Epiphone Sheraton owners. Now New guitar day.

markj

Really like the look of the guitar and it looks in fine condition, but was hoping for bit less. With your experience of Sheratons' what do you think its worth.

Voxman

markj said:

Really like the look of the guitar and it looks in fine condition, but was hoping for bit less. With your experience of Sheratons' what do you think its worth.

As I said, I thought for a 2006 Sheraton II, £399 wasn't a bad price but at the limit of what I'd expect to pay.  £375 with a case is not unreasonable in my view, assuming the guitar is in as good condition as you're told.  Double check that the action is good, frets are in good condition with no fret buzz, and that the p/ups are good - mine went microphonic which is what drove me to change the p/ups.  

I see that it's been re-listed at the same price so wasn't snapped up at £399, which doesn't surprise me.  I think they were charging postage but I see postage is now free.  I'd suggest upping your offer to £350 and see what happens.  

This one seems OK, but do be careful though on EBay - some of the Sheraton guitars/descriptions don't match, and some serial numbers aren't reliable as they could be eg 85, 95, or 2005.  For example, there's a 2012 Sheraton described as Korean made but as far as I'm aware the last Korean versions were made in 2006, and they were Chinese made from 2008.  The truss rod cover is an 'E' and not 'Gibson', the f holes are bigger, and this therefore seems to be Chinese (I actually queried this with seller, no response yet).   

The older Sheratons like mine have a sticker rather than the serial number etched into the headstock.  In fact there's one just like mine here (natural, 1989, Samick) going for £549 and you can see the sticker: 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-EPIPHONE-by-GIBSON-SAMICK-BUILT-SHERATON-GUITAR-NATURAl-LOVELY-ORIG-CONDITN-/112164242598?hash=item1a1d8284a6:g:iUQAAOSwh2xX~QRe

It also supports my earlier comments that older Sheratons do now seem to be commanding a bit of a 'collectable' premium. 

markj

The truss rod cover on this example as the Epiphone  E on it. Would this be right for age and place of manufacture?

Voxman

markj said:

The truss rod cover on this example as the Epiphone  E on it. Would this be right for age and place of manufacture?

On a 2006 yes. 

markj

Just put an offer for £360.

Voxman

markj said:

Just put an offer for £360.

Good luck Mark 

markj

The buyer still wants £375. 

Voxman

markj said:

The buyer still wants £375. 

I think you mean 'seller' !    Gotta be your call obviously.  

markj

I'll think about it over the next day.

marktheharp

I paid 250 second hand(gumtree) for my mint condition Chinese Sheraton also in natural,other colours available! Ha . No case but still had shipping box and plastic on pickup covers ,not a Mark on it. They have the slim taper D' neck ,which I normally prefer a bit chunkier but have got used to it.
it plays and sound great .it's always  the guitar I pick for noodling and  messing about on.
I have seen the pro version go for 250-300 on gumtree etc. Just be patient. The newer sunburst are pretty naff looking,not as nice as the older Korean vintage burst.
Good luck with your search.
Cheers
Mark.

Voxman

markj said:

I'll think about it over the next day.

You might want to hold off for a better deal.  I've been looking for you & possibly found something that might be of interest.  Its a 1996 Samick factory made Sheraton with Hiscox case (some case binding coming away but can be taped/glued) for £325 or offer' (he'll probably take £300 & you might even get that to inc delivery! ).  It doesn't have the pick-guard though.  

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/epiphone-Sheraton-semi-acoustic-electric-guitar-Nat-Korean-1996-hard-case-/322413972512?hash=item4b115ecc20:g:PDQAAOSwNnRYlymQ

Voxman

Ignore

rlw

I paid £250 for a lovely Sheraton 2 about six months ago, with case.  The hardware is tarnished  but there isn't a mark on the body or neck.    As often happens, it's now in bits being refurbished with high quality hardware and wiring, so probably not such a bargain after all.........

markj

Just tried a new Sheraton pro, very impressed. The guitar had just been delivered the the shop, couldn't believe how well it played straight out of its box. I played a Yamaha 335 style guitar  next to it that was 3 times the price, I could hardly tell any difference in tone.

marktheharp

Good stuff.  No tried the sheraton pro. But if it's owt like mine(chinese sheri standard) with the addition of better pickups and coil split. You are onto a winner!

markj

I was  so impressed by the latest Sheraton pro, that  I may order one in ebony. My concern about ordering a mid 2000 Korean model is the probable need for a pickup upgrade. The pickups in the Sheraton pro do sound good.

Voxman

markj said:

I was  so impressed by the latest Sheraton pro, that  I may order one in ebony. My concern about ordering a mid 2000 Korean model is the probable need for a pickup upgrade. The pickups in the Sheraton pro do sound good.

I think you could do a lot worse. If you buy new you also have the warranty & (hopefully) good service back-up from the store if needed.  Best new prices seem to be £499 from Andertons, GAK & some others. I do like black & gold on a Les Paul, but if I was buying a semi new like the Sheraton Pro I think I'd go for the wine red that looks very smart and a bit more '335/Chuck Berryish...but that's my taste. Ebony of course if you'd prefer more of a BB King Lucille look.  I'd also try to get a good deal with a hard case because it doesn't come with one.  It's a shame though that they didn't add a couple more fret markers to the Pro.

marktheharp

The cherry  Sherri' looks the biz.  And  I don't think it has been available in this colour/model. Without bigsby..  

markj

Voxman said:

markj said:

I was  so impressed by the latest Sheraton pro, that  I may order one in ebony. My concern about ordering a mid 2000 Korean model is the probable need for a pickup upgrade. The pickups in the Sheraton pro do sound good.

I think you could do a lot worse. If you buy new you also have the warranty & (hopefully) good service back-up from the store if needed.  Best new prices seem to be £499 from Andertons, GAK & some others. I do like black & gold on a Les Paul, but if I was buying a semi new like the Sheraton Pro I think I'd go for the wine red that looks very smart and a bit more '335/Chuck Berryish...but that's my taste. Ebony of course if you'd prefer more of a BB King Lucille look.  I'd also try to get a good deal with a hard case because it doesn't come with one.  It's a shame though that they didn't add a couple more fret markers to the Pro.

Might go with an ebony one Rich tone music have a new one on ebay for £499, but have them advertised through Amazon for £464. Don't really need a case as I just play at home. Was wondering do the Korean models really benefit from a pickup change.

Bridgehouse

Just a side note on these Chinese Epiphones..  

The missus bought me a brand new Casino Coupe for Christmas.. she was actually apologetic about it (goodness knows why!) but, it's really very very good for the money. Very good. Like, keep it and play it a lot good. 

Yeah, the P90's are a bit mushy, but then again I'm comparing them to '59 pups in my DC special...!