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semi-hollow help


mrsoul

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hi was just wondering is there much differerance in build quality in these guitars:-

 

sheraton

lucille

riviera

 

I'm desperate for a semi-hollow but all the guitars ive played cant match epiphones for build quality(ive only played a sheraton).

 

Also would anyone recomend one much more than the others?

 

Any help is much appreciated.

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Play them ALL. They can vary, sometimes a lot, model to model, USA, Korean, Chinese...

Dots, and "Lucille" to some extent, have "fatter" necks. The Sheraton's will have thinner,

necks, in general. So, that may (or may not) be a consideration, too.

 

Also, "Lucille" has the Vari-tone feature, that the Dot and Sheri' don't. The sound gets

"thinner" as you turn the dial. "O" being the bypass mode.

 

Hope that helps, a little?

 

CB

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ok fair enough its best then i stick to guitars i can play before i buy then? Is ebay a bad idea regarding epiphone semi-hollows?

 

Also what factories are better than others?

 

Are some years better than others too? i mean i will probable be only able to purchase ones from the last 10/20 years cos of cost.

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Well, Samik versions of the early 90's seem to be popular. Of course, if it was me, I'd save a bit more,

and get an "Elitist" version, made in Japan...or, if you can find them the "Assembled in USA," Sheratons.

But, that's just me. There are a lot of great Epi's out there. The problem with E-bay, is you cannot play

the guitar (usually, unless it's a local auction, in your town/city) before you buy! So, you're never sure

what you'll get, until it arrives. Also, there's been some concern (rightfully so) about "knock offs" or "Fake"

Epiphones, out of China. Mostly LP's and SG's...but, you never know. So, buying from an authorized dealer,

gets you two major advantages. You can play it, or many, before you buy, and you'll be assured of getting

"the real deal!" "Cheap" prices aren't always the BEST deals. Just my 2-cent's worth.

 

CB

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It sure isn't as easy as the old days, when all Epiphones were made in Kalamazoo. With the long list of Epiphone factories all over Asia, it isn't even possible to know which country your guitar is coming from unless you buy from Sweetwater and they post the serial number. They seem to be posting a lot of EE serial numbers, but I'm no help there. I've never touched an Epiphone made in China.

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It sure isn't as easy as the old days' date=' when all Epiphones were made in Kalamazoo. With the long list of Epiphone factories all over Asia, it isn't even possible to know which country your guitar is coming from unless you buy from Sweetwater and they post the serial number. They seem to be posting a lot of EE serial numbers, but I'm no help there. I've never touched an Epiphone made in China.[/quote']

 

Yeah, I often thought it would have been great, if the "Heritage" boys could have bought the Epi

franchise, and kept making them, there...at the old Gibson plant, in Kalamazoo. That would have

been awesome! But, they make nice guitars, of their own. So...???

 

CB

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hi was just wondering is there much differerance in build quality in these guitars:-

 

sheraton

lucille

riviera

 

I'm desperate for a semi-hollow but all the guitars ive played cant match epiphones for build quality(ive only played a sheraton).

 

Also would anyone recomend one much more than the others?

 

Any help is much appreciated.

i'm not sure

but tonal difference there IS. i'd choose by sound.

GAS will eventually make you get them all anyway. just as long as you can afford it (and i can't yet, maybe that's good, maybe that's bad)

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I took a flyer and bought my Sheraton off Ebay "sight unplayed". Didn't know what factory, had no clue other than that Sheratons were generally well thought of, I had played my bandmate's Sheraton and liked it and I got it cheaply enough that I thought I could make money on it if I didn't like it.

 

Result, I lucked out. It needed to have things set up and then I have done several upgrades but I really like it.

 

I paid my money and took my chances and did quite well.

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Well,

 

when I was hunting for a Dot on sites like eBay, I always asked for the serial number. I was very lucky when the first one replying gave a Peerless serial number - which I knew from reading this here forum is very good - and jumped on it. At the same time there was another Dot for sale, but his serial number was Chinese, so my choice was easily made.

 

In fact, I think the craftmanship of the Luthier on my Peerless Dot is better than that of my Terada Elitist Casino (but the Casino has better hardware and wood, which accounts for much I guess, I'm just thinking, if only they'd made their Elitist in the Peerless plant, what great instruments would be abound !)

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You should add the Epi-Kats to your list. The necks are slimmer and my Wildkat unplugged has more acoustic sound than the Dots I tried. The Bigsby is a nice added bonus on the WKs. The AlleyKat is nice just no bigsby and with humbuckers instead of the P-90s. The FlameKats I think combine the Bigsby and Mini Humbuckers.

Capt

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I recently bought a "U" prefix (Un Sung plant, Korea) Sheraton, mfg. 11/07.

Either I got "the" perfect 1, the boss happened to be standing over them with a stick that day, OR,

the quality of the Un Sung Sheraton II's is VERY good indeed.

NO blemishes, nothing wrong electrically, and set up "almost right".

(I always have to do my own setup, I like the strings almost dragging the frets, as long as it doesn't buzz)

And the stock p'ups absolutely WAIL, (I play almost totally clean).

 

I've played for 33+ yrs, & IMHO, you can't go wrong w/one of these.

GarysCam069.jpg

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I recently bought a "U" prefix (Un Sung plant' date=' Korea) Sheraton, mfg. 11/07.

Either I got "the" perfect 1, the boss happened to be standing over them with a stick that day, OR,

the quality of the Un Sung Sheraton II's is VERY good indeed.

NO blemishes, nothing wrong electrically, and set up "almost right".

(I always have to do my own setup, I like the strings almost dragging the frets, as long as it doesn't buzz)

And the stock p'ups absolutely WAIL, (I play almost totally clean).

 

I've played for 33+ yrs, & IMHO, you can't go wrong w/one of these.

[img'][/img]GarysCam069.jpg

 

Ditto on that Bender 4 Life. My Sheraton II was made in the Saien, Korea factory (Serial # starts w/ "I") August

2005. Both my past guitar tech (he passed away May 2007) and my present guitar tech said that it is a beautiful

guitar (I have a Natural finish, i.e., NA).#-o I have the stock pickups in mine, too, and it sounds great through my

Fender Stage 160 Amp. The only change I made to my Sheraton II was to the Volume and Tone knobs. I switched

to white on gold (can see the numbers better than the stock ones) and put on the pointers so I could tell what

number I'm dialed into.

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I can't add much more to what has already been said here. I like the looks of the Sheraton better than the Dot (I like block inlays over dots). The Riviera will be a ***** to find new. As much of the Epiphone productioni moves to China, we will begin to get a better idea of the quality of the Chinese made Epiphones. I have never played one, and have probably only seen ONE in the flesh (if the Dot Studio is being made in China, I can tell you that they look better in person than in pictures). As I have said before, my experience with Samick and Unsung guitars has been extremely positive. I probably would want to handle an EE guitar before buying one. Guitar Center likes to put their non-Elitist stuff out for people to play. Try playing a few if you are near a place that has them, and take a look at the serial number.

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You specifically asked about three Epi's and later stated small hands were a consideration. Then you should look at the Riviera (which has been discontinued but is still available on the Bay) It has mini hums that get a nice chimey tone. You can also dirty them up rather nicely. NOte: Do not buy the Jorma Kaukonen Sig Riviera because of your hands, otherwise it is a great guitar!

 

Sheraton is another small hand guitar. Just me, but I would switch out the pups for 57 hums or put in a set of GFS P-90's as they drop right in.

 

Stay away from the DOTs.

 

Do not be afraid of e-Bay, I have purchased many guitars with no problems and the few I had got resolved (xcept 1).8-[

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I can't add much more to what has already been said here. I like the looks of the Sheraton better than the Dot (I like block inlays over dots). The Riviera will be a ***** to find new. As much of the Epiphone productioni moves to China' date=' we will begin to get a better idea of the quality of the Chinese made Epiphones. I have never played one, and have probably only seen ONE in the flesh (if the Dot Studio is being made in China, I can tell you that they look better in person than in pictures). As I have said before, my experience with Samick and Unsung guitars has been extremely positive. I probably would want to handle an EE guitar before buying one. Guitar Center likes to put their non-Elitist stuff out for people to play. Try playing a few if you are near a place that has them, and take a look at the serial number.[/quote']

 

Mine was a GC floor model, that somehow stayed un-blemished , due to this I got it at the old price($599)

then I hit them with a 10% gift card they had mailed me..........

its a sick world......but sometimes I come out good!

 

even with rusty strings I liked the tone more than that of a Dot Deluxe that I also test drove.

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Mine was a GC floor model' date=' that somehow stayed un-blemished , due to this I got it at the old price($599)

then I hit them with a 10% gift card they had mailed me..........

its a sick world......but sometimes I come out good!

 

even with rusty strings I liked the tone more than that of a Dot Deluxe that I also test drove.[/quote']

I'm glad to see that ebony Sheratons have apparently NOT been discontinued (though MF only had B stock). They are appearing at SW with EE serial numbers.

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As for the three guitar choices, I have only played the Sheraton II, so can't say much about the other two, save that an old teacher of mine that I keep in touch with has a Lucielle that he really likes alot-and it is stock. I own a Sheraton II that didn't feel was "up to snuff" with the rest of my guitars. I'm not a clean player, I run the Blues Driver constantly, and the stock PU's of the Sheraton didn't do it for me. They would have been nice for jazz I think, but I'm not a jazzer- I'm not refined enough. #-o I had all the electronics replaced, the frets dressed (it had issues) and a bone nut installed for the helluva it.

 

I am very happy with the guitar-when I ordered it I expected to mod it, or based on research knew it would be a likely possibility. I wanted a Gibson 335 without getting raped for it, so I bought a Sheraton instead. It ain't a real 335, but it's a high quality guitar (especially now) that sounds as good as any 335 I have encountered.

 

Considering the ebay dillemna...I would be wary buying a guitar from ebay, since you can't return it if you are unhappy. If the local store doesn't cut it, save for new, or get a credit card at Sweetwater or Musician's Friend or the like. You have several weeks to decide -about keeping your purchase, at least w/ MF (I haven't bought a guitar yet from Sweetwater, but I bet they do too) MF will take back the guitar no questions asked.

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I've actually only owned an Epi Les (sold it) and an Epi Lucille (still have it), but I've tried out many Dots and Sheri's in stores. The Sheri neck seems closer to my Lucille than any Dot I've played, but as far as build quality you can't get much better than the Lucille (unless you venture into Elitist territory). Having said that, my opinion is that the Lucille seems closer (in overall feel) to a Les than a semi 335 style guitar. Even B.B. said it's like a "Les Paul's big brother", I have many semi's and full hollows and Lucille feels more like a big chambered Les than any of my 335's, not that that's a bad thing ! I can't say enough great things about the Epi Lucille though, I have an '06 Unsung model and the workmanship blows away any Gibson I've played in the past 10 years. The best 335 style semi-hollow guitar I've ever played (and still own, btw) is my Washburn HB-35, just food for thought.

 

As always just $.02 though YMMV.

 

- Jay

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I've actually only owned an Epi Les (sold it) and an Epi Lucille (still have it)' date=' but I've tried out many Dots and Sheri's in stores. The Sheri neck seems closer to my Lucille than any Dot I've played, but as far as build quality you can't get much better than the Lucille (unless you venture into Elitist territory). Having said that, my opinion is that the Lucille seems closer (in overall feel) to a Les than a semi 335 style guitar. Even B.B. said it's like a "Les Paul's big brother", I have many semi's and full hollows and Lucille feels more like a big chambered Les than any of my 335's, not that that's a bad thing ! I can't say enough great things about the Epi Lucille though, I have an '06 Unsung model and the workmanship blows away any Gibson I've played in the past 10 years. The best 335 style semi-hollow guitar I've ever played (and still own, btw) is my Washburn HB-35, just food for thought.

 

As always just $.02 though YMMV.

 

- Jay[/quote']

 

I haven't played an Epi Lucile, but I have thought about getting one several times. I was told that the necks on the Lucilles were fairly thick. So, you are saying that they are very close to the neck on the Sheraton? Is that the norm? I have never seen one at the store I go to, so if I bought one it would have to be ordered online.

 

I do have a Sheraton and a Dot. I have gotten used to the thicker neck on the Dot, but I prefer a thin neck profile, like on my '06 Sherry from Saein, Korea.

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I haven't played an Epi Lucile' date=' but I have thought about getting one several times. I was told that the necks on the Lucilles were fairly thick. So, you are saying that they are very close to the neck on the Sheraton? Is that the norm? I have never seen one at the store I go to, so if I bought one it would have to be ordered online.

 

I do have a Sheraton and a Dot. I have gotten used to the thicker neck on the Dot, but I prefer a thin neck profile, like on my '06 Sherry from Saein, Korea.[/quote']

 

CB has a Gibson Lucille, and the neck is pretty thick according to him. I have small hands and feet (and you know what that implies), and I like the thin neck of the Sheraton and Dot. There seems to be a resurrection of interest in thick necks after decades in which they were considered a relict of the 50's. When I went looking for a PRS SC 245, I had to search for weeks to find a dealer who had a neck that wasn't a "fat carve". The new Slash model also apparently has a chunk neck.

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CB has a Gibson Lucille' date=' and the neck is pretty thick according to him. I have small hands and feet (and you know what that implies), and I like the thin neck of the Sheraton and Dot. There seems to be a resurrection of interest in thick necks after decades in which they were considered a relict of the 50's. When I went looking for a PRS SC 245, I had to search for weeks to find a dealer who had a neck that wasn't a "fat carve". The new Slash model also apparently has a chunk neck.[/quote']

 

True enough..."Lucille" does indeed have a beefier neck, than my Lesters. But not uncomfortably so.

It may not be the "ball bat" of some other models, "Fat neck" 335's etc. But, it was designed as BB's

signature guitar, so it's to his specs. He has large hands.

The fact is (for me, anyway), I've yet to play a guitar, that I couldn't get used to the neck...fat, thin,

compensated, whatever! Preference, for me generally, is the '60's style. But, if I like/love a guitar

that only comes with a fat neck...I'll get used to it. It's strange...my '64 Strat has that beefy "C"

shaped neck, and I find it quite comfortable to play. My other Fenders have small girth necks, and

they're no problem, either. "Narrow" necks, are more of a challange for me, than thickness. Some

of those can get pretty crowded...especially at the nut.

 

CB

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It's true that the Lucille neck is fat, but (as C.B. said) it is very comfortable ! It seems a tiny bit wider than the Sheri neck, but is a lot closer to the Sheri than the Dot. That's what I was trying to say, if you like the Sheri neck the Lucille is not a huge change in feel from that. In thinking about it now, I'm wondering if the fret size has something to do with the feel too. Does anyone know if the Dot has smaller frets ?

 

- Jay

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