p0w3r Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Hello1 everyone! I need your advice. The situation is that I have a chance to get Sheraton II '08 (Is it Korean? http://bit.ly/1t3qGSb ) or a brand new Ultra-339. The question is - what should I get? The 339 one has better features like acoustic pickup (and I do not have an acoustic guitar for now, so it's a great advantage), but, as I know, it's made in China. So the Sheraton's built quality could be better. Is there any other differences between these two? Help me, what should I get? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 The lack of a factory indicator letter preceding the Sheri's serial number would suggest that it was made in the Qingdao factory in China. Many of their more recent guitars are of excellent build quality, so I wouldn't make that the deciding factor. The main differences between the two are, as you mentioned, the acoustic pickup capabilities of the 339 and the body size. Many players have strong preferences for one size or the other, so I'd recommend trying out a semi-hollow body in each size to see whether this is true for you. If you're equally comfortable with both, the acoustic pickup on the 339 might well be the thing that tips the scales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizard1 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Hello1 everyone! I need your advice. The situation is that I have a chance to get Sheraton II '08 (Is it Korean? http://bit.ly/1t3qGSb ) or a brand new Ultra-339. The question is - what should I get? The 339 one has better features like acoustic pickup (and I do not have an acoustic guitar for now, so it's a great advantage), but, as I know, it's made in China. So the Sheraton's built quality could be better. Is there any other differences between these two? Help me, what should I get? I have a Korean made Sheraton II in Natural finish. All original, and it is a truly fabulous guitar. I will keep it until i can no longer play guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p0w3r Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 The lack of a factory indicator letter preceding the Sheri's serial number would suggest that it was made in the Qingdao factory in China. Many of their more recent guitars are of excellent build quality, so I wouldn't make that the deciding factor. The main differences between the two are, as you mentioned, the acoustic pickup capabilities of the 339 and the body size. Many players have strong preferences for one size or the other, so I'd recommend trying out a semi-hollow body in each size to see whether this is true for you. If you're equally comfortable with both, the acoustic pickup on the 339 might well be the thing that tips the scales. That's shame that this Sheri is not from Korea. But wait... The site with Epiphone serial number decoder (the number 0806210477) is telling that guitar was made in June 2008, at the Unsung Plant, Korea. Could it be wrong? And, if you use this site here: http://epiphonewiki.com/index.php/Epiphone_Serial_Number_Decoding It is telling that serials starting from exactly '08 are decoding like this: YYMMFFRRRRR YY = Year of manufacture MM = Month of manufature FF = Factory I.D. RRRRR = Ranking number So year - 08, month 06, factory 21. At the bottom of the page you can check out factories by factory numbers. 21 is for Unsung, Korea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p0w3r Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 And there's another question - so it is no particular difference between built quality of even Korean Sheri and chinese Ultra-339? But why does Sheri costs the same (or even more) as Ultra-339, if Ultra has all those hi-end staff like nanomag? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt4356 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 The sherri has abigger body, gold hadware and inlays compared to the 339. Generally the smaller bodied sell for slightly less, like the casino and casino coupe. In my experience the korean being better is a myth that people use so people to pay more, its always a key point on ebay listings etc. There are good and bad coming from all factorys. If korean really were that much better people just wouldnt buy so many chinese. I have a korean sherri and three chinese made epis, i cant see any real difference in build quality or playability. Regardless of factory or model you need to play it and hold it in your hands and see whats comfortable for you, you will pay your money for it and you will play it, not me, so if you can play both, then decide. Dont dismiss one because its made in China! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 And there's another question - so it is no particular difference between built quality of even Korean Sheri and chinese Ultra-339? But why does Sheri costs the same (or even more) as Ultra-339, if Ultra has all those hi-end staff like nanomag? the Ultra 339 has the USB, built in tuner, little extras that make the price a bit more. in my opinion, the Sheraton would be the one to go for. or, check out the 339 without all of the "Ultra" stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffery Smith Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 I can never advise against getting a Sheraton. I can only advise against getting just one Sheraton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigneil Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 339 Has a smaller body than the sheraton. I also believe that the Korean built thing is just smoke and mirrors...I bet when production is moved to a new location the Chinese built instruments will become revered and sought after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kb5szo Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 I think my 339 ultra is great in the "stereo mode" I run the Nanomag through a Acoustic AG60 and the humbuckers through my Albion TCT35C / or Fender Mustang 3 and get 3 totally different sounds - in mono through a single amp it still sounds great - the nanomag can be super clean or overdriven for a tone different from the humbuckers - and an after thought I haven't seen a 339 Ultra in an Atlanta G.C. in over a year I think - are they still making them?? or the Ultra's out of production? --- what ever as others said play both and go for what plays best and sounds best to you eddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kb5szo Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 FYI Epiphone is listing the 339 Ultra as "out of production" now , so you won't be seeing many in stores in the future!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 There is no difference in MIC and MIK Epiphone guitars in my humble opinion. They are built to "engineering specifications". The "specifications" are the same...blueprinting, documentation, bill of materials, manufacturing instructions...the only difference is the places they are built, the final product is the same...like 2 cars, built to the same "specifications"..they will both be the same when made to the same blueprint. That's is my opinion, and I will stick to it. The guitars will be the same no matter where they are from, when built on a "high volume" assembly line, and not "custom made", when they are manufactured and produced to the exact same specifications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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