It fills your hand nicely, and the low action makes it a delight to play. Played through a variety of amps, the Dot does a decent job of evoking the plump shimmer of a real 335. Higher gain settings yield some of the meaty rhythm colors and round, sweet lead tones associated with Larry Carlton and Robben Ford, but the pickups definitely lack the detail, dimension, and vibe of early Gibson humbuckers. The Dot features oversized volume pots that preserve the highs as you roll down the volume. Looks and feels a lot like a vastly more expensive Gibson ES-335.
Pickups lack vibe.
The current trend in semi-hollow electrics is toward chambered designs with carved tops. Though roughly the size and shape of a '70s L-6S, the 446S tips the scales at a feathery 5.8 lbs and sports a comfy, contoured back. The neck is beautifully shaped, and the medium-sized frets are precisely crowned and rounded at the tips for a smooth feel. The binding is ultra clean, although you can feel a slight ridge between the body and the binding. The immaculately carved top looks splendid with its red lacquer finish, and, as elsewhere, the clear coats are smooth as glass.