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I’m considering an inexpensive semi. Any opinions/advice re: the Epi Sheraton, Epi 335 or Ibanez 335-ish models? Anything else that should be on my radar?
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06-29-2025 05:51 PM
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In the case of those three guitars I'd reach for the Sheraton II Pro. I've had the 335 pro and I have had friends with the cheaper Ibanez semis. Hands down the Sheraton was the better of those three. Better factory pickups but still cheap pots and switch like any cheap guitar.
It's only real drawback is it can be a neck diving son of a gun with that massive paddle for a a headstock but it is easily the better instrument of the three.
What's the budget? You may have some superior options to those depending on that. Consider that ultimately if you are going to gig any of those there will be money that needs to be spent in upgrades to make it 100% reliable as a money making tool so it might be worth considering socking a few extra bucks away instead of rushing out and spending what you have now.
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You will get many recommendations here. Depending on your budget, and if you want a used guitar vs. a new model.
I would have no problem picking up an Epiphone 335. Guitar Center is now advertising a 335 with figured top and Gibson USA pickups, probably Classic 57's. That's what they were installing last year in this particular model, $849.00.
I wanted a second Epiphone 335 as a backup to the one I already have and used quite a bit, and I almost bought the above model. It played great and sounded very very good in a Fender Deluxe Reverb. But the salesman was wasting time ringing me up. While waiting, I found a Gibson 335, marked down for clearance, so I bought that instead. I would have bought the EPiphone if not for finding the Gibson for a ridiculous price.
With my first Epi 335, the pots are fantastic. But the input jack was crap, and so far the switch is OK.
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I just read the fine print on that guitar. It now comes with Gibson USA T-top pickups. These are very good pickups and the pots are CTS - same as what's in my Gibson 335.
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Tokai makes a fine ES 335 style guitar.
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That’s interesting. The Canadian distributor for Tokai has an office in town.
Originally Posted by jim777
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Hi, have you seen the inspiring and lengthy reviews on The Guitaristas on YouTube ? Colin, from Essex, who runs it, is like your old guitar geek uncle ! And tells it like it is.
There are two videos covering the Epiphone ES-335 vs… (Riviera, Sheraton Stealth, Casino, Gretsch, Guild, Hofner, Squier). Separate in-depth videos for individual guitars (see “Epiphone Sheraton II Pro - a better ES-335 ?”) and even a clutch of videos showing the upgrades that he made to the base Epiphone ES-335.
I’d already decided on a Riviera to complement my Ibanez AS-120 (ES-335 clone) and, when I found The Guitaristas, it confirmed that I’d made the right decision. That’s me sorted for semi-hollow bodies.
Greenwood
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I tried a Gibson 335 with T-tops. Hated them. Way too bright for a 335. Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack
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Just a thought, the Yamaha and Ibanez semi-hollow bodied guitars are fine instruments, but they are not 335 clones. A guitar with a maple neck and ebony fretboard is not a clone of a guitar with a mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard. The Tokais and Epiphones a much more like 335 clones, as they are close to identical to the Gibsons. Most of the others are just similar guitars. Again, not a knock on any of the similar guitars, I've had a few Ibanez AS200s myself, but they are closer to 355s in construction than 335s.
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Shoot I'd be looking at those first in that situation. Edwards E-SA and Seventy-Seven JT might be worth a look too. Originally Posted by Bach5G
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Am I simply misremembering, or did older Gibson 335s -- say, Norlin era (1970s?) -- have maple necks? Originally Posted by jim777
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Hi Bach5G, why do you want a semi hollowbody guitar that is inexpensive ?
My view of inexpensive is if I need a guitar to take out and play where it is going to get worn and possibly damaged, ie: a no worry guitar that delivers in a group setting and I’m not focussed on fine tone nor perfect feel.
For example, Pete Doherty (The Libertines) was playing an Epiphone Coronet at Glastonbury last week (they cost just under £350 compared to a similar Gibson Les Paul Junior that costs over £1,000). If the Coronet fell off the guitar rack afterwards, no one would gasp !
Inexpensive to me is either:
A) Under £500-ish new, so a no frills Epiphone, Ibanez, Sire etc. Cheap but relatively reliable;
B) Under £1,000-ish and above £500-ish, usually a second-hand more expensive guitar that gives me better parts and mojo, but already has the scratches and wear on it that stops me worrying about taking it out.
Option B) opens up the choice greatly, but you have to wait much longer to find the guitar. Option A) you can get the guitar next day delivery.
What’s your view on the meaning of inexpensive ?
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They did indeed, as a cost cutting measure. Originally Posted by Bob_Ross
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They still sound great IMO, just different. Originally Posted by jim777
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I agree, the good ones do sound fine, but to me the Norlin era for Gibson coincides with the "you need to play 10 and get the good one" thinking started. Though to be fair Fender had similar issues with quality and consistency at that time as well. Originally Posted by DawgBone
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Nod doubt. Last time I picked out a brand new strat was around 2000. I went to GC, played 25 guitars, and was left with 3 contenders. Originally Posted by jim777
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