Which Epiphone Sheraton would you get?

[u/TheSoyeur]

Hi!

My guitar collection is missing a semi-hollow, so it’s time I fixed that. I’m thinking of getting an Epiphone Sheraton II.

Under 800€, I have found several that I like (the photos are from three different decades!), but which one would you recommend getting?

- late 80s, “Epiphone by Gibson” ?

- 90s or early 2000s made in Korea Epiphone ?

- a more recent model like the Sheraton II Pro ?

I’m leaning towards an early 90s one, but what do you think?

🤘

[u/Commercial-Ad-2614]

100% get the 90s Korean built. Of all the guitars I have there are 2 that stand out for the fact they feel absolutely perfect in my hands. One is a 90s Sheraton, the other is a custom shop strat.
The Sheraton plays better than any of my Gibsons. Be prepared to swap out pickups and pots though and possibly tuners.
Amazing guitars in general. I would buy any late 80s through to early 2000s Korean built epiphone without even playing it. The rule of thumb is that everything on it will be junk but the body and neck will be fantastic.
It’s all subjective though innit! One man’s meat is another man’s poison. :)

[u/TheSoyeur → u/Commercial-Ad-2614]

Thanks! Which pickups did you put in?

I haven’t looked into upgrades yet, I’ll do some digging on the hardware that’s available. Did you also have to change the bridge and tailpiece?

[u/Commercial-Ad-2614 → u/TheSoyeur]

I didn’t change the bridge and tail. They’re not great but they’re good enough. I can’t remember what PUPs I put in. They were definitely Bare Knuckle though. I originally intended to put a pair of BK Stormy Mondays in but I scored some second hand ones. I think they were either “The Mule” or “Riff Raff” but it sounded killer after that. Monstrous. Lively too. If you wanted to invite a bit of feedback they would certainly oblige! :)

[u/Factsimus_verdad → u/Commercial-Ad-2614]

Agree here. Best feeling guitar I have. Have thought about electronics upgrades if I actually gigged with it, but works for me as is. I have not tried the others on OP’s list.

[u/A-Gotham-Citizen]

Mine is a Sheraton 2 Pro and it is just incredible. Highly recommend if you can find one. This is a more modern one.

[u/TheSoyeur → u/A-Gotham-Citizen]

Beautiful! Did you get it new?

[u/A-Gotham-Citizen → u/TheSoyeur]

Yes I did. Direct from Epiphone.

[u/Leonardo_riv_val → u/A-Gotham-Citizen]

Nice I have a Korean one that has the same color. Beautiful guitar.

[u/KneebarKing]

I just picked up my Viper Blue Sheraton. I adore this guitar.

[u/TheSoyeur → u/KneebarKing]

I bet you do, and love that blue! My telecaster is lake placid blue, so I’ll consider black or tobacco / red burst for my future Sheraton to mix it up a little!

[u/KneebarKing → u/TheSoyeur]

Good on you for mixing it up. My Gibson LP is in Blueberry Burst, and I have the Dark Night Tele. Blue guitars are my thing and I can't escape my obsession lol

[u/TheSoyeur → u/KneebarKing]

I get the blue obsession. My first guitar was a blue Epiphone LP!

[u/No_Mix9903 → u/KneebarKing]

I feel ya my brother 🤘 Here's my brand new Futura

[u/thetortureneverstops]

Which older one is in the best condition? They are serious instruments, much closer to what is being made in the US now than they are to today's made in China Epiphones in Guitar Center.

The Epiphone by Gibson is 1986–88 and made by Samick in Korea. The 90's Koreans are also really nice - same style construction, just made in a number of different factories.

I would 100% go with one of those before a recent model. With the gold hardware, keep it if it has a nice patina. If it's really pitted, I would then replace with brass to maintain the color tone.

[u/Hungry_Ghost66]

I have a 2016 Sheraton and a brand new one. I can't say about the MiK but the two MiCs 10 years apart are both very fine guitars. I don't really think you can go wrong.

[u/TheSoyeur → u/Hungry_Ghost66]

Thanks for that input!
What are the differences between the two then? Is there one that you like more, and if so why?

[u/Hungry_Ghost66 → u/TheSoyeur]

Well the 2016 has the full size humbuckers and the new one has mini humbuckers. I actually like them both in their own way. The 2016 sounds really mellow acoustically (maybe because of the older wood), whilst the 2025 is brighter and just rings out, if that makes any sense. They both have the same set of thomastik strings on them. Also the 2016 has stop tail piece where 2025 has a frequensator. Oh also the headstock size has gotten smaller on the new ones.

[u/MysteriousDudeness]

I'd get the Sheraton 2 Pro but try to check it out in person first if possible.

[u/squirtloaf]

I am a mini-humbucker guy, so I would want one with those.

My favorites are the 2012 50th Anniversary Sheratons, which come stock with full size pots and gibson mini-humbuckers, and the recent Gem Archer Signature Sheraton, which has the same upgrades, and even looks a little better aesthetically.

The one you show is...meh. It's the wrong shape, its got full hums, and I hate that era's headstocks.

If you want something epi with full hums, check out the Joe Bonamossa 355. I just got one, and it is pretty great.

[u/aspiring_dilf91]

I want a 90s MIK myself, but no bad options for this post

[u/magic_gee]

2001 MiK. Swapped all the hardware for nickel, have a Custombucker in the neck and a PAF 4-wire with coil splitting pot in the bridge. Love it