charlie brown Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 There was a confirmed rumor, some time ago, about the Epi Sheraton, returning to a 5 piece neck. As soon as "current stock/inventory ran out." Has anyone seen, or purchased, any of the new versions, yet? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thanks for reminding me. I gave up on that after I found my practically brand new 2006 MIK. Doesn't look like it. Here's a link to Sweetwater that display it with a serial number that starts with "11": http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery/electric/all/s11011501505/ Since the neck is solid black, I would say it's a regular scarf joint. Otherwise, they would have wanted to show it off. Plus when Epi went to the trouble of changing the description of the neck on their website to to just "hard maple" from "three piece" (which also wasn't accurate) and they edited 5 piece neck out of their news story from January to say, "gorgeous neck"; that told me the five piece wouldn't be back anytime soon. At least over here in the states. What's interesting is, a member just showed his 2009 he bought down under and it is a 5 pieces neck and made in Korea. Maybe they are still being produced and sold in other parts of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 That '09 Sheraton in the other thread was made by the Unsung factory. I'm guessing it was one of the last ones made by Unsung before the move to Chinese production, and we will probably not see the 5 piece neck again. Of course, one never knows with Epi. This past weekend I was surprised to see a new Dot made in Indonesia, after everything seemed to indicate the Dot's recent production was firmly established in China. The bottom line: Where can it be manufactured for the lowest cost? A trend we may already be seeing: Gibson's Chinese Epi factories leaning towards their higher line products, while the more entry-level stuff is made elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Yeah, I looked at a new Sheraton, recently (Chinese), in "natural," and it had the typical 1-piece (with scarf joints at the headstock, and heal) neck, as well. Oh Well, another rumor shot to He!!. It was too much, to hope for, I guess. I always loved the look and strength, of the 5-piece necks. But, I do prefer the newer body outline, to the older ones. It's more "Gibson like," and less "Generic." No big deal...just my personal preference(s). ;>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Yep. That's the problem with rumors. Until we can actually see them, that's all they are. I'm trying real hard to see the differences. Mine's a 2006 and maybe they started the newer body styles by then. If there are differences, they're not real noticeable; at least to me. My camera angle is different, so maybe that's not helping? Definitely I agree with preferring the 5-piece neck. That's why I kept hunting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 That '09 Sheraton in the other thread was made by the Unsung factory. I'm guessing it was one of the last ones made by Unsung before the move to Chinese production, and we will probably not see the 5 piece neck again. Of course, one never knows with Epi. This past weekend I was surprised to see a new Dot made in Indonesia, after everything seemed to indicate the Dot's recent production was firmly established in China. The bottom line: Where can it be manufactured for the lowest cost? A trend we may already be seeing: Gibson's Chinese Epi factories leaning towards their higher line products, while the more entry-level stuff is made elsewhere. And perhaps why they didn't update their description to reflect that they newer ones are no longer 5 piece neces. I remember looking at a Sheraton and Dot Deluxe in 2008 at Guitar Center. EPi had just raised the prices on the Sheratons by $100. So they cost $699 for a brief time. The Dot Deluxe was still $399 (and still is). The necks were the same one piece scarf jointed style. The pick ups, I was told were the same too. Epi's version of the 57's. And with the Dot Deluxe, you got the flame top. Needless to say, I bought the Dot. I ultimately traded it in on my Gibson Les Paul Trad. (Ice Tea. Love that guitar). At least, over here, from 2008 to present, the Sheri's have been made in China. I don't know about 2007. I have noticed though production does shift around. Because I bought a 2009 '56 gold top that was made in Korea, yet others commented their 2009's were made in China. So, they could still be making them or could make them in Korea if they chose too. If the Koreans can make a 5-piece neck and Epi wants to focus on their upper end stuff, the Sheraton seems to fall within the higher end items Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Doesn't look like it. Here's a link to Sweetwater that display it with a serial number that starts with "11": http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery/electric/all/s11011501505/ Since the neck is solid black, I would say it's a regular scarf joint. Otherwise, they would have wanted to show it off. I agree. Here is the other 2011 Sheraton Sweetwater currently has in stock. I'm sure it's just an optical illusion, but that neck joint looks a bit weird all the way round, to my eyes...It looks square on the right hand side of the photo, and somewhat beveled on the left. Like I said, probably a trick of the light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Yep. That's the problem with rumors. Until we can actually see them, that's all they are. I'm trying real hard to see the differences. Mine's a 2006 and maybe they started the newer body styles by then. If there are differences, they're not real noticeable; at least to me. My camera angle is different, so maybe that's not helping? Definitely I agree with preferring the 5-piece neck. That's why I kept hunting The main difference, is in the horns. The inside area, between the neck, is wider and more curved, less straight, out to the apex. Also, the outside curve is more pronounced. Much more like Gibson's that way. It's especially noticable, from the back, without all the "bling" as a distraction. It may be an illusion, but the headstocks, on the newer (Chinese) versions, "Seem" a bit larger, to me, too...slightly wider upper and lower bouts. I too, was hoping for a return, to the 5-piece necks, not only for strength, but just that bit of extra "specialness," that sets the Sheri apart, from the others. "C'est La Vie!" CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 The main difference, is in the horns. The inside area, between the neck, is wider and more curved, less straight, out to the apex. Also, the outside curve is more pronounced. Much more like Gibson's that way. It's especially noticable, from the back, without all the "bling" as a distraction. It may be an illusion, but the headstocks, on the newer (Chinese) versions, "Seem" a bit larger, to me, too...slightly wider upper and lower bouts. I too, was hoping for a return, to the 5-piece necks, not only for strength, but just that bit of extra "specialness," that sets the Sheri apart, from the others. "C'est La Vie!" CB The Five piece ne is a nice feature/detail, I wonder if there is a vast cost difference between the 5 pc vs 3 pc? Also something I dearly wish they would bring back is the traditional 60's shapped headstock, a move that wouldn't effect cost at all. mgm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I used to be quite a Sheraton fanatic until finally landing a natural finish 335. Then I became a Casino fanatic and still have a Peerless & Elitist. But last month I was fortunate enough to find a 330L at a very good price & made it a 60th birthday present (any cheap excuse in a storm!). So out of these families of models, which in my mind includes the traditional Riviera, the one current production Epi that really stands out for me is the (now Korean made) Valensi Riviera. Luckily, I managed to get one of those as well a few months back. I would suggest that any lover of Epi hollowbodies who hasn't tried one should do so before the model ends up going away. It's production numbers already seem to be quite low. The combination of the semi-hollow body, Frequensator tailpiece, and P94 pickups is unique and sounds very sweet. The only downside I can think of with this guitar is the rather narrow neck profile, but if you can handle that, the upside is well worth the price of admission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 The Five piece ne is a nice feature/detail, I wonder if there is a vast cost difference between the 5 pc vs 3 pc? Also something I dearly wish they would bring back is the traditional 60's shapped headstock, a move that wouldn't effect cost at all. mgm Yeah, the last edition, that had that original Kalamazoo headstock, was the AIUSA version...made in Japan, but assembled and painted (supposedly), in Nashville. There's been some debate, as to if they were actually painted in Nashville, or in Japan? They are "Nitro" finished, though. So...??? They were outstanding guitars, in every way. I was lucky enough, to get one (see below)...wish I'd bought both versions, now. ;>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Yeah, the last edition, that had that original Kalamazoo headstock, was the AIUSA version...made in Japan, but assembled and painted (supposedly), in Nashville. There's been some debate, as to if they were actually painted in Nashville, or in Japan? They are "Nitro" finished, though. So...??? They were outstanding guitars, in every way. I was lucky enough, to get one (see below)...wish I'd bought both versions, now. ;>) CB CB, That's gorgeous and exactally how a Sheri is suppose to look!!! Didn't they come in Vintage sunburst or Natural and also with a stop tail piece or Fequensator? Another thing I like is the solid walnut back and neck ( I know that it's not everyone cup of tea! ) I am lucky enough to have a 66 Riviera in VS and I look at it and often wonder why more of the vintage specs aren't applied to the modern releases, I wouldn't think it would be that hard to apply and it wouldn't be something that would drive the cost up? mgm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 4, 2011 Author Share Posted June 4, 2011 CB, That's gorgeous and exactally how a Sheri is suppose to look!!! Didn't they come in Vintage sunburst or Natural and also with a stop tail piece or Fequensator? Another thing I like is the solid walnut back and neck ( I know that it's not everyone cup of tea! ) I am lucky enough to have a 66 Riviera in VS and I look at it and often wonder why more of the vintage specs aren't applied to the modern releases, I wouldn't think it would be that hard to apply and it wouldn't be something that would drive the cost up? mgm Thanks, mgm...And, yeah, they did come in VSB and "Natural," with both Stop Bar (Sheraton II), and Frequensator (Sheraton I). I wish now, I'd spent the money, and got one in Natural, with the Frequensator, as well. But, that's life! Plenty happy, with the one I DO have! ;>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Stunningly beautiful guitar, Charlie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 CB - +3, that is gorgeous. You have quite a collection. Plus CB, you have the best eye for details. I can see the difference in the horns, but I had to stare it it for a while. Lord Summerisle - I think you're right. The heel looks a little shifted to the left on that one. I've seen that on a few others I've walked by at GC and one at Best Buy. Looks to me to be a QC problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted June 4, 2011 Author Share Posted June 4, 2011 Well, Thanks, Guys! I've posted it, before...but, it's a good example, of the original headstock design, that mgm spoke of. And, Billy...you know what they say: "The Devil's in the Details!" (Smile) Those differences were immediately apparent, to me. I think it might be, that the more "generic" look, always kind of "bothered" me..as being not quite "right." So, when they went to the more traditional "Gibson" outline, I noticed it, immediately. But, they're All really nice guitars! It's more a "personal preference" thing, with me. Cheers, CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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