Anyone got a 1962 50th Anniversary Sheraton?

[peterjasper]

Could anyone tell me something about the neck profile? I'm pretty much on the fence for bying a cherry but i would like some more information on the neck profile/thickness?

[ant7629]

Could anyone tell me something about the neck profile? I'm pretty much on the fence for bying a cherry but i would like some more information on the neck profile/thickness?

 

Its pretty slim, but not quite as slim as a Casino say. Think Gibson 60s slim profile and you'll be pretty close.

 

Its very comfortable. I usually prefer fatter necks, but I feel a home with this one.

[bloozeguy]

Thanks. I really couldn't tell for sure.

...which leads me to my second stupid question of the day (#1 in the Sorrento thread--been answered): with the minibuckers, the frequensator tailpiece, the same body (& neck?) configuration, at base what real difference is there between a Sheraton and a Riviera? I understand that variations have gone in different directions, but seems to me I've seen Rivs that look just like Sheratons and vice-versa, especially in their earliest models.

Thank you for your patience, since this is just out of curiosity.

[LongMan]

...which leads me to my second stupid question of the day (#1 in the Sorrento thread--been answered): with the minibuckers, the frequensator tailpiece, the same body (& neck?) configuration, at base what real difference is there between a Sheraton and a Riviera?

Embellishments, it's all about the fancy look on the Sheraton. Gold hardware instead nickel/chrome, fancier bindings, fancier inlays on fretboard and headstock. Basically the same difference as between an ES-335 and an ES-355 mono. In terms of construction it is the same guitar.

 

If you ask for the differences between the chinese made Riviera Limited Edition and the 50th anniversary Sheraton there are some more (I own both guitars): Standard chinese mini humbuckers on the Riviera vs Gibson minis on the Sheraton, the smaller more elegant headstock on the Sheraton. Full size Grover tuning machines on the Sheraton vs somewhat cheap Kluson type tuners on the Riviera. The Sheraton also is lighter, maybe they used poplar (or Chromite as Gibson calls it) for the center block of the Sheraton. The finish of the Sheraton is done a lot better, e.g. no black painted F-holes. The Sheraton has a more comfortable neck profile for my taste.

[LongMan]

Its pretty slim, but not quite as slim as a Casino say.

 

The Casino neck isn't that slim from my experience, but a bit narrower than the Sheraton/Riviera. Almost 2mm less on the nut, and almost 4mm less on the end of the fretboard. The string spacing isn't that much different, the strings just run closer to the fretboard edges. (Btw. I own an Elitist Casino, the Riviera ltd. Edition and the 50th anniversary Sheraton, so I can compare them one to one).

 

So indeed the Casino neck feels a bit tinier, first because it is more narrow, and second because it is set 3 frets deeper in the body (neck meets the body at 16th fret instead at 19th fret on the Sheraton). The entire Casino feels somewhat toy like compared with the relatively heavy weight Riviera (remember the Casino is a full hollow body thinline, and does weight significant less compared to a semi hollow ES type guitar).

 

Think Gibson 60s slim profile and you'll be pretty close.

 

Exactly my thoughts when I played my Sheraton for the first time. I pretty much like that profile.

[bloozeguy]

Embellishments, it's all about the fancy look on the Sheraton. Gold hardware instead nickel/chrome, fancier bindings, fancier inlays on fretboard and headstock. Basically the same difference as between an ES-335 and an ES-355 mono. In terms of construction it is the same guitar.

 

If you ask for the differences between the chinese made Riviera Limited Edition and the 50th anniversary Sheraton there are some more (I own both guitars): Standard chinese mini humbuckers on the Riviera vs Gibson minis on the Sheraton, the smaller more elegant headstock on the Sheraton. Full size Grover tuning machines on the Sheraton vs somewhat cheap Kluson type tuners on the Riviera. The Sheraton also is lighter, maybe they used poplar (or Chromite as Gibson calls it) for the center block of the Sheraton. The finish of the Sheraton is done a lot better, e.g. no black painted F-holes. The Sheraton has a more comfortable neck profile for my taste.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate this forum when stuff like this--the whole thread--happens.

[LongMan]

The Sheraton also is lighter, maybe they used poplar (or Chromite as Gibson calls it) for the center block of the Sheraton.

Ups, wrong info I guess, afaik Balsa wood is called Chromite. Anyway, there are so many kinds of light wood (balsa, poplar, birch) that can be used for the inner part of plywood, or at invisible spaces like the center block.

[tweed2]

Here's my blonde Sheraton:

 

 

With some friends (Riviera limited Edition and 1962 Crestwood):

 

Doc, that's a beautiful Sheri you've got there. I'd love to add one to my family, but I think that I'll wait a bit. In an earlier thread, you mentioned the frequensator being out of balance. I'm new to that type of tailpiece and my most recent acquisition, a Zephyr Blues Deluxe has one. Can you explain what you mean by out of balance and how to correct it? Thanks.

[Doc Loco]

In an earlier thread, you mentioned the frequensator being out of balance. I'm new to that type of tailpiece and my most recent acquisition, a Zephyr Blues Deluxe has one. Can you explain what you mean by out of balance and how to correct it? Thanks.

 

 

Longman had the same problem - here's his "before" pic:

 

 

But it's an easy fix.

[tweed2]

OK, I got it. Pretty obvious. Thanks.

[charlie brown]

Hi, All...

 

Finally got to play one, last Friday, at my dealers. Lovely guitar! Only one "minor"

carp...and that was...WHO decided to square off the edges, of the neck heal, where it joins

the body???! Other than that, it was GREAT!! And, I'm sure

I'd could get used to it...but, it really seemed, and FELT "odd," to me, and the in-store folks,

as well...who are ALL great players. Are they ALL like that, or are some of them the more

"traditional" rounded neck heel?

 

CB

[indiekiduk]

Longman had the same problem - here's his "before" pic:

 

 

But it's an easy fix.

 

I wonder why the sunburst goes so close to the edge on the ears compared to the original:

[bobouz]

Finally got to play one, last Friday, at my dealers. Lovely guitar! Only one "minor"

carp...and that was...WHO decided to square off the edges, of the neck heal, where it joins

the body???! Other than that, it was GREAT!! And, I'm sure

I'd could get used to it...but, it really seemed, and FELT "odd," to me, and the in-store folks,

as well...who are ALL great players. Are they ALL like that, or are some of them the more

"traditional" rounded neck heel?

Haven't played one in person, but in the photos, the scarfed joint at the neck heel looks kinda lame. Add in the scarfed headstock, and that constitutes a bit of a disappointment for me. Granted they are selling this model pretty cheap, so I'm sure compromises had to be made.

[charlie brown]

Haven't played one in person, but in the photos, the scarfed joint at the neck heel looks kinda lame. Add in the scarfed headstock, and that constitutes a bit of a disappointment for me. Granted they are selling this model pretty cheap, so I'm sure compromises had to be made.

 

Agreed...I DO wish they had the 5-piece striped necks, that the originals had! The regular Korean

and earlier Japanese Sheraton's did...even at that price point. And, I've seen some, since

they've been made in China, with that type neck, again. So..WHO KNOWS...why that particular decision

was made. Seems to me, if you're going to put out a 50th Anniversary "re-issue," it should be accurate, to the original,

in at least all the "main" features, the neck being (to me) a "main feature!" LOL So, it is somewhat

odd, and disappointing, that they didn't do that. Still, it's a really nice guitar...but that heel

shape, is really distracting, to not only me...but, all that have played that particular guitar, in

the that store. It's really the only thing, they mention, as being remotely "cringe worthy." Nit picky, as we can be...it does detract, IMHO, from what would otherwise be an excellent reproduction.

Personally, I would have paid a bit "extra" to have the 5-piece neck, no scarf joints, and an accurate

rounded heel. But, that's just me.

 

CB

[charlie brown]

Also, just curious...does the new '62 Sheraton have the "Gibson" truss rod style, or the Chinese "well"

style, with allen wrench adjustment. Either is quite functional, obviously...but, it would be a nice touch,

if they (again) followed the original, and put in the Gibson style. No biggie...just curious.

(I totally forgot to ask the guys, at my dealer, about that little tid bit, or I'm sure they would have

popped off the TRC, for a look, IF they didn't already know.)

 

CB

[Doc Loco]

Allen wrench.

[charlie brown]

Allen wrench.

 

Thanks, Doc...I figured as much. No big deal, really...was just hoping

they had decided to use the Gibson version. "C'est la Vie!"

 

CB

[Red 333]

Agreed...I DO wish they had the 5-piece striped necks, that the originals had! The regular Korean

and earlier Japanese Sheraton's did...even at that price point.

 

CB

 

I think that 1962 was the year Gibson used up the remaining stock of 5-piece maple necks left over from their purchase of Epiphone, and started using 1-piece mahogany Gibson-made necks, so the neck on the reissue is true-ish to spec. Obviously, the original Gbson neck would not have joint at the headstock or the heel, like the reissue.

 

Red 333

[Red 333]

Incidentally, according to Gibson shipping records, only thirty four (34) Sheratons were shipped in 1962!

 

Red 333

 

NOTE: Edited 12/12/12 to correct the number of Sheratons shipped from 9 to 34.

[LongMan]

I wonder why the sunburst goes so close to the edge on the ears compared to the original:

Are you sure this is an original? I found pictures of a 1961 and a 1965 Sheraton, and both show the same sunburst as the 50th ann. reissue.

 

1961:

 

 

1965:

 

 

The 1965 is the closest match to the reissue I saw so far in terms of the sunburst, at least from the front view. In regard to the headstock shape and the Tremtone the 1961 is closer to the reissue.

Apart from that is does nicely match my Casino VSB, so from my point of view they got it spot on They just look great side by side.

[charlie brown]

I think that 1962 was the year Gibson used up the remaining stock of 5-piece maple necks left over from their purchase of Epiphone, and started using 1-piece mahogany Gibson-made necks, so the neck on the reissue is true-ish to spec. Obviously, the original Gbson neck would not have joint at the headstock or the heel, like the reissue.

 

Red 333

 

Thanks, Red...I wasn't sure (exactly) when that change occurred! So, yeah, the new one would be more like that later '62's, seemingly...at least in materials.

 

CB

[indiekiduk]

The 1965 is the closest match to the reissue I saw so far in terms of the sunburst, at least from the front view.

 

yeh the reissue doesnt have the sunburst on the back or on the edges:

 

 

This one looks more of a gradual bursth than the others but maybe just the lighting.

 

 

more pics

[charlie brown]

Interesting!! That one shown, seems to have a more rounded heel, than the one in my dealer's shop.

Does anyone know, for sure, where these are made...that is, which factory, or factories, in China?

That might account for those kinds of small differences. Then again, it may be the same, and the

lighting makes it looks "rounder?" ???

 

CB

[ant7629]

Mine looks pretty round:

 

[indiekiduk]

Even though I only asked for the pole pieces, Gibson are sending me a whole new pickup and they don't even want the old one back. Should get it in 10 days.

 

 

Received the replacement pickup today after 15 days, they said it would be 10 days and they sent a bridge instead of a neck but not to worry (maybe I had said the wrong one cant remember I was only interested in new pole pieces anyway). It was easy enough to replace the pole pieces and the gold in the new one looks much better and didn't peel off when I used the screw driver to screw them in. So now I guess I have a spare Gibson USA bridge pickup to ebay.

 

Also I put on a set of Gibson Bright Wire 10s and they play amazingly light, just like the factory strings I had before I had replaced them with D'Addario to fix my intonation issue, I'm so glad I got it to feel like it did when it first arrived.

 

This might be getting really picky now but is the sides of the volume knobs supposed to be transparent? On my cherry I have a gold hat and a blob of black but if you look from the sides they are transparent. Are the gold ones on the natural version like that too?