The Complete Guide to Buying an Epiphone ES-335 Dot

Your Guide to buying the best Epiphone ES-335 Dot

Overview

The Epiphone ES-335 Dot is a classic semi-hollow body electric guitar that stands out amongst its peers for its affordability and variety of features. This buying guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Epiphone ES-335 Dot, including its construction, sound characteristics, and potential applications. In addition to this, we will review the various models of the ES-335 Dot and provide tips on how to choose the right one for your needs. Finally, we will also provide some guidance on purchasing and maintaining the instrument, so that you can be sure that you are making an informed decision when it comes to selecting your perfect ES-335 Dot.

Key features

  1. Price - The Epiphone ES-335 Dot is a mid-priced guitar with a range of models available, from professional to beginner level.
  2. Design - The ES-335 Dot features a double-cutaway design with a solid center block of mahogany, a maple top, and a rosewood fretboard.
  3. Pickups/Hardware - The guitar is equipped with two Alnico classic humbucker pickups and nickel hardware, including Grover tuners and Tune-o-Matic bridge.
  4. Electronics - The ES-335 Dot features individual tone and volume controls, as well as a three-way toggle switch for pickup selection.
  5. Playability - The guitar has a slim neck profile and 22 frets, making it comfortable to play and easy to access the higher frets.
  6. Sound - The ES-335 Dot has a warm, full tone with a rich midrange and plenty of sustain.

See the most popular Epiphone ES-335 Dot on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Affordable - Epiphone ES-335 Dot is a more affordable version of the classic Gibson ES-335, making it a great choice for budget-conscious guitarists who want a quality semi-hollow body with vintage style.
  • Versatile - The ES-335 Dot is a versatile instrument that can be used for a variety of genres and playing styles, from blues and jazz to hard rock and metal.
  • Quality Construction - Featuring a mahogany body with maple top and neck, and a rosewood fingerboard, the ES-335 Dot is built to last, and is capable of producing great tone and sustain.
  • Classic Look - The ES-335 Dot has a classic look that has been popular for decades, making it an attractive choice for players looking to own a piece of guitar history.
  • Easy to Play - With its slim body shape and comfortable neck, the ES-335 Dot is an easy-to-play guitar that is great for beginners and experienced players alike.

Cons

  • Cost: The Epiphone ES-335 Dot is a more expensive model of electric guitar compared to other Epiphone models, as it is designed to provide a higher-end experience.
  • Weight: As the Epiphone ES-335 Dot is made of wood, it's heavier than guitars made of lighter materials. This added weight can make it more difficult to maneuver while standing or sitting.
  • Pickups: The pickups on the Epiphone ES-335 Dot, while solid, may not be as versatile as some more expensive models, and may not offer a wide variety of sounds.
  • Finish: The finish on the Epiphone ES-335 Dot may not be as durable as some more expensive guitars, meaning it could be more susceptible to scratches, dents, and other damage.

Best alternatives

  1. Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s - A classic with a fat neck and single-coil pickups.
  2. Gretsch G2622T Streamliner Center Block - Offers the classic Gretsch style with modern appointments.
  3. Fender American Professional Stratocaster - A modern version of the iconic Stratocaster with a pair of more powerful pickups.
  4. Ibanez AF75TDG Hollow Body - An affordable hollow-body with classic appointments and two humbuckers.
  5. Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin - A semi-hollow body with a single-coil pickup and two humbuckers.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Strings - Replacement strings for the guitar.
  • Guitar Cable - An audio connector cable to connect the guitar to an amplifier.
  • Guitar Picks - Small pieces of plastic or other materials used to strum or pluck the guitar strings.
  • Guitar Strap - A belt-like device used to secure the guitar to the player's body.
  • Guitar Tuner - A device used to accurately tune the strings of the guitar.
  • Guitar Stand - A device used to securely hold the guitar in an upright position.
  • Guitar Capo - An accessory used to change the pitch of the guitar strings.
  • Guitar Case - A protective carrying case for the guitar.
  • Guitar Amp - An amplifier used to amplify the sound of the guitar.

Common questions

  1. What is the body shape of an Epiphone ES-335 Dot?
    The Epiphone ES-335 Dot is a semi-hollow body guitar, with a double cutaway and two ‘f’ shaped sound holes.
  2. Are Epiphone ES-335 Dot guitars suitable for a beginner?
    Yes, the Epiphone ES-335 Dot is an excellent choice for beginner guitarists. It has an easy to play neck and body, and its semi-hollow design produces a warm and resonant sound.
  3. What type of pickups does the Epiphone ES-335 Dot have?
    The Epiphone ES-335 Dot has two humbucking pickups, one at the neck and one at the bridge.
  4. Does the Epiphone ES-335 Dot have any special features?
    Yes, the Epiphone ES-335 Dot has an adjustable truss rod and Grover tuners, as well as a fully adjustable bridge, which helps to keep the guitar in tune.
  5. What type of strings should be used on an Epiphone ES-335 Dot?
    The Epiphone ES-335 Dot is typically strung with 9-42 gauge strings.
  6. What type of music is the Epiphone ES-335 Dot suitable for?
    The Epiphone ES-335 Dot is suitable for a variety of genres, including blues, jazz, country, and rock.

Trivia

The Epiphone ES-335 Dot is an iconic guitar and has been used by famous musicians such as B.B. King and Eric Clapton. One interesting story associated with this guitar is that John Lee Hooker was given a model by Gibson as a birthday present in 1959. Hooker had always wanted an ES-335 Dot, but couldn’t afford one, and Gibson decided to give him one as a gift. Hooker used the guitar throughout his career and even donated it to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. This story of the gift of an iconic guitar to a beloved musician is a reminder of the impact music has had on our culture over the years. Source: https://www.guitar.com/articles/epiphone-335-dot-history

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.