surfgreen Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Hello all, Im here on the dark side... forgive me. I'm new to Epi's after being a Fender guy for since birth. I stumbled into a made in Korea Sheraton at a pawn shop. Black w/ tortise guard. Its a little worn, but I think I can restore her nicely. Forgive me, I dont have the SN. I can get it though if this is vital info regarding production date. My concern is mainly the reputation of the MIK models, vs. earlier Japan made, and current China made versions. Is there a consensus on the Sheraton's made in the Korea era? Good, bad, ugly? (I know, just play it right..!) Im completey green here, and dont know much about Epiphone guitars. Any advice would be wonderul. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfgreen Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 Update, I was able to com up with the SN. UO709****. Anyone have an idea when thus might have been made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Unsung factory, Korea, September 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfgreen Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 Unsung factory, Korea, September 2007 Very cool, thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolling56 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Plug it in and play it. Look for cracks and see if the neck is glued on good and if it is straight etc... I really like my Dec 2010 Unsung MIK Sherry and the original pickups too. Only thing i changed so far was i made a new bone nut for it. The plastic one had to go...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewk Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 My 2007 MIK Sheraton is the only Gibson-style guitar I have ever liked - and that is because it just plays so well. I have made a bunch of mods, some cosmetic, some electronic, but the build quality of the instrument itself is fantastic. Since then I've given it some GFS Surf 90 pickups, which are outstanding and took it exactly where I wanted it to go (single coil clarity vs humbucker mud). Mind you the pickups I removed were great in a solid body with 1M pots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicmaker99 Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 How much are they asking at the pawn shop and does it include a case? I just bought an '04 Korean (Samick) Sheraton at GC with Epi case for $449. It has a Bigsby and GFS dream 180 pups. I know pawn shops can be all over the place in their pricing but usually they research Ebay and use that as their reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 My Korean Sheri (Samick not Unsung) is 'da bomb'... Sure... play & decide... but I doubt you will be disappointed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfgreen Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 They're asking $375 w/case. Given the going rate on eBay and such, it doesn't seem worth the risk.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Don't know where you are from surfgreen, but that price sounds OK to me! PS: & welcome to 'The Best Geet Forum In The Universe' man... & it's cool to show us your F'ers, or any other non-Epi geet porn, over in our Lounge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicmaker99 Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 They're asking $375 w/case. Given the going rate on eBay and such, it doesn't seem worth the risk.. That's a great price! The going rate on Ebay is $450 and up Korean builds are sought after, or at least preferable to many buyers, versus MIC. I can attest to this after having recently sold my MIK Casino and then playing a MIC at GC. I was absolutely blown away by how superior the MIK was. I'm NOT saying that all MIC Epis are inferior. I have a couple MIC LP's and they are splendid--great build and QC. I do think that the hollowbody MIK builds have one up on the MIC but that's a generalization and a biased one at that based on my very limited experience. Just as the early Korean builds left a lot to be desired the China one's have improved greatly now that Epi has its own dedicated plant. Again, the price sounds very good on the Sheraton you're interested in. Too bad we can't see a pic but if it's in VG or better condition then it's a good deal any way you slice it. My beloved and much missed MIK Casino...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 my MIKS is one of my best playing and even best sounding guitars, I wouldn't THINK of yanking the stock p'ups (Epi '57 Classic+ unless i'm mistaken)I go for a cool vintage tone though as opposed to boiling hot modern sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vomer Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Surfgreen, welcome. All good comments above. I would add, that the area which most Sheri owners tend to upgrade is the pickups. But not everyone... some folk find the stock pups OK, but some find them muddy. It's a fiddly job changing pickups, so make sure what you're getting (i.e. try it through a familiar amp) unless you don't mind changing out pups in a semi-hollow. (And some owners seen improvements in muddy tone just by changing out the wiring; I wouldn't do the pups without the wiring.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 As long as you like the color, and it plays good, and is in decent shape - go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfgreen Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 Thanks to everyone, great info and encouraging comments. I've scoped the guitar closely, it's in decent shape, nothing a good wipe down and set up can't cure. Slight wear to some of the gold hardware, but nothing that couldn't be passed off as some light relicing. If I can get there today before close, I'll pick it up, and do a good before and after comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I've probably got the same or near guitar...black sherry gold h'ware MIK about '07 Looks great and excellent wood build PU's IMO microphonic and a bit weak Jack socket rubbish as usual and an upgrade required on the PU switch OK for home use but not giggable.... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SG Jester Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 You won't regret it... And $375 with case is an excellent price. AFAIK Epiphone don't produce in Korea anymore, so if anything they're only going to get more sought after. I've got a 1994 Samick built Sheraton which is IMO an incredibly well built guitar for the (then) asking price. I bought it second hand, in excellent condition, and there is still nothing to fault on the woodworking or finishing. I do agree with Versatile to a certain degree, in that the electronics aren't the best in the world. I suppose the manufacturers had to have some savings somewhere... I swapped my PU's pretty soon after getting it, but left the original wiring. The toggle switch can be a weak point, but I've never had any problems on stage. Jack plug sockets are pretty much always a weak point with semi's. Might be a good idea to strengthen/upgrade. ALWAYS a good idea to use a cable with an angled jack! I can't speak for the '07, but I've gigged with mine many times (as a second guitar). It's as reliable/unreliable as most. Anyway, I would much rather have a guitar that's well built, feels good in the hand, and plays well. Anything else can be modded/upgraded if necessary. You may even like the original PU's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 At that price it's worth a punt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harpman54 Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Hello all, Im here on the dark side... forgive me. I'm new to Epi's after being a Fender guy for since birth. I stumbled into a made in Korea Sheraton at a pawn shop. Black w/ tortise guard. Its a little worn, but I think I can restore her nicely. Forgive me, I dont have the SN. I can get it though if this is vital info regarding production date. My concern is mainly the reputation of the MIK models, vs. earlier Japan made, and current China made versions. Is there a consensus on the Sheraton's made in the Korea era? Good, bad, ugly? (I know, just play it right..!) Im completey green here, and dont know much about Epiphone guitars. Any advice would be wonderul. Thanks in advance! I have a '99 MIK Sheraton II which I absolutely love. I wouldn't change the pickups at all, and I have done changes on my Epi Les Paul. The Sheraton sounds great, and the jazz sound you can get is terrific. Solidly built, no flaws, I wouldn't even consider selling it. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I have a '99 MIK Sheraton II which I absolutely love. I wouldn't change the pickups at all, and I have done changes on my Epi Les Paul. The Sheraton sounds great, and the jazz sound you can get is terrific. Solidly built, no flaws, I wouldn't even consider selling it. Bill Same same Bill... I ain't messing with 'Tupelo Honey'... 'cause she BAD (& that's actually what her tramp stamp means) PS: How come you joined in 2009 & this is your first post ... That, Sir, is some dedicated 'lurking' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfgreen Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 So after all this (all advice still applies), I found a new Sheraton, also MIK at the GC. Same color, everything. for 599, less 15%. I think that is going to be the better route... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 There are mostly good ones from each factory / country / decade and some less good ones..... Why don't you just rate the guitar itself ^^^ BOTTOM LINE ^^^ Hope you score a winner man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfgreen Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 Don't know where you are from surfgreen, but that price sounds OK to me! PS: & welcome to 'The Best Geet Forum In The Universe' man... & it's cool to show us your F'ers, or any other non-Epi geet porn, over in our Lounge Thanks, here is one of the Fender children... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Nooooooooooo... Not here ... Post it in the Lounge... or we will all get sent to Area 51 ... where all they serve you to eat is Soylent Green (like that F'er) ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfgreen Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 Nooooooooooo... Not here ... Post it in the Lounge... or we will all get sent to Area 51 ... where all they serve you to eat is Soylent Green (like that F'er) ;) oops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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