even better, tonewise) but the 4th (d) string saddle ended up right about the end of the travel on the tuneomatic. whew.

The finish of the guitar is very nice all around. The deluxe maple top is beautiful on the subtle side and the wood quality all over seems very good. Very nice, even finish that doesn't interfere with fast play on the neck. The binding is a cream color looks nice with the natural maple woodtones. The hardware appears to have been upgraded - pots, jack, switch all switchcraft so no idea what the factory gear was like. The bridge and tailpiece and nut are all perfectly serviceable if not the very best.

I'd never test a hollowbody for durability! That said, the finish is excellent, if it was cheap I could've already put a little ding or two in it and there is no visible sign. The strap buttons are good-size so I haven't felt the need for straplocks like I do with old Fenders. Hasn't been a problem yet.

Backups are essential. Nothing against this particular guitar, I think it'll stand up to normal wear/tear just fine.

No idea, never contacted Dillion. I am really amused when I read people "spoke to John Dillion" or "got an email from John Dillion". My bet is that John Dillion is like Sara Lee, a good marketing name.

Playing more than 30 years. Have a couple of Fenders, a '64 Jazzmaster and a 2000 natural ash Strat w/ joe barden pickups that is THE SHIT! Also a Dillion 560 double cut (very fast and killer sound w/BL pickups) and an Alvarez bass. Play through an old Carvin 100W 212 tube amp and a 200W hi-fi stereo setup driven off a Digitech GNX3.

This guitar is one of those once-in-a-blue-moon bargains. I still can't believe it was only $300. I would definitely look for another one if anything happened to it. I had a mid-60s 335 that I sold a long time ago and have always missed... this Dillion has totally mended that heartbreak and then some!

2003 model--made in korea--22 frets--flame maple top--2 volume, 2 tone controls--2 humbuckers--maple back, sides,neck--light tobacco sunburst--335 style body--tune-o-matic bridge,stop tailpiece--vintage'kluson-type'tuners--

I am a recent dillion endorsee that plays predominantly contemporary jazz and original music--I play the dillion through a Yamaha DG80-112 combo--the pickups are fully shielded,very quiet--there are a wealth of tones one can get through this guitar--it is very open,big,warm sounding; everything from lee ritenour/larry carlton/robben ford/mick goodrick to straight-ahead jazz--very versatile--

the dillion was set up perfectly--I adjusted the pickups a slight bit,but that is simply a personal preference--the flame top is bookmatched precisely--there is not one flaw on this guitar--I recently,out of curiousity played a Gibson 335 at a local music store and was appalled at the deplorable workmanship;considering the $2200 price--the dillion is a superior guitar in literally every respect, at less than half the price--more professionals need to get their hands on these guitars--

The hardware is first-class,the finish and general fit is exemplary--everything is totally professional quality--I would certainly use this on a gig without a backup--with the exception of another dillion!!!!---

John Dillion has replied to every correspondence within a day--He is courteous,helpful,knowledgeable and truly cares about his instruments--There is a 2 year warranty,which I feel is more than sufficient,should any problem occur--

I've been playing for 35 years,and have been making a living as a guitarist for 23 years--I've owned and played many guitars--there is nothing that comes even remotely close to the build quality,tone,feel,and overall'vibe'---this is by far, the best 335 type electric on the market at any price--

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this is an update review, as i got to experience firsthand the customer support of dillion...

so, my three way toggle switch starts crapping out <on the best pickup setting too. isnt that always the way?> not a big deal, but i wanted to get it fixed...so i emailed the company to ask how and where the repair should be done.

i sent said email on a saturday night at 6 ish. by 7 o clock, i had a reply, from john dillion, apologizing for the problem and instructing me to take it to place of purchase if possible, if not to write him back so he could find a good place in my area to repair the instrument. i took the guitar to the store <shout out also to robert m sides music in state college pa> and it was promptly fixed, no questions asked...

i had to relate this experience. this is customer service the way it should be...these guys are above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts. if only other major companies would learn a lesson from this...<fender, im looking in your direction>

also, i misspoke in my earlier review. it is a two year warranty, not one year.

still a 10. i will give references.

2001, korean made. 24 frets, semi hollowbody, two humbucker, 3 way selector, three volumes, one tone, passive electronics, rosewood fingerboard, quilted maple top, transparent cherry finish, tune o matic bridge, non locking tuners, nice thin neck. enough options to get your sound!

i play blues, rock and jazz, mainly rock though. it sounds simply incredible, smooth as silk, just amazing. not noisy at all, thank you humbuckers. the sound is very very full, i had avoided hollowbodies because of the hollow sound...not this one! any type of chord, open, barred, you name it, sounds full, and solos come out nice and glassy. you can get a nice variety of sounds, like a fuller bodied strat sound, a twangy sound, whatever if you play with it. ill give it a 9 because it wont do metal, which doesnt matter to me anyway, but i want to save my 10s for the next category...

the setup was amazing, and the kind folks at robert sides music <state college pa> probably had something to do with that...it was my first time in their store, idly picking up guitars and criticising them, i picked this baby up, holy hell...like accidentally grabbing bb king's guitar.

everything on this guitar is set perfectly except that the nut is a bit poorly cut. nowhere near enough to affect the sound or playability...the finish is simply stunning, and this being the deluxe model the gold hardware is a nice touch. incidentally, the frets are 1000 times better dressed than any fender or gibson i have picked up recently.

bottom line, best looking guitar ever! i cant take my eyes off it even when im not playing it. my singer is afraid to touch it for fear of hurting it...it gets a 10 despite the nut thing.

im looking forward to growing old with this guitar. i play hard, and it holds up beautifully. no need for a backup except for string breakage. it looks fragile but is tough as nails, great combination!

one year warranty...

i hear if you call dillion, usually you get the company president. but i havent had the pleasure. ill call them when i want my own signature model made...

a former bandmate kept telling me i needed an epiphone dot. i played them. they suck. this totally turned me off 335 styke guitar. then i picked this one up. it has become my #1, no question...i play it through a fender ultimate choruse, with a blue tube preamp, and it just sounds too good...stolen or lost? id rather not talk about that.

The second I played this Dillion, I was sold. I loved the price and I would put this sweet tone monster up against any Gibson in the world. I use a Digitec RP1, and did'nt have to tayler any settings I'd been useing, it just sing's. The Marshall JTM 30 single 12 w/1-12 slave cabinet I use realy bring out the warm rich flavor of the maple. I've owned so many guitars in my life, I've lost count, but I only have three I'll own always,and this is one of them. As a rock-n-roller, I find that it takes alot of volume to make it feed-back. Then it's easy to control. Just enough, or not at all.

As a rule, I like to have my action low and fast. I own a Fender Strat Plus, and this is the only other guitar I've ever owned that I did'nt have to spend time or money, setting it up to my liking. The neck is thin and very fast.There is no flaw's in the finish or the hardware. The tuner's are very responsive, and they stay in tune even day's after a gig. When I first picked-up this guitar, I was exspecting the old Harmany hollow body thing. Light as a feather. Was I ever suprised. It's a solid chunk of Maple running the lenght of the body. I though it would be bottom heavy on a strap, it's not. It's very well balanced. And on top of it all, I love it.

I always bring a second guitar to a show, as good as any axe is, you can still brake a string. I've played my Strat Plus as my main guitar since 1988,when I bought it new, but it's going to get lonely. The guy's in my band won't let me play it. They just don't start till I've got my Dillion on! No joke.I've only had it for a short while, but I can say with confedence that it will hold up for year's to come. The finish is deep,and the strap button's feel very solid. There both anchored into the maple block of the body.

As I've said, I just got this guitar about a month ago, but I've been in touch with the company owner two or three time's, and he's great. The DSE533 comes with a two year limited warranty.

I've played prof. for twentythree years, and I've had the worst of gear, and the best of gear. This is one of the sweetest guitars I've ever played. I just happened to walk into the store to grab sone string's for the next night's show, and as I do, I was going down the rows of guitar's and here was one I 'd never seen before. The rest is history!! This is an uncomplicated guitar. Straight ahead, two humbuckers, two vol, and tone knob's, and a three-way toggle swich. Oh, did I mention, it's a tobacoo sunburst? If this was stolen, I'd have the sucker hunted down like a mad dog, and jailed for as long as possable!! This may sound all sugariee sweet, but I truely feel this way about this axe.