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Epiphone Sheraton vs. Sheraton II (Pickup, Neck, Build, Finish, & More!)

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With its history going back to as early as 1873, Epiphone, an American musical instrument brand, is unarguably one of the world’s most reputable and respected guitar brands.

In its own right, the Epiphone Sheraton remains an iconic guitar in not just the world of blues and jazz but in the world of music and guitars. Legendary players like John Lee Hooker loved and respected the Epiphone Sheraton.  

The Epiphone Sheraton is a semi-hollow-body guitar based on the design of the legendary Gibson ES-335. Like the Gibson ES-335 and other legendary semi-acoustic guitars, the Sheraton is a favourite for blues and jazz players alike. 

The mechanics, acoustics, and overall of this guitar is beyond exceptional. To a great extent and considering its quality, it will not be out of place to say that this is an affordable jazz guitar for a guitarist of any playing level. 

The major difference between the Epiphone Sheraton and Epiphone Sheraton ii is that the Sheraton ii uses the Gibson USA full-sized gold-plated style of humbucker pickup.

On the contrary, the original Sheraton uses the New Yorker-Style humbucker pickups.

About the Epiphone Sheraton

The Epiphone Sheraton is a thin electric guitar with a semi-hollow body. Epaminondas Stathopoulo, known as Ephi, owned Epiphone, a renowned hollow-body and archtop guitars designer.

His brothers Orphie and Frixo took over management of the organization after Epis’s death in 1943… Gibson bought the company in 1953 and started working on the Epiphone Sheraton Electric guitar manufacture.

Gibson started broadening the semi-hollow guitar range in its Epiphone line in 1958. Although Epiphone is the only manufacturer, the Sheraton and all its variants were developed when owned by the Gibson Guitar Corporation, now known as Gibson Brands Inc.

Gibson immediately began working on the Sheraton guitar model and adopted the same body design as the ES guitar models. He did, however, separate the two types with

  • The fretboard is triangular.
  • Vine headstock vintage
  • thinner body
  • a double cutaway
  • Rosewood fingerboard bound

Gibson has seen significant transformations throughout the years. One of the most recent changes made to the Sheraton before the launch of the Sheraton II was narrowing its neck width to 19/16″.

About the Epiphone Sheraton ii

The Epiphone Sheraton II was manufactured in 1986. The Epiphone Sheraton II is comparable to the ES-335 though the two bear very minimal differences.

Their similarities include the following:

  • The placing of the bridge and tailpiece
  • The placement of the F holes and through-neck.
  • Pickups location.
  • Wiring configuration.

The first Sheraton II model became far more famous compared to the original Sheraton. Unlike the first brand of Sheraton electric guitars, this guitar featured New York-style humbucker pickups, featuring the Gibson humbucker pickups.

The early versions of the Epiphone Sheraton II were manufactured in Korea. However, the later models were and are still manufactured in China.

In 2010, Sheraton II’s 5-piece neck was modified to a 3-piece neck, creating the new Sheraton.

Sheraton manufactured, most recently, the John Lee Hooker signature versions. The Sheraton II Pro replaced the Epiphone Sheraton II in 2014.

Unique Details About the Epiphone Sheraton

Body

  • Epiphone Sheraton electric guitar is semi-hollow in shape.
  • The body is made of Laminated Maple.
  • The scale measures 629mm.
  • Has an ebony finish.
  • Weight
  • Epiphone Sheraton electric guitar varies in weight, depending on the model
  • on average, a guitar can weigh 9.1 Ibs

Neck

  • The neck is made of mahogany.
  • set-in design (glued into the body)
  • Has a rosewood fingerboard topping
  • Slim taper profile
  • Length- 24.75
  • Nut width- 1.68
  • Has 22 Jumbo Frets (medium in size)

Pickups

  • The Epiphone Sheraton Pickups features are as follows:
  • It has two New York mini-humbucking pickups and two coils that provide a clear signal. 
  •  The pickups are vintage-inspired.
  •  A 3-way pickup selector switch – Used to control the pickups.
  •  Pickup has its own tone, and volume settings- This allows a player to explore a variety of tones.
  • Pickups offer a warm, packed tone that suits jazz, blues, and rock.

Fret Board

  • Sheraton has a 22 medium jumbo fret
  • Made of rosewood
  • Its block inlays are made of pearloid
  • Has a radius of 12.”

Headstock

  • The Headstock design resembles the Gibson ES-335 headstock but with a longer body.
  • Has an Epiphone emblem.
  • Has a 14-degree inclination.
  • Vintage in style.

Playability

  • Easy to grip due to its slim taper profile neck.
  • The Epiphone Sheraton is light and balanced due to its body shape, making it easy to hold and carry.
  • Excellent tone.

Colors

  • Cherry
  • Natural
  • sunburst

Unique Details About the Epiphone Sheraton II

Body

  • Semi-hollow in shape.
  • The body is made up of laminated Maple.
  • Has a set of F-holes on the body top.
  • Has a 5-ply binding on the top and back of the body.
  • Its body top has a pronounced arch.

Weight

  • The weight of the Epiphone Sheraton II depends on the materials used, model, and year of manufacture.
  • Most models weigh around 7-8 Ibs.
  • Scale is 24.75

Neck

  • Has a 3 piece of the maple neck
  • Has 22 medium jumbo frets
  • Set in neck construction.
  • 12-inch radius fretboard

Pickups

  • Alcino classic pickups.
  • Have 2 ProBucker humbucker sound.
  • Clear tremble and sound.

Fretboard

  • Made of rosewood.
  • Has a radius of 12.

Headstock

  • Large spit diamond inlay
  • The covers are made of pearloid.
  • The top curve is noticeable.
  • Has romantic groove-tuning machines.
  • Attractive appearance.
  • Has an Epiphone emblem

Playability

  • Optional for left-handed use.
  • A comfortable neck to play on.
  • The guitar size is ideal for playing.
  • Chords that bend flexibly when playing.

Colors

  • Natural
  • Ebony
  • Vintage Sunburst

Epiphone Sheraton vs. Sheraton II

Epiphone Sheraton vs. Sheraton ii: Body

The general design of the Epiphone Sheraton and Sheraton II bodies are generally similar. However, they have some notable distinguishing body features as follows:

Both bodies of the Epiphone Sheraton are constructed of laminated Maple and have a solid block running at the center of the length of the body.

The Sheraton guitar has one F-hole on the top of the body and a carved arch on the top. The Sheraton II body is also semi-hollow but has two F-holes on top.

The Epiphone Sheraton ii more carved on the arch than the Epiphone Sheraton. The Sheraton II body is laminated by Maple.

The Epiphone Sheraton II has an ornate 5-ply joining in on the top and back of the body.

Epiphone Sheraton vs. Sheraton ii: Necks

The Epiphone Sheraton neck is made of mahogany wood, whereas the Epiphone Sheraton II is constructed with 3-piece maple wood.

Epiphone Sheraton vs. Sheraton ii: Headstock

The main difference between Epiphone Sheraton and Epiphone Sheraton II is: Sheraton is vintage in style, and its design borrows from the Gibson ES-335, whereas the Sheraton II has a modern style and is slightly larger than the Sheraton’s headstock.

Epiphone Sheraton vs. Sheraton ii: Pickups

Epiphone Sheraton pickups are 2 New York mini-humbuckers, whereas the Epiphone Sheraton II uses 2 Humbuckers pickups.

Brief History of Epiphone Sheraton and Epiphone Sheraton II

Ephi, the founder of the Epiphone Sheraton guitar, was inspired to create his electric guitar line when he entered the music business in the late 1800s.

After he passed away in 1943, his brothers took charge. However, after World War 1, due to financial difficulties, they sold their business to Gibson, who started producing the Sheraton under his brand in 1958.

In 1953, Gibson acquired the Epiphone company, and the Sheraton’s manufacturing was moved to Gibson’s factory in the US.

The electric guitar was first released in 1959. It was created under the inspiration of Gibson’s model, the Gibson ES-335. Its features included:

  • Laminated maple body 
  • Block inlays
  • A rosewood fretboard
  • A mahogany set neck

Between 1959 to the 1970s, he manufactured the guitar and later closed its production. In the 1980s, Gibson reintroduced the Sheraton model and relaunched Epiphone.

The latest model was produced under John Lee Hooker’s signature. Sheraton II Pro is the most recent version, under the Epiphione models, in 2014.

Although there are a few significant variations, the Sheraton II and the original Sheraton are quite similar but have significant differences in sound and appearance.

In comparison to the first Epiphone Sheraton guitar, the Sheraton II has a slightly modified headstock shape and a different set of pickups.

Many jazz and blues performers love it because of its looks, adaptable tone, and comfort while playing.

Serial Numbers and Factory Codes

Like many other guitars, the Sheraton has a serial number that can be used to determine its year of manufacture and factory of origin.

Epiphone’s serial number system has changed several times over the years. Still, generally speaking, Sheratons produced between 1958 and 1970 have a four- or five-digit serial number that can be decoded as follows:

The first digit represents the last digit of the year of manufacture (e.g., “8” for 1958 or “0” for 1960).

The second and third digits represent the production number for that year.

For some models, the fourth and fifth digits represent the batch number within the production run.

For example, a Sheraton with a serial number of “823456” would have been produced in 1958 (the first digit is “8”), and it would have been the 23,456th guitar produced that year.

From 1970 onward, Epiphone’s serial number system changed to a more complex eight-digit code that includes information about the year, month, and factory of manufacture. 

The first two digits of the code represent the year (e.g., “78” for 1978), the third and fourth digits represent the month (e.g., “04” for April), and the remaining four digits represent the production number for that month and factory.

In addition to the serial number, some Sheratons may have a factory code stamped on the back of the headstock. This code consists of one or two letters that indicate the factory where the guitar was produced. 

Some common codes include “I” for the Terada factory in Japan, “S” for the Samick factory in Korea, and “U” for the Unsung factory in Korea.

It’s important to note that Epiphone’s serial number system has changed several times over the years, so the above information may not apply to all Sheraton guitars. 

If you have a specific Sheraton model and serial number, you can find more detailed information by contacting Epiphone customer service or a reputable guitar dealer.

Conclusion

Epiphone Sheraton and Sheraton II electric guitars are models by Gibson. The two guitars are among the top loved by players.

A musician can enjoy high-quality tones and a versatile design with the Sheraton and Epiphone Sheraton II.

Among others, players like Ted Leo, Gary Clark, Noel Gallagher, and Jack Casady have a reputation for being ardent fans of the electric guitar.

The two electric guitars have been well accepted on the market thanks to their low price, crystal-clear sound, adaptable tone, and distinctive design.

Players have, however, criticized the Epiphone Sheraton and the Epiphone Sheraton II primarily for their weight. The two are regarded as being heavier than other available electric guitar types.

Particular players have also claimed that the manufacturing of some Sheraton models is always changing. The materials used are of lower quality than those in comparable guitars.

In general, the Epiphone Sheraton and the Epiphone Sheraton II have a long history in the music business and have been successfully managed to remain popular and in demand.