weird epiphone sheraton...

[GuitarDoc]

I have a 1968 Sheraton that there's no way I'd sell it for less than $700 (actually, I wouldn't sell it at all. It doesn't have that goofy "by Gibson" headstock. I contacted Epiphone several years ago to find out more about it. Seems they can't even track the serial number. Back in '68 to '70 there was quite a bit of change going on in the production of their guitars and they didn't keep accurate records of the serial numbers and can't even tell if it was made in Kalamazoo or Korea. Their best guess is that it was probably one of the last ones made in the USA. The quality is the best I have seen in any guitar by any manufacturer.

Back in those days, people took pride in their workmanship. There was no cutting corners. I also had a 1960 ES330, a '68 ES345TDC, and a '69 LP Custom (black and gold). All were outstanding quality. Not like any made today.

What a shame. What a loss of pride and personal integrity. Sometimes I wish that I hadn't lived in the good old days so I wouldn't have to see such a degradation in quality in instruments in recent years.

[astrozombie]

I have a 1968 Sheraton that there's no way I'd sell it for less than $700 (actually, I wouldn't sell it at all. It doesn't have that goofy "by Gibson" headstock. I contacted Epiphone several years ago to find out more about it. Seems they can't even track the serial number. Back in '68 to '70 there was quite a bit of change going on in the production of their guitars and they didn't keep accurate records of the serial numbers and can't even tell if it was made in Kalamazoo or Korea. Their best guess is that it was probably one of the last ones made in the USA. The quality is the best I have seen in any guitar by any manufacturer.

Back in those days, people took pride in their workmanship. There was no cutting corners. I also had a 1960 ES330, a '68 ES345TDC, and a '69 LP Custom (black and gold). All were outstanding quality. Not like any made today.

What a shame. What a loss of pride and personal integrity. Sometimes I wish that I hadn't lived in the good old days so I wouldn't have to see such a degradation in quality in instruments in recent years.

As a Sheraton player, answer me this...

People always talk about the Sheraton like it's a 335 copy. I guess they're building off the fact that it's a semi hollow guitar with humbuckers and the shape is very similar if not the same, as well as some cosmetic similarities.

that being said, I don't feel like a sheraton is a 335 copy at all. I think it has it's own thing going on. Would you agree? What do you like the most about the Sheraton and what do you like the least?

[Funkfingers]

A "proper", American-made Sheraton will have mini humbuckers and the two-piece Frequensator tailpiece. First and foremost, it is a jazz guitar.

[astrozombie]

A "proper", American-made Sheraton will have mini humbuckers and the two-piece Frequensator tailpiece. First and foremost, it is a jazz guitar.

I would own an original If I could.

maybe I could add the tailpiece? from what I understand it isnt tied down by anything but two or three screws near the strap pin.

[astrozombie]

Like this:

[ItsaBass]

If it has a factory stop tail piece, it is a Sheraton II or a rare exception.

[astrozombie]

that sunburst one isn't the one. the original picture didnt work anymore so i took it down.

it looked like this one:

[ItsaBass]

that sunburst one isn't the one. the original picture didnt work anymore so i took it down.

it looked like this one:

What are you referencing? What looked like this one?

[ItsaBass]

As a Sheraton player, answer me this...

People always talk about the Sheraton like it's a 335 copy. I guess they're building off the fact that it's a semi hollow guitar with humbuckers and the shape is very similar if not the same, as well as some cosmetic similarities.

that being said, I don't feel like a sheraton is a 335 copy at all. I think it has it's own thing going on. Would you agree? What do you like the most about the Sheraton and what do you like the least?

To me, the Sheraton is a 345- or 355-based guitar in terms of trim level. There are obvious differences (pickups and tailpiece, of course) but look at the binding and inlays. Block inlays instead of dots or trapezoids, multi-ply binding, and extra decorative inlay on the face of the head. No Vari-Tone or stereo output, though.

And the Sheraton II uses the same pickup and tail piece design as the 345/355. So the differences are that they don't have a Vari-Tone or stereo wiring.

The original Sheratons are built as well as Gibsons. I generally prefer mini humbuckers if I have a choice. I also prefer the cosmetics of the Sheratons (three-piece block inlays on fretboard and vine inlay on head) to the 345's and 355's. I like the Vari-Tone and stereo wiring, but can live without them. So, to me, an antique Sheraton is the ultimate thin-line semi-hollow-bodied guitar. Who knows; there may even be some with the Vari-Tone and stereo wiring.

[GuitarDoc]

Yeh, I'd say that the Sheraton is the most delux quality of the slim semis. Like ItsaBass said. Quality, trim, finish, and workmanship are supurb. Actually, mine is a Sheraton ll, it's got the stop tailpiece.

But like I said...I would never consider selling it. It couldn't be replaced nowadays with like quality for under $3000.

[ItsaBass]

Yeh, I'd say that the Sheraton is the most delux quality of the slim semis. Like ItsaBass said. Quality, trim, finish, and workmanship are supurb. Actually, mine is a Sheraton ll, it's got the stop tailpiece.

But like I said...I would never consider selling it. It couldn't be replaced nowadays with like quality for under $3000.

You just pointed out a mistake in my post. I said that Sheraton II's have full-sized humbuckers. But I forgot that the model also existed in the '60's. I tend to associate the II's with the foreign-made Epis, which have full-sized humbuckers.

Boy, would I love to have your guitar. It would be the perfect compliment to my '68 bronze 330.

[astrozombie]

the foreign made epiphones ARE sheraton 2s.

[spoonido]

I'm late to this party, but I've got an "Epiphone By Gibson" Sheraton. My intention was to buy it and sell it for a profit, but it's a keeper. Made in Korea, 1987.

The tone is sweet, full, very much a Gibson quality about it. The neck is a dream come true. Fits my medium sized hand beautifully and allows me to do what I want instead of talking back! It's worth at least as much as what the new Chinese Sheratons are going for, but likely much more, considering the downward trend in quality these days.

About modern Chinese instruments, I think they're a great way to get an instrument for little money, but none of them are made all that well, and I've had my hands on plenty of them. A shame we'd rather have 12 Chinese guitars in our closets instead of 3 good American made instruments.

[Funkfingers]

Welcome to the forum, spoonido.

My brother's Epi-by-Gibson Sheraton II is MIK and dates from 1988. He likes its slim neck. (Strange, as he is primarily as bassist.) I find it far too flexible.

One thing that I will say in favour of these guitars, they sound much better if the black plastic nut is upgraded to bone, synthetic ivory or - in my brother's case - solid brass.

[blueman335]

To me, the Sheraton is a 345- or 355-based guitar in terms of trim level. There are obvious differences (pickups and tailpiece, of course) but look at the binding and inlays. Block inlays instead of dots or trapezoids, multi-ply binding, and extra decorative inlay on the face of the head.

+1. Most like a 345 or 355, but it's all in the closely-related 335 'family.' Great design that has stood the test of time, with some variations here and there. Certainly more uniform than the huge variety in LP's (Custom, Std, Studio, Deluxe, Special, Jr, Double cutaway, Access, etc).

[GuitarDoc]

Grab it. Make your best offer. I was able to find a new, Made in Korea Epi Sheraton II a few years ago. The build quality is excellent in mine. The older Japanese ones are now sort of sought after. Swap the pickups out for a pair of SD's or Gibson 59 Classics. You won't be disappointed.

Gibson 59 Classics??

[Aceman]

Nothing weirder than any other inconsistancy they have had in the past 50 years.

I'd hit a Sheraton over a DOT any day.

[Funkfingers]

Gibson 59 Classics??

Well, the guitar is a copy. The pickups might as well be as well.

[GuitarDoc]

My Sheraton ll is US made (Kalamazoo) and has full sized buckers. Not totally sure of the year but probably around 1968, just before they were farmed out to Korea. Best quality imaginable, even the pups sound really good (haven't taken them out to find out what kind they really are). I would expect that they are 57 Classics, but they sound very bright and articulate so maybe not.

[astrozombie]

My Sheraton ll is US made (Kalamazoo) and has full sized buckers. Not totally sure of the year but probably around 1968, just before they were farmed out to Korea. Best quality imaginable, even the pups sound really good (haven't taken them out to find out what kind they really are). I would expect that they are 57 Classics, but they sound very bright and articulate so maybe not.

you think a guitar made in 1968 has gibson 57 classics?