Epiphone Sheraton II Guitar Review

Today, a good quality jazz & blues style guitar is hard to come by without giving up an arm and a leg...or a kidney. They are regarded as the most well made instruments, and are seen in the music community with the same kind of esteem as classical instruments. Epiphone, in an effort to offer a high quality one of these without breaking the bank, makes the Epiphone Sheraton II. Let's take a closer look to see if they accomplished their goal.

Features: The body of the Epihone Sheraton II is all maple. It has a solid center, and hollow wings where two f-holes, in a classic jazz style, are located. The body also features an arched top available in ebony, sunburst, and natural finishes. The neck is made of maple, set into the body, and is a three piece. The inlays are all genuine Mother-Of-Pearl, and there is a sharp looking vine style inlay on the headstock. All of the hardware on the Sheraton II, including the tuning heads, the Tune-O-Matic bridge, and the pickup covers, are gold. Electronically, the Sheraton II has two volume and control knobs, and features two high quality humbucker pickups.

Playability: There is no doubt that playing a jazz guitar takes a little getting used to. The instruments are often designed to be a bit more challenging to play, but refine its' player's technique as well. But, as you get get more used to it, you'll find the transition to other guitars will come very easily. It's a lot like going from an acoustic to an electric.

Sound: I was surprised to find that the sound of the Epihone Sheraton II is very well rounded. When set a certain way, it really can deliver some nice jazz tones. But, unexpectedly, it works pretty well with a little overdrive and even distortion. It transfers well from jazz to blues and even rock. What's more, depending on how you set it's tone controls, it can sound like a hollow body or a solid body. In short, it's a jack of all trades.

Overall: For those with the itch to start playing jazz & blues, the Epiphone Sheraton II is an excellent instrument. This is not one to pick up and expect to only cover one genre with, though. In fact, it may very well become your go to instrument for all sorts of music styles. You can find the Sheraton II in music stores for around $700.