Epiphone Dot Studio

Mine is an 04' i think, i replaced the controls with two coil-tapping pots and i put in a gibson dirty fingers in the bridge, and a seymour duncan sh-1 '59. With the dirty fingers alone, or blended with the sh-1 this guitar sounds like no other. I mainly use it as backup and as an "experiment" guitar, but ive been using instead of my tricked out es-335.

I play through a mesa triple recto and a marshall jimi hendrix head, the mesa drives two mesa 4x12s and the marshall drives two mesa 2x12s, for a distinct sound. I like to use a little bit of flange on the mesa and the shure wireless i use gives me all the compression i need.

It was nice out of the factory with some "fur" aroung the soundholes

its so durable i love it and i would use it without a backup, were it not for all my added on parts.

never dealt with them

Ive been playing for 10 years im 15, and i am in a band which plays a distint post punk sound, think of late blink-182 playing the cure and its about like that. we are very popular in newjersey, and play every weekend, and this baby stands up to the test.

Same as stated in other reviews. Very plain, but easy to get various tones out of it. Its Worn Brown.

i like the sound of it unplugged. plugged in leaves something to be desired, but still pretty solid. A upgrade of pick ups, its now very very hot.

It fits and feels perfect for me. Never had any problems with the action. Its best looking one i've seen. Most of them i wouldn't even pick up.

will hold the test of time. I've never had a problem with the hardware, but i replaced it all just the same.

N/A

A heavy, solid guitar. Its not bad for lead work, but perfect for chording. I sold it to a good friend of mine and i missed it a great deal, but when I got it back I was very happy. However I wouldn't get another one. They are a good deal if you cand find good finish and want to spend the cash to upgrade it and have a truly amazing guitar.

Not going to rehash all of the features. This is a new dot studio. F holes painted. Very nice budget hollowbody.

awesome sound. i'm a fan of hollowbody's. have 2 oscar schmidts & this one. would have purchased another oscar schmidt, but they dont make white ones. my band is a rootsy guns n' roses/buckcherry kind of band, which is perfect for hollowbodys. i was very happy with the sound of the anlico pickups, as they are deeper than my oscar schmidts.

action was ok, but it's a tune-o-matic, so a couple turns of the screw & it was good. the white part of the finish looks great, although i already hacked it up in one show. dont really care though, as it still looks good. the binding has something to be desired though. painted on ?? not a big deal though. the only problem i had was the strap buttons. took them off to replace with strap locks. the bottom went in fine, the top stripped out & broke in half quick. couldn't get it out, so i had to make a new hole.

i never play without a backup, but this one will work. it was cheap enough to just get another one when this thing falls apart. not really worried about it.

haven't had to use, & not going to e'mail them for a stripped broken strap button.

very cool image guitar. we'll see how it holds up. stays in tune pretty good & sounds great.

Cost #200 from an Online retailer, + #140 costs in parts and workshop fees.Chinese, 2005 model.

Because I purchased this guitar from an online retailer, I had it fully set up by my local guitar shop. I also had a Seymour-Duncan JB pick-up installed in the bridge.

This is how it was out of the box. The body of the guitar was fairly well made. There were no faults with the finish or problems with the fitting of the hardware. The parts used looked REALLY cheap, the jack socket and pick-up selector looked like the cheapest electrical parts you could buy (thin plastic mounting, sticky switches), but they do the job. The bridge looks rough, the saddles look as if they'll shred your strings. The pick ups are standard Epiphone equipment, and are real humbuckers, not single coil as I've read elsewhere. The tuners are fairly ok, do the job. I like speed knobs, and as a former Telecaster play one volume and one tone control suits me fine.

Before the set up there was no tone to judge. It sounded dreadfull, really bad. When I got it back from a full set-up it was like a totally different guitar. The tone is fairly full and rich, but a little rough. When you put a little distortion through your amp its really well suited to blues/blues rock playing, but its not refined enough for jazz. You can get a nice indie jangle out of it, and played clean the sound is suprisingly quite pleasent, with little or no hum, a that great semi-acoustic tone.

The major problem was the neck and action. The nut was really high and the neck visibly bent. This ment the action was terrible and the guitar did not hold its tuning for more than 10 mins. The factory set up rates a 1 out of 10. But hey, its a cheap guitar. The potential was there so I invested in a new pick-up, sent it to the shop and when I got it back, as I said earlier, the guitar was completely different. The shop put a new, lower nut in, straightened the neck and sorted the bridge out. Also they replaced the volume pot. So its a 1 out of 10 from the factory, a 8 out of 10 after set up.

Since I've only had the guitar 3 weeks I can't really judge durability. I would gig it, but I'd always have a back up regardless of what guitar I was playing. The build quality is ok, so I don't think it would fall apart, however the general cheapness of some of the parts concerns me.

Don't know, haven't delt with them. Warranties for US companys always seem a bit theoretical outside of the USA, but since I haven't had to use it, I'll shut up.

Simply put: Before set up - Bad. After set up - Good. If you're going to get one, buy it from a guitar shop and play it to see if its set up, if you get it online be prepared to pay to get it made playable. I probably didn't need to change the bridge pickup, because the neck one sounds fine. Once you get it working its a nice instrument. My last guitar was a gibson Les Paul Standard, and against that bench mark its not terrible. I play it every day and enjoy doing so, I would gig it, but yet....

It feels like a cheap guitar. I played a mexican Fender Tele standard for years, which cost me about the same, and despite the finish being dodgy it felt like a 'real' guitar. The Studio Dot just doesn't have that quality, it feels a bit like a toy, despite playing fine and sounding great. I makes a really good 2nd guitar or a great purchase if you want a semi with out breaking the bank, but I'm certainly going to be buying a Japanese Fender to use as my day to day player, but hey for the money I don't think it can be beaten.

Standard features as spec'd by Epiphone. This is a simple, stripped down version of other dot variations. I like the simple one volume, one tone control as I don't need separate controls for each pickup. The lack of dots on the frets is no big deal. If you're like me, you pay more attention to the small dots on top of the neck if anything.

As compared to a $2K Gibson ES,it has a well rounded, good, sound. Let's face it; it's a relatively inexpensive guitar, not a $2K ES. I think for the price, the sound is amazing. Playing clean, it has a very full sound. I may swap out the pickups later if I want to improve the sound, but for now, I'm happy.

Right out of the box, the set up was perfect. I have not one complaint and no need to take it in to a shop for a "set up". Finish is also perfect, with no flaws. I love the worn cherry finish. The picture of it on the Epiphone website does it no justice. The binding is painted or stained on but it looks fine. I don't know how they make this guitar for $300.

Everything is solid so far. The tuners/machines are cheap but work. I will upgrade those to something better in the future.

I've tinkered with guitars for a decade but only recently got serious. My primary gtr is a 72 Tele Deluxe reissue. I wanted an ES type guitar as a second guitar but not enough to shell out the $. I saw the Dot Studio and fell in love with the simple, stripped down looks, and worn cherry finish. I ordered it off the internet and figured I'd return it if it didn't play well. It plays as well as it looks and I consider it a bargain. Yes, I'd buy it again.

Pretty simple guitar, tune-o-matic, volume, tone and pickup selector, two humbuckers. Nice clean look.

Suits all styles, rock, metal, punk etc. Full sound.

Set up great from the factory, not had to touch anything. Wires inside the body had come loose, some double sided tape sorted that. Paint slightly smudged over binding.

Very reliable, stay in tune, i replaced the strap buttons as it is quite a heavy guitar, and didn't like jumpin' about with the existing buttons.

My Dot Studio was made in 2005. My Guitar shop man got the guitar from a fair, where he tested a lot of this type of guitars and took one home. Its the blue model... as I saw the guitar in the shop I thought uuuh.... what a shit coulour.... but I tested the guitar and it was completely unbelievable. So I bought it...

Together with my Brunetti Maranello I get a wide variation of fine sounds. Bridge pickup on clean channel: crispy sound, very clear and good to hear in a wall of band sound. Neck pickup: Best blues / jazz you can get for that low price. Overdrive channel with bridge pickup: byty and heavy tone in the treble, singing. Neck: more warm, can go into the dark and heavy tones. Its depending on the amp setting what you get. The guitar brings all the stuff you need.

In comparison to some of my other guitars this "cheap" guitar is crafted very well. So I had no need to change anything. The setup of the neck was nearly perfect. I lowered the strings a little. Now I have only to tip on a string to get the colourful rich and fine sound of this instrument. This instrument is definitely more worth than I paid for.

Yaaa.... the guitar is in daily use now and had sun, snow, cold, heat and a lot of that. It is in perfect condition until now.

no need.

Ok. I play since 1981. A lot of guitars and amps. I play in two bands active (Rock / Jazz).

This guitar is reliable and makes a good job. I mostly play the cheap one and left my Burns, Gibson and Strat at Home....

2005 Dot Studio in the Worn Brown Finish. 22 Frets. Maple laminate construction with maple neck (I have a preference for maple necks.) Satin finish. Two humbuckers - much better quality than the older Epi models. Volume and Tone. 3-way selector. Black hardware. Fake (i.e. painted on) "binding" - but well done! Generic Shaller-like tuners (will be replafed by Gotos eventually.) That's it. Covers the basics pretty nicely. I wanted a very clean, simple look for the guitar and got it (not even any 'dot' markers - my preference.) As a finger style player, I did not want a pick guard (I'd rather see the wood.) Does not come with a case. I bought the Epiphone case made for their semi-hollowbodies - it is one of the nicest cases I've seen and was an absoute steal for about 60 bucks!

Sounds pretty damn nice. Quiet. Fairly articulate. Gutsy (pretty hot bridge) to mellow (mellow neck, not especially distinctive but good.) Very adequate for what I wanted - I don't feel the need to "upgrade" the pickups. Tone and volume pots seem very adequate (unlike my previous Epiphones.) I play jazz- this guitar does a very respectable job. Sounds very decent unplugged. This is not my main axe but was purchased to give a different, more traditional, jazz sound to compliment my Ibanez S1624FB (an axe to die for!)

I was amazed that an axe in this price range could be so well made! Fit and finish were perfect on my guitar. NO FLAWS! Very nice satin finish. Joints were perfect. No drippy glue or funky joints. Setup was mediocre out of the box - so what! - any new guitar goes to my luthier for a proper setup anyway. The worn brown finish is very nice - I especially like that it is a satin. The neck feels great (much plumper than my Ibanez.) It absolutely blows me away that they can make this quality an axe for so little dough. My "10" rating is based on a price-quality ratio but this guitar would stand up very well in cpmparison to axes costing three or four times more.

Seems to be built like the proverbial brick shithouse. However, compared to my Ibanez S1625FB - the Epiphone DOT Studio also weighs about the same as a brick shithouse!

I have a local luthier who is terrific and is Epiphone/Gibson authorized for warranty work. He previously took care of my Epiphone Sheraton (long since gone, thanks to a GAS attack.) The warranty card says "Lifetime." Based on experience, I expect warranty work, if ever required, to be very satisfactory.

For a semi-hollowbody guitar in this price range, I give it an absolute "10." If it were lost, stolen, or eaten by termites, I would replace it post haste! As I mentioned, it is my second axe - my main axe is an Ibanez S1625FB (and is in a different world altogether - no comparison!) ButI particularly wanted a quaity no-frills, minimalist, axe and this is it! My Amps are Line 6 Flextone III with Short Board Controller and Vox Valvetronix AD15VT. I borrow my daughter's Ovation when I'm feeling 'acoustic' - which is rarely. I've been playing more than 25 years. Over the years, I've owned a ton of guitars (Gibson, Gretsch, Godin, Schecter, Fender etc.) I generally limit myself to only 2 axes at a time. I suspect this will hold me for quite a while, as I am very happy with both of my guitars and each fills exactly the role I wanted it to.

Second review after playing the Dot Studio for six months in several playing conditions (no smoke, but rain, very hot&humid, just above freezing). I'd only had to adjust the neck once.

I DID install Duncan Phat Cat P90s (neck & bridge) and upgraded the tone and volume controls. I got the blue one for the kids'-centered band I play in: they dig the blue! those stock tuners continue to do the job!

The SD P90s and the upgrades to the pots did wonders (in since late August). I had considered trying straight-up humbuckers, but the stock ones sounded pretty good (used from mid-Spring to mid-August) as they were. I was seeking that Casino vibe outta this guitar.

Continues to be a fun, highly playable guitar that probably gets used more often than my others (due to the frequency of kids' gigs vs grown-up gigs).

After many indoor and outdoor gigs, in rain, high heat, near freezing cold, high humidity, this Dot Studio has demonstrated a high level of both reliability and durability! Stock strap buttons remain (using a Jerry Garcia strap: it ain't goin' anywhere!).

I just wanted to come back with a follow-up, since so many times so many of these reviews are after only a day or two. Any guitar player who has tried it out likes the playability; most like the tone into my EL84 212 amp (chimey chimey chimey). And while I have seen the blue one appear in a few magazines, I don't see too many in the Real World. While I have other pressing needs for my (less&less) descetionary spending, I continue to be on the lookout for another one of these (blue, or the tomato red looks kinda happenin'). But for the controls needing replacing (pickups are for preference, not need), this would get at least a 9 overall. A great first guitar or a great Number One guitar.

Presumably 2005 made in China archtop. Laminated maple body with "f" holes, two humbucker pickups 1 vol and 1 tone pots with a 3-way switch. Maple neck with 22 fret 24.75 scale rosewood fingerboard with no markers. Dots are found on the top side of the bound neck. Has true binding. I don't know the others who say theirs' have "painted" binding. Sealed cheap black tuners with decent black tune-o-matic bridge and stoptail. No extras or accessories. Very simple straight to the point guitar. Mine is alpine white which makes excellent contrast with the black hardware and headstock.

I play mostly punk rock. I bought this guitar thinking I would give an archtop a try and epiphone has been a very resoected brand for this type of guitar. Soundwise It is actually very good. i rarely play clean, but this guitar has the best clean tone I have ever heard. I may even start playing without distrtion because of this guitar. Very full balanced tone. when distorted the pup's actually impressed me. They sounded far, far better than the stock pup's in the Epi Les Paul Custom. But... they are a bit too noisy when overdrive. A persistent hum a bit louder that the usual when using AlNiCo pup's. I really like the sound, but I am thinking of changing the pup's to Gibson 496R and 500T's.

The action was really low. It buzzed like hell. Te neck was well adjusted, the intonation was a bit off. The pickups were a little low. Now.. the finish has "missesd" spots aound the edges of the "f" holes, the jack was loose, and the caliber of the jack is small. Really... I couldn't plug the thing in. It was virginal: no matter how hard I pushed the line in it just wouldn't take it. I am not kidding. I do tech work and never in my 10 years of tech have I seen something like this!!!! I had to replace the jack: and it's a pain in the ass to replace. When changing the strap buttons to Straplocks, the one at the butt was screwed in so tight that it indented the wood and cracked the finish. Otherwise the frets were nicely dressed and the fingerboard seemed a bit dry.

I gigged it already and it held the hour and a half of jumpng around. I am a heavy hitter and surprisingly it did not go out of tune with the cheap tuners. I thought it was going to feel unbalanced like an Explorer, headstock heavy, but to my surprise it is very, very well balanced. The hardware is black chrome so it should last.

I was actually surprised by the tone of this guitar and how well balanced it is. I own over 15 guitars: Fenders, Gibson Les Pauls, and Epiphone Les Pauls. Never had I owned an archtop, and I liked it!!!! I do have issues with the jack and the finish, which to some might be superfluous, but we are making a donation to Epiphone/Gibson's investors' pockets. I would like Epi/Gib to pay a bit more attention to these points and the setup. I really don't hate anything and has everything I was looking for. I am extremely pleased with the purchase in terms of tone output and general looks.