No Serial Number. Those 2 things specific to the first mik samick sheraton models. Also no label inside. So, i'd say yours probably 92.
Epiphone Sheraton | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Epiphone |
Period | 1959 - 1970 |
Construction | |
Body type | Semi-hollow |
Neck joint | Set |
Scale | 24.75 in (629 mm) |
Woods | |
Body | Laminated Maple |
Neck | Mahogany |
Fretboard | Rosewood |
Hardware | |
Bridge | Tune-o-matic |
Pickup(s) | 2 New York mini-humbuckers |
Colors available | |
Natural, Sunburst, Cherry |
The Epiphone Sheraton is a thinline semi-hollow body electric guitar. Though the Sheraton and all its variations were introduced under the ownership of the Gibson Guitar Corporation, Epiphone is the exclusive manufacturer.
History[edit]
Under the ownership of Epaminondas ('Epi') Stathopoulo, Epiphone was a leading manufacturer of hollow-body and archtop guitars. Epi Stathopoulos died in 1943. Control of the company went to his brothers, Orphie and Frixo. In 1951, a four-month-long strike forced a relocation of Epiphone from New York to Philadelphia. The company was bought out by their main rival, Gibson in 1957. In 1958, Gibson began to expand upon its Epiphone line of semi-hollow guitars. They reworked Epiphone's old Century archtop into a thinline electric fitted with a single P-90. This was followed by the introduction of a twin-pickup, double-cut thinline semi-hollowbody, the Sheraton. Epiphone guitars were made by Gibson up until 1970, when production moved to Japan, and major design changes began to occur.
Design evolution[edit]
Gibson used the same body for the Sheraton as it was using for its new ES-335, ES-345, and ES-355 models. It featured the same double rounded horns, and had similarly placed electronics. The Sheraton was fitted with a set glued-in neck, in accordance with Gibson's standard practice. Distinguishing characteristics of the Sheraton included its multiple body binding (like that of its top of the line Gibson cousin, the ES-355); its Frequensator tail piece; and its headstock and fretboard inlays. Unlike any of the semi-hollowbodies in the Gibson line, the Sheraton's headstock featured Epiphone's traditional fancy vine (or 'tree of life') inlay on its headstock, while its fretboard featured a block and triangle (or 'V') inlay of mother-of-pearl and abalone, as well as binding on the fretboard's surface, inset slightly from the outer edges.
1958 Epiphone Sheraton introduction specs:Thin body, double cutaway, semi-hollow with solid maple block down center; 2 Epiphone 'New York' (single coil) pickups; 2 volume and 2 tone controls with white 'carousel' knobs, and a pickup selector switch; tune-o-matic bridge with no retainer wire; gold plated metal parts; Frequensator tailpiece or Bigsby vibrato; bound tortoise-shell pickguard; Epiphone 'E' tuners; multiple bound top and back; single bound rosewood fingerboard; abalone/pearl block 'V' fingerboard inlays, neck joins body at 19th fret, 5-piece neck (from remaining Epiphone-built inventory) has a 'V' chunky back shape; tree of life pearl peghead design; sunburst or natural finish.1961 Sheraton specs:Parts begin to change to Gibson-made parts. The pickups are changed from the New York single coils to mini-humbuckers, knobs become gold gibson bonnet knobs, tuners become Grovers. Serial number now pressed into the back of the peghead between the D and G tuners, in addition to being on the blue Epiphone label in the bass 'f' hole. The new Epiphone 'Trem-o-tone' adjustable vibrato tailpiece is introduced.1962 Sheraton specs:Production changes from NY-made Epi necks to Gibson-made mahogany necks. Cherry red finish introduced (this will remain the rarest Sheraton finish throughout Gibson's production period of the 1960s). 'Epiphone' script inlay on headstock becomes more streamlined in appearance.1963 Sheraton specs:Peghead shape becomes more elongated. Binding on fretboard moves to outer edges (no longer inset).1965 Sheraton specs:Sunburst finish becomes more two-tone (tobacco to amber).Late 60's to 1970:Neck width narrows to 1 9/16', as on many Gibson-made guitars of the era.
Sheraton production totals (data from 1961 to 1970 only):Cherry - 53Cherry w/vibrato - 20Natural - 59Natural w/vibrato - 49Sunburst - 243Sunburst w/vibrato - 197
In 1970, production ceased in U.S., and began in Japan. Mini-humbucking pickups were discontinued on the Sheraton, changing to standard full-sized humbuckers; serial numbering system changes. Body and headstock shapes began to evolve, as they will continue to do throughout the 1980s and into the 2000s, as production also shifted from Japan to Korea. Korean build manufactured up until at least 2012 however serial numbers changed to an all number type after 2008. To tell if it's Korean built, it will have the following prefix:I=Saein, S=Samick, U=Unsung, and R or P=Peerless and if all number type serial number will be identified (Unsung for example) as '21' as the 5th & 6th numbers.[1][2]
Foreign Manufacturers:
Matsumoku, Japan 1979 - 1986.
The Elite / Elitist Sheraton, Terada Japan 2002 - 2008.
The standard Korean Sheraton, made in Korea from 1997 - 2006
The standard Chinese Sheraton made in China from 2008 - present
Sheraton II[edit]
Epiphone Sheraton II | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Epiphone |
Period | 1986-present |
Construction | |
Body type | Semi-hollow |
Neck joint | Set |
Scale | 24.75' |
Woods | |
Body | Laminated Maple |
Neck | three piece maple |
Fretboard | Rosewood |
Hardware | |
Bridge | Fixed |
Pickup(s) | 2 Humbuckers |
Colors available | |
Ebony, Natural, Vintage Sunburst[3] |
The 'Epiphone Sheraton II' was introduced in 1986 , and featured only one major difference, the 'Frequensator' tail piece (which was only available on only certain models) was now replaced by a fixed stop bar. The 'First Release' (original) Sheraton II 're-issue' became much more popular than the original[citation needed] Epiphone's high end guitars, the elitist line, includes a Sheraton , although the Machine Heads (tuners) were less than 'desireable'. Unlike the 'original' line of Sheraton guitars , which used the New Yorker style 'humbucker' pickups , the Sheraton II used the Gibson U.S.A. 'full-sized' 'Gold Plated' style humbuckers. Currently original Sheratons are rare[citation needed], but Sheraton II's are still in production and are readily available , although the specifications have changed immensely , including the change to 'Grover' Machine Heads (tuners) , has been a big improvement.
The most recently manufactured Sheratons were John Lee Hooker signature models.[3] Recently the vintage sunburst finish that many Sheratons are made in has changed colour from a black on deep red colour (shown right) to a black on orange-yellow colour.[3]
Endorsement[edit]
Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher has owned several Sheratons, including an early model featuring mini humbuckers and a frequensator with a customized Union Jack paint work. Following this, Epiphone produced the Noel Gallagher Supernova (which was actually a variant of the similar Epiphone Riviera, rather than the Sheraton) and was made available to the public with a Union Jack, Manchester City blue, Cherry Red or Black Ebony finish. In 2014, Epiphone produced a Union Jack Ltd Edition Sheraton (limited to 1000). Though this is not an official signature guitar, it is much closer to Gallagher's Union Jack Sheraton, although with two noticeable differences. The blue of the Union Jack is darker than on Gallagher's guitar, and only features the Union Jack paintwork on the front, opposed to the whole of the body. Brian Aubert, frontman for the Silversun Pickups, has a modified Sheraton with silver hardware. Furthermore, the Epiphone Sheraton 2 has been used by Kings of Leon lead guitarist Matthew Followill. Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend plays a Sheraton II almost exclusively. Also, Ted Leo of Ted Leo & The Pharmacists used one for many years. Most notably, the Sheraton and Sheraton II were the main guitars used by blues legend John Lee Hooker. Epiphone introduced a signature John Lee Hooker Sheraton and Sheraton II in 2000, the year before his death.[3]
Notable Sheraton players[edit]
- Matthew Followill of Kings of Leon has multiple sheratons in different finishes.
- John Lee Hooker mainly used a Sheraton.
- Drake Levin of Paul Revere and The Raiders used a cherry red Sheraton.
- Ted Leo used a Sheraton for many years.
- Ezra Koenig plays a natural Epiphone Sheraton (no pickguard).
- Noel Gallagher played a Sunburst Sheraton and a Union Jack painted Sheraton. Epiphone released two 'Supernova' guitars based on Noel's preference for the Sheraton body.
- Brian Aubert plays a modified Sheraton.
- Tom Delonge plays an ebony Sheraton II in the 'I Miss You' music video by Blink 182.
- Aaron Dessner of the National plays a Sheraton.
- Randy Randall of No Age plays a Sheraton.
- Ben Nichols of Lucero has played a natural Sheraton II for many years.
- Gem Archer of Oasis plays a cherry Sheraton.
- Dino 'Zero' of Stolen Car plays an ebony Sheraton.
- Graham Day of The Prisoners plays a Sheraton.
- Jens Lekman plays a sunburst Sheraton II.
- Scott Thurston of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Shimon Moore (ex-frontman) of Sick Puppies plays an ebony Epiphone Sheraton II.
- Shane Theriot uses Sheraton II, current Hall and Oates guitarist.
- Heath Fogg of Alabama Shakes plays a Sheraton II.
- Mark Boyle of Valhalla uses a Sheraton II.
- Mike Graff of Course of Empire played a black Sheraton II with gold hardware and bigsby before it was stolen in 2000.
- Dax Riggs of Acid Bath, Agents of Oblivion, Deadboy and the Elephantmen and currently his solo project under the name Dax Riggs. He plays a white Sheraton II with gold trim.
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^http://epiphonewiki.com/index.php/Epiphone_Serial_Number_Decoding.Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ^'The Guitar Dater Project - Epiphone Serial Number Decoder'. www.guitardaterproject.org. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
- ^ abcd'Epiphone Sheraton II'. Epiphone.com.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epiphone_Sheraton&oldid=933416027'
Vintage Guitars Info's
Vintage Epiphone Guitars.
General Information and Specs.
Epiphone vintage guitars general info and collecting.Private vintage guitar collector. Pictures, history for epiphone vintage guitars.Vintage Epiphone Guitars.
General Information and Specs.
Contact the Vintage Guitar Info Guy1965 Epiphone Sheraton (Route 66 Guitars)
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Solidbody (Gibson-made) Electric Guitar Models:
- Epiphone was a family business established in 1873 as 'the House ofStathopoulo' by AnastasiosStathopoulo, a greek violin maker. In 1923 they incorporated and at this time made mostly high quality and fancy banjos. In 1928 the name was changed to 'Epiphone' after Epi Stathopoulo, president of the company and one of the founder's sons. In the 1930's, the company changed its emphasis to guitars. Epiphone was the only banjo company to successfullyswitch to guitar production.
Emperor Zephyr Regent.
- In 1952/1953 the C.G. Conn Company's (a band instrument manufacturer) Orphie got Epiphone distribution rightsmoved. Now most guitar production went to Philidelphia (although the labelsstill said New York). This was done partially as a 'strike break' move,as New York Epiphone workers were in conflict with the Stathopouliofamily. The Stathopoulo family regained control again in 1955, butfew if any instruments were made in 1956 and 1957.
The Chicago Musical Instrument company (CMI), which owned Gibson, boughtEpiphone in 1957. When CMI purchased Epiphone, they got all of Epiphone'scurrent stock of parts including bodies, necks, pickups, etc. Gibson usedthese 'New Yorker' parts in conjuction with their own parts when making Epiphones from 1958 to 1961. By 1961 Gibson has used up all the originalNew York-made Epiphone parts, and then used Gibson parts made in Kalamazoo.Instruments from 1958 to 1969 are commonly referred to as'Gibson/Epiphones'.
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Model Types.
- In addition to the Zephyr and Zephyr Regent models, Epiphone applied thetwo terms to other models to signify electric or cutaway:
- Zephyr = electric.
- Regent = cutaway.
Contruction and Value.
- High-end acoustic archtop Epiphones are constructed of high quality, solid woods. Electric archtop Epiphones are made from laminated woods. Because of this, electric archtop Epiphones are much less desirable, and are worth considerably less than fully acoustic archtop models.
Pre-1937 Epiphones are of very high quality and are generally much scarcerthan later models. They have a smaller body and less modern neck feel than later models, and are less collectable.
The most collectable models are those made from 1937 whenbody sizes were increased, up to the end of New York productions (1956).Most desirable are the professional grade models on which the companybuilt its reputation: Emperor, DeLuxe, Broadway and Triumph. These models, along with Gibsons, are considered by most to be the best vintage factory-made archtop guitars produced. Mid-rangeand low-end models are generally regarded as student model instruments.
Electric Archtop Epiphones.
- New York-made electric archtops are interesting but generally are notas collectable as equivalent acoustic models. Acoustic models aresolid carved top and back whereas electrics are plywood. In addition,the electronics on New York Epiphones are not as sonically good ascompared to Gibson of the same period or to the later Gibson-madeEpiphones. Therefore, New York electric archtop Epiphones are worthconsiderably less than Gibsons of the same period.
Early Gibson Epiphones with New York pickups are of interest to collectors.Most hollowbody Epiphone electrics bring less than the equivalentGibson models. Double cutaway thinbody electrics are the most highly sought after electric archtop models. The Emperor (single cutaway) is the rarest of the thinlines (66 made). The Sheraton, especially the early version with blond finish, is also very collectable. Sheratons with New York pickups are worth the most, but not for sound. The Riviera, though equal in playability and sound, is not nearly as collectable. The Casino is collectable only because John Lennon played one.
It may seem like a contridiction in terms: New York pickups are sonicallyinferior to Gibson pickups, but models fitted with New York pickups from 1958 to 1960 are worth more than post-1960 models fitted with better Gibsonpickups. These Epiphone models made from 1958 to 1960like the Sheraton and Coronet are much more collectable (and valuable) withNew York pickups, even though everyone agrees the later models sound muchbetter fitted with Gibson pickups.
- Solidbody electric Epiphones with New York pickups are interesting tocollectors, but not for their sound. Later solidbody models with mini-humbucking pickups bring less money than Gibson equivalents with standard humbucking pickups. None are especially valuable, althoughEpiphone workmanship and playability is equivalent to Gibson of the sameperiod.
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Epiphone Model Numbers, 1953 to 1981