Along with yesterday’s announcement by Epiphone of their new Blues Custom 30 tube amp comes word of another new piece of highly affordable equipment – the DOT Studio Hollowbody… yep, an ES-335 for the rest of us!
Like its famous predecessor, the classic Gibson ES-335, the DOT Studio is half way between a solid-body and a full hollowbody, and as such it is said to carry much of the same tone, sustain and feel as the original.
Among other things the DOT Studio features a pair of opencoil Alnico-V humbuckers, simplified controls (single volume & tone knobs,) 3-way pickup switching, black hardware, a 24 3/4-inch scale length, and four unique finishes: Worn Sunburst, Worn Cherry, Black, and Alpine White.
Ironically, the DOT Studio is devoid of the very thing that gave the ES-335 its “Dot” nickname – the fingerboard has no inlays at all.
According to Epiphone the DOT Studio will list at just $499.
- Epiphone Giving Away A DOT Studio!
- Epiphone Faded DOT & Worn Firebird Get Guitar World Magazine’s Gold Award
- Epiphone Giving Away A Les Paul Studio!
- Epiphone Unveils Prophecy Line Of Custom Guitars
- Gibson Les Paul Studio
- Gibson Unveils Robot Les Paul Studio & Robot SG Special
- Epiphone Unveils New Limited Edition Wildkat Deluxe
- Gibson Announces Guitar Of The Week #24 :: Firebird Studio
- Gibson Announces Limited Edition Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio
- Epiphone Introduces Blues Custom 30 Tube Amp
- Win An Epiphone Blues Custom, Firebird, & ‘69 Camaro Clone
- Epiphone Giving Away A Broadway Archtop
August 10th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
I’ve dreamt of purchasing a ES-335 since the day I found out that Steve Howe - one of my favorite guitarists ever - used one heavily during the zenith of Yes’ long and storied existence. But the reality of the situation is that I can’t afford that ha. One day? Sure. Today? Absolutely not.
Once again, Epiphone comes through in the clutch! I’ll definitely have to be sure to keep this one in mind when I can scrape up enough funds to purchase a new axe. $499 at LIST? There’s no telling how low I could find it for in an actual store… I’ll have to remember to eat a good breakfast that morning, I wouldn’t want to get lightheaded and faint when I ring up and realize what a steal I’m getting.
August 11th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Hehe… I know how you feel. I was lucky enough to own an ES-335 for many, many years, but I finally had to sell it (along with my prized blackface Fender Twin) when times got just too tight. As much as I love Gibson’s full priced guitars, now that I own something costing roughly 1/4 the price, I’m beginning to realize that the rest of the great big world of guitar makers is starting to catch up with them.
I’m starting wonder if they’ll be able to keep their prices where they are for much longer. My ESP, which was built in South Korea, is gorgeous, sounds great, and is built like an Atomic Bomb. It’s as nice as any Les Paul I’ve ever played – and it cost me $600 :)
I think Epiphone, while owned by Gibson, may be the future of the company… you just can’t live on name and prestige alone for very long, particularly while other manufacturers are creating popular instruments at a fraction of the cost.
I’m sure I’ll always love Gibsons, and I’m sure plenty of others will too, but I wonder as younger players come in how the guitar market is going to change…
These new DOT Studios look like a great, cheap alternative… I’ll see if I can get one in for a full review.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I have been playing guitar since I was a teenager, I am now 46 yo. I have over the years owned “all” the brand name guitars at one stage or another. My son decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar, so of we went in search of a resonably priced guitar, my son was interested in a semi hollow guitar, we looked at several top brand name guitars, and some not so top brand name guitars. Much to my surprise we found a Epiphone ES 335 Dot that not only was within my sons price range, BUT sounded and played better than most of my so-called top brand models. I played this guitar and was to say the least, overwhelmingly surprised with the sound and quality and the finish of the Epi, hence we purchased it. No set up, action intonation or any other adjustments were required, it played perfect right out of the box, bloody amazing. Not one of my $2000-$3000 plus guitars played with out some sort of set up work being needed. I was so impressed I bought one myself. I don’t think I will ever pay the exorborant price of a so-called top brand name guitar ever again. I think the day of paying mega bucks for a guitar are well and truely over if what I have experienced with the Epi is the standard of cheap guitars is as good as the Epiphone. Whilst the Epiphone could do with some modifications (pick ups for example), unless you are a working muso, I wouldn’t both, the standard hardware is suficient, nice tone, action and the finish was superb. I think Fenders and Gibsons are a waste of money, when one can have an Epiphone for a fraction of the cost. Some muso’s I know are die hard top brand name guitarists, I think they are fools! Why pay through the nose for a Gibson,Rickenbecker,Maton, Fender, etc. just to be able to say,”hey look maan”, I’ve got the real thing, so what?? I’ve got an Epiphone and with the money I saved I purchased a corvette..haha (joking). Well done Epiphone, money well spent, thank you for a most excellent product, you have bought yourself a lot of good advertising via word of mouth, congratulations. Sincerely. Tony.