Epiphone Dot ES-335 v Sheraton

[AlanMcKillop]

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?

[JimN]

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

[JimTidmarsh]

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.

[JimTidmarsh]

Here's a picture of it in action!

[RUSSET]

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.

[Newliverman]

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

[dave robinson]

I have an Epiphone Riviera from the late eighties and I love it to bits. It's the standard Gibson 335 shape and electrics but the rosewood fingerboard is inlayed with oblique pearloid blocks rather than dots. The pickups are original and sound equally as good those on as my friend's 1963 original Gibson 345, in fact he likes my Epiphone more than his Gibson . . . They are good instruments and I enjoy playing mine at non Shads type gigs, along with the 'soapbar' loaded budget PRS and the Gretsch 6120w. There IS more to life than a Strat . . . . . . all eight of them in my case

[Mikey]

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.

[AlanMcKillop]

Bought the Sheraton.

[JimTidmarsh]