fenrisulfr Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Well after who-knows-how-long I've finally gotten a Sheraton "Elite" which I've been lusting after for quite awhile. I did what I thought had been "a lot" of research online and thought that what I got was the best I could do. What I really wanted was essentially the Elite/Elitist, but with the Frequensator tailpiece (basically as close to an "original" as possible), and they don't make that. From what I found, the only Epiphone of the build quality and style that I was looking for (original style headstock, mini humbuckers, and frequensator) was the John Lee Hooker model, which I waited and waited for but have yet to ever see one for sale. Now for some reason after months and months of searching I've found a few results on this forum, somehow never having turned up until now, just days after I got the Sheraton and they tell me there's this Assembled in USA version around too that goes for less than either the Elite/Elitist and JLH model, has the same build quality, has all the features I'm looking for, and is actually closer in spec to the originals than the Elite/Elitists. Sigh... So that's just me venting... Not much I can do about it now and I've already grown attached to the Sheraton I have, even after just a few days, as it's really quite nice! Why is there no info on these AIUSA ones anywhere (heh, somewhat rhetorical question)? In any case, my Elite Sheraton is a really beautiful looking and playing guitar. I already owned an Elitist Casino and was expecting something similar to it when I got the Sheraton, sort of like the same guitar with different inlays and pickups... but I was really blown away by the Sheraton as it is quite significantly more impressive looking with all of the little "extras" on it. It sounds great too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Unfortunately, the AIUSA Sheratons haven't been made in quite some time. They didn't sell too well apparently... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Yeah, I got my AIUSA Sheraton II (see below), around this time, in 2004, I think it was. It was a "blow-out" sale, from Musician's Friend. I only wish now, I would have spent the extra money, and bought both versions, 1 in each color. Mine is the "II" with the stop bar tailpiece, and in Vintage Sunburst. There was another option, with the frequensator, and both were available, with either the burst, or "natural" finish. LOVE the one I have, just wish (now) I'd have purchased the other one, as well. I added the Imperial Buttons, it came with "butter-bean" style, originally. As you can see, the headstock is slightly different, than the "Elitist." This one is like the original "Kalamazoo" USA versions. No big deal, just an interesting fact. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 The non-Hooker AIUSA Sheratons were only available for one brief period. The Hooker model was being discontinued, and Gibson blew the remaining guitars out the door through MF, minus the JLH labels. They went for $1000 (actually $999), and really were quite the bargain. All of that said, your Elitist Sheraton is a wonderful guitar, and like the AIUSA, the body is made by Terada in Japan. Seeing as these also are no longer being produced, consider yourself a lucky guy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS90 Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Elitists with Freq's rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrisulfr Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 Thanks for the info guys! I wish I'd known this beforehand, but as bobouz says I do consider myself lucky to have one of the Elite models. Looks like I'll just have to pick up a AIUSA model (with frequensator!) as well at some point! Very nice AS90... I take it that little strip behind the bridge is to cover the tailpiece holes? What is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrisulfr Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 Does anyone know if there was a difference in weight between the AIUSAs and the Elite/Elitists? Mine weighs a ton, heavier than a Les Paul I might even say, it is easily the heaviest guitar I've ever held, second only to the Epiphone double-neck SG. Someone mentioned to me that because it was a "cheap" guitar the wood probably wasn't properly dried and the weight was due to that (water). Is there any validity to that? If that's not the case, then why in fact is it so heavy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Someone mentioned to me that because it was a "cheap" guitar the wood probably wasn't properly dried and the weight was due to that (water). Is there any validity to that? No. Utter Bullsh*t. It's probably heavy because Sheratons are mostly Maple, if I recall correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrisulfr Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 No. Utter Bullsh*t. It's probably heavy because Sheratons are mostly Maple, if I recall correctly. Thanks hungrycat that's a relief. I usually take what my "source" says with a grain of salt, as he's somewhat of a curmudgeon. But he is also an excellent and reputable tech so I at least give him the benefit of the doubt. And he usually follows such statements with a plausible historic anecdote. Like I said, I did do a lot of research before I bought the guitar so I suspected what he said wasn't the case, but it did have me thinking. I'm glad to hear otherwise! The weight's not an issue for me, I actually kind of like it, but it sure is heavy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Thanks hungrycat that's a relief. I usually take what my "source" says with a grain of salt, as he's somewhat of a curmudgeon. But he is also an excellent and reputable tech so I at least give him the benefit of the doubt. And he usually follows such statements with a plausible historic anecdote. Like I said, I did do a lot of research before I bought the guitar so I suspected what he said wasn't the case, but it did have me thinking. I'm glad to hear otherwise! The weight's not an issue for me, I actually kind of like it, but it sure is heavy! Two Words: Neoprene Strap! I use one, with both my Gibson Lucille, and my '80 Les Paul Custom...which is an "anchor!" I use, what is essentially a "Bass" strap. Because the strap gives, it absorbs the majority of the weight, and it's hardly an issue, at all, anymore. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 And he usually follows such statements with a plausible historic anecdote. He's probably never run across an Elite/Elitist Epi before. If he had, he wouldn't call them cheap.(Unless he plays nothing but Alembics, then yes, Elitists are cheap. ) They have the typical Gibson design problems, but I feel that they are equal to Gibsons in every way. I wouldn't think twice to pit my two (a Les Paul and a 335) against their American made counterparts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS90 Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Thanks for the info guys! I wish I'd known this beforehand, but as bobouz says I do consider myself lucky to have one of the Elite models. Looks like I'll just have to pick up a AIUSA model (with frequensator!) as well at some point! Very nice AS90... I take it that little strip behind the bridge is to cover the tailpiece holes? What is it? It's a 'Custom Made' plaque which was used for Bigsby conversions and the early 'cross over' Sheratons... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrisulfr Posted December 16, 2010 Author Share Posted December 16, 2010 He's probably never run across an Elite/Elitist Epi before. If he had, he wouldn't call them cheap.(Unless he plays nothing but Alembics, then yes, Elitists are cheap. ) They have the typical Gibson design problems, but I feel that they are equal to Gibsons in every way. I wouldn't think twice to pit my two (a Les Paul and a 335) against their American made counterparts. Well he pretty much turns his nose up to anything that isn't vintage so if it doesn't match up to those specs... It's likely that he's come across an Elite/Elitist before but he just wouldn't give anything a fair shake if it's any sort of "reissue". If I'd brought him a 2010 ES-335 he'd have probably said something similar. Like I said, I take him with a grain of salt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrisulfr Posted December 16, 2010 Author Share Posted December 16, 2010 It's a 'Custom Made' plaque which was used for Bigsby conversions and the early 'cross over' Sheratons... Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS90 Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=GB#/watch?xl=xl_blazer&v=56_aefsm7w0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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