Writers Bloc Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 G'day G'day So I'm new to the forum but I'm far from new with Epi's. My first guitar was a Epi Limited Edition Dot, and now I have a EJ300, two Riviera's (one with humbuckers the other with NYs), and a 64 Sheraton Reissue. Now I'm looking at a Sheraton II as a project guitar. Here is my dilemma, I don't want to buy a Chinese guitar. Period. Even though I'm going to gut it and put new pickups and pots on it, I don't like the idea of sinking money into cheaply made guitar. Nothing wrong with cheap guitars, all my Epis (except the Sheraton) were relatively cheap. Am I being a jack ***? Or are my hesitations justified? Its not just Epe's, I won't shell out money for a AC30CC, cos I'd rather get a Mexican Fender (though I run Orange AD30s and Sovteks) How are the Sheraton's now that they are made in China compared to the Korean or Japanese makes? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 They don't compare the Japanese, of course. You can't really say that every Chinese guitar is better or worse than their Korean predecessors. Plenty of people have Chinese guitars and find them to be just as good as their Korean guitars. Go to a store and try them - and don't look at the "Made In" sticker before you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Well, you're entitled to your opinion, and preferences, for sure. However, the "Qingdao" Chinese (Epiphone dedicated) plant is run by Americans, with Chinese workers, and most likely some middle management, too. Because it's a dedicated factory for Epiphone only, it's getting a really decent reputation for fit, finish, and overall quality as well as closer to the classic Epi spec's (body shapes, neck joints, etc.)...and better all the time. So, I don't think you (really) need to worry about "quality" of a Chinese Epiphone from that factory. Having said that...if you want optimum quality, then "Elitist" (Used) Sheratons, or possible a used "Assembled in USA" version would be next to, if not as good as, the old "Kalamazoo" versions...IMHO. Other's may argue that, but Elitist and AIUSA really are the "premium" of the non-vintage USA Epiphone Sheratons. So, if your project/mod guitar needs to be of that kind of quality, there really is nothing better. Again, just my take, and not meant to be definitive. Cheers, CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Writers Bloc Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 I think the hang up I have is that I was never uber impressed with the Sheraton's back around 2001, which would have been Korean I guess, plus my 64 Reissue is a MIJ-AIA, and that is the best guitar hands down I have (and I have 13), and that is kinda tough to compare to. As I remember at the time I liked the Dot better, which is why I got her, but then again I was trying to get as close to Noel Gallagher's Riviera as i could (and the Sheraton struck me as too bold). For some odd reason my awareness of what I really was looking for only kicks in about a year or two after the guitar is discontinued... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Well, Korean Sheratons are pretty decent, really. Like anything else, there's always some "lemons," here and there. However, they were made along with a lot of other brands in the same factory(s), and so were kind of a "generic" Epiphone, even as good as they were/are. Qingdao, on the other hand is (as I mentioned, previously) a dedicated factory, built and run by Gibson/Epiphone for only Epiphone guitars! So, it would seem to me, that for an Asian guitar, and since the "Elitist" (Japanese) line is, except for the Casino, now defunct...that would be your best bet. There are plenty of things I'd never buy from "China" (which I'm sure your average Chinese person wouldn't want, either), but Epiphone guitars aren't one of them. But, again..that's just me! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Writers Bloc Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Yeah I took a tour around the city today to see if I could find some to try. I could not find a right handed Sheraton to save my life. I finally tracked one down that turned out to be Korean. Seemed to feel alright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Well, don't give up! Once you find a good one, it'll be worth the effort! And, since it sounds like you're going to change pickups and electronics, at least...then body and neck will be the most important things, seemingly... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Writers Bloc Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 Well that seems to be part of dilemma, I want to more or less redo the guitar, and seeing as I'm rather impatient I was looking at eBay to get a Sheraton II in natural. I guess I'll suss it out eventually. Here is a sub question however. I'm looking to replace the pickups with either 57s or 57+s and a Varitone switch. Which would give a more Rock @ bypass to creamy blues @ 6? From what I can tell the varitone just bleeds certain frequencies to ground, acting more as a filter than say a tone nob. I'm looking for a full spectrum type setup. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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