Washburn OE30 or Epiophone Dot?

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Zarathustra

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I'm stuck with a decision mainly dictated by a tight budget: I played a Epiphone Dot through an Orange Crush 15W Combo Amp in a guitar shop yesterday. I loved it. However, I've never seen a Dot for less than 300$ anywhere. However, I'm also not sure if it was the guitar (which I did like the feel of), or the amp that gave it the nicer tone (I liked it better than the higher Watt orange amps).

Now, Music123, Musiciansfriend, etc, all sell the Washburn OE30 for around 130$-150$. It's a takeoff of the same guitar that the Dot is based off, the 335. The amp I looked at in the store is 99$ there and online.

So, in the worst case scenarios, I could end up with an amp and a guitar I don't like or a guitar I like with nothing to play it with but a bass amp.

Has anyone played the OE30? Is it better just to go with the Dot? Is the orange amp any good?
 
Have you tried the Dot Studio? If you're looking for a 335 clone but aren't hung up about the Gibson name, you might save up a little more $$ and look at the some other possibilities, all in the under $500 price range:
Peavey JF-1
Yamaha
Ibanez
Dean

I think the model Washburn you are referring to is part of the Oscar Schmidt line. Washburn also makes some 335 clones in their regular line that have street prices under $500.
 
Yeah, it is from the Oscar Schmidt

Is that a bad thing?

I've looked at the Dot studio, but it's the same price as getting both Schmidt and the amp. I'd like to know if the OE30 is any good before I put any money down.

I'm also not a brand junkie, my acoustic-electric classical is an Esteban. =O!!
 
QC on chineese hollowbodies varies massively from guitar to guitar. I would say that ibanez Artcore is prolly the most consistant.
 
Flamin Lip is right, although it has improved, the QC on Chinese-made guitars is inconsistent at best.
I'm sure this suggestion might draw some flames in response, and so please just consider this as one man's opinion and not necessarily gospel. My belief is that when it comes to electric guitars, one is better off initially to buy the best guitar s/he can afford, even if it means skimping on the amp, because the amp can be upgraded later as finances allow.
The reputable dealers are more than happy to work with customers to help them obtain the best possible instrument for their needs.

Aside from the objective questions about the quality of the instrument, the bottom line is which instrument will make you want to play it more? Or another way to look at the scenario is to ask yourself: "If I could not afford to purchase another guitar for x number of years, could I be content playing this guitar for that long?" [The problem is that none of us has ever been able to answer that question because we've all developed severe cases of GAS. ;)]
 
I agree, QC is slack on most Chineese made guitars. I'm not implying they are all bad, some are very good (especialy for their price) but the bad ones are really bad. You just have to play several of the same models and compare them to see what I mean. My main concern is the electronics. Chineese makers tend to use really cheap parts which need to be replaced much sooner, weak input jacks, flimsy pots, poor machines, and cold/weak solder joints are common. Replacing the input jack is the most common repair I make on Chineese made guitars, fortunately thats easy and cheap, except on hollow bodies.
 
To me, the first criteria is how does the guitar fell in my hands. If it feels good (even balance, comfortable fit, good neck, etc) and plays wells, I am more inclind to want to play it. The next criteria is how does it sound.

If I can find a guitar that feels good and sound good - I can always figure out what amp will work best with that guitar.

If you already like the way the DOT feels and sounds - I would think most of your decision has already been made. Sure you can find a guitar that may be $100 cheaper - but if you own and play a guitar for x years - that $100 will not seem important when you look back.

I have a DOT (I found one that had good QC) which I've owned for about 7 years - It continues to be one of my favorite guitars.
 
I used to have a OE30 Delta King. They're actually made by Oscar Schmidt, which I've been told is owned by Washburn. A few parts on the guitar are Washburn, such as the pickups .

I really liked the one I had. It played well and the humbuckers sounded great. There were no problems with the setup, but it came with rusty strings and a dry fretboard. A new set of strings and a little oil on the fretboard and it was ready to go.

I've also played an Epiphone in the store, and I personally liked the sound and playability of the OE30 better. It has a very comfortable neck.

You should check the reviews on Harmony Central. You'll find that the Oscar Schmidt OE30 gets as good if not slightly better marks than the Epiphone Dot for about $100 less. The only negative I can think of is that there aren't many stores who stock the OE30, so you wouldn't be able to check it out first.
 
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