Epiphone USA Sheraton

  • Thread starter Thread starter hixmix
  • Start date Start date
SHEPPARDB. said:
Am I the only one in this thread that knows Eipis are pos?Why in fuck
would you waste a grand on one?
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Oh crap! I shoulda checked with YOU first! dag nabbit! Those Beatles sure were stupid too, know nuthin wanna-bees. I'm gonna call MF'ers right now and send this thing back! :(

Please oh please oh pleeeeeeeaaase let me know what you play so I can run out and get one!

Thanks!!!!!!
 
Hard2Hear said:
A couple things to clarify.

Its not a JLH sig model, it didnt say it was. It just mentioned his name in the ad, which is confusing, especially with the dumb serial number thing. Its BETTER than that sig model. Its definately nitro as thats all they spray in Memphis, where it ws put together. The michigan refrence is just cause its an authentic "reissue". Theres no real Epi USA, it was done in the Gibson plant in TN. And, going back to the "reissue" thing, serials back then were stamped only on the label on the inside of the body.

Be happy you don't have a guitar with some other guys name on it. It can be YOUR guitar.

H2H
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Thanks broham. With the initial appearance of not being what I ordered, I was getting a little worked up. Where can you find out what factory it's made in, etc? It would be nice to know.

This is definitely MY guitar. Fits my style to a T. Can't wait to get the II.
 
My Sheraton arrived this afternoon. I had it delivered to my working place so I haven't had a chance to plug in yet. Finish and workmanship flawless. Beautiful inlay work and binding. I really like the triangle in block inlays and the stringer inlays down the sides of the fretboard. Action fine for me, so far. Arrived tuned to pitch except the D string was out.

As beautiful as the guitar is, I'm gonna have to live with it a week or so before deciding wether to keep it.

Newbie-Doo said:
However, there is a BIG BUT here.

I am feeling a little "ripped-off in principle" because...

1. Nowhere on the guitar does it say John Lee Hooker or Epiphone USA. It says Sheraton Reissue on the sticker in the F hole. I think the John Lee Hooker everywhere is a little cheesy anyhow but still, that is what is supposed to make this guitar collectible. YES. Just a discreet JLH signature inlay at one of the upper frets would've been nice.

2. I thought this was a made in the USA model? It says "Assembled In The USA" on a sticker on the back of the headstock. YES.

3. The pickguard looks like ONE thick piece of plastic and it has a squared edge, it does not show the nice 5 layers with a beveled edge like you expect.I like my pick guard. It's tortise shell with five layers of black and white binding. It's not beveled but it looks really nice.

4. The "Metal E" on the pickguard is basically an aluminum foil E sticker. That doesn't really bother me as that was how it was on the original 1964.

5. There is no "stamped original serial number of John Lee Hooker's guitar". There is no stamped serial number at all, just a sticker with a serial number attached to the Epiphone sticker inside the body by the top F hole. The sticker says Epiphone, Inc. Kalamazoo Michigan (for whatever that's worth).YES.

6. Blank black two layer truss rod cover. No shiny E, no John Lee Hooker on it. Very blah. Just an engraved "e" logo on it would have been a cool touch on a supposedly $2500 guitar. There was one on the 1964. Why would they leave it blank? :confused:

7. This is a HUGE point to me if its true...I think this is a polyurethane finish, not laquer. That is probaly the main reason I took a chance and bought this thing and one of the reasons I expected the value to increase over time. I don't know how to verify this. What would that do to the future resale value of this guitar? MF ad claims finish is "nitrocellulose laquer" and I believe that's what mine has.

Seems to me that these guys at Musician's Friend are seriously testing the limits of the false advertising laws. :D YES. YES. YES. The difference in descriptions of the guitar between the MF ad and the Epiphone site are very confusing and misleading..
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hixmix said:
My Sheraton arrived this afternoon. I had it delivered to my working place so I haven't had a chance to plug in yet. Finish and workmanship flawless. Beautiful inlay work and binding. I really like the triangle in block inlays and the stringer inlays down the sides of the fretboard. Action fine for me, so far. Arrived tuned to pitch except the D string was out.

As beautiful as the guitar is, I'm gonna have to live with it a week or so before deciding wether to keep it.
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Enjoy! :D
 
The "no case" was a bit of a bummer after being told over the phone by MF that it came with a case. :rolleyes:
 
I didn't expect one because they alway prominently advertise when it comes with a hardshell case.

I'm thinking about picking up a Gator ABS for $79.
 
rpe said:
I've had my Epi Sheraton II for about 20 years. I don't believe it was USA made but the craftsmanship is superb and it plays like a dream. I know you'll enjoy yours.

see photo at: http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=172296
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I had one of those Korean Sheraton II's about 15 years ago. Mine was a natural finish and I really liked that guitar. Used 11's on it. Had a great neck and incredibly low action. Not as much bite as I was looking for so I sold it and bought and SG.
 
Hixie-

If its a good one consider holding on to it for a few months at least then selling it. Since they went so fast at MF, the only way to get one is to pay about $2500 for one somewhere else. I'd say you'd be able to get more money selling than you would just returning it to MF.

Unfortunately, I had just bought a new Les Paul Std when this happened, or I would have jumped on this deal myself.

H2H
 
Oohhhh no, this baby ain't going nowhere. I'm having a hard time putting it down. Matter of fact, I'm wearing her right now. hehe *type-strum-type-strum*

I feel like I totally lucked out, the timing was perfect because two of my credit card companies decided to up my credits for Christmas. Sign from God I say. :D :D :D Merry Christmas To Me!! :D
 
I was wondering where I might score a nice engraved epsilon logo truss rod cover without spending 40 or 50 bucks for a "vintage" one?
 
hixmix said:
40 or 50 bucks for a "vintage" one?
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You've got to be kidding??? :eek: $40-$50 for a truss rod cover!? Madness I tell you...

Let me know if you find some on the cheap. I took the plastic wrap off of mine and it blends in pretty nicely with the headstock now. It lets the headstock inlay get all the attention it deserves. I'm getting used to it and kind of like it.

I got my Sheraton II today and it rocks too. Not as much twang as the 64 and a little more edge and sustain, but I love the sound of both. I like the mini HBs too. Don't get muddy like the fat ones.

Just can't say enough...excuse me while I go to a couple of backflips....
 
Newbie-Doo said:
3. The pickguard looks like ONE thick piece of plastic and it has a squared edge, it does not show the nice 5 layers with a beveled edge like you expect.
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There's no binding on your pickguard?
 
Newbie-Doo said:
I took the plastic wrap off of mine and it blends in pretty nicely with the headstock now. It lets the headstock inlay get all the attention it deserves.
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Good point.
 
hixmix said:
There's no binding on your pickguard?
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Yes, there is. I just didn't realize that is what it was. After I inspected the ad on MF to verify what they were selling I figured that out. I thought binding on a pickguard was kind of weird, but It looks alright.

How do you think a nice pearloid pickguard and matching truss rod cover would look?

How are you liking your's so far Hix?
 
Newbie-Doo said:
Yes, there is. I just didn't realize that is what it was. After I inspected the ad on MF to verify what they were selling I figured that out. I thought binding on a pickguard was kind of weird, but It looks alright.

How do you think a nice pearloid pickguard and matching truss rod cover would look?

How are you liking your's so far Hix?
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I think an antiqued pearloid pickguard would look really good as I picture what it might look like in my mind.

I like the guitar alot. Action now seeming a little stiff for my liking but I'm sure it can be adjusted. Having some problems playing barre chords with the ring finger but that may be the neck radius? How's the action on yours?

Still on the fence. Never played or desired to own a new Epi before and I still have to get over how MF misrepresented the guitar. Got several other hollowbodies but this one is so beautiful and different and new. I was planning my next purchase to be a round neck Gibson Dobro and then this impulse-buy Sheraton came along out of nowhere.
 
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Which one are you liking better the Sheraton or the II?
 
hixmix said:
Which one are you liking better the Sheraton or the II?
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The Sheraton II has a thinner neck and lower action so its a little easier and faster playing. There is a subtle increase in attack and edge as well. Your basic ES335 feel and vibe. It rocks.

The Sheraton I has a little more jangle and twang, and gives your clean tones a little more acoustic warmth. To me those qualities puts this one more in the Gretsch realm for tone and feel. Especially with mild OD\Distortion. I love it.

The both sound great. And with that nice laquer finish they'll just get better sounding over time. But if I had to pick one I'd go with the jangle, twang and warmth of the Sheraton I with the frequensator.
 
hixmix said:
I like the guitar alot. Action now seeming a little stiff for my liking but I'm sure it can be adjusted
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What kind of strings are on it? The II came with standard 10's, 3 wound, 3 plain, but the I came with wound G set. These seem pretty easy to bend.

Maybe you need to replace the strings?
 
Did you see SNL last night? A guitar player in the house band was playing a Sheraton II. I''m pretty sure it was one of the new ones.
 
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