NavyElk Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Epiphone DOT or Sheraton II. Can anyone give me the exact differences between the DOT and Sheraton. I have looked for the specs but they are very vague. Obviously the cosmetics are different. The inlays and the head stock are different. I read that the neck is different, the Sheraton is 3 piece neck? is that better? if so Why? I have also read that the humbuckers are different?? is this true and if so what are the differences in the 2? If i were to buy the DOT and upgrade the humbuckers to the Sheratons II humbuckers what kinda cost am i looking at? What if any sound differences would be between the 2, unplugged and plugged in? I have heard and read that the Gold plated stuff wears off and corrodes easy? anyone have any info on this? will this wear effect playability and sound in any way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone83 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Hi NavyElk, specs are quite the same. The Sheraton II got neck binding, the Dot doesn't. As for the gold hardwear, the plating doesn't really get rubbed off. It's more like becoming a vintage look, which takes quite a long time ;) It'll always stay "gold", just the brilliance changes a little after a while. Nothing to worry about ^^ Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 The Sheraton II has a maple neck and has binding all over the body, f-holes, neck, and headstock. The Dot has a mahogany neck and ....dots. I'm pretty sure the pickups are the same in both of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone83 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Where did you see the Dot stated with mahagony neck?! :blink: Epiphone Dot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyElk Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 Ok from what a Sweetwater rep just told me... He said the Dot has a solid piece of wood going down the middle of the guitar, were the sheraton II does not. I could not find this anywhere on ephiphons site or epiphonewiki. They are both still semi hollow bodies but he said the Sheraton on a loud stage would or could tend to have more feed back then a Dot. He also said the Neck on the Sheraton is 5 piece which can cause less sustain. Anyone know if there is truth to these statements? To be honest he seemed like the most knowledgeable person i have spoken to about the Dot & Sheraton II. I have called Guitar Center, Zzounds, Musicians Friends, and local guitar shops. Epiphonewiki states: Sheraton II: Model ETS2 1986-Current Alnico Classic Humbucker pickups Semi-hollow laminated maple body & top 5-piece maple neck with SlimTaper profile Rosewood fingerboard with V-block inlays Multi-ply body, neck & headstock binding Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece Grover tuners Gold bell knobs Gold hardware 2 Vol. 2 Tone controls 3-way selector switch 24.75" scale 1.68" nut width Dot: Model ETDT 1997-Current Alnico Classic humbuckers Semi-hollowbody construction Laminated maple body and top Mahogany center block Single-ply body binding Triple-ply raised pickguard SlimTaper profile neck Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays 12" fingerboard radius Oval headstock inlay Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece Grover Rotomatic 16:1 ratio tuners Chrome or nickel hardware Bell knobs 2 Vol. 2 Tone controls 3-way selector switch 24.75" scale 1.68" nut width Neck Material: Maple 1997-2007 Mahogany 2008-Current Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyElk Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 Where did you see the Dot stated with mahagony neck?! :blink: Epiphone Dot I posted the info from Epiphonewiki it does state: Neck Material: Maple 1997-2007 Mahogany 2008-Current (****) So is Mahogany good? I can play guitar (no pro by any means) but know nothing about them lol sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Where did you see the Dot stated with mahagony neck?! :blink: Epiphone Dot http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=4&CollectionID=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 New Sheraton II's are no longer 5 piece necks. They are the standard scarf joints like the Dots. There's a lot of misinformation on web-sites with out of date descriptions. Heck, even Epi's own site last year was out of date on it's description in it's 2010 catalogue. The 2011 only shows "maple neck". The 5 piece neck adds to it stability because maple can warp more easily than mahagony. I wanted a 5 piece, so I went used. A 2006 Korean made one. Sustain differences???? If you can hear the diference, then you're hearing is better than mine. Sheratons have neck binding and more bling too. Block markers vs dot markers. I've owned both and prefer my Sheraton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Ok from what a Sweetwater rep just told me... He said the Dot has a solid piece of wood going down the middle of the guitar, were the sheraton II does not. I could not find this anywhere on ephiphons site or epiphonewiki. They are both still semi hollow bodies but he said the Sheraton on a loud stage would or could tend to have more feed back then a Dot. He also said the Neck on the Sheraton is 5 piece which can cause less sustain. Anyone know if there is truth to these statements? To be honest he seemed like the most knowledgeable person i have spoken to about the Dot & Sheraton II. Well, just about any salesman can sound like they know what they're talking about, but in fact, the fellow at Sweetwater is dead wrong. Both the Dot and Sheraton II have the center block in the body, and feedback issues will be the same. He apparently thinks the Sheraton is fully hollow, like a Casino. He is also wrong about the 5 piece neck, which was dropped when construction of the Sheraton switched to China. The previous Korean versions, as was pointed out by BG, have 5 piece necks. Both the Dot & Sheraton are now made in China. I also have recently seen a new Dot that was made in Indonesia. As for plating, chrome is the most durable. The quality of the gold plating on Sheratons can vary significantly. You might get one that holds up well, or you might get one that fades in a heartbeat. Same with Gibson's gold plating. Best of luck in your search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyElk Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 Ok so if the 2 guitars are now the same if i am reading what you guys are saying, both have the solid block of wood, both have the same necks, then basically you are paying 200.00 more for just cosmetics? Nothing more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 It would seem that way. Those plastilone and mother of toiletseat inlays dont buy themselves, you know. Actually, there are a lot more man hours that goes in to binding a neck and headstock. Ok, so I forgot to update the neck specs for the Sheri. Anyone know what year they switched over to the scarf-joint necks? 2008? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 The Sheraton II has a maple neck and has binding all over the body, f-holes, neck, and headstock. The Dot has a mahogany neck and ....dots. I'm pretty sure the pickups are the same in both of them. I've seen recent Dots with (light) maple necks, and (dark) mahogany necks, very obvious on the natural finish models. Not sure if they switched over at some point, or if one type comes from a certain location. Not a lot of difference between Dots and Sheratons, like a 335 vs a 355. Pretty much cosmetics. To confuse things further, there are also Dot Deluxes: flame tops, gold hardware, & dot inlays (a few have small block inlays). Although these sell for slightly more than regular Dots, they're closer to a Sheraton (actually fancier, with the flame maple). I bought two Dot Deluxes used at very good prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwillow777 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I will say one thing about the sound of both. I have both and my Sherry is a little brighter sounding than my Dot. I gutted both and put the exact same parts and pups in both. I have an older Sherry with the 5 piece neck which I love. My Sherry has a thinner neck than my Dot. I have no idea what the necks are like on the new Sherries. I thought I heard that Epi had start making the Sheraton with a 5 piece neck again, but evidently I'm wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Ok so if the 2 guitars are now the same if i am reading what you guys are saying, both have the solid block of wood, both have the same necks, then basically you are paying 200.00 more for just cosmetics? Nothing more? In general, yes, that's one way of looking at it.....Keep in mind the accurate wood differences from different years, models, and country of manufacture.. Having said that, I guess I need a 2006 or earlier Sherry, for the 5 piece maple neck....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chas63 Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 About a year ago, I too was wondering whether to buy the Dot or the Sheraton II. I read all the specs and was about to decide on the Dot, but then I went to You Tube and listened to several of each being played. The Sheraton II just sounded much better to me. It also looked nicer. So I bought the Sheraton II. Is the Sheraton II $200 to $300 better than the Dot? I don't know. I just know that I've had no problems or complaints whatsoever with the Sheraton II. I don't play it much now because my tastes in music and guitars has changed some, but still I have no regrets in buying the Sheraton II. Good luck with whichever you decide on. Chas63 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 About a year ago, I too was wondering whether to buy the Dot or the Sheraton II. I read all the specs and was about to decide on the Dot, but then I went to You Tube and listened to several of each being played. The Sheraton II just sounded much better to me. It also looked nicer. So I bought the Sheraton II. Is the Sheraton II $200 to $300 better than the Dot? I don't know. I just know that I've had no problems or complaints whatsoever with the Sheraton II. I don't play it much now because my tastes in music and guitars has changed some, but still I have no regrets in buying the Sheraton II. Good luck with whichever you decide on. Chas63 A big factor with either one is upgrading the PU's, which will give you much more clarity, depth, and definition. As an owner of many Epi's, I wouldn't judge any of them by the stock PU's. It the weakest link on them. Plus, whatever PU's you get, you can easily change their EQ by swapping the magnets. Put an alnico 8 in a Duncan SH-14 and you have an amazing bridge PU that works for blues, rock, metal, etc. You have far more control over your tone than most players think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfine Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 re: gold hardware wear--the gold is plated on, and can range from pretty solid to a light gold wash. Some players don't have too much trouble, while some (like me!) can corrode a bank vault door open by leaning on it for a few minutes! I once had a Yamaha SG2000 with gold hardware, and within six months the plating was totally worn off the bass side of the bridge, right down to the brass, which turned green, then pitted, and finally froze solid. Luckily, it was adjusted properly. If I have a choice, I'll take chrome every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dxdgenert Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Just to throw in my two cents... My Dot Deluxe flame-top is a 2005 Made in China and has a Mahogany neck. I can tell because there is a scratch near the nut that reveals dark mahogany, not maple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I posted the info from Epiphonewiki it does state: Neck Material: Maple 1997-2007 Mahogany 2008-Current (****) That is FALSE. I have a 2007 Dot and the neck is Mahogany. I have a friend that has a 2006 Dot that also has a Mahogany neck. MF, GC, Sweetwater, AMS, and many of them have listed the Dot specs. with "maple" as the material for the neck for years. But they have been wrong. I'm looking at the current Musician's Friend catalog right now. For the Epiphone Dot their description for the neck states, "Maple set neck". Almost every catalog I've ever seen has maple as the material. That's probably contributing to the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Sounds like Epi's spec's are about as good as their p/u's LOL. I have an 08 Chinese Dot and the neck is definitely mahogany I also upgraded the p/u's, wiring, switches, jack, etc. and it is now a totally different guitar (note: even if you do this yourself, you will NOT recover your investment, so unless it's a keeper...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sledge57 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 For a little more than the Sherri (which I had and loved) you could go this way (which I have and Love) Better pups, electronics, tuners and finish (IMHO) from the start. I also like the fact that the F-Holes are a little bigger in the middle than the Sherri's were, so if you need to change hardware it's a tad easier (although the Epi's F-Holes look better) The natural one is mine but they come in other colors too. Awesome Dot btw Dennis....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 For a little more than the Sherri (which I had and loved) you could go this way (which I have and Love) Better pups, electronics, tuners and finish (IMHO) from the start. I also like the fact that the F-Holes are a little bigger in the middle than the Sherri's were, so if you need to change hardware it's a tad easier (although the Epi's F-Holes look better) The natural one is mine but they come in other colors too. Awesome Dot btw Dennis....... Thanks Doug, I like it a lot. That Hag is a looker too. You have no idea how many times I've been tempted to grab one of those, but I just can justify another semi hollow (yet LOL)!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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