For many guitarists seeking the rich tones and elegant aesthetics of a semi-hollow guitar without breaking the bank, the Epiphone Sheraton guitar has long been a compelling choice. Often compared to its Gibson ES-335 cousin, the Sheraton offers a unique blend of vintage vibe and modern playability. This review delves into the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro, exploring its features, sound, and how it stacks up as a serious instrument for discerning players. Having owned and played various semi-hollow guitars over the years, including a vintage Gibson ES-335, I recently revisited the Sheraton and was reminded of just how much this guitar has to offer.
From Past Sheraton Dreams to Present Day Reality
My journey with semi-hollow guitars began with a similar aspiration to many: the desire for the iconic sound of a Gibson ES-335. However, as a player on a budget, the price tag of a Gibson was simply out of reach. This led me to the Epiphone Sheraton in the mid-1990s. It was, and remains, a genuinely impressive instrument. At the time, brand perception still played a larger role in my gear choices, and after a few years, I traded my beloved Sheraton for a 1963 Reissue ES-335. While the ES-335 was undoubtedly a beautiful guitar, it required significant work and upgrades, including a pickup swap to Lollar Imperials, to truly shine. There were moments when I genuinely regretted trading the Sheraton, a guitar that, in my memory, rivaled the Gibson in terms of playability and tone, especially considering the price difference.
Recently, I had the opportunity to compare modern semi-hollow offerings like the Sire Larry Carlton H7 and the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson ES-335. While both were solid instruments, neither quite captured the magic of my now-upgraded ’63 ES-335, or, more importantly, the memory of my original Sheraton. This experience sparked a renewed interest in revisiting the Epiphone Sheraton and seeing how the current models hold up.
A Black Friday Reunion with the Sheraton II Pro
Fate intervened during a Black Friday guitar shop excursion. Amidst the sale frenzy, an Epiphone Sheraton II Pro in vintage sunburst caught my eye. It was in pristine condition, likely overlooked by the typical crowd of guitar testers who gravitate towards solid-body guitars. I noticed it on two separate occasions, each time briefly played and then returned to its stand. Taking this as a sign, I contacted the store and reserved it. Upon returning, I briefly played it acoustically and was immediately impressed by its resonant character. The Black Friday discount made the purchase even more appealing, and I decided to bring it home. Even with the factory strings, which felt less than optimal, the guitar’s inherent quality was evident. I knew that with a fresh set of strings, it would truly come alive. I opted for D’Addario NYXL 9.5-44 strings, my go-to choice when not using custom sets from boutique string makers like Curt Mangan or Stringjoy – brands that offer both exceptional quality and personalized service.
Even accounting for the less-than-ideal factory strings (understandable considering the guitar’s journey and handling in the shop), the Sheraton II Pro impressed immediately. While auditory memory can be subjective, the guitar’s inherent sonic qualities were undeniable. While some argue that pickups are the sole determinant of an electric guitar’s sound, I believe the wood and construction play a crucial role, a point I won’t debate here.
Sheraton II Pro: Delving into the Details
The Epiphone Sheraton II Pro in Vintage Sunburst finish exudes classic elegance. For those of us with a bit of vintage sensibility, “Vintage Sunburst” is simply another name for the timeless “Tobacco Sunburst” finish. Like the higher-end Gibson ES-335, the Sheraton utilizes laminated maple for the top, sides, and back. This construction contributes to the guitar’s stiffness and focused tone. The gloss finish is a welcome touch, enhancing its visual appeal. The neck features a comfortable 60s slim taper profile. While newer models often feature Pau Ferro fingerboards, the dark hue of this particular model suggests it’s likely rosewood, a personal preference for its classic look, although tonally, the difference is negligible. It boasts a set-neck construction, medium-jumbo frets with well-finished ends along the bound fingerboard, a 24 ¾ inch scale length with 22 frets, and striking mother-of-pearl and abalone inlays. A Graphtech Nubone nut, Grover 18:1 Rotomatic tuners, and Epiphone versions of the Gibson bridge and stopbar complete the hardware appointments. Initial setup out of the box was commendable, with only a minor intonation adjustment needed. The action and neck relief were already well-suited to my playing style.
Alt text: Close-up view of the vintage sunburst finish on the body of an Epiphone Sheraton II Pro guitar, highlighting the laminated maple and elegant gloss.
The Sheraton II Pro is equipped with Epiphone ProBucker pickups – a ProBucker 2 in the neck position and a ProBucker 3 in the bridge. Both pickups feature coil-tapping capabilities accessible via the volume controls, adding to the guitar’s tonal versatility, a feature I hadn’t initially realized on a semi-hollow. A traditional three-way switch provides standard pickup selection. While the tone control offers a usable range, rolling it fully off initially resulted in a somewhat muddy tone, reminiscent of an unmodified ES-335. This is easily addressed with a wiring harness upgrade if desired. However, for now, the stock pickups are proving to be quite capable. The input jack is secure and well-fitted, avoiding the common issue of overly tight jacks found on some import guitars.
Amplification and Sonic Exploration
My initial test drive of the Sheraton II Pro at home was through a REVV D-20 amplifier. While primarily used as a recording front-end, paired with a Fender Deluxe cabinet, it serves as a great standalone amplifier. While I wasn’t initially impressed with the REVV’s own cabinet, the Fender Deluxe 1×12 significantly improved its tone. For recording, the REVV’s built-in Two Notes Torpedo functionality provides access to a wide array of virtual amplifier and cabinet options.
Alt text: Headstock of an Epiphone Sheraton II Pro guitar, showcasing the elegant design, Epiphone logo, signature inlays, and Grover Rotomatic tuners for tuning stability.
The true test came when I paired the Sheraton with another recent acquisition: a Fender Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb in blonde. Having previously tested standard Tonemaster models and being unable to distinguish them from tube Deluxe Reverbs in blind recordings, the blonde version, with its Neodymium Celestion Creamback speaker and removed bright cap, offered a discernibly superior tone. Despite being a digital amplifier, the Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb (blonde) sounds fantastic and marks my first foray into pure DSP amplification. A more detailed review of the Tonemaster is available separately.
The Sheraton II Pro’s center block construction inherently reduces feedback compared to fully hollow instruments like my older Casino. While feedback can be induced intentionally, it’s not an uncontrollable issue. Weighing in around 8.5 pounds, the Sheraton is a substantial instrument, heavier than my ES-335, attributed to the laminated maple construction. Equipped with my preferred Right-On strap, the guitar balances perfectly and comfortably. The factory-installed 10-46 gauge strings were swapped for 9.5-44s without requiring any setup adjustments, instantly improving the playing feel.
Sonic Samples and Tonal Palette
To capture the Sheraton II Pro’s sound, I recorded direct into Studio One v6 on a Windows machine via the DI output of the Fender Tonemaster Blonde Deluxe Reverb and an Apollo Twin X interface, bypassing UA plugins at the initial stage. The signal chain included an EB volume pedal, Source Audio Atlas compressor, Origin Effects Halcyon, MXR Duke of Tone, Eventide TimeFactor, Eventide ModFactor, and a TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 reverb. The recordings feature two sequences. The first sequence showcases the raw guitar tone with neck, middle (both pickups), and bridge pickup selections, without any effects pedals engaged. The second sequence utilizes both pickups with subtle Eventide TimeFactor and ModFactor effects to demonstrate the nuances between the Tonemaster’s two built-in speaker IRs: a Shure SM57 and a Sennheiser MD421, both aimed at the edge of the speaker cone center cap. A UA LA-2A Silver Compressor was added in mixing, but otherwise, the tones are unprocessed, allowing the Sheraton II Pro’s natural voice to shine through.
Sound Sample 1: Neck Pickup, No Effects – SM57 IR
Sound Sample 2: Middle Position, No Effects – SM57 IR
Sound Sample 3: Bridge Pickup, No Effects – SM57 IR
Sound Sample 4: Both Pickups, TimeFactor & ModFactor – SM57 IR
Sound Sample 5: Neck Pickup, No Effects – MD421 IR
Sound Sample 6: Middle Position, No Effects – MD421 IR
Sound Sample 7: Bridge Pickup, No Effects – MD421 IR
Sound Sample 8: Both Pickups, TimeFactor & ModFactor – MD421 IR
The Verdict: Is the Epiphone Sheraton Guitar Right for You?
The Epiphone Sheraton II Pro is more than just an affordable alternative to a Gibson ES-335; it’s a high-quality semi-hollow guitar in its own right. It offers a rich, versatile tone, comfortable playability, and stunning aesthetics. While some may still chase the Gibson headstock, the Sheraton delivers exceptional value and performance, often exceeding expectations for its price point. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking for a reliable and resonant semi-hollow or a guitarist seeking an entry into the world of ES-style guitars, the Epiphone Sheraton guitar deserves serious consideration. It’s a testament to how far Epiphone instruments have come, offering professional features and tone at a player-friendly price. If you’re in the market for a semi-hollow, the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro is undoubtedly worth checking out – you might just find yourself as impressed as I am.
