Epiphone Sheraton
Encyclopedia
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.
, Epiphone was a leading manufacturer of hollow-body and archtop guitars. Epiphone's guitars were of such high quality that they rivaled Gibson's hollow-body guitars. Until 1957, Epiphone was one of Gibson's fiercest competitors. 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.
, 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 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 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 1960's). "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:
Neck width narrows to 1 9/16", as on many Gibson-made guitars of the era.
1970 Sheraton specs:
Production ceases in U.S., begins in Japan. Mini-humbucking pickups are discontinued on the Sheraton, changing to standard full-sized humbuckers; serial numbering system changes. Body and headstock shapes begin to evolve, as they will continue to do throughout the 1980's onward into the 2000's, as production also shifts from Japan to Korea.
Sheraton production totals (data from 1961 to 1970 only):
Cherry - 53
Cherry w/vibrato - 20
Natural - 59
Natural w/vibrato - 49
Sunburst - 243
Sunburst w/vibrato - 197
signature models. 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.
guitarist Noel Gallagher
. A Sheraton variant, the Noel Gallagher Supernova, was produced for him and was made available to the public with a Union Jack, Manchester City blue, Cherry Red
or Black Ebony finish. 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.
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
, Epiphone
Epiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
is the exclusive manufacturer.
History
Under the ownership of Epaminondas ("Epi") StathopouloEpiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
, Epiphone was a leading manufacturer of hollow-body and archtop guitars. Epiphone's guitars were of such high quality that they rivaled Gibson's hollow-body guitars. Until 1957, Epiphone was one of Gibson's fiercest competitors. 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
P-90
The P-90 is a single coil electric guitar pickup produced by Gibson since 1946. Having a more complex architecture and larger dimensions than Fender's single coils, it is occasionally mistaken for a humbucker.- History :...
. This was followed by the introduction of a twin-pickup, double-cut thinline semi-hollowbody, the Sheraton.
Design
Gibson used the the same body for the Sheraton as it was using for its new ES-335Gibson ES-335
The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial thinline arched-top semi-acoustic electric guitar. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958, it is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body...
, 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 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 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 1960's). "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:
Neck width narrows to 1 9/16", as on many Gibson-made guitars of the era.
1970 Sheraton specs:
Production ceases in U.S., begins in Japan. Mini-humbucking pickups are discontinued on the Sheraton, changing to standard full-sized humbuckers; serial numbering system changes. Body and headstock shapes begin to evolve, as they will continue to do throughout the 1980's onward into the 2000's, as production also shifts from Japan to Korea.
Sheraton production totals (data from 1961 to 1970 only):
Cherry - 53
Cherry w/vibrato - 20
Natural - 59
Natural w/vibrato - 49
Sunburst - 243
Sunburst w/vibrato - 197
Sheraton II
The Epiphone Sheraton II was later introduced and featured only one major difference. The Frequensator tail piece was now replaced by a fixed stop bar. The Sheraton II became much more popular than the original. Epiphone's high end guitars, the elitist line, includes a Sheraton. Unlike the "regular" line Sheraton with its full-size Gibson-style humbuckers, it features the New York mini humbuckers of the original Sheraton (later used on several Gibsons, but originally an Epiphone-specific transducer). Currently original Sheratons are rare, but Sheraton II's are still in production and are readily available. The most recently manufactured Sheratons were John Lee HookerJohn Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Hooker began his life as the son of a sharecropper, William Hooker, and rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally closest to Delta blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark...
signature models. 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.
Endorsement
The Sheraton was used by OasisOasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
guitarist Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
. A Sheraton variant, the Noel Gallagher Supernova, was produced for him and was made available to the public with a Union Jack, Manchester City blue, Cherry Red
Cherry Red
Cherry Red is a London-based independent record label formed in 1978.-History:Cherry Red grew from the rock promotion company founded in 1971 to promote rock concerts at the Malvern Winter Gardens...
or Black Ebony finish. Brian Aubert, frontman for the Silversun Pickups
Silversun Pickups
Silversun Pickups is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2002. The band comprises Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester....
, has a modified Sheraton with silver hardware. Furthermore, the Epiphone Sheraton 2 has been used by Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
lead guitarist Matthew Followill. Ezra Koenig
Ezra Koenig
Ezra Koenig is the lead singer and one of the guitarists of New York-based indie rock band Vampire Weekend.-Background:...
of Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band from New York City that formed in 2006 and signed to XL Recordings. The Band has four members: Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio. The band released its first album Vampire Weekend in 2008, which produced the singles "Mansard...
plays a Sheraton II almost exclusively. Also, Ted Leo
Ted Leo
Theodore F. Leo , called "Ted," as a short form of "Theodore," is an American punk rock/indie rock songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, though he is most known for his singing and guitar playing...
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
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Hooker began his life as the son of a sharecropper, William Hooker, and rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally closest to Delta blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark...
. Epiphone introduced a signature John Lee Hooker Sheraton and Sheraton II in 2000, the year before his death.