Steve Green Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 In this photo, it looks like the Riviera offers easier access to the higher frets than the Casino does. Is the neck joined to the body differently on these 2 models? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 The original Sheratons had a Frequensator tailpiece instead of the current stopbar. I don't ever remember seeing one, but I'll look around and see if I can find a photo. Here's the history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphone_Sheraton OK, found a couple (thanks to Mr. Z.): You'll notice, too...the top one has the "New York" (single coil) pickups, the bottom one (later version) has the Mini-humbuckers. They are similar looking, but sound different. The headstock is a different style to the current versions. The new "Union Jack" version has more this original style headtock design. Closer, anyway... The recent "AIUSA" had that original style headstock, as well. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Looks like a Matsumoku-era Sheraton II...funny body shape on it, looks a lot wider at the waist than usual. I think the early Matsumoku Epi's were like that, though. I agree with Gordy...the stock Epiphone, most of the time, is a good guitar. More often than not, people run into issues with the electronics more than they run into problems with the setup and the finish. My Casino, stock, was great...but after I overhauled the electronics, souped up the pickups, swapped the chrome for plastic, got a bretter bridge, got the longer tailpiece, tuners, etc.....it blows away every guitar that I try today. I think that's really down to the fact that I brought it where I want it, and now that it fits me like a glove everything else just seems bland by comparison. My thinking is: if you want to spend a couple thousand bucks on a guitar made by Gibson, then dump a few more hundred into making it feel good to play, then that's alright. If you want to get a phenomenal sounding instrument for half that price, get a great stock Epi and mod it to your liking. See: How did you attach a 2-hole TRC, to that? OR, is the bottom screw just for show? Asian models of the Casino, even the Elitist, come with 3-hole Truss Rod Covers, due to the "Well" type truss rod hole, with hex wrench head adjustment. The USA versions, have the 2-hole cover, because they have the Gibson type Truss Rod, and cutout, allowing the bottom screw to go into the shelf of wood, between the nut, and the bottom side of the Truss Rod hole. Just curious... CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 In this photo, it looks like the Riviera offers easier access to the higher frets than the Casino does. Is the neck joined to the body differently on these 2 models? Yes, the Riviera, Sheraton, and Dot have 19 frets clear of the body, while most Casinos have 16 frets clear of the body. Note that some Asian Casinos have 17 frets clear, and some late '60s Casinos have 19 frets clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Seven Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 New to guitar and new to this forum. I have 3 Epiphones, a Les Paul Studio, a Hummingbird and an EL-00 which my wife plays. We are learning guitar together which is fun. I am looking hard at an archtop but, other than the price which really isn't an issue, I wonder what the real difference is between the Dot, Sheraton II, Casino & the Riviera. Being a big Beatles fan I naturally lean towards the Casino but, except for the IBJL versions, the price range of the Sheraton, Casino & Riviera are pretty close. The Dot's are noticeably cheaper but I'm not sure why. My guess is the electronics, i.e. pick-ups & humbuckers. So I have 2 questions for you more experienced folks: 1) What are the real differences in the above mentioned guitars and 2) I have noticed on ebay and other similar sites that many used guitars I've looked at (mostly of the above mentioned models) are selling for not a whole lot less than what you could get a brand new one for. As an example I have been following used Casinos pretty closely and they tend to go for around $500 when I could get a brand new one for $600! Same goes for Sheratons and Dots, most of them selling for only $50-100 less than the cost of a brand new one. It doesn't make sense to me but, like I said I'm new to guitars and guitar stuff. So what's up with that? Why would a 5-10 year old guitar still be worth so close to a new one? I wish my cars would hold their value like that! You should be able to get a used Casino for less than $500... I got this used mint '07 Casino with hardshell case for $350 off Craigslist a few months ago - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyphre Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 The quality of Epiphone Dots cannot in my opinion be overstated, especially for the price. The differences between it and the Sheraton are relatively minor, other than "bling" factor. It should all come down to which neck feels better, individual resale value and which looks cooler to you. Well, there is a slight tonal difference due to neck material/construction, but it's not immense. I have a Korean made Dot from 2001 I bought for $280 including hard shell case. After various easy and inexpensive upgrades and customizations there is no way I'll ever get rid of it. It sounds amazing and I prefer it's understated look to the Sheraton's bling factor. Even without upgrades, the Dot is a great guitar. Here's some proof... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaguar86 Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 On 4/24/2010 at 8:46 AM, brianh said: Well' date=' they may look similar on the web, but they're worlds apart in your hands. Dots are good guitars for the money, but I sold the one I had, will never sell the Sherry until arthritis makes it impossible to play. Even then, I'll hand it off to my son or daughter if they're interested. Those Korean Sherris are too nice not to keep in the family. [img']http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt163/brianehuff/P1010970groupsmall.jpg[/img] On 4/24/2010 at 8:46 AM, brianh said: Well' date=' they may look similar on the web, but they're worlds apart in your hands. Dots are good guitars for the money, but I sold the one I had, will never sell the Sherry until arthritis makes it impossible to play. Even then, I'll hand it off to my son or daughter if they're interested. Those Korean Sherris are too nice not to keep in the family. [img']http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt163/brianehuff/P1010970groupsmall.jpg[/img] The Dot and the Sheraton are basically the same guitar. The Sheraton looks a bit more fancy with the fret inlays rather than the “Dot” inlays. I assume most people that become more advanced at guitar will change the pickups in both. I put Gibson ‘59 classics in my Dot (same as a new 335) and I can’t tell much difference in sound btw a 335 vs the upgraded Dot through my Deluxe Reverb. The neck is more classic Gibson in my opinion than on the Sheraton. All that said, I kinda think the inlays make the Sheraton look like it’s trying too hard, but the birds look pretty cool I guess. Dot is classic and has great Grover tuners btw. As everyone stated, it’s preference (especially if you upgrade the pickups. This is a bold statement, but for loud electric playing thru Fender amps, my Dot blows a lot of my “fancier” guitars out of the water. Love epiphone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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