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I'm looking for a '335' style guitar and was wondering if anyone had a view on either of the above guitars? Don't want to go down the Gibbo route just yet, well not until I've decided whether I like the style. The Dot has had some great reviews and comes out No. 1 for value but does anyone here have experience of either of these guitars?

The Sheraton (as in the original Gibson/Epiphone world) is a lot better, with more care taken over manufacture and better quality control. It isn't just a Dot with inlays!

There's a member of SMSE who has a Sheraton outfitted with better pickups, re-wired, Bigsby fitted, etc, and it's the equivalent in quality of any similar American semi - not that the pickups on the guitar as supplied are in any way lacking. The Dot, it seems to me, is more variable in QC and less well-made anyway. On the other hand, it's cheap...

JN

I bought a Sheraton when they were first re-issued back in 1992 and although I've never played a Gibson to comapre it, I've been more than happy. The only addition I've made is a copy Bigsby bought from Axes R Us. I use this for non-Shads numbers in my R&R set.

Here's a picture of it in action!

I had an Epi Sheraton in the late '90s for a short while. It was a 'Made in Korea' model in sunburst, & I part-traded it for a USA Strat a few years later. It was a very good guitar, played well & I would recommend it to anyone. The only downside is that it is rather heavy with a large elaborate headstock. The inlays & binding look superb & I would recommend anyone going in that direction to try it. The higher end Epis are perfectly good, well-made guitars & much better value for money than the rather over-priced equivalent Gibson range. I have an Epi Les Paul Standard, at present & would never sell it. They do benefit from an upgrade of their electronics, & a replacement of the selector switch in particular, which is a naff design. I upgraded the overpowered stock humbuckers to some Wilkinson Vintage style humbuckers & it improved the tone no end. I have not tried the Epi 'Dot' model, so cannot compare the two, but I would imagine the Sheraton is a much better quality guitar.

Tony.

Hi Alan
I bought a cherry red Gibson 335 dot several years ago. It still has the cellophane wrappers on the scratch plate. I used to own a gibson 330 in the sixties and thought that was a superb guitar as I played rhythm in those days. I personally think it is a great guitar and to my surprise found out that Rossetti still distribute the guitars on behalf on Fender. I think at the time that they (sound control) said it was a custom shop!! I know it was expensive.
It certainly looks great and plays beautifully.
I can't comment on other copies.
Hope you are well.
Tony

I have an Epiphone Casino among my modest collection which I don't think I'd ever sell (famous last words!). I haven't tried a Dot or a Sheraton but if it was based on eye-catching looks I'd opt for the Sheraton.

Bought the Sheraton.