NGD (Well New To Me At Least)

[colchar]

I had been thinking of grabbing a hollow body but wasn't able to drop $3K on a Gibson at the moment so I started looking at Epi Dots. I wasn't sure about them but, thanks to some positive comments and info from others here, I decided to head out today to check out one that I had found in the local classifieds. The guitar is in decent shape - the usual scuffs, etc. but it had no major dings, was structurally sound, and played well enough when I checked it out so I pulled the trigger.

It is one of the older Korean Epis (I'm not sure how they are regarded in comparison to the newer models) and, according to the serial number, was built in 1998.

I got the guitar and a hard shell case for $250 which others here indicated was a good deal. All it needs right now is a bit of a cleaning, some lemon oil for the fretboard, and she's good to go.

Here are some quick photos (excuse the camera flash in the photos):

[Hector Arcadius]

Good choice man, they're very nice guitars. Enjoy her!

[leftyguitarman]

Congrats Colchar. Looks good!

IMO, the older Korean Epis are usually better than the newer MIC Epis. I've played a lot of each and it seems that the newer ones just feel cheaper. YMMV.

[MineGoes211]

Enjoy!!

[icantbuyafender]

+1 for Korean Epi's

Ive got a LP classic and LP standard from 2001 and 2002

SOLID guitars

[colchar]

Thanks folks.

Glad to hear the Korean Epis are well thought of. I am looking forward to getting home tomorrow afternoon so that I can spend some time playing her. I think I'll put on a new set of strings this weekend as that will give me the opportunity to condition the fretboard with some lemon oil and to give the guitar a bit of a cleaning. I also have to search through the garage for a screw and nut for the pick guard. The previous owner had taken the pick guard off and had lost one of the screws but that is easily enough replaced.

[SexyGibson]

[colchar]

Originally Posted by SexyGibson

Thanks. Can we do a straight up trade for the girl in the picture? I'm sure I'd enjoy her F-holes more than I will those on the guitar

[Thumpalumpacus]

Congrats, brotha. My MiK G-400 plays as well as any guitar I've owned. The advice on p'ups in your other thread is sound, but that's a sweet piece you got there, regardless.

[colchar]

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

Congrats, brotha. My MiK G-400 plays as well as any guitar I've owned. The advice on p'ups in your other thread is sound, but that's a sweet piece you got there, regardless.

Yeah if I like it as much as I expect to I will definitely put the Gibson pups in there as they would make a hell of a difference and would probably really make that guitar sing.

[TKOjams]

[hobbyman]

Congratulation! That's a beautiful guitar! Mine is a MIK also. Those guitars are awesome! Enjoy!

[colchar]

Originally Posted by hobbyman

Congratulation! That's a beautiful guitar! Mine is a MIK also. Those guitars are awesome! Enjoy!

I can't wait for it to come back from the tech.

[SexyGibson]

Originally Posted by colchar

Yeah if I like it as much as I expect to I will definitely put the Gibson pups in there as they would make a hell of a difference and would probably really make that guitar sing.

If you decide to upgrade the pups I would urge you to consider the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover set. They are marketed as the best replacement pups for semi-hollows. I had a set in a Tokai Les Paul and they were the best sounding clean pickups that I have ever heard.

[bluesguitar1972]

Originally Posted by colchar

Yeah if I like it as much as I expect to I will definitely put the Gibson pups in there as they would make a hell of a difference and would probably really make that guitar sing.

Hell yeah - my only beef with the EPI stuff is the stock pups are super low-end. Probably even worth swapping out the pots, but putting in a set of BB or the like will seriously enhance the guitar.

I've found the EPI's to be nicely finished and pretty easy to set up. I've had 2 Epiphone 335's before - a studio and the BB King Lucille. Both were very well put together and finnished guitars.

Happy NGD man - gotta love a nice hollowbody, though I'd have to agree with your earlier F-holes comment.

[colchar]

Originally Posted by SexyGibson

If you decide to upgrade the pups I would urge you to consider the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover set. They are marketed as the best replacement pups for semi-hollows. I had a set in a Tokai Les Paul and they were the best sounding clean pickups that I have ever heard.

Thanks, definitely something to consider.

[colchar]

Originally Posted by bluesguitar1972

Hell yeah - my only beef with the EPI stuff is the stock pups are super low-end. Probably even worth swapping out the pots, but putting in a set of BB or the like will seriously enhance the guitar.

I've found the EPI's to be nicely finished and pretty easy to set up. I've had 2 Epiphone 335's before - a studio and the BB King Lucille. Both were very well put together and finnished guitars.

Happy NGD man - gotta love a nice hollowbody, though I'd have to agree with your earlier F-holes comment.

I would definitely look into swapping the pots. I am doing that on my Les Paul so it only stands to reason to do that on an Epi.

If I were to put Gibson pups in there I would want to trade my BB Pros for '57 Classics as those are what are in an ES-335 and those guitars sound great. Plus, another Dot owner on another forum recently uploaded a video of him playing his and he had Gibson '57 Classics in that guitar and it sounded really good to my ears. I'll also check out some of the aftermarket pickups.

I tend to play a lot of '50s stuff and some country too and I think this guitar might end up being just the ticket for those kinds of songs. While I would like to grab a Tele at some point, I prefer Gibson guitars because the scale is just more comfortable for me. If I can get decent '50s and country tones from this then that will negate the need for a Tele. This won't have the same twang as a Tele but I expect I can get close enough to keep a basement player like myself happy because so many country guys played 335s and other hollow bodies decades ago.

[bluesguitar1972]

I'd be all over the '57's too, but as the other member mentioned, the SD Seth Lovers are also supposed to be quite nice PAF style pups. You couldn't go wrong with BB's either though, if you can't find a trade. Any Gibson pup would be a huge upgrade to the Epi stuff (not hating -- you can't expect $400 worth of pups in a $450 guitar). Same deal with the LP pots, if you're swapping them out of the Faded Trad.... though, I'd def go for the 57's if you found a trade there - plus, would be nice to have nickel covers.

What did you throw into the Trad?

[colchar]

Originally Posted by bluesguitar1972

What did you throw into the Trad?

Nothing yet - but only because I am waiting for other parts to arrive so that I can have everything done at the same time. Once the other stuff arrives I am putting a set of Burstbucker 1&2s in there that I got from another member here for $80US (for the set). They came out of his R8 and are now sitting in my desk just waiting for the nickel hardware to arrive from other sources (because the pickups have nickel covers I wanted the rest of the hardware to match). Given the time of year and all the other distractions that come with the season, I might leave it until early January and have everything put in then.

And good point about the pots, if I am taking them out of my LP I can just have them transferred to my Epi.