Sheraton mini-humbuckers versus Riviera mini-humbuckers

[JefferySmith]

I have read (in those coffee table guitar encyclopedias) that the Riviera didn't catch on due to the thin sound from the mini-humbuckers (as well as their small appearance). I haven't read this about the Sheraton, and it also had mini-humbuckers in those day, didn't it?

 

Did the Riviera and the Sheraton (of the 60's) both use the same type of humbuckers? This is probably an Iconoclast, RotcanX, or Jerrymac question, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of any of them lately. So, can any of you other Epiphiles shed light on this? CB, you have both (in more recent vintages), so you might be able to shed light on it.

[charlie brown]

Yeah, I've heard that, too! But, in my experience, I LOVE the Mini's, because they are a bit thinner, but in a GOOD way...especially, in the neck position. That allows for more articulation (less mud), there...IMHO. I think initially, the Riviera didn't do as well, because it was priced very close to the 335 (a bit lower, but not like now), and a lot more "artists" were using the 335, so people just gravitated toward it, since it wasn't that much more money, at that time. That...and, the stupid "bastard stepchild of Gibson" attitude of some people toward Epiphone, even then! The Sheraton, while upscale, like the ES-355, was still different enough, that it had it's own appeal, seemingly. I sure loved them, then, as I do now. Just glad I was able to get them, when I did. There might have been "technical reasons," too? I have no feeling about that, one way or the other. I have Gibson's "Lucille" with full size humbuckers,

and I STILL like the Sheraton/Riviera tone...not because it's better...but because it's different. But, don't ask me to give up, any of them! LOL!

 

As to difference in tone, between the Sheri and the Riviera...the Riviera's high's are just a bit more "metallic"

sounding (to my ears...maybe I have tinnitus?) ;>) The Sheri's mini's seem a bit "warmer," maybe. Not a lot, but just a bit. I think, that may be the difference in the Sheri's USA pickups, the the Riviera's Korean version. But, there may be other factors, too...like wood, and construction differences, etc. Anyway...just some observations.

 

CB

[lpdeluxe]

Yeah' date=' I've heard that, too! But, in my experience, I LOVE the Mini's, because they are a bit thinner, but in a GOOD way...especially, in the neck position. That allows for more articulation (less mud), there.

 

CB[/quote']

 

 

I'd love to have a Sheraton with minis. My Gibson LP Deluxe has 'em and Charlie Brown is correct: the minis are less midrangey and have more sparkle while remaining humbucking.

 

I've never seen anything on the differences between the various minis, which were developed by Epiphone (Gibson got into the act when Jim Deurloo discovered that the mini would fit in the cavity routed for P90s, allowing Norlin to sell a "humbucker" LP). Besides the Epiphone models (Sheraton, Riviera, Howard Roberts and Emperor Regent, to name a few), they appeared on Gibson LP Deluxes and Firebirds and maybe somewhere else I'm not thinking of.

 

The only difference I know of is that those on Firebirds did not have external polepieces, reportedly because its designer, Dietrich, came from an auto styling background and wanted a "sleek" look.

[Ron G]

This is probably an Iconoclast' date=' RotcanX, or Jerrymac question, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of any of them lately[/quote']

At least two of these very knowledgeable gentlemen have been banned from this forum,

leaving a big hole. (But they're quite welcome below)

[charlie brown]

At least two of these very knowledgeable gentlemen have been banned from this forum' date='

leaving a big hole. (But they're quite welcome below)[/quote']

 

Man, I am really curious, as to WHY those guys would have been "banned," from this

forum. They were certainly no more ornery, than some of the rest of us, were they?

I never felt like they were, and valued their input, ornery or not! Amazing!!

 

CB