mgrasso Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 From my signature, you can tell that I have a number of archtops. My question is which should I choose considering what I already have. I have 1 Cherry, Korean Riviera with mini hums that is very close to the Cherry Sheraton. (Differences: Headstock, Gold Hardware, Different neck) I have 3 Vintage Bursts - 96 Casino, 06 Emperor Regent and the Samick JZ3. I have 1 Natural Dot. I am leaning towards the Cherry because of the rarity of the 60's USAs, the rarity of the 80's Matsumokus and the rarity of the 90's Samicks. Your thoughts. (And yes, I have thought about one of each, but for now not in the cards) Thanks, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Mark... I know this doesn't answer your question. If you're buying via the web/mail order, yours is a good question. If you're buying in a store, the heck with the finish, which of several feel better. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiekiduk Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 cherry because much more unique, you've been able to get natural and vintage sheratons for years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrasso Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 Mark... I know this doesn't answer your question. If you're buying via the web/mail order, yours is a good question. If you're buying in a store, the heck with the finish, which of several feel better. m Thanks m, I learned a valuable lesson last year when I bought my 355, I bought through GC and had it shipped to the store. That way they would send it back and deal with the paperwork instead of me. I went through 3 before I got a decent produced model. I know Sweetwater (who I might consider buying from) sets up their guitars well, but if there is a problem, I don't want to deal with sending it back. Even thought they do a great job of photographing their guitars. I am strongly leaning towards a local shop that can order these for me. That way I can check it over before taking it home. They will do a setup and fret dress free of charge. The whole point of this poll is to hear others views. I am leaning towards the Cherry, but could be convinced otherwise. Over the past half dozen years I have come to value the opinions of the members so I thought I would throw it out there. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrasso Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 cherry because much more unique, you've been able to get natural and vintage sheratons for years Thanks Indie, I think you are right. After this run, I doubt there will be a standard cherry version added to the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I voted for cherry for you because you have a few sunbursts already and a cherry riviera and sheraton would go well together :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant7629 Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I went to the store with the full intention of buying a Natural, I even had them reserve me one. However, the Cherry hanging on the wall blew me away and I ended up with that one. Looks great with the gold hardware. I already have a Cherry 335, and many sunburst guitars so thats why I initially went for the Natural. In the end, my heart was easily won over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Good wood in a natural finish is the top choice, imho. Red matched with gold hardware never seems to look right to my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I voted natural because that's the one I get - but I already have a cherry Riviera (see pic), so of course there's a logic: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrasso Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Thanks Clark. Ant, that's what I keep coming back to as I compare the naturals to the cherrys. Doc, that natural looks great next to your Riviera. Is that a Korean or the Chinese reissue? This poll is so dead on, I am equally being pulled in both directions. Heading over to the store to have them order this weekend. Might just be a flip of the coin, but the cherry does have a slight advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Doc, that natural looks great next to your Riviera. Is that a Korean or the Chinese reissue? It's a chinese reissue, but surprisingly good. The neck is much beefier than the Sheraton, weight is the same (rather on the light side for a semi), but tone is different: it barks and the Sheraton sings ;) . I upgraded the noisy bridge on the Rivera(Tonepros). Love 'em both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardog Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I voted cherry, I love a natural finish, but never seem to keep one. But, I have never been without a cherry finish guitar. Not sure why :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 It's a chinese reissue, but surprisingly good. That's what I thought before I got the Sheraton The Sheraton blows the Riviera out of the water from my point of view. Maybe I should add the Sheraton costs almost twice as much. The neck is much beefier than the Sheraton, weight is the same (rather on the light side for a semi) Funny, my Riviera is significantly heavier than the Sheraton. Actually by far the heaviest of my 5 ES type guitars. but tone is different: it barks and the Sheraton sings ;) . Agreed, just add the Riviera sounds as if it barks into a tin bucket (at least with the original pickups). That's why my Riviera now has Filtertron HS pickups, they make a world difference. I upgraded the noisy bridge on the Rivera(Tonepros). Exactly what my Sheraton currently gets, and a TUSQ nut as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Voted for the vintage sunburst, because it is "the one" for my taste. If I could afford it I maybe would buy a second one in cherry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Agreed, just add the Riviera sounds as if it barks into a tin bucket (at least with the original pickups). That's why my Riviera now has Filtertron HS pickups, they make a world difference. I disagree - my riviera sounds good with the stock pickups - just a matter of height and polepieces setup Now the Sheraton has a very different tone, posher I'd say - but I like 'em both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I disagree - my riviera sounds good with the stock pickups - just a matter of height and polepieces Well, first of all you are an excellent player I guess almost anything will sound great under your hands Second thing that contributes to the sound is the amp. You dial in very tasteful amp settings that match the character and the abilities of the guitar. I often watched your videos on amps and admired how you get the best sound (at least for my taste) from an given amp/guitar combination. Your video on the Fender Mustang amp for example was the reason to buy one of those. On my Riviera: It did sound somewhat dead with the stock pickups. Of course you can play it, but when you got used to the response and expression of a good 335, it just does not cut it. With the Filtertrons it came to life very nicely. Now the Sheraton does sound exactly what I expected the Riviera to sound, so I couldn't be happier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Thank you! You're right about the epiphone stock mini lacking dynamics - they're what I'd call "rough", or rude (that's why I was talking about "barking"): subtlety is not really what it's about, but their rather thick tone may proove usefull sometimes: one day I'll set the Riviera for slide playing, it may kills! On the other side, I've played the Sheraton 1962 thru my Princeton reverb yesterday and I it was my dream blues tone, one I was after for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 A Natural 50 Sher is probably my next guitar. I just like that color. I think one would fit in nicely. I have a friend that wants my Korina SG. It may go to fund the Sheri. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrasso Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 A Natural 50 Sher is probably my next guitar. I just like that color. I think one would fit in nicely. I have a friend that wants my Korina SG. It may go to fund the Sheri. I can see why. Great collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrasso Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 Well, I hate to go against my own poll, but I just ordered the Cherry with the frequensator. Guitar Center just posted that they have them. $100 off and with PA tax it came to $747.93. Oh yeah, 18 months same as cash financing. Works out to be $41.50 a month. Should be in town by the weekend. I am having it sent to the local GC. After my ES-355 purchase last year, and having to send 3 back, I figured it would be wise to do the same. That way, all I have to do is inspect, plug and play and take home. (or send back) Who knows, with this kind of deal, I might go for the Natural also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Well, I voted for "Cherry," as first choice, since the other's are already available, in other versions of the Sheraton. And, I already have the "Vintage Burst" on my older AIUSA Sheraton, seen below: So, "Cherry" (Close Second, would be "Natural") for Me! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Hello CB. Right there is the nicest looking headstock I've ever seen on any Epiphone! As of a few months ago, I thankfully can stare at it on mine, too, but with the original Grovers. Very interesting how Terada went to a slightly different shape on the Elitist version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Hello CB. Right there is the nicest looking headstock I've ever seen on any Epiphone! As of a few months ago, I thankfully can stare at it on mine, too, but with the original Grovers. Very interesting how Terada went to a slightly different shape on the Elitist version. I always wondered why they did that, too, bobouz! But, the Elitist are excellent models...ALL. I just thought they would have kept to the original Kalamazoo headstock, with that Sheraton. Still, it looks great, as is! As to my "Imperial" tuner buttons...it was just a way to make it a bit more "my" guitar. I DO like the original tuner buttons, just fine. I sometimes think about putting them back on, for a time...but, haven't done it...Yet. As I still have them, the nice thing is, I can do that, whenever. Cheers, CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrasso Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Thanks CB. The deal setter was that the cherry Sheratons alwasy seem to be the most limited thoughout it's life. It might not be true, but they just don't seem to pop up as frequently. And thanks for posting your Sheraton again. Love the finish on that model. I really missed the boat on the AIUSA, Elite and Elitest models when they first came out. I think the Sheraton was the best looking. Especially with the elongated headstock. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I always wondered why they did that, too, bobouz! But, the Elitist are excellent models...ALL. Confirmed, at least for the 3 ones I own. I just thought they would have kept to the original Kalamazoo headstock, with that Sheraton. To me it looks pretty much like a 1965 Sheraton headstock. Here's an original from 1965: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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