Post by chimpo on Apr 25, 2020 21:38:44 GMT -5
I've had a new 2019 manufactured Dot for a week now. A few observations:
- It appears to be well manufactured and flawless. No ideas about neck construction (i.e number of pieces) because it's covered in paint but I consider it irrelevant.
- Nice solid construction. From what I can see through the f-holes indicates attention to detail as far as internal construction goes.
- The finish is excellent with no visible flaws
- Fret work is spot-on. No overhanging fret ends, no buzzing or any other fret related problems.
- Set-up and intonation is spot on. It's a player for sure.
- Tone wise, IMO, it tends to lean more towards a darker Les Paul sound compared to Gibson ES 335s. This may be because the centre block is mahogany, combined with a maple laminated top. (from what I've read ES-335s have a maple centre block which I reckon would give a brighter tone).
- The pickups sound great. Clear, articulate, no muddiness whatsoever. A variation of a vintage HB sound IMO.
- The tone and volume pots work great all the way to zero. I'm discovering tones that I never new existed, especially with middle selected and varying the pots in relation to each other. Awesome.
In summary: I crave a Gibson ES 335 but they are way to expensive. The Dot certainly provides GAS suppression. I have not being able to put it down and absolutely love it. To me it's a 335 variation tone wise but not so far removed that it's completely different. The only thing I don't really like is the shape of the pickguard, looks a bit weird (I definitely prefer the shape ES 335 pickguards), but it will remain in place because it doesn't affect anything.
- It appears to be well manufactured and flawless. No ideas about neck construction (i.e number of pieces) because it's covered in paint but I consider it irrelevant.
- Nice solid construction. From what I can see through the f-holes indicates attention to detail as far as internal construction goes.
- The finish is excellent with no visible flaws
- Fret work is spot-on. No overhanging fret ends, no buzzing or any other fret related problems.
- Set-up and intonation is spot on. It's a player for sure.
- Tone wise, IMO, it tends to lean more towards a darker Les Paul sound compared to Gibson ES 335s. This may be because the centre block is mahogany, combined with a maple laminated top. (from what I've read ES-335s have a maple centre block which I reckon would give a brighter tone).
- The pickups sound great. Clear, articulate, no muddiness whatsoever. A variation of a vintage HB sound IMO.
- The tone and volume pots work great all the way to zero. I'm discovering tones that I never new existed, especially with middle selected and varying the pots in relation to each other. Awesome.
In summary: I crave a Gibson ES 335 but they are way to expensive. The Dot certainly provides GAS suppression. I have not being able to put it down and absolutely love it. To me it's a 335 variation tone wise but not so far removed that it's completely different. The only thing I don't really like is the shape of the pickguard, looks a bit weird (I definitely prefer the shape ES 335 pickguards), but it will remain in place because it doesn't affect anything.
