written by Casey136 on 04/04/2015
Why do people compare the Epi /Sheraton with the 335. 1st,price, What do you want for around £450 av. You can't compare a £1500+ with a £500 instrument. I have a 2010 Chinese built Sheraton(another moan with some) and as far as I'm concerned it sound amazing and I have no build quality issues..I have had No tuning problems, electrics work fine And it looks a million. Would I recommend, deff I would. £ 4 £ no contest. Its a Jazz / blues guitar not a Slash screamer. I think the Sheraton are about as good as you can get, Looks, Playability it has it all, Buy one and just enjoy its qualities at an affordable price I doubt you will be disappointed. I wasn't.
written by on 18/03/2013
In 92 I wanted a new guitar so I went to the shop to get a Gibson ES-335. I got there saw the sheraton and the joe pass along with the es-335. I loved the jazz sound put out by the emporer but didnt like the feel of the thick guitar anything above the 12th fret. I loved the sheraton and the es-335. They both felt and played the same. Same sound and same quality. I purchased the Sheridan and have never regreted it. I had a 40% off coupon and picked it up for 350.00 what a steal compared to the 1600.00 the gibson would have cost me at the same time. On my way home I stopped by my guitar tech and had him set up The strobe tuning change the pots around to put my treble volume pot right under my bridge and take the toggle switch to the rear of the guitar. I had my favorite strings put on it and I have never seen a better Jazz or blues guitar in my life. Ive been playing for over 45 years and I never buy a new guitar and dont have it proffessionally set up. Its like Buying the best and never taking it out to play with. You are doing yourself a huge injustice to not have your electrict guitar proffessionaly set up and strobe tuned. This is the best blues guitar for the money. Ive been playing mine in recording studios all accross the country for over 20 years now and will never let it go.
written by h2g2 on 29/12/2011
I bought my Sherry2 in 1999 and thought it was average at the time playing it through an old transistor Vox. I always loved the look and feel of it though, and it was much lighter than the solid bodies I'd had. I bought a valve amp in about 2005 and the sound was so much better, but still not what I wanted. Thought of changing pickups and upgrading the bits, including getting a bigger amp etc. In the end I simply went for a professional set up. I couldn't believe it when I got it back: tuners and pickups (these needed re-balancing), whole thing was a new experience! The techie said it's all fine without upgrades, unless maybe later change the pickups if I get fed up. This guitar is so playable and nuanced now. However, the lad wants one after playing mine. Can't part with it though. PLEASE can someone write a review of the specifically Chinese sheraton? - rather get him one of these than part with my Korean!
written by Captain Crisps on 27/01/2011
This is a great guitar failed by cheap hardware. Once you strip it out and re-fit with quality it is a wonderful instrument.
I bought mine in about 1998 thinking I was getting a Casino, would you believe. At that stage I was only a so-so guitarist but it was obvious, even to me, it had much more to give.
Reasons:
* Cheap pickups which lack response, particularly at the bass end
* It constantly goes out of tune
* Open strings sound dull
* The electrics feel sturdy as cobwebs
Unaltered, the Sheraton II can only rely on great playability, excellent build quality and catwalk looks. Which isn't too bad, I suppose.
Since then the following changes have been made:
* Gibson pickups (P-94 at neck and Burstbucker #3 at Bridge)
* Schaller M6 machine heads
* CTS pots with quality toggle switch, jack input and wiring
* Fossil ivory nut (I read bone would be fine, but I felt flash)
* Bigsby
Not cheap. Particularly as I had a luthier perform the work, which is advisable.
The result is a guitar which exceeds all expectations, and easily a match for a Gibson 335. This is particularly pleasing as - even with the extra cash for upgrades - the Gibson would be twice as expensive.
I have read reviews complaining of the hardware. I would add that should you wish to take this on, it would be the most rewarding upgrade project you could hope for.
written by on 09/01/2011
In the 1970's I bought an Epiphone Riviera red with white binding and chrom hardware,it was my first semi-hollow body; I never gave it a chance to prove it's self,I didn't know much about the instrument in those days. After I learned to play a little better around the late 1980's,I traded the Riviera for a Sheraton wineburst new with a case, I was very satisfied with the trade. It's now 2011 and the Sheraton has been my main guitar ever since. I LOVE MY SHERATON and GOD BLESS EPIPHONE.
written by bendeschaad on 04/12/2010
I've owned a 1999 Sheraton 2 for 10 years. The blonde model. I call her "Blondie." Great tone but did need to have the pots replaced about 2 years ago. I also have a Gretsch hollow body electric and a Gibson-Les Paul Epi, but I keep going back to my Sheraton 2. I like the 3 part neck (made in Korea)
and the way the neck feels up and down the fretboard. Stays in tune really well for RnR and occasional country. I run it through a 1965 Fender Vibrolux with just a little reverb, which, allows plenty of distortion, without losing note differintiation, at high volumes. I sometimes just like to look at it as the shape, color, and style is a work of art.
written by on 26/10/2010
Very good guitar for the money. Nice semi-hollow body. Paid $450 for mine used (1997 model) not a scratch on it with Seymour Duncan pickups installed. I love everything about this guitar except one thing. It is very heavy. You get shoulder fatigue when playing for more than 15 minutes. Very versitile guitar with good sustain. I can play mellow jazz to hard driving rock on this thing. Stays in tune very well. Has a wide shallow neck that feels great and plays easy. Other than being heavy, not a thing to complain about. A recommended purchase.
written by on 02/09/2010
wanted this guitar for a long time.saving for ages.what i went without was well worth it.beautiful to look at.so comfortable to hold.the neck was daunting with my small hands,but proved no problem at all,the sound and playability and the versitility of this guitar has progressed my playing beyond all expectations.recomended strings thomastik blues sliders although any strings soundgood,get 10s ,9s dont really work.
written by on 03/04/2010
Amazing great for money, stay's in tune well ,look's amence, get it! I've had one for a year and i love it. The only fault is it isn't the most stong of guitars.
written by on 11/03/2010
I've had a Sheraton II in natural for a couple of years, during which time it's been given some of the normal upgrades: bone nut, Seymour Pearly Gates + new push-pull pots. I've taken off all of the blingy gold hardware, adding a chrome stesbar trem and a set of chrome locking tuners. Having been a big teenage Alex Lifeson fan, an ES335 was always my dream guitar, but with my medium quality skills, I couldn't justify the costs. Even before the upgrades, this was a very nice instrument - well-made, with a good sound and low, even action that's the equal of the Gibsons I've played. Since I spent more than the original cost of the guitar on upgrades, it's now to my mind an absolutely superb instrument, and still way cheaper than an ES335 (about half including all the upgrades). The Pearlies give a pretty authentic PAF sound and it plays really smoothly. I'd never get back what I've paid for it, but I bought it to play, not to sell. If you're after an investment, or you've got money to burn, get a 335, by all means. If you want a great-sounding guitar that brings out the best in your playing, a Sherry + upgrades is an economical and satisfying option.
written by on 30/08/2009
I Play all genres of music..Jazz is my style..Found my Epiphone Sheraton in a flea market for 400.00 bucks.I've owned it for 10 years and I don't have any regrets.This one was made in Korea. Super tone ..comfortable neck.The instrument itself sounds darn good unamplified and for old seasoned players like myself that's a good indication of what it would sound like plugged in.I did upgrade my pick-ups w/Sduncans and had a custom bridge carved from rosewood and will be upgrading my pots...but pound per pound this little fiddle is worth at least 4x what I paid for it....Pro jazz Player
written by magp56 on 18/06/2009
Recently I bought a Gibson SG. I think I paid about double money just for a little bit more of sound quality. I love my Sheraton 6 years old because is an awesome guitar for its price. Good for blues,jazz, rock and more... IMO a bit heavy to play stand up but its weight adds a good sustain.
written by sheepgnome on 19/05/2009
One of the more polished 335 alikes from Epiphone.
Similar in quality to the BB King Lucille model in finish, well worth a look and play if you want a 335 type box.
Versatile for Jazz sounds, rock like Ted Nugent, and all round playability.
Available at a great price from lots of places.
I have had mine for 12 years and its going nowhere else!
written by Teawallah on 18/05/2009
The Epiphone Sheraton II is easier to get my playing fingers around the neck than any other guitar I've used, thus easier to play and to play fast . It's the guitar John Lennon walloped on stage, yet nobody could hear him, I wonder why ?
written by on 11/04/2009
my Epiphone Sheraton II guitar was a natural finish MIC i believe, sounds great good sustain, finish is good, can't see dings easily in a natural but looks beautiful, pickups sound good but its all to do with the amp. bits loose but u can tighten everything, the gold wore out quickly but i dont mind it looks used.
very well made guitar should stand the test of time if it has been taken care of.
written by on 26/03/2009
I've got one of these Epiphone Sheraton II guitars the neck is the best I've ever come across.
However the only thing is the sg has got much more sustain and probally better toggle switches. (Gibson don't appear to really set up their guitars it needs a decent set up)e.
Don't get me wrong the sg is a grate guitar. But the epip I bought is already set up ready to go.
If your buying a gibson that should be done!
written by mpither5 on 03/01/2009
The neck of the Epiphone Sheraton II is nice and narrow considering size of guitar, the rounded shape of neck is fitting to my shovel style hand shape, the sheraton made me feel like a guitar playing grown up! First time for everything. The deep tones and versatility of different sounds are unbelievable. Oh and I fell in love with it when I bought it, lets face it beauty is only skin deep but when you look at something like an sg... ugly is to the bone! Rest my case.
written by MewzikmanC on 30/12/2008
Beautifuly looking guitar and very well made. Very versatile in terms of tone. Beautifully warm and full body sounds. Sounded great through my Ashdown Peacemake 40 watt valve combo or my Peavey Bandit 112 Transtube combo. Just a great sounding guitar and a joy to play.
I've played my friends Gibson 335 and it was not far off in terms of sound and playability. A lot of guitar for your money. One I would definately recommend.
written by drobin on 06/12/2008
My guitar instuctor has an early 80s gibson 335, it falls short of that in sound only and not by that much. I just compared my Epi to a Heritage H535 and I'm telling you the Epi won in sound, the heritage felt a little better on electronics knobs etc, but that was it. No way would i buy any other hollowbody for the money it was a steal, if i put some Wolfetone pickups in it I'm sure it would be neck in neck with the Gibson for a third of the price.
Written on: 17/06/2009
I found this review not helpful because the guy is deluded. There is no comparison between a Heritage H535 and an Epiphone Sheraton. I bought my Heritage a few years ago and its sound, playability and build quality were so much better than my 67 335 thst I sold the Gibson. I have also owned an Epi Dot and a Sheraton - both korean - with the view that they would be a backup to the Heritage but they went the same way as the Gibson. The only banckups I would have would be another Heritage or a Yamaha SA - preferably an older one
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Guitarbug's Response to Teawallah's Review
Written on: 20/07/2010
Acutally, it was an Epiphone Casino that John Lennon 'walloped' on stage. Very similar appearance to the Sheraton, but completely hollow inside and P90 pick-ups instead of humbuckers. Epiphone actually sell an 'Inspired by John Lennon' Casino at present: http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=325&CollectionID=17
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