glider Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 just hoping someone can help me clarify if my new to me sheraton is from japan or korea... its vintage brown sunburst.. old style font on head stock... rectangular paper label on the inside..truss rod cover has three screws and and epi logo and the pickguard also has athe epi logo i was told the guitar was a 1983... check .. any leads or tell tale signs on how to confirm the birthplace... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrasso Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Photos will help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 A 3-screw TRC would most likely indicate Korean for that era, but definitely not Japan. All Japanese-built Epiphones have a 2-screw TRC. Also, Epiphone moved production to Korea in 1982. I'm not a Sheraton expert, or even well-versed in archtops, but that would be my guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glider Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 actually made an error-- its a two screw truss rod cover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 In that case, there is a good possibility it is Japanese. Pics would help now, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrymac Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 quote name='glider' timestamp='1307016763' post='936381'] just hoping someone can help me clarify if my new to me sheraton is from japan or korea... its vintage brown sunburst.. old style font on head stock... rectangular paper label on the inside..truss rod cover has three screws and and epi logo and the pickguard also has athe epi logo i was told the guitar was a 1983... check .. any leads or tell tale signs on how to confirm the birthplace... It sounds like an early '80s Japanese model. The headstock should look something like this: The first digit of the serial # is the year, in this case it would be 1982. The next two digits would be the month, so this guitar was made in March 1982. It would have a 2 hole TRC. These MIJ models were made by Matsumoku and are high quality instruments and very desirable. The labels in the f-holes look like: Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Not all the 70/80`s Matsumoku made Japanese Epiphones had two screw TRC`s, the Riviera model for example had a three screw TRC, as did the early (From 76-approx 1980) Epiphone Casino re-issues. As for the Sheraton in question, if it has these following features then it`s a Japanese made Matsumoku model. 1. A 7 digit serial on the back of the h/stock (First digit is year, the next two the month and the last four the production batch. The guitar will be from somewhere between 76-86 and most likely 82-84). 2. The first "E" on the h/stock name looks like a back to front 3. 3. The body label is Tan with Brown splotches. 4. Big shielded pots, that carry Gold knobs, and not the dark amber ones. 5. The underneath of the pickups (If original) stamped MMK 75. That should be enough to confirm it for you. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyg Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 A 3-screw TRC would most likely indicate Korean for that era, but definitely not Japan. All Japanese-built Epiphones have a 2-screw TRC. Also, Epiphone moved production to Korea in 1982. I'm not a Sheraton expert, or even well-versed in archtops, but that would be my guess. Au contraire. Here's a pic of my 1983 Japanese made Riviera headstock and it has a 3 screw TRC. I absolutely, 100% know for certain that it's 100% genuine 1983 because that's when I bought it. The serial number is 305**** where the first number denotes the year. I believe it was Frenchy who had one which started with 4****** so that would indicate that they were made in Japan until 1984. And here's the whole thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Au contraire. Here's a pic of my 1983 Japanese made Riviera headstock and it has a 3 screw TRC. I absolutely, 100% know for certain that it's 100% genuine 1983 because that's when I bought it. The seial number is 305**** where the first number denotes the year. I believe it was Frenchy who had one which started with 40***** so that would indicate that they were made in Japan until 1984. Yeah, I spaced out Matsumoku and was totally thinking Fujigen. I've had Fujigen on the brain lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Now I`ve just seen Jerry`s post, he beat me to it! Johnny G, yes I did have a 84 Matsumoku made Sheraton in Natural finish with a 4053615 serial number. I wish I still had it. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Does anyone have any specs for this guitar that I can use for the wiki? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyg Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Now I`ve just seen Jerry`s post, he beat me to it! Johnny G, yes I did have a 84 Matsumoku made Sheraton in Natural finish with a 4053615 serial number. I wish I still had it. Steve. Yeah, I remember discussing these with you a few years back (sorry I spelled your name wrong). This one of mine will be the last guitar to go if it ever comes to the crunch. It was only good to begin with but now it's spectacular. I've lost count of the people who have offered money or a swap. I always think that if I took the £800.00 or £900.00 I've been offered for it what would I get to replace it that I liked as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Yeah, I remember discussing these with you a few years back (sorry I spelled your name wrong). This one of mine will be the last guitar to go if it ever comes to the crunch. It was only good to begin with but now it's spectacular. I've lost count of the people who have offered money or a swap. I always think that if I took the £800.00 or £900.00 I've been offered for it what would I get to replace it that I liked as much. You`ve answered your own question there Jonnyg, I have a John Lennon 65 re-issue Casino, and to be honest although it sounds fabulous, it just doesn`t feel as nice in the hands as the Matsumoku`s do! Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Does anyone have any specs for this guitar that I can use for the wiki? What do you need? I think Jerrymac can supply pics etc. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 What do you need? I think Jerrymac can supply pics etc. Steve. Just a rundown of the guitar specifications, like a retailer would list. A good, full pic without glare on a solid background would be cool, but thats a tall order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glider Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Not all the 70/80`s Matsumoku made Japanese Epiphones had two screw TRC`s, the Riviera model for example had a three screw TRC, as did the early (From 76-approx 1980) Epiphone Casino re-issues. As for the Sheraton in question, if it has these following features then it`s a Japanese made Matsumoku model. 1. A 7 digit serial on the back of the h/stock (First digit is year, the next two the month and the last four the production batch. The guitar will be from somewhere between 76-86 and most likely 82-84). 2. The first "E" on the h/stock name looks like a back to front 3. 3. The body label is Tan with Brown splotches. 4. Big shielded pots, that carry Gold knobs, and not the dark amber ones. 5. The underneath of the pickups (If original) stamped MMK 75. That should be enough to confirm it for you. Steve. Steve thanks for the very helpful information.. looks to be from japan.. however the head stock serial# starts with "5".. meaning 1985. I was under the assumption that epiphone stopped production in japan in 1983...? i am wrong here? thanks again. just brought it the guitar in to a setup- needs a new bridge and some fret sanding...hopefully she comes back to life.. any ideas what a guitar of this vintage is worth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glider Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Steve thanks for the very helpful information.. looks to be from japan.. however the head stock serial# starts with "5".. meaning 1985. I was under the assumption that epiphone stopped production in japan in 1983...? i am wrong here? thanks again. just brought it the guitar in to a setup- needs a new bridge and some fret sanding...hopefully she comes back to life.. any ideas what a guitar of this vintage is worth? serial number is 5033129 on back of headstock rectangle tan splotchy label in f hole. trussrod cover two screws. funky E for Epiphone.. any idea what of factory its from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrymac Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 serial number is 5033129 on back of headstock rectangle tan splotchy label in f hole. trussrod cover two screws. funky E for Epiphone.. any idea what of factory its from? I gave you all the info you need, it was made by Matsumoku in Japan March 1985. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glider Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 I gave you all the info you need, it was made by Matsumoku in Japan March 1985. thanks jerrymac.... appreciate it...new to epi's--i'll stop now :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrymac Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 thanks jerrymac.... appreciate it...new to epi's--i'll stop now :) You got a helluva guitar guitar, I've had 5 Epiphone Matsumokus (2 Casinos, Emperor, Riviera & Sherry) and all were top shelf. You got one of the last ones, by 1986 the Matsumoku factory closed and Epi shifted to Terada where the Elitist series are currently made. Enjoy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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