Lerxst1281733995 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 The other day, after I set up my new Dot to my liking, I took it to friend of mine to show off my latest score... He's a great guitarist, (been playing about 40 years),with an extensive collection of guitars.. Most of them high-end.. One of his favorite guitars is his 1989 Samick built Sheraton... I wondered out loud how much the Dot and the Sheraton really differed, outside of the cosmetic differences.. We decided to each A/B the Dot against his Sherry and see what we thought.. It wasn't really easy to make a conclusive comparison in terms of tone, as he has Gibson 490/498s in his Sherry and flat-wound strings.. The only conclusion we could both agree on was that the stock Epi neck pup lacked clarity, but his Gibson bridge pup sounded "thinner" than the bridge pup on the Dot... Other than that, it was hard to say which guitar sounded "better"... The only physical difference between the guitars besides the obvious cosmetic differences are the Sherry has a 3-piece neck, which is about 1/16" wider at the nut and has a beefier stock bridge.. I might say that the Sheraton seems slightly sturdier than the Dot, but I'm not sure if that's just psychological... They both weigh exactly the same, and the Dot in no way feels "flimsy" to me... I wonder if the Sherry just seems like a better guitar because it looks like a better guitar... Anyone have any input as to any real differences between the two guitars? Or is it just binding and inlay that makes the Sherry cost $200 more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suho Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I think that is hard to answer. My guess is, it is mostly the inlays. I now have one Sherry, and recently sold 2 others (one last week). I have also had 2 dots. I have not A/B'ed them. Having said that, The Sherry that I have is much more solid and chunkier (for lack of a better word) than any of the others. But my Dots did not at all feel cheap or weak. So, while certain individual instruments from both lines may stand out, I would say as a model itself, it is probably just the aesthetics. Does the Dot have a mahogany neck? I thought maybe the regular Dots do, but not the Studios. Anyone know for sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxst1281733995 Posted February 17, 2008 Author Share Posted February 17, 2008 The neck on the Dot is maple.. But so is the Sharaton's.. It's just 3-pieces.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwillow777 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 One big difference that I have noticed between my Dot and Sherry is that the profile of the neck on the Sherry is thinner. I personlly like a thinner neck. As mentioned earlier the neck on the Sherry is a little wider at the nut. I have GFS Vintage 59s in both guitars and they sound the same to me plugged in. The Sherry sounds better acoustically. All that said, I have to say that my Dot is my go to guitar over the Sherry, even though it has a thicker neck. I have a Bigsby on my Dot and the strings have a looser feel when bending. I love my Sherry but I'll never get rid of my Dot. I would have to say that the $200 difference is probably more cosmetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyelcrrt1281733995 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 If you look at standard business markup as 140% of cost, you can see an extra $200 won't get much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suho Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 The neck on the Dot is maple.. But so is the Sharaton's.. It's just 3-pieces.. OK, I just checked in with the Epiphone website. I had it backwards. The regular Dots are apparently maple necks and bodies. The Dot Studios are Mahogany necks and bodies. The thing that confused me is that I had a natural colored Dot (not a studio) that had a much darker stained neck than the blond stained body. It looked like a Mahogany neck. I wonder if that combination was ever made. It wouldn't surprise me, considering that from year to year there are always odd things popping out here and there. We just forget about them when the specs change to whatever the current specs are. Or maybe it was just really dark maple...? I know the Sheratons are maple, but I always disagree with that description as 3 pieces, because it is actually 5 pieces with walnut or bubinga stripes between the maple pieces. And for anyone who has seen me post this before, I apologize, but as long as the issue of Sheraton neck thickness comes up I will keep at it... my Sheraton's neck is definitely not thin (although other Sheraton necks I have had are thinner), so not all of them fit that description. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxst1281733995 Posted February 17, 2008 Author Share Posted February 17, 2008 I didn't notice any appreciable difference in neck profile between my Dot and his Sheraton... I wasn't really looking for it, but nothing jumped out at me to make me notice it.. I don't think the neck on the Dot is that thick.. I've always heard that they're kinda clubby, but mine is pretty comfortable... That could just be me, though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy1281734003 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I just did the A-B thing yesterday with a Dot and a Sheraton, they pretty much sounded the same, but the Sheraton just felt right in my hands. I would much rather play an ugly guitar that sounds and feels good, but the Sheraton came home with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdgails Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 i have BOTH. the only thing i notice is the neck width on the sherry is wider than the dot. I also have 2 supernovas and the neck width is slightly smaller than the dot. The supernova necks feels better than the dot and sherry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 OK' date=' I just checked in with the Epiphone website. I had it backwards. The regular Dots are apparently maple necks and bodies. The Dot Studios are Mahogany necks and bodies. The thing that confused me is that I had a natural colored Dot (not a studio) that had a much darker stained neck than the blond stained body. It looked like a Mahogany neck. I wonder if that combination was ever made. .[/quote'] The Cinese made Dots and Casinos I've seen over the last year do indeed have mahogany necks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickblues1 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I like my all maple 2004 Dot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxst1281733995 Posted February 17, 2008 Author Share Posted February 17, 2008 The Cinese made Dots and Casinos I've seen over the last year do indeed have mahogany necks. Well, the Casino has always had a mahogany neck... And if they're making Dots with mahogany necks, they should change the specs on their web-site.. Actually, I'd prefer it if Dots had mahogany necks... The Gibson 335 has a mahogany neck, so why not the Dot? I know maple is more stable than mahogany, but it also has a brighter tone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schtang Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 No doubt about it the Sherri in my books, way better. I do understand we all love our own guitars so I do not what to offend the dot players. Look at that beautiful piece of wood and steel and a lovely subtle flame over the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyelcrrt1281733995 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Schtang, you're drooling on your computer. Give the guitar a quick caress, and come back to us when the mood has passed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfsboy Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I agree the Sheriton looks better than the dot .My Dot SE has aflame maple top and blocks but I still prefer a sunburst guitar over a cherry .I just bought mine as I liked it .its a fine guitar but I do prefer the look of the Sheriton with its bound headstock and neck .The shop did throw in a fine Sheriton case for free though so no complaints .Now I have sorted out the action I wouldnt sell my Dot as it plays just how I like guitars to play .I am changing all the hardware for nickel ,as I have posted before . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxst1281733995 Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 I agree the Sheriton looks better than the dot .My Dot SE has aflame maple top and blocks but I still prefer a sunburst guitar over a cherry .I just bought mine as I liked it .its a fine guitar but I do prefer the look of the Sheriton with its bound headstock and neck .The shop did throw in a fine Sheriton case for free though so no complaints .Now I have sorted out the action I wouldnt sell my Dot as it plays just how I like guitars to play .I am changing all the hardware for nickel ' date='as I have posted before .[/quote'] When I was shopping for a Dot, in my mind it had to be cherry.. I'll admit, there was a bit of a "geek factor" involved.. (Chuck Berry/Eric Clapton/Alvin Lee).. Now that I have mine, I have to wonder if I might be happier with a black or sunburst finish... The Sheraton's definitely a prettier guitar... I always thought it was a little too pretty for shlub like me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.