Epiphone Sheraton Vs. Ibanez Artcore (long guitar geekspeak)

[ross g]

The other day i stopped at the Guitar Center in Villa Park, Il. Up front they had an Ibanez Artcore with a translucent wine/woodgrain finish and more of a classic "335" body shape than other Artcore semi-hollows I've seen. I played it for about half an hour, i really liked it. It made me want to keep playing and that's the kind of instrument i like to own:one that actually inspires you. I would of bought it on the spot (on sale for $300 w/o case) but i have an Epiphone Sheraton with a blond wood finish that is in great cosmetic shape, very pretty. I've only had it for a few months, i got it at a pawn shop with the matching case for $250, a great deal i think. So i don't need/can't afford another fairly similar guitar. The Ibanez played somewhat better for me, the neck was slightly wider and the action was lower and pretty even. I have yet to adjust anything on the Sheraton, i can set the action and intonation but i wont touch the neck. I used to have a Sheraton that got ripped off, it was a lovely brownburst that i got the action and intonation nice but trussrod tweaking yielded nothing but a promise to leave that for a pro (the blonde feels pretty similar to me from memory). The guy at Guitar Center is holding it for me for a few days, i was able to setup a deal over the phone to trade the Epiphone and case plus cash for the Ibanez with a padded gig bag. BTW, i probably wouldn't have an issue with my Sheraton if i didn't run across the Artcore. My other guitar is an Ibanez Talsman which i really dig, the neck humbucker pickup gives a sweet, almost strat-like rythm chunk and the bridge 'bucker and center lipstick p.u. provide a wide range of tones. Although it looks pretty crappy (in a good punk rock way)it plays quite good. So my impression of Ibanez is positive, and i thought it would be cute to have my "Ibanez Arsenal"...dork.

So after that short story of a setup here's my question: have any of you owned/worked on an Epiphone Sheraton and felt that the neck wasn't as strait as it could be, or had the neck adjusted with satisfactory results? It may be that they set them up at the factory that way, or the fact that the Ibanez had .009's and my guitar has .010's (better for slide work, the Sheraton shines in this area). Or if anyone has an Artcore and has some feedback on it, or if anyone has an opinion/feedback on either of these guitars.

thanks for your time,
rg

[metalsvinet]

I used to own an Epiphone Sheraton, and although the neck was straight as an arrow it was quite bendy. I could make quite dramatic vibratos by holding an note or chord and push the neck hand forward while holding the body in place with the pick hand.

Some would call it guitar torture, but the neck stayed straight.

[ross g]

yeah, i do that too-great on harmonics!
good to know that, i know of a few good techs who i have yet to speak to on this, thought i give a shout on kvr, such a wide user base, it seems...

thanks for info,
rg

[AndrewSimon]

You know both of these are very similar.
My EPI neck is as straight as I have seen on any guitar regardless of price but you know, every individual guitar is different.

All I can say is you have to go with what feels right to you and what inspires you the most.
Just make sure that everything else is more or less OK with the Ibanez. (intonation, neck, frets and so on so you wont repeat this story a few months down the road)

[ResonantOrder]

I just bought one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 31719&rd=1

and I have to say that it is one of the best guitars I've ever owned. It is definitely the best dollar for dollar purchase I've ever made concerning a guitar. It kicks the shit out of the epiphone guitars I've played.

You can google it to find reviews. Having actually owned a les paul in the past, this is as close as I've seen anything come to imitating it.


This may be more like what your looking for:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 12794&rd=1

[AndrewSimon]

I would never buy a guitar on-line.
You must play it first.
I have played some real Gibson 335's that were realy bad and some no-name ones that were realy good.
There are no two guitars that are the same.

[ross g]

I just bought one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 31719&rd=1

and I have to say that it is one of the best guitars I've ever owned. It is definitely the best dollar for dollar purchase I've ever made concerning a guitar. It kicks the shit out of the epiphone guitars I've played.

You can google it to find reviews. Having actually owned a les paul in the past, this is as close as I've seen anything come to imitating it.


This may be more like what your looking for:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 12794&rd=1

never heard of that brand-the les paul does look close (what did you pay for it if you don't mind?)-i agree that the epiphone pauls, sg's , and such are pretty bad to my taste, but the sheratons are good... my buddy has a blond 335 american from the early 80's, it's a great guitar, definatly better but i was just looking over my epiphone, if i can get the neck adjusted, i'll be sitting pretty... if it don't work out i'll trade/sell it for something, i should be able to get my money back at least...

i do like the ibanez though...

thanks,
rg

[ResonantOrder]

I had never heard of the brand either until about a month ago when a friend bought one. I played it and it and was hooked. It really is a nice guitar and it sounds almost identical to a les paul. That link is the actual price I paid for mine. They're only sold by one dealer here in the US, and they're an actual music store that's been around for decades. All the info is in the ebay ad. They always have a few dozen up for sale in all price ranges. I go for the 3000 series because of the fret work and the upgraded electronics. I want to get another one so I can dump my emgs in one. I'd like to have one unbalanced and noisy, and one balanced and quiet. The combination sounds rather well when blended on a track.

I've never really had a problem buying a guitar online. I just try to find something near to try out, then pay the lesser price online. If they don't have a return policy, I don't buy.

[Stupid American Pig]

I have a blonde epi sheraton, and it plays better than any guitar I have ever laid my hands on. This one was profesionally set up for me at the shop, and plays like butter. I dont think I will ever get another guitar unless this one breaks or gets stolen. The neck is straight and action couldnt be better.

That said, the quality on epis varies quite a bit, so mebbe you got a bad one ? If you find a guitar that makes you happier I say get it if you can. I wasnt just dieing to get an epiphone, but the one I bought convinced me I needed it.

[ross g]

the thing for me is that it's nice to hear that others love their sheratons-i believe i can get mine tweeked to "perfection"...i didn't mention how much i love the sound, i've played a few fiddles in my day, and i played my old brownburst live with a twin and a big muff, and it fuckin' smokes, it's a proven axe in my book, i kind of wish i got a little more feedback from artcore owners, from the little i have seen/experienced of them, they seem like a sleeper brand....

rg