The Epiphone Dot is a semi-hollow archtop electric guitar manufactured by Epiphone, a subsidiary of Gibson. It was introduced in 1997[2] as a more affordable version of the Gibson ES-335, at the high end of entry-level pricing.[3] Reviews describe it as a robustly-constructed, versatile guitar with a smooth, powerful sound, suitable for jazz, blues and some rock styles, but lacking the high output required for heavy metal.[2][4][5][6]
| Epiphone Dot | |
|---|---|
 Left-handed version in Cherry finish | |
| Manufacturer | Epiphone |
| Period | 1997–2019 |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Semi-hollow |
| Neck joint | Set |
| Scale | 24.75" |
| Woods | |
| Body | Laminated maple top, back and sides, maple or mahogany centre block |
| Neck | Maple or mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood or Pau Ferro (2019 models only) |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Fixed |
| Pickup(s) | 2 Humbuckers (2 Alnico Classic) |
| Colors available | |
| Sunburst, Cherry, Ebony, Natural, (2011: Pelham Blue - Limited Edition. 2019: Aquamarine, Blue Burst - Limited Edition)[1] | |
Construction
editThe Dot has a semi-hollow body made of laminated maple. Two hollow "wings" with f-holes[7] sit on either side of a solid block of mahogany[8] or maple[9] on which the pickups, bridge and tailpiece are mounted, which makes it less prone to feedback than a fully hollow-bodied guitar.[4] It has a glued-in neck of mahogany[10] (before 2008, maple)[2] and a rosewood fingerboard.[11] The name "Dot" is in reference to its fretboard markers, which are simple dots, unlike other Epiphone archtop guitars such as the Casino or the Sheraton, which have more elaborate block inlays.[5] It has two alnico humbucker pickups, each with its own volume and tone control, a three-way selector switch allowing the player to choose one or both pickups,[11] a Tune-o-matic bridge and a stop-bar tailpiece.[7] Formerly made in Korea,[10] since 2002 the Dot has been made in Epiphone's factory in Qingdao, China.[12][13]
Variants
editAlso available is the Dot Studio, described as a "stripped down" version of the Dot, with a body made of laminated mahogany, one volume and one tone control,[14] uncovered pickups, no pickguard, and no fretboard markers.[13]
Models formerly available include the Dot Deluxe, with a flame maple laminate top and gold-plated hardware;[15] the Dot Super VS, with a flame maple top and mother of pearl block inlays (2006);[16] and the Dot Royale, with gold-plated hardware and a pearl white finish.[17]
Notable users
edit- Nathan Amundson (Rivulets)[18]
- David Bazan[19]
- Mary Halvorson[20]
- Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age)[7]
- Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)[21]
References
edit- ^ "Epiphone Dot". Epiphone.com. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ a b c Fynn Callum, My Love for the Epiphone Dot Archived 16 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Red Dog Music, 5 February 2013
- ^ John Hall, Christmas 2015: 10 best electric guitars for beginners, The Independent, 1 December 2015
- ^ a b Epiphone Dot vs Casino vs Sheraton, Gig Gear, 26 June 2013
- ^ a b Mick Taylor, Epiphone ES-335 Dot Review, Music Radar, 17 July 2009
- ^ Aaron Matthies, Epiphone Dot Review, Guitar Gear Finder, 4 February 2015
- ^ a b c Epiphone Dot review Archived 16 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Which Electric Guitar, retrieved 16 July 2015
- ^ The Epiphone Dot and Sheraton-II Archived 2 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Epiphone, 10 January 2013
- ^ Epiphone Dot - Ebony Archived 16 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Gig Gear, retrieved 16 July 2015
- ^ a b Art Thompson, Epiphone Dot Guitar, Guitar Player magazine, February 2000
- ^ a b Epiphone Dot Archtop Review: A Player’s Take on a Vintage Axe, Guitar Adventures, retrieved 16 July 2015
- ^ EpiphoneDot, NotPurfect.com, retrieved 16 July 2015
- ^ a b Michael Molenda, Epiphone Dot Studio Archived 19 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Guitar Player magazine, June 2005
- ^ Epiphone Dot Studio, Epiphone, retrieved 16 July 2015
- ^ Epiphone Dot Deluxe, Musician's Friend, retrieved 16 July 2015
- ^ Epiphone Dot Super VS – Another Great Limited Editition Axe from Epi, Guitar Gas, 1 April 2014
- ^ Limited Edition Dot Royale, Epiphone, retrieved 16 July 2015
- ^ Epiphone Dot: Nathan Amundson On His Guitar, retrieved 2 June 2022
- ^ Bazan: Alone at the Microphone DVD, DavidBazan.com, retrieved 21 July 2015
- ^ Epiphone Dot: Avant Garde Artist (Or Avant Gardeist) Mary Halvorson On Her Guitar, Gearwire Youtube Channel, 21 June 2010
- ^ Lee Ranaldo - Epiphone Dot on Equipboard, retrieved 21 July 2015