what to buy?!

[gaz_971]

Hey dudes/ettes i have some cash to blow and really want to get myself an archtop epi. trouble is i've never had a shot of one, i reckon i'll stay clear of casinos cos ive heard bad things with feedback issues so basically its a dot/sheraton or riviera. Ive got a gibson sg special at the moment and so was wondering if anyone has any comments on what to do? obv i'll have a test drive on the shop.

[Sinner 13]

Hey dudes/ettes i have some cash to blow and really want to get myself an archtop epi. trouble is i've never had a shot of one' date=' i reckon i'll stay clear of casinos cos ive heard bad things with feedback issues so basically its a dot/sheraton or riviera. Ive got a gibson sg special at the moment and so was wondering if anyone has any comments on what to do? obv i'll have a test drive on the shop. [/quote']

test drive is the only way you will find what sounds good/makes you giggle like a lil schoolgirl.

[charlie brown]

Well, the Kat's (Flamekat, Wildkat, and Alleykat) are good little guitars...semi-hollow bodied, but not too big.

Sheraton's, Casino's, and Riviera's are all wonderful, in their own ways. If you're playing at high volume, in close quarters,

a Casino will give you feedback. But, most archtops are more prone to that, than a solid body. The Dot, Sheraton, Riviera,

with their center blocks, do feedback less. Sherris' are (for the most part) fancier versions, of the dot and Riviera.

Riviera has mini-humbuckers (as does the Elitist Sheraton), unless you get some of the 80's or early 90's Korean (and some Japanese) versions, with the full size "Buckers!" Riviera's are hard to find, new...to "try out."

Dot's are everywhere. Korean/Chinese Sheraton's and Elitist (Japanese) versions, too...are fairly common.

So, depending on your needs, and "avialable cash," you've got some good choices. I didn't mention the Jazz Boxes,

because it seems you're more interested(?) in the thin line semi's (335 style). As was mentioned, it's best to

decide your budget, and try as many as you can!

[jcwillow777]

Like the others have said, the best thing is to go to a shop and try them out and see which one feels best, if that is an option.

 

I have a Dot and a Sheraton. I love the profile on the neck of my Sheraton over the Dot, it is thinner than my Dot and it is also a little wider. Otherwise, the Sheraton is basically a fancier Dot. Others here have commented that the necks on their Sheratons are not particularly thin, mine is and feels great. However, If I have both of them out I will probably pick up by Dot because of the mods I've done to it. I have a Bigsby on it and it is really a sweet looking guitar, and a lot of fun to play. That being said, I'll never get rid of either one. I really haven't had a problem with feedback from either guitar. You rally can't go wrong with either one. For the money, the Dot is an excellent bargain. I got mine as a blem for $250 and the blem was very, very minor.

 

I have never played an Elitist Dot or Sherry, but from what others here have said they are worth the money.

 

Happy hunting.

[FrankS1281734010]

get a dot studio wooooooooooooooooooooooo.

 

no, really though.

[joshyguitar93]

well i have a supernova (which is basically a dot) and all is good except it aint well put together but other than that i certainly would go for the dot, i have never tried a sheraton but certainly know that theyre real good guitars however theyre made with humuckers now instead of minis, so you might aswell try out both and see what you prefer

[antwhi2001]

I'd buy a second hand Dot as a first step and see how you get on with it. If you're a high-gain high-volume player (like me!) feedback may be an ongoing problem. I had a nice Korean Sorrento but couldn't use it for soloing with the settings I wanted, because of the feedback. I tried just using it for songs where I played rythm, but it added too many guitar changes at gigs. Ended up selling it.

 

With a secondhand Dot, if it doesn't work out you'll get your money back when you sell it on. If you're ok with it, you can maybe trade up to a slightly better version, or upgrade it. I'm still tempted to buy a Dot just for playing around the house, but I've got too many guitars now (did I just say that?).

[gaz_971]

"If I have both of them out I will probably pick up by Dot because of the mods I've done to it. I have a Bigsby on it and it is really a sweet looking guitar, and a lot of fun to play"

 

 

thats cool cos thats wat i was thinking of doing when/if i get the dot how much does it cost to get the bigsby done? do you need to change the nut etc?

[jcwillow777]

thats cool cos thats wat i was thinking of doing when/if i get the dot how much does it cost to get the bigsby done? do you need to change the nut etc?

 

I'm not sure what the cost would be to have one installed, I put the Bigsby on myself. It wasn't too hard. I didn't change the nut, but I did put a roller bridge on that I bought from Stewmac. The bridge change may not be necessary.

 

I have a G-400 with Maestro and I didn't change the bridge. I did have a setup done though and the tech filed the saddles down on my bridge. I haven't had any problems with strings breaking or going out of tune with it.

 

Here is a clip to show you how to install one.