matthewk Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I always felt my Sheraton looked a bit Dot-like with a hard tail and wanted the Frequensator look. So I ordered a "split-trapeze" tail from forum member Twang, and stripped my 1997 MIK Sheraton down. Replaced the tuners with 18:1 Grovers (my hardware was already stripped to nickel) and I carefully dulled the finish down with 0000 steel wool, then cut and polished it by hand to give it a softer patina. I'll do more pics and give the details later but I thought I would share a reassembly shot. I still need to fill the hardtail holes - I'll use bits of half inch dowel stained walnut, I think (no "custom made" plate for me thanks). With the vintage burst, inlays and frequensator tail it looks a little like an old jazz box (although I must say I still don't have a lot of love for the pickups). Having the trapeze tail makes it sound throatier and more resonant - less sustain but more "air" or "voice" if that makes any sense. Sounds a tad louder acoustically, which I didn't expect. Surprisingly little effect on string tension / bending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris the Gent Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 WOW!!!!! i have to say that that looks awesome!!! -Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewk Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 Thanks Chris, you are a gent indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Great Look. I have a Dot Deluxe I was thinking about putting a stop tail piece on like the Casinos. Stew Mac has one in gold to match. I'm hesitant because I don't know what to do about the hole from the exisitng tail piece. What are your plans for those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I wonder if the 2 extra "sound holes" have anything to do with the slight increase in volume ? Looks cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS90 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 That looks cool, I would do this to my Elitist Sheraton if I could hide the dowels well enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewk Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 I wonder if the 2 extra "sound holes" have anything to do with the slight increase in volume ? Perhaps it's because I often practise unplugged, and I've been using a solid-body Telecaster for the last month while I had the Sheraton apart - I just forgot how loud it was! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 That's very nice work. But as I recall, the "Sheraton" had the frequensator tailpiece and New-York mini-humbuckers; and the "Sheraton 2" had the stop-bar and full-sized humbuckers. Is yours now a "Sheraton 1.5" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewk Posted October 24, 2009 Author Share Posted October 24, 2009 Yes, I'm kind of "un-developing" the model. Over the years I might just end up with a plank of wood (Sheraton 0.1). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImDesigner Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 Wow man, nice work. I'm thinkin of doing the same to my dot but i dont know what to do about the holes left by the stopbar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 I can make two genuine shell abalone dots to fit those holes exactly. That's what I'd do. and that really looks sharp.. !! good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AldoMcD1 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Looks superb - might be tempted myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispy77 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I recently put a trapeze tail piece on my dot. To "fill" the holes where the original tail piece was I used these 2 black plastic hole plugger things (don't remember exactly what they are called) I found at the local hardware store. They look good, fit snug and leaves me the option to put the stop bar back in if I ever feel like it. I'll try to post a picture so you can see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodster Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 It looks brilliant. Wasn't Noel Gallagher's 'original' Union Jack guitar (that Epi turned into the Supernova) a Sheraton with a Frequensator tailpiece? I guess the UJ paintjob meant that the bridge holes could be filled and painted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewk Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 I reckon Gallagher had one of the Japanese Sheratons from the 80s - like the originals, these had Frequensator tails as standard. Thanks for the kind comments. I plan to get some maple plywood and investigate staining to match the top; cutting a sharp clear circle will be a challenge. Alternatively I thought I might source wooden buttons for clothing from a craft shop to see what fits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_AS Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 That must be one of the most beautiful guitars I've ever seen! I'd dearly love an original Sheraton like yours, the colour, grain and finish is perfect, congratulations! My advice regarding the holes would be to allow a cabinetmaker to fix them. He would have access to a huge range of timbers and would be able to make an almost perfect match for you - and he would be quicker! Ok, it would come at a price, but what price is perfection? Your Sherry must be pretty close to it in my opinion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrirlupus Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Yes' date=' I'm kind of "un-developing" the model. Over the years I might just end up with a plank of wood (Sheraton 0.1).[/quote'] Sheraton .1? Sounds like you'll be using banjo tuners and single coils on that one... And don't forget the obligatory change of bridge to a non-adjustable variety... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thermionik Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 . Before I pulled the trigger on my Sherry II and put a 60's Bigsby on it, I tried a bunch of similar mid nineties Sherry's with the stop tail, and two retro fitted with frequensators. Your comment on bendability reminded me - the one had the frequensator the other way around to yours (short arm / long string on the treble three strings). It was quite different to the almost identical Sherry with frequensator the way round you have it. The three treble strings felt more compliant and it played nicer. Didn't really sound different, just felt better. YMMV but it has to be worth trying..... As for the pups - I put SD 59's in and they are good for me, vaguely PAF-like but brighter. Tone control will take the bite off when needed (jazzy, bluesy stuff). Wound 'em down lower than I expected and got a real nice tone out of them. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 If you want to swap to mini hums, theres a thread in Epiphone Electrics titled "Finally I Found it" that links to a site that sells p'up adapter rings for using minis in fullsized routs. Edit.........I seriously think my next "project" is going to be putting a frequensator & a set of good minis on this Being ebony, the tailpiece stud holes should be easy to hide...........i'd LOVE the "Custom Made" insert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altair Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 It is beautiful! Great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewk Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Kind words those - I must take some time to post a few more pics and talk about the process. I must admit that I considered some kind of filtertron pickup but my plan is one day to go for a P90 equivalent - I am more a single coil kind of person. I knocked the finish back from glossy to something a little softer - it's still shiny but it looks a bit worn. Took some photos so I will get to work on a writeup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxHart85231281734137 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 If you want to swap to mini hums' date=' theres a thread in Epiphone Electrics titled "Finally I Found it" that links to a site that sells p'up adapter rings for using minis in fullsized routs. Edit.........I seriously think my next "project" is going to be putting a frequensator & a set of good minis on this [img'][/img] Being ebony, the tailpiece stud holes should be easy to hide...........i'd LOVE the "Custom Made" insert. thats what im talkn about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewk Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Oh - forgot to say, a furniture maker friend of mine told me that I should use a plug bit on a drill, and take plugs out of a sheet of maple ply, then stain to match. It's what I plan to do for the stoptail holes - and if I mess it up, she's got the skill to rescue it I hope. After that she reckoned I could build a Telecaster body - good friend to have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewk Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 I'd dearly love an original Sheraton like yours Hey Andy - it's easier than you think because that's not an "original" Sheraton, but a Sheraton II, made in Korea, 1997. Typically you can pick these up under $400 (in the USA) but you might have to be patient, that "vintage sunburst" finish hasn't been offered for the last 10 years or so. But you should easily get one under $500. There are 4 on eBay which are the same colour and era. Since I got it I have resurfaced the finish, stripped or replaced all the gold hardware to nickel, rewired (VERY difficult job!) and added the tailpiece. So it hasn't cost all that much. Also - the guitar is very very well made, the fit and finish are excellent and the neck is great. Quite a slender neck as 335 type guitars go - much thinner than a Dot or the recent solid-neck Sheratons (mine is laminated from five strips of timber). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_AS Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Hey thanks, I'll take this advice! I must admit that I had considered contacting Epiphone HQ to get a quote for a custom finish scheme as per the original specs (surely would be cheaper than a bog-standard ES-335). But I'll follow your advice and see what happens! Keep us up to date with progress photos - as you can guess your guitar is something I'm aspiring to! Manyana, manyana, manyana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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