Epiphone Dove Studio – How Good Is It? [GUITAR REVIEW]

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

epiphone dove studio review

If you’re wondering whether Epiphone Dove Studio is a good acoustic-electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that affordable model. It’s a very popular guitar, but is it actually that good?

The truth is that Epiphone Dove Studio offers a fantastic value for the money. It looks, sounds and feels like a much more expensive guitar. Surely, it’s one of the best acoustic-electric guitars that you can find at this price level.

Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Dove Studio so good and so popular all around the world! Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specifications of that guitar. Additionally, we’ll check out the biggest pros and cons of that model. Hopefully, this guide will help you figure out if this guitar will be a good fit for you.

Overview – Specs & Pricing

epiphone dove studio photo

Epiphone Dove Studio is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar suitable for all level guitarists. Considering how versatile and inexpensive it is, it’s not surprising that so many players decide to choose it!

What makes it so cool? Well, the Dove Studio features a solid spruce top with maple back and sides. There’s also a comfortable maple neck with an easy-playing Indian Laurel fretboard. The quality of these woods is really high and what’s more, they will enhance the tonal qualities of that instrument over time.

The sound of Epiphone Dove Studio can be described as rich, full and resonant. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re strumming or playing with your fingers – it simply sounds great on that axe.

The manufacturer equipped that model with the Fishman Sonitone electronics which allows you to efficiently use that guitar on stage. This is a really important feature, so if you’re a working musician, you will definitely appreciate that.

It is also worth mentioning that Epiphone Dove Studio looks absolutely beautiful from the outside too. Just like the original Gibson Dove, it has the same aesthetic with the unique and recognizable pickguard.

When it comes to pricing, it’s not the cheapest guitar made by Epiphone, but it’s still a really affordable option. Surely, finding a better and more versatile acoustic-electric guitar at this price level will be extremely hard. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!

Here’s a quick video review.

Pros & Cons

Just like any other mid-range acoustic-electric guitar, Epiphone Dove Studio has its own advantages and disadvantages. That’s totally normal! However, it seems pretty clear that this particular model has far more pros rather than cons.

There are a lot of things that can be considered as major advantages of that model.

It looks, sounds and feels awesome. On top of that, it’s not overly expensive and it’s ideal for live performances. Isn’t it all that really matters in the end?

On the other hand, the Dove Studio usually comes without a gig bag. This is not a huge issue, although it would be nice to have it included. It would save you a lot of time, because finding a good and reliable case for an acoustic guitar isn’t that easy. Especially if you’re a beginner!

Additionally, some die-hard fans of Gibson guitars may complain that this is just a copy of the legendary Gibson Dove. It’s not made in the United States, but I’m sure that it won’t be a problem for the vast majority of you.

Overall, the advantages of the Dove Studio outweigh its disadvantages. You just can’t complain about the quality of that guitar when you think of how affordable it actually is. Surely, it’s definitely worth every cent!

Who Is It For?

Epiphone Dove Studio is suitable for guitarists of all levels. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a complete beginner or a bit more advanced guitar player – you will definitely notice the undeniably high quality of that guitar.

This is a fantastic instrument for anyone who’s searching for their first acoustic guitar. At the same time, it’s also a great choice for working musicians who are looking for a reliable axe suitable for gigs.

It is also worth mentioning that the Dove Studio is a really versatile guitar, so it works perfectly for both strumming and fingerpicking. Whether you’re into rock, blues, country or folk, the tone of that guitar won’t let you down.

What’s important, the price of Epiphone Dove Studio isn’t that high, especially when you compare it wit the legendary Gibson Dove. That being said, it’s an ideal option for those who don’t want to spend too much on new gear.

Overall, I’m sure that the vast majority of guitar players will really benefit from adding that model to their own collections. It exceeds all the expectations!

Dove Or Hummingbird?

A lot of guitarists wonder whether they should choose the Epiphone Dove Studio or Epiphone Hummingbird Studio. Both of them are really affordable, but which one of them is actually better?

The truth is that it’s not easy to clearly determine whether you should choose the Dove or Hummingbird model. They sound and feel a bit differently, so it’s all up to your own personal preferences.

The Hummingbird has a bit shorter scale, so it’s a better choice for guitarists with smaller hands and shorter fingers. However, that difference is not that big. Both of them are acoustic-electric guitars, so they can be efficiently used on stage.

If you want to hear the direct comparison of Dove and Hummingbird guitars, here’s a really good video that compares them.

Any Alternatives?

If you’re not satisfied with the overall quality of Epiphone Dove Studio, that’s not a big deal! There’s still quite a lot of other fantastic guitars that also deserve a lot of attention. Of course, it all depends on what exactly you’re searching for and how much are you willing to spend.

Here’s a few more acoustic guitars that you may also like.

other acoustic guitars

Firstly, I highly recommend checking out the Takamine GN75CE. This acoustic-electric guitar is slightly more expensive than Epiphone Dove Studio, but it offers a fantastic value for the money. Just like the Dove, it’s a perfect choice for all the working musicians out there. On top of that, it has a cutaway that allows you to efficiently use the highest frets.

If your budget is really low and you don’t want to spend too much on a new guitar, choosing the Epiphone DR-100 will be the most optimal choice. This is one of the cheapest guitars made by this brand, but it doesn’t feel or sound cheap at all. I personally started my own musical journey with that guitar back in 2008 and I can confirm that it’s worth every cent!

Additionally, you can also check out my article about 10 Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars For The Money. This brand manufactures quite a lot of really good acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars, so there’s a high chance that your next dream axe is somewhere on that list.

FAQ

Where is Epiphone Dove Studio made?

Epiphone Dove Studio is manufactured in China.

What is the scale length of that guitar?

The scale length of Epiphone Dove Studio has 25.5″.

Is it good for beginners?

Yes, this guitar is perfect for beginners!

Where can I find out more about Epiphone guitars?

If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of electric and acoustic guitars, make sure to check out the official website of Epiphone.

Summary

As you can see, Epiphone Dove Studio is an absolutely amazing and great sounding acoustic-electric guitar. There’s not much to complain about – it exceeds all the expectations. That’s why I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all guitarists who are searching for an affordable and reliable guitar of this type!

What do you think of the Dove Studio model? Do you think that it’s worth the hype? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were looking for. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like: