Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

[blueman335]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

Looks pretty cool, and is a similar style to a ES335. I bet its expensive though.[/QUOTE]

Very nice. Flame maple, gold hardware, & 335's go together so nice.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

If you figure that a Gibson 335 has about $300 of pickups & hardware (at retail), that leaves you with a couple grand worth of wood & frets. If you have the money go for it. The quality of raw materials & workmanship is a little better, but you is it that much better?

I have a black Epi Sheraton that I installed a '59N & Custom 5 in, and it sounds great; I'd put it up against any Gibson 335, and bet that 99 out 0f 100 players couldn't tell it from a Gibson blindfolded. To me, this really makes sense. Get a used, like-new Sheraton for $300 to 400, put in a couple of good American-made pickups, and you save a bundle. For live gigs, you aren't out a fortune if its banged up or stolen.

Another viable option is a Japanese-made Epi Elitist 335 or Sheraton, which rival Gibson for quality, and are priced in between the Gibsons & regular Epi's.

If you want to spend 2,000 or 3,000 regardless, you can get an Epi Elite & a couple Sheratons with Duncans (each with a different combination of pickups, like one with PAF's, and another with a hot bridge), for what one Gibson 335 will cost you. To me, there is no other way to go. But then, I'm a working man.

+1 - except that as always, the REAL Gibson can have a kind of magic if it's the right one. I have played a few KILLER Sheratons though...

 

[butnut]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

I had a Sheriton with Seths...sweet tone and a real nice guitar. Its ornate and I guess a kool jazz vibe, but I was in my 'black' phase. I sold it to a good friend who loves it, perfect for his Hawaiian and jazz playing. I found a early 70s MIJ Riviera, black. Everything on this was right, (except the pups) great neck. Swapped in a pair of P94s ala Strokes and this is a tone monster. I'm able to use the feedback when I want to and it's nasty/sweet...my main axe. I was in my semi-hollow phase and I'm 100% happy with the Riviera. Got it on ebay for $500 shipped. Good luck.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

Having played solid bodies for years, I used to think a 335 was a little big with it's 16" lower bout. But it's so smooth & comfortable, that I got used to it in no time, and firmly believe that its the best-feeling guitar design. I wouldn't want to go give it up for a 336/356 with a 14" bout.

There's been plenty of players who are not tall (Clapton comes to mind) who play 335's and don't find them too large. I think a full-size 335 is going to give a better tone with more acoustic resonance, and be better balanced neck-to-body.

The only thing I can think of to improve a 335 would be a neck-through design, and to put a Phat Cat or mini-humbucker at the neck and maybe in a middle position too.

Yeah Iagree with you. But I have a few friends who are pretty small guys who struggle with a 335 if they are going a long GIG. Most begin to complain about the right arm beginning to tire late in the evening. Its never been a problem for me, but I can see how a small guy could be bothered by this. Its sort of like a Women playing a Dreadnaught. Due to the depth and size of the body it begins to affect the way the play later in a GIG. Usually most female players play smaller body guitars. Not always, but usually

 

[moodyblooz]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

I felt pretty fortunate to spot a mint, unplayed '97 Epiphone Riviera VT (VibraTone) with the limited-edition gold-flake finish on eBay, and I got it for a very reasonable price. It turned out to be a unit from the Korean Peerless shop, which the people at Epiphone said was indicative of high-quality construction. I was also told by a U.S. guitar authority that the Peerless guitars of that period would have absorbed a surplus of Japanese-made full-size humbuckers, and each bears a very linear Epiphone logo on its bottom plate. It's my impression that the linear Epi logo is distinct to Epiphone Japan. However, while I can't vouch for the quality of the pickups--though they produce a very big, smooth sound--I can vouch for the sound and playability of the guitar. It has a very accurate '59 ES-335 shape, with the "Mickey Mouse" ears, but instead of a maple center block it has mahogany. So, we have a mahogany neck like a 335, paired with a mahogany block like a Sheraton. The sustain is fabulous, and the very nice Bigsby-type VT tremolo lends a certain "ping" that's reminiscent of a Gretsch. The neck is a bit of a handshake, but it isn't a telephone pole like my Yamaha through-neck SBG-1300TS. Also, the Epi has a really beautiful rosewood board that blends dark- and milk-chocolate colors to striking effect. Initially the frets were too tall and square, but I polished them with a little jeweler's wheel and two grades of rouge. (On other guitars I've used 8,000- and 12,000-grit emery cloth and a felt board, all of which your local hobby shop will have in stock.) It also took me a while to find the sweet spot with the tune-o-matic, but now the action is low and fast. My first good guitar was a refinished '63 ES-345 Stereo, which I kept for just a year because the fretboard was too narrow at the nut. I honestly feel that my Peerless-built Epiphone Riviera is just as good. It might not have the ultimate pickups--yet--but it's a pro-level instrument that readily accommodates any playing technique. I have several good guitars, including a custom-made ESP Strat, the Yamaha SBG, an extremely rare Osborne solid-body and even a mint-condition Eko archtop from the early '60s. Currently, the Epiphone is on the stand here in this room, and at 18 years of age this "new" guitar is breaking in beautifully.

If you're interested in hearing the guitar in a somewhat jazzy improvisational mode, try this link: https://soundcloud.com/lawrence-e-payne/houseland

 

[regan]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

I have a Tokai es135 all the guitar for half the price of a gibson. Im toying with putting
some peter green type pups in, but as mentioned seems to be a headache to do so

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

I have a Tokai es135 all the guitar for half the price of a gibson. Im toying with putting
some peter green type pups in, but as mentioned seems to be a headache to do so

Not at all; anyone who tells you it's hard doesn't know what they're talking about. I've rewired several dozen F hole guitars. Nothing to dread. You just have to think it thru, which most guys don't do. After everything's be re-wired/replaced, I use a piece of stiff plastic-coated wire to pull the neck tone pot in place (some guys use aquarium tubing) and lift the other 3 pots I get in place with a 6" forceps (from underneath). Put the wire (or tubing) in thru the neck tone pot hole, in the guitar, and up thru the F hole. Attach the end to the pot stem. Gently pull it into and thru the guitar. Pull the pot stem up thru the hole and into place; grasp it with the forceps while you put the nut and washer on. I get all 4 pots back in an F hole guitar in 5 to 10 minutes tops.

A few tips:
- Put the guitar on a table, on a towel. Put another towel or wash cloth on the guitar and lay the electronics out on that.
- Have good lighting and a fan (for solder fumes).
- Use a washcloth to lift the knobs off from underneath; that avoids chipping or cracking them.
- You probably don't have to remove the toggle, and rarely have to remove the input jack; leave those in place.
- When re-wiring, allow an extra inch or so of wire between pots, so nothing gets pulled tight when you're putting everything back in.
- After you've done the wiring, test all of it thru an amp before putting it back in the guitar.
- Test it again thru an amp after it's back in, but before you put the knobs on.
- Use a set of nut drivers to tighten the nuts on the pots, it'll keep the finish from getting scratched (don't use pliers!).

 

[regan]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

Not at all; anyone who tells you it's hard doesn't know what they're talking about. I've rewired several dozen F hole guitars. Nothing to dread. You just have to think it thru, which most guys don't do. After everything's be re-wired/replaced, I use a piece of stiff plastic-coated wire to pull the neck tone pot in place (some guys use aquarium tubing) and lift the other 3 pots I get in place with a 6" forceps (from underneath). Put the wire (or tubing) in thru the neck tone pot hole, in the guitar, and up thru the F hole. Attach the end to the pot stem. Gently pull it into and thru the guitar. Pull the pot stem up thru the hole and into place; grasp it with the forceps while you put the nut and washer on. I get all 4 pots back in an F hole guitar in 5 to 10 minutes tops.

A few tips:
- Put the guitar on a table, on a towel. Put another towel or wash cloth on the guitar and lay the electronics out on that.
- Have good lighting and a fan (for solder fumes).
- Use a washcloth to lift the knobs off from underneath; that avoids chipping or cracking them.
- You probably don't have to remove the toggle, and rarely have to remove the input jack; leave those in place.
- When re-wiring, allow an extra inch or so of wire between pots, so nothing gets pulled tight when you're putting everything back in.
- After you've done the wiring, test all of it thru an amp before putting it back in the guitar.
- Test it again thru an amp after it's back in, but before you put the knobs on.
- Use a set of nut drivers to tighten the nuts on the pots, it'll keep the finish from getting scratched (don't use pliers!).

Thanks for the tips, Im planning on getting some pups around xmas. I'll follow the
advice and let you know how it goes.

I already have some sd 59s in a les paul any pup suggestions would be welcome I'm
looking for late 60's early 70's blues & rock tones without duplicating my lp.
more drive than my strat and tele but not as much as the lp

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

Thanks for the tips, Im planning on getting some pups around xmas. I'll follow the
advice and let you know how it goes.

I already have some sd 59s in a les paul any pup suggestions would be welcome I'm
looking for late 60's early 70's blues & rock tones without duplicating my lp.
more drive than my strat and tele but not as much as the lp

The first rewiring I ever did was a 335, and using stiff, plastic coated wire, I got the pots back in place in minutes. A friend of mine (who's a handyman!) rewired his 335, but used string instead, and it took him an hour to get the pots in.

For your LP: I also play blues & classic rock, and my favorite Duncan PAF's are Seth's and A2P's. Both have bridges that are a little warmer and fuller than most PAF's, and the necks have a more high-end and bite than average. Both are virtues for me. If you prefer a bright bridge and a warm neck, PG's are a good choice.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

Revenge Of The Son Of Zombie Thread.
:eek2:

 

[formula73]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

Thread resurrection! This thread is like Jesus!

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

Braaaaiiiiinsss........

 

[regan]

Re: Epi Sheraton vs. Gibson 335

The first rewiring I ever did was a 335, and using stiff, plastic coated wire, I got the pots back in place in minutes. A friend of mine (who's a handyman!) rewired his 335, but used string instead, and it took him an hour to get the pots in.

For your LP: I also play blues & classic rock, and my favorite Duncan PAF's are Seth's and A2P's. Both have bridges that are a little warmer and fuller than most PAF's, and the necks have a more high-end and bite than average. Both are virtues for me. If you prefer a bright bridge and a warm neck, PG's are a good choice.

Sorry perhaps I didn't explain myself, I'm happy with the 59's in my LP, I'm looking for some humbuckers for my 335 without duplicating the tone of the LP too much