epiphone sheraton ii or gibson es-335

[JoshBernstein]

Ive been wanting a semi hollow guitar for a little while now, and have come across a very nice looking natural epiphone sheraton 2 at a local Sam Ash for about $600.
I currently play a 2011 gibson sg standard.
My question is, is the 335 worth the extra $2000? I know the wood and overall build quality are superior on the gibson, and the electronics dont really matter as i would replace them all, but the sheraton felt pretty good, and i like the finish on the sheraton better than any gibson ive seen. Would i be happy with the epiphone, having owned a gibson for the past few years?
Your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[xtian]

Very possibly maybe it depends. I have eight guitars in the house now, including a '61 SG reissue, Carvin CT6, American Strat and Tele. And my favorite right now? A Chinese Fender Modern Player Telecaster Thinline Deluxe, that I got on craigslist for $250. It's great! 6.2 pounds, great finish, wonderful neck, rather crappy "vintage" tuners. It's a keeper. Been playing it all all my gigs this past four weeks.

If it was my money, I'd go for the Sheraton...though I wouldn't kick a 335 out of bed...

Also, any guitar you've had your hands on and have liked, is worth far more than an unknown.

[TUBEDUDE]

I've seen way too many Gibsons that should never have left the factory. Quality has slipped the last decade or more. I'd go with the Epi any day. Their quality control is much better than Gibsons. I got an Epi Emperor Regent a year ago and it was the best $700 I ever spent. I'd planned on replacing the pickup and pot, but it sounds too good.

[JoshBernstein]

Thanks for the responses. I think im going to pull the trigger on the epiphone. I really liked it in the store, but i wanted some other people's opinions on it before i did. Thanks again!

[schaublin65]

Hi,

A question that has no real answer, but I see it like this....

A good 335 is 2000 or so euro second hand. If you find one it should need very little more than new strings every now and again.

If a 335 can do what you need they are good value. Unquestionably a professional quality instrument.

My time has value and I'd rather spend it playing than going down the "upgrade" rabbit hole. Life is too short to spend it wondering if you should have bought a "real" one.

Obviously this is just my opinion. I mean no offence to anyone.

Take care......and don't buy a new one in a shop

John

[Leo_Gnardo]

the sheraton felt pretty good

That's most of the ball game right there. Some smart Gibson fans around here have been picking up Epi's. Seems to be a trend.

[tony hunt]

the sheraton felt pretty good

That's most of the ball game right there. Some smart Gibson fans around here have been picking up Epi's. Seems to be a trend.

I only have one EPI. It feels pretty good and happens to be a "clone" of an old '50s Gibson ES that I have. The EPI is a great six string at it's price point. The guitar is in itself good, but nothing like the original. The trick is not to get trapped into expecting it to sound, or look like the original and can forgive where they cut the little corners to get to the price.

The EPI Sheraton has a very good rep. They seem to hold their value fairly well. I wonder how the new offerings are and sound compared to the sixties ones?

[Gibsonman63]

Here is another option. I just picked up this little jewel at the Guitar Show in Dallas last weekend. Pricewise, it splits the middle between the Gibson and the Epiphone. After spending a couple of hours trying to find a decent ES-335 for $2,500 or less, this guitar found me.

[randalp3000]

I would also say check out some Heritage guitars. Very good value on the used market. I had the pleasure of hand picking mine at the factory many years ago.

Made on the original tooling in good ol Kalamazoo Michigan. As far as hollow and semi hollow guitars best bang for the buck.

[vibratoking]

I happen to have a 335 for sale at the moment. Let me know if you would like more information.

BTW, the Sheraton feels like a toy compared to a 335. YMMV

[TUBEDUDE]

Yeah, for a semi hollow, I was suprised how heavy a guitar the 335 was, but the ES-175 weighed a ton. Gibson must use that Louisville maple.


Did you think the pickups needed replacement after playing the Epi?

[vibratoking]

Yeah, for a semi hollow, I was suprised how heavy a guitar the 335 was, but the ES-175 weighed a ton. Gibson must use that Louisville maple.


Did you think the pickups needed replacement after playing the Epi?

I gave up replacing pickups after decades of doing it. I may be slow, but I finally concluded that changing pickups doesn't really solve the problem...unless the pickup being replaced is faulty. I concluded that great pickups don't make a bad or mediocre guitar sound great.

For me, the Epi didn't have the tonal 'weight' of the a 335. The sound was kinda light IMO. Some guys might prefer that, but I'm not one of them.

And yes, most 335s are pretty heavy.

[TUBEDUDE]

Sorry for the confusion Vibratoking, the last comment was for the OP. Sorry I was unclear.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Tubedude, you're giving me a major case of guitar envy. That Epi is beautiful in many ways. Is it a thinline or full depth jazz box?

I'm guessing it's a vintage guitar, and not current production?

[JoshBernstein]

How about the gibson midtown custom? I havent really read anything about it. Just wondering.