Ngd!

[bigG]

Well, was about a week ago. I bought a brand spankin' new Chinese-made Sheraton II from a local mom'n'pop here.

I know, I'm infamous for not having pics, but here's MF's link to it (the vintage sunburst):

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Sheraton-II-Electric-Guitar?sku=518240

Stunningly beautiful guitar! And, although I've heard alot about lower quality in the Chinese made guits, I must say that the fit'n'finish on this one is superb! AND, the toggle switch and pots are MUCH better than the ones on my Korean-made Casino. Man, there was NOTHING right about those on that Casino. The Sheraton II's are perfect! No noise, the toggle makes and breaks every time, and the pots are smooth and linear. The pups sound great to my ears, so I'm keepin' 'em stock. (I read somewhere that these new ones are using Switchcraft switches...sure feels like it - top quality!)

For $599, this is an amazing value!

(Backstory: short'n'sweet - I liked the Taylor SolidBody Classic I HAD, but I wasn't in love with it, so I went looking to see what I could get for it in trade or sale. NOBODY on CL wanted it [at $999 or $899!] and not two of the three local shops would touch it! I was getting worried that it was a keeper, whether I wanted it or not. The third music store, from which I purchased it, was willing to take it on trade - an EVEN swap for the new Sheraton II! I took a hit financially [paid $1299 for the Taylor SB Classic], but I feel like I got out from under a white elephant, an albatross, unloading that Taylor! At least, if need be, I CAN get something for the Sheraton in trade or sale - so I'm happy all the way around, and I play the Sheraton II much more than I did the Taylor! Whew!)

 

[Robert]

Cool, and congrats!

Wonder how it compares to my Viking?

 

[Tig]

If you are really happy, then it certainly was no loss.
The Sheraton II has a great reputation. I'd love to have one!

Oh, and Happy New Guitar Day!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Wow, I am glad you found one you like, but kinda surprised the Taylor was like that. Glad it worked out anyway!

 

[oldguy]

Congrats on the new semi-hollow.:applause
It looks a bit like the Agile I bought awhile back, and I love the sound and feel. A 335 type guitar is really fun.

 

[bigG]

Thanks, guys. Really is an amazing guitar for the $!

Robert - Don't know how it compares to your Hag. No one in my area stocks Hagstrom. If they did, I surely would have checked one out before buying the Sheraton (who knows, the Hag could be nicer, in what way I don't know, but I would've compared).

Tig - thanks for the NGD flash! First one I've ever gotten!

SVL - just so I was clear on the Taylor. The guit was mighty nice, super quality all the way around. I just never bonded w it. As to resale/trade, it seems local shops are skidish abt the Taylor SolidBodies. They just don't seem to have got traction in the market yet. And when you can get a USA Fender or Gibby Studio (or even higher-end used) for the same $ or less...Bob Taylor has put himself in a tough place pricewise and brandwise.

oldguy - +1 on that, my friend!

Thanks again all! This is the first electric that's pulled me away from solo acoustic, at least a bit, anyway. REALLY enjoying it! (Only played thru the Swart and Super Champ XD so far, and man, what a heavenly clean sound from both, and thru both at that point where the sound grows a little fuzz for sweet blues riffs. Outstanding!)

 

[msteeln]

Congrats on a sweet looker!

Do these come with a Bigsby option?

 

[ZMAN]

If you are really happy, then it certainly was no loss.
The Sheraton II has a great reputation. I'd love to have one!

Oh, and Happy New Guitar Day!

Thanks Tig that was breathtaking!

 

[ZMAN]

I am a big fan of the Sheraton. You should not be able to buy a guitar this nice for this money. I have owned two of them. An Ebony, and a Natural (Blonde). I also own an ES335 and I really like the neck on the Sheraton a lot better. I still own the Natural and is is a sweet guitar. Mine is an 02 made in Korea by Samick and is flawless. I really like the pickups and of course it does have a switchcraft switch in it now due to the original's failure.
But other than that is has been a gem. Lots of bling and I really like the fact that they even finish the F holes.
You will find it is great for just about any kind of music, from blues to hard rock.
Just a little nicer than the Dot.

 

[bigG]

Thanks, Zman! I wholeheartedly agree w all you said.

Re: Gibby ES-335 - there's one listed on local Craig's List here. A 1954 red w OHSC. The cat originally wanted $1800 for it, then dropped it to $1500. I went over to have a look and a play and it's in mighty fine condition for a guit that old, and although you'd think the 335 would be a no-brainer purchase, I preferred the Sheraton in tone and feel. And you'd think the collectability factor of the 335 would be huge, but as of today (after a two week listing), it still hasn't sold. And I couldn't see paying the price difference between that aged beauty and the new Sheraton (but if I had the extra $, I'd certainly have bought both!). And, this may seen stupid, but if that 335 hadda been vintage sunburst instead of red...I might have had to choose it over the Sheraton. ALOT of cats I played w in the 60s played vintage sunburst ES-335s, and the nostalgia factor would have probably won out.

EDIT: I just went to CL to see if that Gibby ES-335 was still for sale. I made a mistake - it was a 1980 ES-335. Don't know where 1954 came from! And it's still for sale = $1500.

 

[wingsdad]

G-
As a Sheraton II owner ('02 Korean, Samick factory) and a 50/50 acoustic vs. electric player, I understand why you dig it so much. Congrats, amigo.:thumbsup

Do these come with a Bigsby option?

Not new.

 

[bigG]

Thanks, Mick! Much appreciated from a kindred spirit! :AOK

 

[wingsdad]

Cool, G. I think you're toughest challenge could be which amp from your arsenal you like it paired with best. Could be 'all of them'...but each for its own 'tone extraction niche', if that makes any sense...

 

[bigG]

Cool, G. I think you're toughest challenge could be which amp from your arsenal you like it paired with best. Could be 'all of them'...but each for its own 'tone extraction niche', if that makes any sense...

Understood, Mick. I do have a bunch of different flavored amps, and a couple that have lots of different flavors built-in! So far, and by choice, it's been the Swart and the SCXD, and man, what sweet sounds!

I imagine that Swart and the Sheraton are pretty close to the sound in the studio of an ES-335 and a Fender '57 Champ...back in '57! Pretty cool to think so, anyway...

 

[ZMAN]

Thanks, Zman! I wholeheartedly agree w all you said.

Re: Gibby ES-335 - there's one listed on local Craig's List here. A 1954 red w OHSC. The cat originally wanted $1800 for it, then dropped it to $1500. I went over to have a look and a play and it's in mighty fine condition for a guit that old, and although you'd think the 335 would be a no-brainer purchase, I preferred the Sheraton in tone and feel. And you'd think the collectability factor of the 335 would be huge, but as of today (after a two week listing), it still hasn't sold. And I couldn't see paying the price difference between that aged beauty and the new Sheraton (but if I had the extra $, I'd certainly have bought both!). And, this may seen stupid, but if that 335 hadda been vintage sunburst instead of red...I might have had to choose it over the Sheraton. ALOT of cats I played w in the 60s played vintage sunburst ES-335s, and the nostalgia factor would have probably won out.

EDIT: I just went to CL to see if that Gibby ES-335 was still for sale. I made a mistake - it was a 1980 ES-335. Don't know where 1954 came from! And it's still for sale = $1500.

I have a 1990 in ebony. I paid 2000 for it about 3 years ago. The only reason I paid that much was that it was from my best friend who had fallen ill and had to retire early with a big pay differential. I paid what he paid for it new. I was able to buy it over a couple of months 500 here 300 there until it was paid for. A 1980 in any kind of decent shape would be worth at least 1500. You have to think about the economy. There are a lot of people still out of work after a couple of years. Now it gets down to the selling of assets in a down market. You probably could offer 1200 and steal it.
I would then take it to a good tech and have it properly set up. As much as I like the Sheraton, there is no comparison over all to my 335.

 

[FrankenFretter]

Congrats! I recently got my first non-solid body, an Epi Flamekat. I'm very happy with mine, too. Have fun with yours!