Don't know what to get, help?

[lzdrummer182]

I am deciding between an Epiphone Sheraton II and an Gibson SG Special- Faded. I love the semi hollow sheraton sound but I hear it needs work in order to be spectacular. An SG with a simple setup I hear is perfect. Any input? Thanks.

[james_edward]

All Epi's need work to be spectacular... the SG is no better than any other, we bought a new one last year and promptly replaced the nut, it was garbage and the guitar just wouldn't stay in tune.

[Hungrycat]

An SG with a simple setup I hear is perfect.

Yeah. An SG STANDARD. Those faded models aren't even as good as a high end Epi IMHO.

[Bender 4 Life]

My '07 Korean Sheraton II IS spectacular, and it's bone stock !!!

I've played for over 35 years, Own Gibsons,Fenders,Washburns, Epis, and several "off" brands, and my Sheri is my favorite as far as tone........for playability, all it needed was a standard "set up" and it handles as well as any of my Gibsons or Fenders.

 

The key is to look around and play before buying, that way you'll know before purchase if it's a keeper or not.

[antwhi2001]

It seems a weird pair to choose between, they are very different guitars. The Sheraton will feel much bigger all round, heavier, bulkier. The SG will be much slimmer and lighter. I sold my Sheraton because it never felt comfortable to play, and switched to my Alleykat, which is smaller and lighter.

 

If you prefer bigger guitars don't think you'll have to spend a lot upgrading a Sheraton. A lot of people replace the pickups etc, but if you've got a decent amp you don't really need to. The Sheraton will be very nicely finished, they are beautiful guitars, whereas the SG will be basic and functional.

 

I don't agree with the comment about low end Gibsons versus Epis; I've owned 2 Gibson fadeds, both bought unseen on the net. I got them in good secondhand condition for less than the retail price of a new Epiphone LP Custom. Both were better all round than any of the 9 Asian Epis I've owned (not Elitists, I should add). The Epiphones all had minor issues, which were fix-able, but the Gibsons played well straight away and had more natural sustain/resonance than most of the Epis.

 

I'm not knocking Epi quality standards; I wouldn't have owned 9 if I thought they were rubbish. Just saying the low-end Gibsons are pretty good; mine were made 2004 and 2005, and all the electrics and hardware are A1 quality, same as they use in their top price models, it's only the finish they compromised on.

[gl297]

I am deciding between an Epiphone Sheraton II and an Gibson SG Special- Faded. I love the semi hollow sheraton sound but I hear it needs work in order to be spectacular. An SG with a simple setup I hear is perfect. Any input? Thanks.

 

 

What type of music you want to play should be the deciding factor. imo Gibson is THE guitar maker of them all. Their guitars just have this little extra in tone that is missing in 99% of other brands. But I loved all the Epis, Sx's, Squiers, asian copies that I've owned. They were all incredible values in comparison. But Gibsons are expensive for a reason. I would love one of those faded SG's and I will hopefully have one someday. Out of the 20-30 different guitars I've owned since selling my '76' Gibson SG Standard that I had for 10 years all have come up short..not by much but still short.

[colin23]

I have an '05 gibson SG special and a '03 epi casino, the SG was great out of the box I have changed the machineheads, I did have to have a bit of fretwork done on the casino, but they are both great guitars but, they are both very different guitars, I would try a bunch out before you decide. I know I have a casino and not the sherry, but they are both great epi's. It's a tough call!!!!

[lzdrummer182]

I would most likely be playing rock, alt. rock, some classic, punk, and experimental.. I'm assuming from what I hear that that's more of an SG sound than an sheri.

[Anthony_JB]

I would most likely be playing rock' date=' alt. rock, some classic, punk, and experimental.. I'm assuming from what I hear that that's more of an SG sound than an sheri. [/quote']

 

You wouldn't have a hard time getting those tones from a Sheraton in my opinion.

[AlanH]

I own a Gibby SG faded and an Epi semi acoustic (in my Wildkat). I love the SG sound for its combination of attack and sustain and I personally think the SG has to be played with some degree of gain to get the best from its tone. With the faded Gibsons, the quality of the woods and workmanship is very much there to see. Ant_Whi is right in that the hardware on Gibby fadeds is as per the higher end production models. However, as with James_Edwards' faded, the nut on mine is poorly cut and there are tuning stability issues. I've currently dropped to 9-42 strings + graphite to help with this but I may end up getting a luthier to work on the exisiting nut or buy myself a new graph tech one. While I don't know what Sheris play like, I will say that my 'Kat is much easier to play (feel wise) than my Epi LPs and it's also beautifully finished, albeit a tad too over 'polyfied'.

 

The two guitars you have in mind are quite different in terms of 'blinginess' (I'm doing well with making up new words today) Even though you could probably cover all of those genres with both guitars why not go and find yourself a nice SG faded and then save up for the much cheaper, bling-free Epiphone Dot. You can then have all that nice semi acoustic tone and still have a 'balls to the wall' SG when you want to crank things up and get dirty.

 

Alan

[Hungrycat]

I don't agree with the comment about low end Gibsons versus Epis; I've owned 2 Gibson fadeds' date=' both bought unseen on the net. I got them in good secondhand condition for less than the retail price of a new Epiphone LP Custom. Both were better all round than any of the 9 Asian Epis I've owned (not Elitists, I should add). The Epiphones all had minor issues, which were fix-able, but the Gibsons played well straight away and had more natural sustain/resonance than most of the Epis.[/quote']

 

Let me clarify: I'm talking about brand new instruments in stores NOW. They just don't feel that well made to me. Now a faded model a couple years old is probably really good. But I know is that I don't like those new Faded SGs. They just feel slapped together IMO. The frets are AWFUL from the factory on all the new ones I've tried recently.

 

The older fadeds ARE pretty nice. I'd kill for a Faded LP Standard or a black Faded V.

[snookelputz]

I don't think it makes much immediate difference. You can pretty much do any kind of music you want on either guitar. The tone will be different, but as a novice you'll be learning how to make tone anyway, so starting with either guitar is just taking Road A or Road B. You are unlikely to wind up with only one guitar, and especially unlikely to wind up with only the very first guitar you buy. Most of us own several, some of us own many -- and all of us buy, sell and trade as our own personal tastes and skills mature. Buy the one you are most comfortable with, whether that's based on the way it looks or the way it feels. Grow from there, and enjoy the journey!

[lzdrummer182]

Thanks a lot, this has been really helpful

[AS90]

Those are my two favourite guitars! I had to sell my SGs when my business failed, so my next purchase will be a Gibson SG Special Faded. Find a way to get both!

[lzdrummer182]

I think I'm going with the Sherry... its just so beautiful and I have realized that a few of the bands I can't get enough of use them. I feel like a lot of people have an SG and when someone pulls out a semi-hollow, warm sounding guitar that can also crank, just seems like there is nothing better.

[snookelputz]

There you go!

[colin23]

Good call, I'm sure you'll be happy with your new guitar.