Opinion on current production Sheraton IIs..?

[poodlesrule]

Gassing irrationally for another semi-hollow, I am thinking about taking a look at a Sheraton II (with $100 off via MF/GC coupon code?).

How would you rate the current quality?

Can one expect the same level of general owner satisfaction as with other Epi current production models?

 

[kidsmoke]

Can only share what I've heard, much of it first hand. FWIW

I haven't played a new electric Epiphone...well, ever! But I do have a good friend, a gigging/teaching pro who makes every penny he earns through music who was gifted a 2012 Epiphone John Lennon Casino. Despite it's 1000.00 price tag, this is a Chinese build. He gushes about the thing every chance he gets, and I daresay he plays better and more enthused than I've seen him in the 10 years I've been watching him play.

He literally can't say enough good things about it. He's playing it bone stock, no changes. He's had it set up for him of course. You get him talking about he and he starts grinning and talking fast like I would if you gave me a vintage LP.

So, knowing this guy well, I take that as a major thumbs up for modern Epi semis.

Additionally, I've heard rave reviews about the Masterbuilt acoustic line, as DVM has been sharing here. I've got other friends giving the same feedback.

It seems Epi is delivering on it's objective of high value/low price.

 

[oldnjguy]

hi, Just purchased a new Sheraton from GC. based on serial its made in Korea. Gotta say its a nice guitar. the only thing I have to compare it with is my Gibson Les Paul. you should definitely check one out. This was not a master built, just regular model that I caught on sale. If your dollars are tight just remember that the case is an additional 80 dollars or so.

Fit and finish are very nice, and playability was fine after I adjusted string height and did some work on intonation. Oh it did have the infamous loose guitar cord jack, but I just tightened it up carefully. As for sound, it sounds good to me, but this is a very objective thing isn't it?

 

[Bookkeeper's Son]

I tend to look at the Asian imports somewhat generically instead of focusing on specific brands, especially with Epiphone, where some models are made by contracted factories. The Sheratons are made in at least 2 places - one in China, one in Korea, whereas most Epis are made at the Gibson/Epiphone-owned plant in Qingdao China. Some Sheratons have laminated necks (the Korean ones, I think), some not. My Chinese Dot was made in one of the contract factories (Daewon), and I have absolutely no complaints about it, and I've seen and played other Epis all of which I was impressed with.

Personally, I think the Sheraton is a bit overpriced, and you pay a premium for the Epiphone name and the extra bling. But there are lots of them available on the used market for nice prices, like this one for example.

http://eugene.craigslist.org/msg/3718437389.html

 

[CharlyG]

I like the Korean Epis. A lot....

I forgot about this forum... I need to catch up!

 

[old mark]

Epiphone has had its own factories in China and now in Indonesia for some years now. The quality of Epiphone guitars made in either place has been very good and improving for about 10 years now, and EVERY recent Epi guitar or bass I have bought has been way above expectations. I have not had any problems with any of them. I also have an older 1998 MIK Epiphone guitar made by Peerless, and the newer Chinese made electrics are as good or better. The Indonesian factory makes mostly acoustic guitars, and they have been extremely good, too, although Epi has stopped production on many models.

FWIW, I played a 1960's Gibson Heritage Jumbo for almost 20 years and now have 5 Epiphone acoustics and the Gibson is sold.