96 Made in USA Sheraton

[mgrasso]

I knew these were out there, but this is the first one that I have come across.

 

A little too steep for this time of the year, but a beautiful guitar.

 

E-Bay Listing

[charlie brown]

Well, IF I had the money, available, right now...I'd BUY that one!

It would be a great addition, to the one I already am fortunate enough

to own My AIUSA Sheraton II (Stop Bar Tailpiece) Vintage Sunburst...(see below).

 

 

 

(I added, the "Imperial" tuner Buttons...but, kept the original "kidney bean" versions, as well.)

 

 

I'd LOVE to have a "Natural" one, with the frenquensator, I.E. Sheraton I.

 

These AIUSA versions, are as close to the original Kalamazoo era American made Sheri's, as you're likely to get, without getting the Vintage one. Extremely well made, and finished!

 

CB

[eor]

curious about the label- was this a second? and is that the original case? hard to say. don't know much about this model. but i'd like to.

[charlie brown]

The label was numbered with the original number, that was on John Lee Hooker's

original Sheraton/Sheraton II. Some of the overstocks, we sold, with a different

serial number (white, over the blue), and had the "JLH" TRC, and Pickguards, replaced

with identical (plain) versions, minus the lettering. The cases, were originally,

the brown, with pink interior, that had a smaller neck outline, and wider headstock,

area...like the original run, of USA Reissue cases, for the John Lennon Casino series.

In some instances, with "blow out" sales, from MF, GC, and other on-line retailers,

those guitars were sold both ways, with case (as available stock allowed), and just

the guitar, alone. Mine was purchased, sans case, as they were no longer available.

I got a used (but like new) Gibson CS 335 case, a bit later. Fits like a glove!

 

CB

[mgrasso]

Always love seeing your Sheraton, CB.

 

So then I am mistaken, this was made in Japan, but assembled in the USA.

 

Thanks for clarifying this.

 

I am familiar with the John Hooker models, but this was the first I have seen with the natural finish.

 

I thought this might have been one of the Nashville Collection Sheratons, but from just reading the Wiki, those were made in 93-94.

 

One of the Rivieras came up on e-bay about a month ago.

 

Funny how non of the Nashville Collection have surfaced.

[charlie brown]

Always love seeing your Sheraton, CB.

 

So then I am mistaken, this was made in Japan, but assembled in the USA.

 

Thanks for clarifying this.

 

I am familiar with the John Hooker models, but this was the first I have seen with the natural finish.

 

I thought this might have been one of the Nashville Collection Sheratons, but from just reading the Wiki, those were made in 93-94.

 

One of the Rivieras came up on e-bay about a month ago.

 

Funny how non of the Nashville Collection have surfaced.

 

Thanks, mgrasso...it's certainly one of my absolute favorite Semi's. But, NO...you ARE right,

the bodies and necks were made in Japan, and then shipped here, for assembly and Gibson USA pickups

and parts! There's some controversy, as to whether or not they were paint-finished, in Japan,

or, if that was done in Nashville? They are virtually identical, to the Elitist verion, EXCEPT

for the Headstock shape...it's the pure Vintage USA version (Wider bout, at the top, and flared

a bit more, at the bottom), and...of course, the Poly Finish, on the Elitist, compared to the Nitro,

on the AIUSA versions.

 

CB

[mgrasso]

Thanks CB.

 

I also remember you views on the heal of the neck on the '62 reissues.

 

I have the cherry version that I think is one of my best players.

 

Fit and finish cannot be beat.

 

I'm not sure what you are referring to with the heal.

 

Is it a different shape?

 

 

 

Mark

[charlie brown]

Thanks CB.

 

I also remember you views on the heal of the neck on the '62 reissues.

 

I have the cherry version that I think is one of my best players.

 

Fit and finish cannot be beat.

 

I'm not sure what you are referring to with the heal.

 

Is it a different shape?

 

 

 

Mark

 

Yes, it's a bit longer from the body, before it curves to the front part of the heal.

No big deal! I'm sure if you didn't know that, it wouldn't be that obvious. But,

compared to a Dot, regular Sheraton, or my Gibson "Lucille" and the above AIUSA

Sheraton, it's quite obvious. Still, they're great guitars! Certainly worth the

adoration they've recieved on this forum!

 

My only "carp" with most Epi's (reissues, especially) is that they use the Chinese

"well" type Truss rod, and 3-hole covers, instead of the traditional Epiphone (USA)

Gibson TRC, and 2-hole covers. I don't mind where they're manufactured, these days,

nearly as much as the loss of correct details, to the originals. It costs no more,

to do them "right," than not. So...??? Gibson's already done a fine job, of

marginalizing the Epiphone brand, to that of an "off shore," import version. So, it's

not like they'd be mistaken for a "Vintage" original. Especially, with the Poly finishes.

So...why not go that little bit further, and make them "correct" spec wise, all the way around?

 

But, maybe this is just "My" own little nit-picking. I've been known, to do that! LOL

 

CB

[Red 333]

Wow, that went for a great price. Someone got a good deal.

 

Red 333

[bobouz]

The AIUSA Sheraton was first made in 2000, so the '96 listing was incorrect.

 

I have one in sunburst with a frequensator tailpiece, JLH's full name on the trussrod cover, and "The Boogie Man" on the pickguard. These earliest versions had a blue label with JLH's picture and signature. They also had a different serial numbering sequence, which was four digits. Mine is #009X. These early features were all gone, I believe, at some point within the second year of production, which was 2001.

 

In addition to the differences noted above between the AIUSA & Elitist versions, the AIUSA models have fretwork similar to a Gibson with fret binding nubs (as opposed to the fret fully extending out over the binding), a true Gibson-style truss rod, and two hole trussrod cover.

 

I agree with Red - the guitar in this ad did sell for a very reasonable price. I was fortunate enough to pick mine up last year in dead mint condition (still had the plastic film protectors on the pickups!) for almost the same amount, but they generally command a significantly higher price. They are wonderful instruments & well worth a serious look.