The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
Reply to Thread Bookmark Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Posts 1 to 25 of 35
  1. #1

    User Info Menu

    I am in the search of a semi hollow. I found a great difference in price between a dot and a sheraton.
    I can see (and appreciate) a much solid neck in the sheraton (maple with walnut sandwich) but then it has block inlays and a fancy head stock and binding which contribute to the beauty but not to make a better instrument (what i am primarily interested).
    So my question is... Does the dot have an inferior quality body, due to a mahogany body?or less fancy decoration?
    Is it worth to go for the sheraton? I couldn't care less about abalone or mother of pearl stuff or triple binding.
    Alternatively the epiphone es 339 could also be an option.... though i am more into a full 335 body.
    thanks for your opinions in advance.

  2.  

    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #2

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    I am in the search of a semi hollow. I found a great difference in price between a dot and a sheraton.
    I can see (and appreciate) a much solid neck in the sheraton (maple with walnut sandwich) but then it has block inlays and a fancy head stock and binding which contribute to the beauty but not to make a better instrument (what i am primarily interested).
    So my question is... Does the dot have an inferior quality body, due to a mahogany body?or less fancy decoration?
    Is it worth to go for the sheraton? I couldn't care less about abalone or mother of pearl stuff or triple binding.
    Alternatively the epiphone es 339 could also be an option.... though i am more into a full 335 body.
    thanks for your opinions in advance.
    The Sheraton inherent construction is much better than both the Dot and the ES-339, which are economically made.

    I should know; I've owned a Dot, I currently own an ES-339, which I find perfect for the task, and I've repaired, modded and setup about trhee dozen of Sheratons for customers of mine.

    Having said that, if Epi would ever make an ES-339-format with the construction appointments of a Sheraton, I couldn't take my wallet out of my pocket fast enough to get one.

  4. #3

    User Info Menu

    I just bought an Epiphone ES-335 PRO (made in February, 2019) with a nice 'Iced tea burst' finish. Better than the 2010 Dot I used to have (better neck above all, and the Pau Ferro fingerboard works fine).

  5. #4

    User Info Menu

    I presently have an Epi ES 339 and an Epi Casino Coupe and I enjoy them very much.

    In the past I have had several 335 copies and an Epi 335 Dot.

    I still prefer the 339's for the size and (reduced) weight factor.

    Good Luck with your search!

  6. #5

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by LtKojak
    The Sheraton inherent construction is much better than both the Dot and the ES-339, which are economically made.

    I should know; I've owned a Dot, I currently own an ES-339, which I find perfect for the task, and I've repaired, modded and setup about trhee dozen of Sheratons for customers of mine.

    Having said that, if Epi would ever make an ES-339-format with the construction appointments of a Sheraton, I couldn't take my wallet out of my pocket fast enough to get one.
    If there is more than fancy inlays behind the sheraton i would invest the money on it. I will go by a store this weekend to try them... and probably other guitars with humbuckers as well (jazzmaster and strat from the new player series seem interesting)
    I do like the fact that I wouldn't do many (or any) mods to a sheraton since it has a decent nut and pickups, so it is a ready to play guitar (IMO).
    thanks for sharing your experience.
    N Wolf

  7. #6

    User Info Menu

    I like the dot studio with the matte finish as a fun modding platform.
    New pickups and a bone nut and you've got a really cool guitar.

  8. #7

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    I am in the search of a semi hollow. I found a great difference in price between a dot and a sheraton.
    I can see (and appreciate) a much solid neck in the sheraton (maple with walnut sandwich) but then it has block inlays and a fancy head stock and binding which contribute to the beauty but not to make a better instrument (what i am primarily interested).
    So my question is... Does the dot have an inferior quality body, due to a mahogany body?or less fancy decoration?
    Is it worth to go for the sheraton? I couldn't care less about abalone or mother of pearl stuff or triple binding.
    Alternatively the epiphone es 339 could also be an option.... though i am more into a full 335 body.
    thanks for your opinions in advance.
    The differences in neck wood and construction might make some slight difference in sound, and maple is denser/heavier so there could be some difference in how they balance, but they're essentially the same guitar with different cosmetics. I've tried a few of both, and I can't say one strikes me as better than the other (both strike me as pretty good). The Epi ES-335 Pro might be another one to look at. Visually, it's a little fancier than the dot, but less fancy than the Sheraton, plus it has coil splitting, which might be useful. I'd also look out for a used MIK Riviera (some have mini-humbuckers, some full sized). That's my favorite of all of them visually.

    John

  9. #8

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    If there is more than fancy inlays behind the sheraton i would invest the money on it.
    Everything in the Sheraton is better quality than in the Dots or 339s. Specially the neck.
    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    I do like the fact that I wouldn't do many (or any) mods to a sheraton since it has a decent nut and pickups,
    Even though this is very true, the best solution in the long run is to get a second-hand and mod it with good p'ups, electronics and if it's one older than 2009, also good hardware.

    The latter's what I've been doing for over fifteen years, so I know what the outcome is. I still service and maintain the very first one I did, and the owner, even to this day feels he can't thank me enough for the "insider tip" of modding a Sherry.

    Just saying...

  10. #9

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by Longways to Go
    I like the dot studio with the matte finish as a fun modding platform.
    New pickups and a bone nut and you've got a really cool guitar.
    Indeed, as long as the guitar itself (body) is well made... I like the clean fretboard of the dot studio, and the simplicity of one volume one tone.
    However, it comes already with alnico pickups... nothing fancy but very decent for the price.
    I like the studio and will also consider it, though i like more the cherry glossy one ;-)

  11. #10

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by LtKojak
    Everything in the Sheraton is better quality than in the Dots or 339s. Specially the neck.

    Even though this is very true, the best solution in the long run is to get a second-hand and mod it with good p'ups, electronics and if it's one older than 2009, also good hardware.

    The latter's what I've been doing for over fifteen years, so I know what the outcome is. I still service and maintain the very first one I did, and the owner, even to this day feels he can't thank me enough for the "insider tip" of modding a Sherry.

    Just saying...
    ok, I would go for a new one to be honest. Question... why would you change the hardware? you mean the bridge?

  12. #11

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    ok, I would go for a new one to be honest.
    That's ok. The new ones only need to have a good setup to be playable; not need to change anything, really.
    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    Question... why would you change the hardware? you mean the bridge?
    The old Sherries came stock with subpar bridge, tuners, p'ups and electronics. And some bridges had a 50mm string separation. Those weren't compatible with Gibson TOMs or copies. Not AB1R, not Nashville. The stock plastic nuts are not properly cut. That's why they could be had for next to nothing. However, after these details are addressed, then you end up with an instrument that's capable to give a Gibson ES-335 a run to its money and then some, at a price still a bit inferior than a new one!

  13. #12

    User Info Menu

    Remember Dot ES-335 are way more Valuable than their fancy ES-355 models when it comes to the Vintage ones.
    Goes to show you that some people prefer the plainer or cheaper specs than upgraded wood and appointments.

  14. #13

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by LtKojak
    The old Sherries came stock with subpar bridge, tuners, p'ups and electronics. And some bridges had a 50mm string separation. Those weren't compatible with Gibson TOMs or copies. Not AB1R, not Nashville. The stock plastic nuts are not properly cut. That's why they could be had for next to nothing. However, after these details are addressed, then you end up with an instrument that's capable to give a Gibson ES-335 a run to its money and then some, at a price still a bit inferior than a new one!
    Aren't older, Korean made Sheratons supposed to be "better" than current Chinese ones?

  15. #14

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by blille
    Aren't older, Korean made Sheratons supposed to be "better" than current Chinese ones?
    I heard this too. But then if you check the specs of a new Sheraton, what is the problem with it?
    it has better components than the korean (this can be subjective) but it is made in china (not an issue for me) and recently it has been added a graph tech nut which i find a very nice detail.

  16. #15

    User Info Menu

    There are some fab deals on already upgraded Korean Sherries... my 06 was modded with a P94 in the bridge, an SD "Jazz" neck pup with and A3 magnet and cover (I installed the magnet and cover from my parts box) and switch swap with case for ~$400.

    It's funny, if I had bought one box stock I'd likely have installed the P94 and ditched the Epi neck pup, it turned out pretty good.

  17. #16

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    I heard this too. But then if you check the specs of a new Sheraton, what is the problem with it?
    it has better components than the korean (this can be subjective) but it is made in china (not an issue for me) and recently it has been added a graph tech nut which i find a very nice detail.
    I hear you. I'm skeptical of a lot of the internet "knowledge" so if somebody has actually played both I want to know

  18. #17

    User Info Menu

    I've had a Epi Lucille, Casino, and a ES339 Pro P90, all Chinese, and they are great. The older Lucille needed bridge saddles badly, and a broken wire necessitated a jack change, but other than that, a FINE instrument. My Casino and 339 were great from the get go, and need nothing.
    I do my own work on guitars and I am fussy but not afraid to. Man, these newer Epi's from China need nothing, which gives me more time to play the guitars.

    But.....you need to go and play them. They are not all the same quality or playability!

  19. #18

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by blille
    Aren't older, Korean made Sheratons supposed to be "better" than current Chinese ones?
    The ones making this argument are the owners of Korean-made ones trying to sell'em for more than they cost new.

  20. #19

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by LtKojak
    The ones making this argument are the owners of Korean-made ones trying to sell'em for more than they cost new.

  21. #20

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by GNAPPI
    There are some fab deals on already upgraded Korean Sherries... my 06 was modded with a P94 in the bridge, an SD "Jazz" neck pup with and A3 magnet and cover (I installed the magnet and cover from my parts box) and switch swap with case for ~$400.

    It's funny, if I had bought one box stock I'd likely have installed the P94 and ditched the Epi neck pup, it turned out pretty good.
    I thought this was not possible but now I'm struggling not to buy this lol

    Epiphone Sheraton II Natural w/ Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates Pickups Epiphone Sheraton II Natural w/ Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates | Reverb

  22. #21

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by blille
    I thought this was not possible but now I'm struggling not to buy this lol

    Epiphone Sheraton II Natural w/ Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates Pickups Epiphone Sheraton II Natural w/ Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates | Reverb
    If you factor in the cost of a new set of pearly gates and labor if you're not able to install them yourself, the Sherry is almost free.

  23. #22

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by GNAPPI
    If you factor in the cost of a new set of pearly gates and labor if you're not able to install them yourself, the Sherry is almost free.
    Exactly.

    You're not helping me here lol

  24. #23

    User Info Menu

    Yesterday I tried the ES 339 and the Sheraton.
    Definitely two different things. I wouldn’t say that the ES339 feels cheap or low quality, i liked it very much, specially the neck profile, but the small size body doesn’t appeal me.
    The sheraton is not just an electric guitar, it is a jazz guitar. You can feel a slim neck and that maple walnut sandwich is shouting for some flat strings 0.12’s.
    It is a great guitar (too much binding perhaps) however it is ready to go... some minor setup and done.
    I still want to try the Epiphone dot. But the Sheraton impressed me very well.

  25. #24

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    Yesterday I tried the ES 339 and the Sheraton.
    Definitely two different things. I wouldn’t say that the ES339 feels cheap or low quality, i liked it very much, specially the neck profile, but the small size body doesn’t appeal me.
    The sheraton is not just an electric guitar, it is a jazz guitar. You can feel a slim neck and that maple walnut sandwich is shouting for some flat strings 0.12’s.
    It is a great guitar (too much binding perhaps) however it is ready to go... some minor setup and done.
    I still want to try the Epiphone dot. But the Sheraton impressed me very well.
    The important thing is that you are able to try all of these models and that you are taking the time to do so.

  26. #25

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by nick_wolf
    The sheraton is not just an electric guitar, it is a jazz guitar. You can feel a slim neck and that maple walnut sandwich is shouting for some flat strings 0.12’s.
    I don't disagree but the Sheraton (like other guitars mentioned here) is VERY flexible and can play a lot of styles.