smips65

It's a total crapshot- My local Costco has those, by the dozens, and whipped around in the warehouse by kids driving forklifts. It's a low level budget entry instrument for parents that want to indulge their children, cheaper than a piano, and much easier to dispose of. I'm not knocking them, but realize what they are, is all I'm saying.

HNGD to you then, Welcome here, and please go to the Introduction thread, and tell us about yourself. http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=8024&p=15

Sir, you are correct.

There are some differences as has been stated. The necks are significantly different. It really comes down to what feels more comfortable to you. With that said, the acoustics that you have as compared to the Lester, which neck feels better to you? This could help with your choice. The Sheri has a three piece neck, and is generally thinner, than the one piece neck on a dot. If your planning on changing the electronics anyway, then discussing the differences between the two is mute. A Casino is a full hollowbody with P-90 pups, and wouldn't require much modding. Others here could chime in, but in my experience the neck on a Casino is similar to the Sheri. The fuller bodied archtops I mentioned would be enjoyable plugged or unplugged, if you have no amp, or don't know yet what your looking for. However, they usually have a thicker chunkier neck. So in the end, since electronics are not an issue, playability and comfort is the key concern here. Since you have a solidbody electric, and a couple of acoustics... your hands should be able to guide you in the right direction. If you like the Les Paul Studio better, then a Sheri might be the one If you like the thicker wider neck on the acoustics, then the Dot might be a better fit.

I'll second this thought... Plow, you mentioned in the beggining that your looking for an archtop, are you set on the skinnier models, such as the dot sheri, casino? There is also the Joe Pass, Broadway, ES-175 reissue, and of course others with fuller bodies, that most certainly play well unplugged.... As Brain suggested, there are gems to be found on the local Craigslist.

Mr. Cooper, do please keep us up to date on the home building, and other mod results. "By the lake" is a givaway also....

I used Titebond in a 1/3 water to 2/3 glue mix. The liquid was easy enough to work into the areas, but work with pace, it will start to dry out. Moist paper towels cleaned it up pretty quick.

Step One: Take it in and have it verified, crack in wood, or crack in finish. If the wood is cracked, the repair may not be as difficult as appears. Musikron helped me with my acoustic repair. Step Two: If it turns out to be a wood crack, pilot holes and needles only work so well. You'll need to stress the crack open further, very gently, and work watered down glue into the crack. Without movement, the glue only works into the crack just so far, and you'll end up with an incomplete glue joint. Now your crack being at the body end of the neck takes me out of my experience, others here may know how to create that open and close you'll need to get a proper glue joint. When I made my repair, I used thin strips of mylar that could be worked into the crack. Just some thoughts...

follow the yellow brick road..... http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=8886 I use this as a hosting site.... http://imageshack.us/

Kinda wierd Joe.... http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Sheraton-By-Gibson_W0QQitemZ250574782758QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3a576bc126 Sure are a lot of these popping up ever since you posted this......

You know what bluesman, you are exactly right about that, I'll just bet thats why my VOX doesn't sound right.

That factoid I'm quoting is from this very forum, an owner of a byrdland specified there was a veneer on his "solid spruce top" therefore, not solid, not plywood, a laminate if you will..... Not trying to create an argument, just suggesting don't let the wool be pulled over thine eyes.

As the owner of one of those X1 series Martins, I like the neck on it. Have read much opinion on the contruction and looks. Found out it is the same material as rifle stocks. The HPL composite and laminated neck, do give it a bulletproof feel. I know I've whacked it too many times against the table, counter, my head, and so on. Temperature changes and the like really don't seem to effect it too much. Getting back to the original thread, I read somewhere that even the Epi Elitist Byrdland has a "select spruce top" which is a laminated plywood so to speak. So there really isn't getting away from the plywood construction on archtop guitars. As Hungrycat suggested, carved tops are gonna cost you so much, you're really going to have to consider the cost vs payback part of that scenario. Most of the musicians I know are so deathly afraid of taking something like that anywhere, much less a crowded smokey, could get damaged enviornment, the guitar never sees the light of day. Just some thoughts....

It even has the capital E like Joe's new one. Very interesting.

Just remember to leave some time for the misses, and kids now joe......... HNGD BTW

:- Found another one for your club...... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260541611422&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Quote=deflepfan I just really like this guys collection of guitars. He has WAAAAAY too many for one person (if that is possible!)! http://www.robwesley.com/guitars/sales.html Is this a direct link to Svet's "cave of guitars" Don't I wish...............LOL

agreed

That truss rod cover with the epi "e" looks legit, But a Capital E in Epiphone, Haven't ever seen that b4, really caught my eye.