New for 2012. The Black Royale Dot gives the ES-335 Dot tradition a whole new makeover with a metallic black finish. The Dot Royale is constructed of premium laminated Maple including a Mahogany center block and a hand-fitted, glued-in Mahogany neck. Other details include a Rosewood fingerboard with traditional “Dot” inlay, historic metal Epiphone name “badge” on the headstock, and heavy-duty output jack.
The Epiphone Dot is named in reference to its simple “dot” fingerboard inlays
Epiphone Black Royale Dot features:
- Semi-hollow body construction
- Laminated Maple Body & Sides
- Set mahogany neck with SlimTaper “D” profile
- Rosewood Fingerboard with black dot inlays
- 12″ fingerboard radius
- Synthetic bone nut
- Pearl deco oval headstock inlay
- 2 Alnico-V Classic humbucker pickups
- LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece
- Grover 16:1 ratio tuners
- Silver Sparkle body & neck binding
- Elevated silver pickguard with “E” emblem
- Nickel Hardware
- Black reflector knobs
- 2 Vol. 2 Tone
- 3-way switch
- 24.75″ scale
- 1.68″ nut width
- Metallic Black finish
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This is a strikingly beautiful piece of art, craftsmanship and vibe surrounded by the instrumentation of innovation from some very creative people at Epiphone.
The Dot is built very well and the finish on the Black Royale is beyond expectations. I have not seen a picture to date that captures the “pearl” finish. More accurately it may be described as a charcoal mist with a tint of metal flake; but incredibly tastefully done. To me the finish is closer to a charcoal than a black. In any event it is beautiful and flawless.
The neck is very comfortable and the frets are well trimmed. The body is balanced with the controls reacting very well to your amplifier. I find while playing through a tube amp with 6L6’s the strike of the pick action reacts wonderfully. With a solid state the alnico pickups have a very nice sparkle. Tweeking both the volume/tone controls on the guitar and the EQ on your amplifier will give a multi varied array of tones. The Dot/335 has been known to be one of the most versatile of guitar designs and this model continues to amplify that prestigious reputation quite well.
On the opportunity side in my humble opinion Epiphone could of made this “Royale” line even more special with the addition/elimination of a few items that appear to be quite a common belief with guitarist at the stores and on line.
1. The logo on the truss rod cover would be better served if it illustrated “Dot” or “Dot Royale.” The Epiphone ”E” style will be dated very soon. I’d say go with the classic look at certain points that are tried and true.
2. Also the Epiphone “E” on the pick guard is almost an immediate removal. I would like to see simply a blank pick guard.
3. The tone and volume knobs may be more attractive if they were white or silver to match the pick guard and one more step, I would rather see “speed knobs” more than the top hats or witch hat types.
One more point of interest, I would like to see any new releases get to the stores by April, not October/November when winter NAMM is just around the corner highlighting the 2013 models.
So, hear (please) Epiphone, develop your FTM (first to market) and increase your competitive advantage to gain market share. With a strong position statement the demand is the dynamic in the P curve. Not get manufacturing coordinated with Marketing/Promotions.
Most importantly a huge CONGRATULATIONS to the staff, C level and E levels at Epiphone for making their business model reflect current musician’s sense of stage/performance magic. Somebody there is in touch with musicians or at least listening to them and listening to the front line employees and supervisors.
Just a few tweeks. Job well done Epiphone. Truly well done.