Elitist Sheraton GAS

[Ahab]

Hi there,

 

First post but it's an important one for me!

 

I have serious GAS for an Elitist Sheraton (preferably in Vintage Sunburst), and I'm prepared to wait however long it takes till I get hold of one.

 

That being said however, I was wondering if there were any Sheraton owners out there willing to reinforce my obsession with owning this guitar! In other words, if any owners could tell me what they think of theirs that would be great. I understand that they compare favourably with any new Gibson 335, but I'm convinced that mini-humbuckers on a semi-acoustic is the way to go tone-wise.

 

I have a couple of other questions too. Once I own one, I'd quite like to get a Bigsby fitted, but with the stop bar tail piece there'll be two holes visible once it's installed. Is there anyway around this? Maybe if I'm lucky enough to get hold of one of the JLH signatures with the frequensator tailpiece might do it perhaps? Also, would the B7 bigsby in gold be the best fit?

 

Also, depending on my initial feelings on the tone, I may want to upgrade the pickups. I'd like to get hold of some gold plated mini-humbuckers, is there anybody out there that makes good ones>

 

Thanks for reading.

[Supersonic]

Hi there,

 

First post but it's an important one for me!

 

I have serious GAS for an Elitist Sheraton (preferably in Vintage Sunburst), and I'm prepared to wait however long it takes till I get hold of one.

 

That being said however, I was wondering if there were any Sheraton owners out there willing to reinforce my obsession with owning this guitar! In other words, if any owners could tell me what they think of theirs that would be great. I understand that they compare favourably with any new Gibson 335, but I'm convinced that mini-humbuckers on a semi-acoustic is the way to go tone-wise.

 

I have a couple of other questions too. Once I own one, I'd quite like to get a Bigsby fitted, but with the stop bar tail piece there'll be two holes visible once it's installed. Is there anyway around this? Maybe if I'm lucky enough to get hold of one of the JLH signatures with the frequensator tailpiece might do it perhaps? Also, would the B7 bigsby in gold be the best fit?

 

Also, depending on my initial feelings on the tone, I may want to upgrade the pickups. I'd like to get hold of some gold plated mini-humbuckers, is there anybody out there that makes good ones>

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

Hi,

Yes the B7 will fit. So will the B70. The B7 is the one made in the USA, so it's supposedly better quality. As for the holes, you could always get one of those "Custom Made" plates to cover them up. Another user on here called AS90 has a really nice sunburst Elitist Sheraton with a frequensator on it.

[charlie brown]

Hi Ahab, and Welcome, to the forum!

 

As to the Elitist Sheraton, I've played several, and they're Great guitars!

I don't own one, but I do own a AIUSA version...essentially,

the same thing, with a slightly different headstock shape.

 

(Accurate to the old Kalamazoo versions), and a "Nitro" finish. (See below)

 

 

 

(I changed the tuning buttons, to "imperials" just for personal preferences, only.)

 

It's a terrific guitar, and I too, like the Mini's on a semi-hollow body. Humbucker tone, with less mud (especially, in the neck pickup position), and nice articulation.

 

So, IMHO...an Elitist (or AIUSA) will be worth the wait, and/or trouble, to get one.

 

CB

[AS90]

I love mine! I had 5 Gibsons until I picked up this baby, since then the Gibsons have one by one been sold. I just didn't use them.

[Ahab]

@CharlieBrown

 

That is one handsome guitar you have there. Do you know if the AIUSA are harder to come by than the Elitists? I know that they are both discontinued now. Such a shame really, maybe we should start an online petition to get them built again. If Epiphone are going to continue making the Elitist Casino, they should definitely make the Sheraton too.

 

Also, in relation to the humbuckers, has anyone considered swapping them out? Or do you think the Gibson NY Mini Humbuckers are good enough? And in relation to the Bigsby, the only way to get around the holes in the body would be getting hold of one of the AIUSA models that had the frequensenator tail-piece right? I'm loath to drastically alter the look of the guitar that much.

 

I have another question too, I understand from the specs, that it has sixties slim taper neck, is that "pencil-neck" territory, or say early sixties style? In other words, is it comfortable? I get very picky about neck-shape!

 

Anyhow, thanks for your responses so far, you're having the desired effect of convincing me to own one of these one day.

[charlie brown]

Mine (AIUSA) has a slim neck, but NOT uncomfortably so....at least, IMHO.

It is a '60's style, in that it's not thick/fat and baseball bat like. But,

in all honesty, I tend to adjust pretty well, to neck sizes...having lots of

different ones, in my collection. IF you are picky, about that, you'll definitely

want to try some out, and hopefully find "The One!"

 

As to the Mini-humbuckers? I love them, just the way they are. Never seen the need

to change them. But, that's just me. Other's will have their own ideas/opinions.

For me, the Amp has more tone impact, than the pickups. A great tube amp, will do

wonders, for almost any electric guitar's "clean" tone. So, if it was me, I'd save

the money spent on changing pickups, and put it towards a great valve/tube amp...IF

you don't already own one.

 

Cheers,

CB

[Ahab]

Mine (AIUSA) has a slim neck, but NOT uncomfortably so....at least, IMHO.

It is a '60's style, in that it's not thick/fat and baseball bat like. But,

in all honesty, I tend to adjust pretty well, to neck sizes...having lots of

different ones, in my collection. IF you are picky, about that, you'll definitely

want to try some out, and hopefully find "The One!"

 

As to the Mini-humbuckers? I love them, just the way they are. Never seen the need

to change them. But, that's just me. Other's will have their own ideas/opinions.

For me, the Amp has more tone impact, than the pickups. A great tube amp, will do

wonders, for almost any electric guitar's "clean" tone. So, if it was me, I'd save

the money spent on changing pickups, and put it towards a great valve/tube amp...IF

you don't already own one.

 

Cheers,

CB

 

Thanks for the info, I have the modding bug, so I'm always changing things when I get new gear!

 

I have a 65 Deluxe Reverb reissue with a Weber speaker upgrade, so I know it'll sound great. Regarding your AIUSA Sheraton, was that part of the run they made when the John Lee Hooker endorsement finished? Is your model quite rare? That pickgaurd and nitrocellulose finish looks great!

[charlie brown]

Thanks for the info, I have the modding bug, so I'm always changing things when I get new gear!

 

I have a 65 Deluxe Reverb reissue with a Weber speaker upgrade, so I know it'll sound great. Regarding your AIUSA Sheraton, was that part of the run they made when the John Lee Hooker endorsement finished? Is your model quite rare? That pickgaurd and nitrocellulose finish looks great!

 

 

Yes, it was part of the "over-run" of the JLH version. They just sold them, at that time, without the

JLH pickguard moniker, and JLH Truss Rod Cover. They're not all that "common," but you can find them,

now and again, on E-bay. There were (as you probably already know) 2 versions, in 2 colors. Sheraton I, with the frequensator tailpiece, and Sheraton II, with the Stop Bar. Both came in either Vintage Sunburst, or "natural" finishes. Why anyone, that has one, would want to sell it, is beyond me...but,

"Horses for Courses," as they say. ;>)

 

Cheers,

CB

[diverden]

Check the Trading Post. There is one for sale there now. I have personally looked at and played this guitar. It's a good buy.

Good luck.

[stevet]

What is "AIUSA", is that assembled in USA? My '97 Sheraton says "Set Up in USA" or something like that. Is that the same?

 

Check the Trading Post. There is one for sale there now. I have personally looked at and played this guitar. It's a good buy.

Good luck.

[AS90]

What is "AIUSA", is that assembled in USA? My '97 Sheraton says "Set Up in USA" or something like that. Is that the same?

 

Correct, assembled in USA, and no, yours is not the same : )