Will do. I played their whole line at NAMM a few years ago and enjoyed them. Such an interesting brand. Plus, when they gave out T shirts I noticed they sprung for the really soft cotton blend. I respect that and still wear the shirt.
Wow to my old ears the Epiphone sounded brighter and clearer with a little more spank. I think what got lost was this man’s playing. Excellent job and great touch and feel.
Great video, and great playing! I myself have a 2010 Epiphone Dot (well before the “Inspired By” series came out), and I love that thing! Just my opinion, but as long as your guitar plays well and sounds good, there’s no need to be envious of someone else’s axe. We should all just be grateful for what we have and practice, practice, practice! 😊
i thought for sure that #1 was the 335 gibson , because of the slightly brighter tones of #2.. but i do love the number 1 better and that is just great, because i am watching this video now listening to the reviews.. because i have a brand new sheriton in the case waiting for me to discover it.. thanks for posting Mr. Les Beato jr. Esquire
I applaud your tenacity though. Let me know how you fair next year when the UA-cam gods cycle it back through your feed again. I look forward to the results.
Hello from across the pond! You had me giggling in the first few minutes & that’s an instant sun from me! Interesting comparison man, thank you. The epi was a lot fuller in the low mids to my ear but that could be EQ’d to sound pretty much the same as the Gibson. I preferred the Gibson tone though as a starting point, would sit better in a mix without extra EQ
All good points. They're both great guitars. That's expected from the Gibson. That Sheraton at 350 mint condition is fantastic bang for the buck. I was sad to sell her but someone offered me about double what I paid so you know, business is business. Thanks!
I think what’s most important is to feel them in your hands. These videos can only do so much. It’s like watching videos of people driving cars. You never know until you test drive yourself
Personally, I prefer the tonal quality and playability of the Sheraton Pro II, but If the Gibson gives you what you crave and dream about in a guitar then it's worth paying ten times the price of an Epiphone....and vice versa. The guitar that inspires one to not be able to put it down, will also be the one that brings out the most creativity in the player.
I appreciate the work you put in to this comparison video. Even though i am a truly bad guitarist, and I DO suffer from an accute case of GAS, I feel I should point out one thing that SHOULD be self apparent: Nobody will get the same results as you (or even similar results). Think of ALL the factors that influence the final sound; The amp / speaker cab, the pedals used (or not), the mic (and the placement of the mic), the strings used, the pick used, the player's right hand technique / positioning. Then you have all the variables that are constrained by the LISTENER, such as the quality of the speakers / headphones. Plus the fact that people's hearing is so different based on how good / bad / old / damaged their ears are. One man's bright is another man's shrill. One man's warm is another man's muddy. And once you are in a mix, you might wish your guitar was more or less bright than it actually is, or more or less warm than it actually is, depending on what the accompanying instruments and vocalist sound like. Oh, and then you can always count on the recording engineer to ruin the tone anyway👍 This isn't to take ANYTHING away from your video comparison. I think the fact that MANY of the comments show that a lot of people liked the Epiphone better than the Gibson is a demonstration of how helpful your video is. Unless one is buying a guitar as a financial investment (i.e., they expect to resell it at a higher price than the rate of inflation, or at a better rate of return than they get by investing in the stock market), they should just go with whatever guitar feels / plays good and by a cheapo $30 Behringer EQ pedal to nail the perfect tone.
Yeah I agree with all that absolutely. That’s why in my videos tend to go through the virtual amps in the box even though I’m a tube amp guy when I play. Less variables but even still, virtual amps can even react differently to different guitars and can make it non scientifically perfect. I tend to favor comparison vids as opposed to demo vids where we can at least get a feel for some aspects of the sound compared to another on a certain level. Like sustain, fullness of sound, bite, compression etc. Its more of a light hearted comparison of instruments than a demonstration of what an instrument actually sounds like. Hell, the UA-cam compression software going in and your computer software going out probably have the general sound of both instruments sounding completely different than what I hear on mine. Thanks for the great comment!
It's a surprisingly really really nice guitar. I'm going to sell this one just because that's why I bought it but if I was looking for a new guitar to keep and play, I think this thing is about as good as you'll get for the money. If you can get one in mint condition under 550, pull the trigger.
You can't hear it but sure you can feel it! Epiphone QC is been going down the drain over the years. From bad pots to wrong nut cuts and fret issues. You have to try several until you find one that is finish right. When I ask the dealers why so many come with problems from the factory, they always say "What did you expected for this price?"
I guessed correctly but the Sheraton Pro sounds pretty good. It also has coil taps on both pickups which makes it super versatile. I'm lucky enough to own both but I actually use the Sheraton more often because my 335 is worth a lot more, so I'm reluctant to gig it unless I'm sure it's gonna be safe!
I own the Gibson ES-355, the ES-335 and the modern Les Paul, not to mention a dozen or so other Gibson Les Pauls and SGs...all excellent guitars. However, I find the Sheraton pro II in my hands all the time. It's playability and tone are unmatched. I'm in love with it. It's hard for me to believe China is putting out this kind of quality.🙂
@@msaintpc No kidding. If they have the Epiphone Sheraton Pro squad start building their weapons, everyone's toast. They'll have 5 billion missiles that never miss that cost 30 dollars and two weeks to make.
I love my new Ebony Sheraton Pro II so much that if it were stolen I'd be very, very upset. It would be difficult to get over it. Lol, I get nervous just imagining such a thing.
There's the sentimental attachment and years of iconic players with the Gibsons... also, they will get more and more expensive overtime. Not to mention the playing feel, who knows? But to a purely sonic stand point, no difference to my ears.
The Gibson ES-335 was my dream guitar and then like an idiot I sold it. After your comparison, though, I really preferred the Epiphone. Wow. Shock to me.
You and me both man. Especially since I didn't really care that much for the Epiphone 335 that much. The Sheraton is an awesome guitar for under 500 dollars. Even under 1000 if you ask me.
Like the Pepsi Challenge, it's not about identifying which is which but which you prefer. I was moderately surprised that overall I liked the Sheraton better. Some of the dirty was cleaner (??) on the 335 but not enough to make me forget the richness of tone in the Sheraton.
Funny you should say that. In college I worked for the Pepsi Challenge. I was the guy that lifted up the covers on the cans to reveal if you were right or not. Guess I was pre ordained to do this type of video.
Hot damn. Consistently preferred #1… And as an Epiphone Sheraton II guy for ca 20 years now (and, on a related note, a ‘63 Melody Maker before that), I was DELIGHTED at the reveal! Guess when I sell my SG ima invest in pedals/ speakers rather than a new 335!
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton The good thing about it is for several hundred dollars you can put the hardware of your choice in it and have a guitar that can go toe to toe with any Gibson at a fraction of the price. This is a good era for excellent foreign made quality guitars at a fraction of the price of USA made ones of the same quality.🙂
Everybody knows the Gibson headstock automatically makes everything sound better. /sarcasm I've owned my dream guitar in a 2016 ES-335 satin cherry finish, which I sold less than a year later. I still have my Sheraton I bought new in 2014, and I have a 150th Anniversary Sheraton delivering tomorrow. This particular model has all the upgrades stock to make it worth the asking price. The regular Sheratons are fine as is but do make great modding platforms. Modded or stock they are great guitars, especially since Epiphone has stepped up its game lately.
I absolutely love the Sheraton. I love my Gibson too. I think they're both worth the price point but at 450 used , that Sheraton absolutely smokes pretty much anything else around for me in the value department. I'd happily play that guitar on any album I've ever made.
it says 9.1 lbs. I sold the thing but that's because I'm trying to trade up. Once I get there, I'm immediately going to go buy another one. I think the Sheraton is one of the only modern guitars I think I'd actually pay brand new prices for. Just an outstanding instrument and value.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton I keep looking for something I prefer … and keep appreciating the utter wisdom of the salesman who turned me on to my Epi back in ‘01.
As someone so impressed with the Sheraton 2 value that I picked up a MIK version, I did guess correctly. I think the Gibson was slightly superior on the clean tones. Very close to each other on the overdriven tones. Also I think the Gibson was slightly out of tune. All round though, when factoring in price (and looks with all the blingy inlay) I think the Epi wins this shootout.
There is. The Epiphone's tapered neck feels a bit chunkier and slower. In an oddly good way though for me. It feels more like a high end guitar than Epiphone's actual 335 models I've played so because of that, the Sheraton hits me more like the Gibson 335 than even the Epiphone 335's do that are exact copies as far as dimensions go. I made a full on Sheraton review vid where I talk about it if you're wanting more in depth into the Sheraton. Thanks.
At the beginning i was digging the bridge pickup on guitar one and neck pickup on guitar two, towards the end i was prefering smd appreciating both on guitar two, was surprised to learn i prefer the... Well stop reading the comments and watch for the reveal 😂
That Epiphone is such a great guitar for the money. I just sold it and I think it's the first fairly cheap guitar I've had that I think I may end up regret letting go of. But I've got other plans for the money so it had to be done. Thanks for watching.
Closet rocker here. I 'went electric' eight years ago after a lifetime playing acoustic. Bought half a dozen different guitars to try out and six years ago finally got a Sheraton II, immaculate condition and only £255 including case. Absolutely love it and invariably go back to it after giving the others an occasional airing; I will never get rid of it. (We're getting engaged next month when my divorce comes through.) I couldn't tell the difference in this test - desk top sound maybe not brilliant and my music ear is not the best in the world. Would I trade my Sheraton for a Gibson? Would an expensive Gibson make me a better player or sound better? Answers on a postcard please. . . . Yeah, I know, I'm not a professional musician. p.s. My number two favourite is a Les Paul 1960's Standard . . . . made by Epiphone, followed by a Squier Affinity Tele which has a crappy sound but is a beaut to play, especially with my small hands.
Not a dramatic difference. The Epiphone had a bit more warmth, and a the Gibson had a bit more brightness and clarity, but I wouldn't call either tone objectively better. Especially factoring in the price difference. I have a non-pro Sheraton II and it's been my favorite guitar of mine since I got it in 2012.
In clean channel, I thought #2 guitar is brighter than #1. #1 was simply fat humbucker, but #2 has relative resonance. So I prefer #2 However in Dirty channel, #1 guitar is more powerful and has great clarity sound. They are both nice guitar. Compehensive, buying an Epiphone is better than gibson.
i scored it as follows -- epi 3 wins gibson 7 w - ties 3 - I own an Epi Les Paul, Dot, SG -- total used prices about $700 for all 3 - I am ok with the Epi's and 1000's more in the bank. Call me cheap but happy.
Guitar 2 sounded better to me, you can hear the difference. The price/quality relationship is non-linear, you pay a lot more for the little extras (I know this is very obvious)
I have two Sheratons MIK one with stock PUPS and one with Classic 57s and i have a Gibson 335 2013 CS Dot. The Gibson is a better guitar based on the feel and playability and overall quality. It is excellent. The Sheratons though are very good especially with a PUP upgrade. If you have a limitation on what you want to spend and you want to use it say for gigs the Sheraton is the real deal. It comes close to a Gibson. In my case i got all three used but the Gibson has appreciated much more in value if i choose to resell. Hence if you can get a really good deal on a quality Gibson you are likely better off long run in spite of the original outlay. If you just want a player that is more than respectable the Sheraton is great.
Do 57 classics really get you near the 335 tone? Is it nearly identical? I want to upgrade the pups in my Sheraton. Played a 335 today at guitar center and was really surprise how much “jazzier” the neck pickup sounded. The epi feels like it’s lacking in dynamic range and clarity (muddy, note separation..)
@@ashooby I cannot really say definitely that the Sheraton with Classic 57s sounds the same at the Gibson. I do know that I have two Sheratons one with stock pups and the other classic 57s. The one with the classic 57s sounds better. My Sheratons though are older MIK models so the inspired by Gibson pups may be better. It really comes down to feel versus cost. The Gibson has better materials and nitro finish and feels better and sounds better. However it is 4 times the cost. The Sheratons are poly finish and some players do not like the bigger headstock on older Sheratons MIK. If you can get a good 335 Gibson used at a good price it will hold value or rise. Epiphone Sheraton is unlikely to rise much in value although MIK models are creeping up. Note too that there are other pups out there besides classic 57s that are highly regarded for that PAF tone. I think you can get close to a 335 tone on a Sheraton if you get the right pup setup. It really comes down to money versus quality. For an extra ten percent better guitar in the 335 are you willing to pay 4 times. Sheratons are nice guitars. The 335 is better but the price difference is hard to swallow.
Ha Ha. Through the whole video I liked the sound of number 1 better. Not that I did not like number 2 but I liked 1 better. Don't get me wrong I would take either. I was hoping 1 was the Gibson LOL. Great video and playing.
That's correct. I think you're spot on. The Sheraton's body is a little bit thicker and the neck a bit chunkier. That with the pickups definitely give a nice full sound that's pleasing in a jazz box. The Gibson sparkles way more though. Great guitar for 450-550 dollars though. Especially if you're playing mostly jazz. It surprised me how much I enjoyed playing it.
I just got a mint condition one of those Sheratons off Ebay here in the UK for £320 including a hard case! It’s great to see so many people coming out in favour of it. A) Because I wouldn’t be able to afford a Gibson and B) Because in my hands it would not make a blind bit of difference anyway! 😂 The only thing is that the Sheraton weighs a ton! I don’t know how the weight compares with the Gibson? Great video and playing! 👍🏽
Thanks! The Sheraton is such a great guitar. I regret selling that one but it was a business decision. I’m selling a few other guitars and buy another Sheraton and never get rid of it. I love that guitar.
Another case of "headstock syndrome." The difference in tone is a matter of taste, not sticker price. Once again, Gibson is caught red-handed over-charging musicians while Epiphone is offering up value for a fraction of the price.
Clearly the Gibson is that tick better that makes guitarists beeing inspired to play better. Shure, this costs. I think the Yamaha AS 2200 would be the guitar to beat them all and is the best bang f.t.b.
I guessed right very early. Cheating a little maybe because I own the Sherry. The Gibson does sound ever so slightly more expensive, but $1600? I’ll have to answer no. The Epiphone Sheraton does not have many flaws. You can get a lot of nice music out of it going into a decent amp. Which, if you have saved $1600, ….😂
It's a fantastic guitar for the money. Probably not quite as versatile as the 335 if you're looking to put some stank on it but for jazz, hell it may be superior. Matter of taste really.
I have two Sheratons. Two older Korea made ones from different factories. One has a smaller headstock and is lighter. I keep lighter strings on it. Ones more for rock and the other jazz or different tunings. I leave them around the house so I can play them. The Gibsons look nice but even the Eastman guitars look just as nice. I think Gibson has mostly the nostalgia factor. I didn’t worship any guitar gods that played the Gibsons so I just don’t see the appeal.
Yeah there's always something to be said for brand recognition and familiarity. I think it depends on the model a bit. A great jazz box can come from a lot of different places. So many places do them well at varying price points. The Sheraton is evidence of that as well as a ton of Ibanez models. I will say though, that it's much harder to find a comparable Les Paul or SG style guitar to a Gibson. Atleast the higher end ones. You hardly even see anyone trying to compete in those markets outside of Epiphone for obvious reasons. I've only played one Les Paul style guitar that could compete with my Gibson's and it was an old Ibanez lawsuit era model.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton My bad. I said Ultra instead of Elitist. I I don’t know much about them. Maybe early 2000. I’m not scared of the Epiphone name if the fit and finish is good. I’ve never played an SG or a Les Paul. I’m left handed. I would have to take a risk ordering one and I hear the les Paul’s can be so different from one another. Maybe when I have a safe place to store guitars I’ll buy some fragile guitars that are more expensive.
Sheraton all the way. Glad I own one and I know I'll will never be able to afford a real 335... Just couldn't justify a guitar that cost more than my car...
When I was 20, my car was worth 1500, my rent was late and I didn't have health insurance. So I bought a 2 thousand dollar Les Paul on credit haha. What an idiot I was. However, looking back, somehow, best decision I ever made.
Sorry but the Gibson retails for over 4k with tax. The Eppie plays and sounds just as good for 1/5th the price...not to mention that it's way prettier. I have both so I know.🙂
2 sounds better. 1 has overtones of oppressive communism and authoritarianism. Seriously though: 1 is ok for that summer punk rock gig in the crowded outdoor venue when it might rain. 2 sounds better.
I like 335 better. It has more life and reponds better to the player. In other words, if player`s skill is not good enough, Sheraton may be a better choice.
Try the D'Angelico DC semi-hollow with the stair tailpiece. It's beautiful.
Will do. I played their whole line at NAMM a few years ago and enjoyed them. Such an interesting brand. Plus, when they gave out T shirts I noticed they sprung for the really soft cotton blend. I respect that and still wear the shirt.
Wow to my old ears the Epiphone sounded brighter and clearer with a little more spank. I think what got lost was this man’s playing. Excellent job and great touch and feel.
Thanks! Many younger ears would agree with yours. The Epiphone is an outstanding guitar at any price. At 500ish dollars, it's incredible.
Great video, and great playing! I myself have a 2010 Epiphone Dot (well before the “Inspired By” series came out), and I love that thing! Just my opinion, but as long as your guitar plays well and sounds good, there’s no need to be envious of someone else’s axe. We should all just be grateful for what we have and practice, practice, practice! 😊
Well put
i thought for sure that #1 was the 335 gibson , because of the slightly brighter tones of #2..
but i do love the number 1 better and that is just great, because i am watching this video now listening to the reviews..
because i have a brand new sheriton in the case waiting for me to discover it.. thanks for posting Mr. Les Beato jr. Esquire
Haha. Long Live Beato.
I guess both can sound (even) more similar after giving the eq-knobs on the amp a tiny twist.
Yeah, you can dial them in pretty close for sure.
I saw this video a while back and got it wrong. Just came across it again, and still got it wrong…..
I applaud your tenacity though. Let me know how you fair next year when the UA-cam gods cycle it back through your feed again. I look forward to the results.
Hello from across the pond! You had me giggling in the first few minutes & that’s an instant sun from me!
Interesting comparison man, thank you. The epi was a lot fuller in the low mids to my ear but that could be EQ’d to sound pretty much the same as the Gibson. I preferred the Gibson tone though as a starting point, would sit better in a mix without extra EQ
All good points. They're both great guitars. That's expected from the Gibson. That Sheraton at 350 mint condition is fantastic bang for the buck. I was sad to sell her but someone offered me about double what I paid so you know, business is business. Thanks!
One way to tell might be to hook up a spectrum analyzer and see which one has the best harmonics and cleanest sound,my opinion,they both sound great
I think what’s most important is to feel them in your hands. These videos can only do so much. It’s like watching videos of people driving cars. You never know until you test drive yourself
Both sounded great. I made up my mind pretty early that I liked 2 better. Fuller, more articulate. But is it worth 4-5 times more $?
The eternal question.
Personally, I prefer the tonal quality and playability of the Sheraton Pro II, but If the Gibson gives you what you crave and dream about in a guitar then it's worth paying ten times the price of an Epiphone....and vice versa. The guitar that inspires one to not be able to put it down, will also be the one that brings out the most creativity in the player.
The Sheraton’s microphones are hotter, just turn down the volume knob on the guitar and get closer to the 335.
I appreciate the work you put in to this comparison video. Even though i am a truly bad guitarist, and I DO suffer from an accute case of GAS, I feel I should point out one thing that SHOULD be self apparent: Nobody will get the same results as you (or even similar results). Think of ALL the factors that influence the final sound; The amp / speaker cab, the pedals used (or not), the mic (and the placement of the mic), the strings used, the pick used, the player's right hand technique / positioning. Then you have all the variables that are constrained by the LISTENER, such as the quality of the speakers / headphones. Plus the fact that people's hearing is so different based on how good / bad / old / damaged their ears are. One man's bright is another man's shrill. One man's warm is another man's muddy. And once you are in a mix, you might wish your guitar was more or less bright than it actually is, or more or less warm than it actually is, depending on what the accompanying instruments and vocalist sound like. Oh, and then you can always count on the recording engineer to ruin the tone anyway👍
This isn't to take ANYTHING away from your video comparison. I think the fact that MANY of the comments show that a lot of people liked the Epiphone better than the Gibson is a demonstration of how helpful your video is. Unless one is buying a guitar as a financial investment (i.e., they expect to resell it at a higher price than the rate of inflation, or at a better rate of return than they get by investing in the stock market), they should just go with whatever guitar feels / plays good and by a cheapo $30 Behringer EQ pedal to nail the perfect tone.
Yeah I agree with all that absolutely. That’s why in my videos tend to go through the virtual amps in the box even though I’m a tube amp guy when I play. Less variables but even still, virtual amps can even react differently to different guitars and can make it non scientifically perfect. I tend to favor comparison vids as opposed to demo vids where we can at least get a feel for some aspects of the sound compared to another on a certain level. Like sustain, fullness of sound, bite, compression etc. Its more of a light hearted comparison of instruments than a demonstration of what an instrument actually sounds like. Hell, the UA-cam compression software going in and your computer software going out probably have the general sound of both instruments sounding completely different than what I hear on mine. Thanks for the great comment!
I liked the Epi sound a little better.
It's a surprisingly really really nice guitar. I'm going to sell this one just because that's why I bought it but if I was looking for a new guitar to keep and play, I think this thing is about as good as you'll get for the money. If you can get one in mint condition under 550, pull the trigger.
And yet people are still willing to pay thousands more for something that sound no better just because it has the word Gibson on it
People like things with cool names. Tale as old as time.
You can't hear it but sure you can feel it!
Epiphone QC is been going down the drain over the years. From bad pots to wrong nut cuts and fret issues.
You have to try several until you find one that is finish right. When I ask the dealers why so many come with problems from the factory, they always say "What did you expected for this price?"
Just a great video. And an outstanding sense of humor!! Thanx!
Thanks. It's a labor of love.
I guessed correctly but the Sheraton Pro sounds pretty good. It also has coil taps on both pickups which makes it super versatile. I'm lucky enough to own both but I actually use the Sheraton more often because my 335 is worth a lot more, so I'm reluctant to gig it unless I'm sure it's gonna be safe!
Exactly. I'd be more than happy to take the Sheraton out to a bar gig in place of a real deal 335.
I own the Gibson ES-355, the ES-335 and the modern Les Paul, not to mention a dozen or so other Gibson Les Pauls and SGs...all excellent guitars. However, I find the Sheraton pro II in my hands all the time. It's playability and tone are unmatched. I'm in love with it. It's hard for me to believe China is putting out this kind of quality.🙂
@@msaintpc No kidding. If they have the Epiphone Sheraton Pro squad start building their weapons, everyone's toast. They'll have 5 billion missiles that never miss that cost 30 dollars and two weeks to make.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton Well said and true.
I love my new Ebony Sheraton Pro II so much that if it were stolen I'd be very, very upset. It would be difficult to get over it. Lol, I get nervous just imagining such a thing.
Is there no middle position on these guitars?
There is a blend mode sure. For the sake of time I just used the two regular positions this demo.
Epi sounds like you need to drop the neck pickup a bit.
There's the sentimental attachment and years of iconic players with the Gibsons... also, they will get more and more expensive overtime. Not to mention the playing feel, who knows? But to a purely sonic stand point, no difference to my ears.
My brother-in-law just picked up one of those Sheratons in a similar dubious deal at the pub.
The Gibson ES-335 was my dream guitar and then like an idiot I sold it. After your comparison, though, I really preferred the Epiphone. Wow. Shock to me.
You and me both man. Especially since I didn't really care that much for the Epiphone 335 that much. The Sheraton is an awesome guitar for under 500 dollars. Even under 1000 if you ask me.
Like the Pepsi Challenge, it's not about identifying which is which but which you prefer. I was moderately surprised that overall I liked the Sheraton better. Some of the dirty was cleaner (??) on the 335 but not enough to make me forget the richness of tone in the Sheraton.
Funny you should say that. In college I worked for the Pepsi Challenge. I was the guy that lifted up the covers on the cans to reveal if you were right or not. Guess I was pre ordained to do this type of video.
Hot damn. Consistently preferred #1…
And as an Epiphone Sheraton II guy for ca 20 years now (and, on a related note, a ‘63 Melody Maker before that), I was DELIGHTED at the reveal!
Guess when I sell my SG ima invest in pedals/ speakers rather than a new 335!
That Sheraton is incredibly nice either way. You add the lower price and it’s amazingly nice.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton The good thing about it is for several hundred dollars you can put the hardware of your choice in it and have a guitar that can go toe to toe with any Gibson at a fraction of the price. This is a good era for excellent foreign made quality guitars at a fraction of the price of USA made ones of the same quality.🙂
@@msaintpc hell yeah. That’s the plan. I’m going to sell my SG, get a Casino, and plug the rest back into my Sheraton.
Everybody knows the Gibson headstock automatically makes everything sound better. /sarcasm
I've owned my dream guitar in a 2016 ES-335 satin cherry finish, which I sold less than a year later. I still have my Sheraton I bought new in 2014, and I have a 150th Anniversary Sheraton delivering tomorrow. This particular model has all the upgrades stock to make it worth the asking price. The regular Sheratons are fine as is but do make great modding platforms. Modded or stock they are great guitars, especially since Epiphone has stepped up its game lately.
I absolutely love the Sheraton. I love my Gibson too. I think they're both worth the price point but at 450 used , that Sheraton absolutely smokes pretty much anything else around for me in the value department. I'd happily play that guitar on any album I've ever made.
I know the difference is subtle but I liked Guitar 1 more, great video! Can you tell me how much a Sheraton weighs?
it says 9.1 lbs. I sold the thing but that's because I'm trying to trade up. Once I get there, I'm immediately going to go buy another one. I think the Sheraton is one of the only modern guitars I think I'd actually pay brand new prices for. Just an outstanding instrument and value.
If that Sheraton was made to the exact same spec, with polyurethane and the same electronics etc. In the USA it would cost two to two and a half grand
Agreed. I'm playing all kinds of semi hollow bodies right now and it's still my favorite guitar of my last 10 purchased probably. Incredible value.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton I keep looking for something I prefer … and keep appreciating the utter wisdom of the salesman who turned me on to my Epi back in ‘01.
Truth told.
man, epiphone actually sounded better. I love blind tests😂
Me too man. Nothing reminds me that I know nothing about anything like a good blind test.
As someone so impressed with the Sheraton 2 value that I picked up a MIK version, I did guess correctly. I think the Gibson was slightly superior on the clean tones. Very close to each other on the overdriven tones. Also I think the Gibson was slightly out of tune. All round though, when factoring in price (and looks with all the blingy inlay) I think the Epi wins this shootout.
Is there a difference in how they play?
There is. The Epiphone's tapered neck feels a bit chunkier and slower. In an oddly good way though for me. It feels more like a high end guitar than Epiphone's actual 335 models I've played so because of that, the Sheraton hits me more like the Gibson 335 than even the Epiphone 335's do that are exact copies as far as dimensions go. I made a full on Sheraton review vid where I talk about it if you're wanting more in depth into the Sheraton. Thanks.
BINGO! Tone and playability is all that matters. The Sheraton is nearly tonally equal with superior playability....for a fraction of the price.
The bridge on #1 sounded brighter and more articulate than #2. I thought it had to be the Gibson. Nice surprise.
Sounds like Alnico 5 vs 2. Amazing
Even though I picked correctly, I don't the difference in tone was worth the difference in price.
I don’t believe so no.
At the beginning i was digging the bridge pickup on guitar one and neck pickup on guitar two, towards the end i was prefering smd appreciating both on guitar two, was surprised to learn i prefer the... Well stop reading the comments and watch for the reveal 😂
That Epiphone is such a great guitar for the money. I just sold it and I think it's the first fairly cheap guitar I've had that I think I may end up regret letting go of. But I've got other plans for the money so it had to be done. Thanks for watching.
Bro that’s crazy you telling me that epiphone was sounding that good??
@@kfmdre5383 That Epi is amazing for 500 bucks.
I definitely liked the second one, but I wouldn't care to buy the first one since I wouldn't be able to tell the difference if I didn't pay attention.
The difference seems to the pickups
Definitely a factor.
Closet rocker here. I 'went electric' eight years ago after a lifetime playing acoustic. Bought half a dozen different guitars to try out and six years ago finally got a Sheraton II, immaculate condition and only £255 including case. Absolutely love it and invariably go back to it after giving the others an occasional airing; I will never get rid of it. (We're getting engaged next month when my divorce comes through.)
I couldn't tell the difference in this test - desk top sound maybe not brilliant and my music ear is not the best in the world. Would I trade my Sheraton for a Gibson? Would an expensive Gibson make me a better player or sound better? Answers on a postcard please. . . . Yeah, I know, I'm not a professional musician.
p.s. My number two favourite is a Les Paul 1960's Standard . . . . made by Epiphone, followed by a Squier Affinity Tele which has a crappy sound but is a beaut to play, especially with my small hands.
I love the Sheraton more than what it legally permitted in a lot of countries. Best guitar I played in 2023.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton
😄
I like the sheraton sounded brighter
and louder
The Gibson sounded muddy for the epi sounded clearer
Not a dramatic difference. The Epiphone had a bit more warmth, and a the Gibson had a bit more brightness and clarity, but I wouldn't call either tone objectively better. Especially factoring in the price difference. I have a non-pro Sheraton II and it's been my favorite guitar of mine since I got it in 2012.
Sheraton's are the best bang for the buck guitar on the market. Those things are fantastic.
A new Gibson ES 335 with block inlays is $3999.99
It can be sure. Mine was one owner used for a few months so I got a deal.
I love the n335 modle. I have a 335, 347, and a custom shopm 355. I bought them all used. @@GuitarlordJohnBurton
In clean channel, I thought #2 guitar is brighter than #1. #1 was simply fat humbucker, but #2 has relative resonance. So I prefer #2
However in Dirty channel, #1 guitar is more powerful and has great clarity sound. They are both nice guitar. Compehensive, buying an Epiphone is better than gibson.
Thank you for your comment.
i scored it as follows -- epi 3 wins gibson 7 w - ties 3 - I own an Epi Les Paul, Dot, SG -- total used prices about $700 for all 3 - I am ok with the Epi's and 1000's more in the bank. Call me cheap but happy.
From your lips to Hendrix’s ears man. Id rather be cheap and happy than broke and pissed.
The Epiphone was muddier on the lows. The Gibson was too bright on the highs. Probably comes down to settings. The Epi was smoother overall.
@@inmyopinion_3672 The ears don’t lie.
Guitar 2 sounded better to me, you can hear the difference. The price/quality relationship is non-linear, you pay a lot more for the little extras (I know this is very obvious)
All true.
I have two Sheratons MIK one with stock PUPS and one with Classic 57s and i have a Gibson 335 2013 CS Dot. The Gibson is a better guitar based on the feel and playability and overall quality. It is excellent. The Sheratons though are very good especially with a PUP upgrade. If you have a limitation on what you want to spend and you want to use it say for gigs the Sheraton is the real deal. It comes close to a Gibson. In my case i got all three used but the Gibson has appreciated much more in value if i choose to resell. Hence if you can get a really good deal on a quality Gibson you are likely better off long run in spite of the original outlay. If you just want a player that is more than respectable the Sheraton is great.
Spot on.
That was a very panoramic, informative perspective.
Do 57 classics really get you near the 335 tone? Is it nearly identical? I want to upgrade the pups in my Sheraton. Played a 335 today at guitar center and was really surprise how much “jazzier” the neck pickup sounded. The epi feels like it’s lacking in dynamic range and clarity (muddy, note separation..)
@@ashooby I cannot really say definitely that the Sheraton with Classic 57s sounds the same at the Gibson. I do know that I have two Sheratons one with stock pups and the other classic 57s. The one with the classic 57s sounds better. My Sheratons though are older MIK models so the inspired by Gibson pups may be better. It really comes down to feel versus cost. The Gibson has better materials and nitro finish and feels better and sounds better. However it is 4 times the cost. The Sheratons are poly finish and some players do not like the bigger headstock on older Sheratons MIK. If you can get a good 335 Gibson used at a good price it will hold value or rise. Epiphone Sheraton is unlikely to rise much in value although MIK models are creeping up. Note too that there are other pups out there besides classic 57s that are highly regarded for that PAF tone. I think you can get close to a 335 tone on a Sheraton if you get the right pup setup. It really comes down to money versus quality. For an extra ten percent better guitar in the 335 are you willing to pay 4 times. Sheratons are nice guitars. The 335 is better but the price difference is hard to swallow.
I have owned both I prefer the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro
It's a fantastic instrument for sure.
Ha Ha. Through the whole video I liked the sound of number 1 better. Not that I did not like number 2 but I liked 1 better. Don't get me wrong I would take either. I was hoping 1 was the Gibson LOL. Great video and playing.
Thank you!
This is hard. 1 sounds a whole lot thicker and creamier, but 2 has a real harmonic complexity. I'm guessing 1 is the epi and 2nis the gibby.
That's correct. I think you're spot on. The Sheraton's body is a little bit thicker and the neck a bit chunkier. That with the pickups definitely give a nice full sound that's pleasing in a jazz box. The Gibson sparkles way more though. Great guitar for 450-550 dollars though. Especially if you're playing mostly jazz. It surprised me how much I enjoyed playing it.
The upper level Epi's are great axes.
@@georgehorner1578 agreed
I just got a mint condition one of those Sheratons off Ebay here in the UK for £320 including a hard case!
It’s great to see so many people coming out in favour of it. A) Because I wouldn’t be able to afford a Gibson and B) Because in my hands it would not make a blind bit of difference anyway! 😂
The only thing is that the Sheraton weighs a ton! I don’t know how the weight compares with the Gibson?
Great video and playing! 👍🏽
Thanks! The Sheraton is such a great guitar. I regret selling that one but it was a business decision. I’m selling a few other guitars and buy another Sheraton and never get rid of it. I love that guitar.
Dang… just goes to show. I liked 1 better the entire time.
You're not the first to say that. Epiphone makes a fine product these days.
Another case of "headstock syndrome." The difference in tone is a matter of taste, not sticker price.
Once again, Gibson is caught red-handed over-charging musicians while Epiphone is offering up value for a fraction of the price.
Exactly
I did guess right but that is exactly what it was-----a guess.
I note the differents. Best Gibson.
Excellent!
Clearly the Gibson is that tick better that makes guitarists beeing inspired to play better. Shure, this costs. I think the Yamaha AS 2200 would be the guitar to beat them all and is the best bang f.t.b.
The AS 2200 if a fantastic guitar.
Yes! I wear it too 😆😎🇺🇸
That's how we do!
I guessed right very early. Cheating a little maybe because I own the Sherry. The Gibson does sound ever so slightly more expensive, but $1600? I’ll have to answer no. The Epiphone Sheraton does not have many flaws. You can get a lot of nice music out of it going into a decent amp. Which, if you have saved $1600, ….😂
I love the Sheraton so much. Im so mad I sold it. Especially with the deal I got on it.
i thought the sheraton was the gibson wow ill take the sheraton anyday
Best guitar there is for the money man!
The Epiphone sounded better-richer & thicker sounding.
It's a fantastic guitar for the money. Probably not quite as versatile as the 335 if you're looking to put some stank on it but for jazz, hell it may be superior. Matter of taste really.
.my.Sheraton.sounds.heavy.(.but.I.love.it.)
Its fantastic
Sheraton Pro!
I have two Sheratons. Two older Korea made ones from different factories. One has a smaller headstock and is lighter. I keep lighter strings on it. Ones more for rock and the other jazz or different tunings.
I leave them around the house so I can play them. The Gibsons look nice but even the Eastman guitars look just as nice. I think Gibson has mostly the nostalgia factor. I didn’t worship any guitar gods that played the Gibsons so I just don’t see the appeal.
Yeah there's always something to be said for brand recognition and familiarity. I think it depends on the model a bit. A great jazz box can come from a lot of different places. So many places do them well at varying price points. The Sheraton is evidence of that as well as a ton of Ibanez models. I will say though, that it's much harder to find a comparable Les Paul or SG style guitar to a Gibson. Atleast the higher end ones. You hardly even see anyone trying to compete in those markets outside of Epiphone for obvious reasons. I've only played one Les Paul style guitar that could compete with my Gibson's and it was an old Ibanez lawsuit era model.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton
Have you ever had a chance to look at or play the Japan made Epiphone Ultra Les Pauls?
@@Noumenon4Idolatry I havent. What year were those? 90-00's probably?
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton
My bad. I said Ultra instead of Elitist. I I don’t know much about them. Maybe early 2000.
I’m not scared of the Epiphone name if the fit and finish is good. I’ve never played an SG or a Les Paul. I’m left handed. I would have to take a risk ordering one and I hear the les Paul’s can be so different from one another.
Maybe when I have a safe place to store guitars I’ll buy some fragile guitars that are more expensive.
@@Noumenon4Idolatry Nothing wrong with Epiphone man. That Sheraton is the best guitar for the money I've played in like 5 years.
Possiedo la Sheraton II Pro e ne sono molto soddisfatto. Epiphone ha un rapporto qualità prezzo imbattibile. Grazie per il video.
My pleasure. Thanks!
Sheraton all the way. Glad I own one and I know I'll will never be able to afford a real 335... Just couldn't justify a guitar that cost more than my car...
When I was 20, my car was worth 1500, my rent was late and I didn't have health insurance. So I bought a 2 thousand dollar Les Paul on credit haha. What an idiot I was. However, looking back, somehow, best decision I ever made.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton Shine on you crazy diamond !!
I liked the epi better!!
It's a fine instrument for sure.
The epiphone sounds better
Sorry but the Gibson retails for over 4k with tax. The Eppie plays and sounds just as good for 1/5th the price...not to mention that it's way prettier. I have both so I know.🙂
The Epi is unbelievable for the price. First time in like a decade that I've been blown away that much by a guitar in relation to the price.
My guess 2. 335
Good ear man.
@@GuitarlordJohnBurton I had a Sheraton II.
@@henryhester1897 That will do it. I really really like that guitar for $450
NOT EVEN CLOSE. A WAIST OF TIME
THOSE SHARATON PRO IIs ARE SO BAD
2 sounds better. 1 has overtones of oppressive communism and authoritarianism. Seriously though: 1 is ok for that summer punk rock gig in the crowded outdoor venue when it might rain. 2 sounds better.
I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Yeah 2 is better. It has more character and sparkle. It better for that much more money.
Gibson sounded much better.
I like 335 better. It has more life and reponds better to the player. In other words, if player`s skill is not good enough, Sheraton may be a better choice.
Savage