Sheraton/Sheraton II V Dot opinions please

[28 Flathead]

Is a Sheraton or Sharaton II that much better of a guitar than a Dot? Construction or quality wise?

They seem to always be asking considerably more for these than the Dots in my area.

There have been some pop up lately for much cheaper.

If you have a Dot or Sharaton and can compare them and give me some pros and cons.

Thanks

 

[Paruwi]

the construction should be the same,
the Sheratons just have more 'Bling' like inlays and binding
and AFAIK better pickups

 

[Cozmik Cowboy]

The "Dot" is an Epiphone copy of an early ES-335-TD - the 2nd, but bottom-tier, model or the 3** line.

The Sheraton is an Epiphone-specific model that has been described as "one of the most elegant guitars ever designed". It was designed at the same time as the 335, as the upscale model, introduced a week earlier, and even the debut a year later of the fancier 345 & 355 did not displace it as the top of the line. Until 1969, they were all built on the same line.

But today, yeah - what Pete said.

And I will say again 2 things I have said here many times: 1) I love Epi-specific models, be they from the pre-Gibby era, from Kalamazoo, or from the Far East; I have no interest in Epi versions of Gibson models. And, 2) I have played (Gibson) 335s from every decade except the '50s & the '20s, and have yet to find one I'd trade my '92 Sheraton (see avatar) for, straight up.

 

[Norton]

Sheraton has a maple/walnut/maple/walnut/maple neck. Dot - mahogany.

To me that's a difference... not just sound wise, but maple necks are generally far more stable and less prone to breaks. Unless you drive over it with a car.

 

[28 Flathead]

Thanks guys, any more?

 

[wildeman]

The Dot seems way different to me, the difference between a Camry and a Lexus, or Cadillac....what have you. Multiple bindings, pearl inlay, 5 piece neck and nice figuring to the maple on my Sheraton. I've had a Dot, Dot Studio, Riviera and Casinos, none were as fine as my Sheraton. That said, I played a new, vintage correct Riviera the other day and was very impressed, I could see owning that one.

 

[28 Flathead]

@wildeman beautiful guitar! I would be proud to own that one.

 

[Cozmik Cowboy]

The Dot seems way different to me, the difference between a Camry and a Lexus, or Cadillac....what have you. Multiple bindings, pearl inlay, 5 piece neck and nice figuring to the maple on my Sheraton. I've had a Dot, Dot Studio, Riviera and Casinos, none were as fine as my Sheraton. That said, I played a new, vintage correct Riviera the other day and was very impressed, I could see owning that one. View attachment 19425

Love a Riviera, too - but only a real Riviera, with mini-'buckers & Frequensator (or Casino-style trapeze if it's a Riv 12-string - which I severely lust after!)

And while, as I have said, i wouldn't trade my beloved Sheri for any 335 I've ever played, I would trade it for the '64 Sheraton - Frequensator & minis - I got to play once. Probably for an older one with the NY single-coils, too.

But as to your analogy: While I adore the bling on the Sheri, I have always said that a Lexus is a car that really makes a statement - that statement being "I paid way too much for my Toyota!"

 

[wildeman]

Love a Riviera, too - but only a real Riviera, with mini-'buckers & Frequensator (or Casino-style trapeze if it's a Riv 12-string - which I severely lust after!)

And while, as I have said, i wouldn't trade my beloved Sheri for any 335 I've ever played, I would trade it for the '64 Sheraton - Frequensator & minis - I got to play once. Probably for an older one with the NY single-coils, too.

But as to your analogy: While I adore the bling on the Sheri, I have always said that a Lexus is a car that really makes a statement - that statement being "I paid way too much for my Toyota!"

I've always said that whenever Epi puts out a proper Riviera, I will buy one. It's time......

 

[28 Flathead]

OK guys, thanks for the replies, now fill me in on the Riviera compared to the Dot and/or Sheritons.

Better quality, better design, better construction, better materials, more blng?

 

[Norton]

All the guitars you're comparing have near identical body construction. the only differences are cosmetic. (binding etc). Their overall designs are identical.

There are a few signature models that have a maple center block vs. a mahogany center block and that can be a noticeable difference in sound.

Other than that the Sheraton has pro-bucker 2 and 3 pickups and the 335's have the Alnico classic Pro buckers. I couldn't tell you the differences, but I can tell you the Alnico Pro Bucker can hold its own with just about any similar PAF vibe production pickup on the market.

The Riviera has mini humbucker pickups so that's a HUGE difference. and they usually have a frequensator tailpiece which is quite different from a stop bar.

You could make the argument that a guitar built in Korea in the 90's had better wood stocks to choose from...but it's hard to argue with anything coming out of the epiphone factory in this current 2018?? - forward era.

play them. get the one you Digg.

 

[28 Flathead]

Thanks @Norton