The Great $400 Guitar I Used On 5 albums
Рет қаралды 415,844
Күн бұрынThis is the story about the $400 guitar that I used as my main instrument for a few years. My thoughts on choosing a jazz guitar and finding an affordable first jazz guitar.
With a lot of philosophy and anecdotes about my Epiphone Sheraton, how I found it, upgraded it and who helped me along the way.
My Demo of Richard Heeres' Amazing Blue Guitar:
• I Fall In Love Too Eas...
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Content:
00:00 Intro
00:35 The story, ES175, I need something else
01:54 2nd hand instruments and trying guitars
02:36 A Horrible Scofield
03:53 The Guitar Chooses You
04:13 The Guitar - New pickups and electronics
06:51 Putting it to use
08:12 Pickups and Cheap Guitars!
09:25 My Method For Finding an Affordable Jazz Guitar
10:19 A Great Hand-made Guitar
11:03 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!
My name is Jens Larsen, Danish Jazz Guitarist, and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of it is how to play jazz guitar, but other videos are more on Music Theory like Jazz Chords or advice on how to practice and learn Jazz, on guitar or any other instrument.
The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, but also music theory, analysis of songs and videos on jazz guitars.
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@GreenJeepAdventures 2 жыл бұрын
I was pretty lucky with my first hollow body archtop. I noticed an Ibanez Artcore in a pawnshop that was marked down pretty low. The shop owner said the original owner couldn't get it in tune, no matter how hard he tried. Even the shop owner said it was the worst guitar he tried to sell in his shop. It just wouldn't tune correctly. Well...I noticed what the problem was and asked them if they would knock off a $100. After a bit of back and forth, he went for it. As soon as I brought it home, I turned the bridge around to its correct position. Still playing this guitar almost 20 years now.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Haha! Great story 👍
@randomguitarnote8887 2 жыл бұрын
Haha awesome!
@raymondvaughan6262 2 жыл бұрын
Nice one 👍
@OnePaintedMan 2 жыл бұрын
That's awesome. Nice spot!
@TK0808 2 жыл бұрын
Does it work on a Gibson Les Paul Standard too lol? I have one that I bought new and it will never stay in tune. Useless.
@SyntagmaStation 2 жыл бұрын
I have watched a lot Lars’s videos. I just really dig this guy. Besides being a great teacher and accomplished musician, he’s just a likable man. Wouldn’t you agree?
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! :)
@polloloco26 2 жыл бұрын
Danish and dutch - what•s not to like
@ClarenceHW 2 жыл бұрын
absolutely, Jens is sincere.
@kristofernewton422 Жыл бұрын
Yessss
@mrjamesgrimes Жыл бұрын
I’m generally a troll in comments but yes I also agree
@Miiiics 3 ай бұрын
For anyone wondering these sell for $700-$1000 now
@712toaster 2 жыл бұрын
Hearing someone who’s playing I respect as much as yours say something so guitar taboo as ‘I didn’t really know what it all meant re pickups’, it’s really humbling and refreshing. Growing up reading guitar magazines and never having friends that played it always felt like such a taboo to not know every technical detail about guitars.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Haha! I am still 90% clueless about this stuff. Having a good tech that you trust is so important!
@stephenferrera-grand7827 11 күн бұрын
I luv that you’re not selling anything. You and Chris are by far the two best Jazz educators on KZfaq. Your advice is always solid and accurate. Thanks
@JensLarsen 11 күн бұрын
Thank you very much! 🙂
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
🎸The Problem With My Vintage GibsonES175 😎 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z9ZyerF9s9_clWg.html
@aylbdrmadison1051 2 жыл бұрын
Lessons are always best, but this sort of info (or lack of it) can make or break a player. So more of this when you feel like it. Also, speaking of Strats and getting a good guitar for cheap, Back in the 80's my friend went down to Guitar Center one day and literally tried out close to 50 Squier Strats. He actually came away with one that not only played well, it sounded a lot more like an American Strat than anyone would have believed possible.
@johnvecchio8610 2 жыл бұрын
Videos like this are why I became a Patreon of Jens, he covers everything not just playing which to me is a huge help. If your music doesn't have that Jazz sound what's the point?
@theoperator9474 2 жыл бұрын
13's !! Gooooo !
@youKnowWho3311 2 жыл бұрын
My teacher played a sheraton for years. A great guitar. I also put Duncan 59's in my semi Ibanez.
@_Yep_Yep_ Жыл бұрын
Thanks for talking about your guitar choosing process, Jens. This is a difficult journey for all of us, mostly done by error and trial with an emphasis on the error. I appreciate the thoughtfulness in your method.
@endikacrespo78 2 жыл бұрын
I used to have a black second hand Chinese Sheraton that I upgraded with ToneRiders. Heavy, resonant, elegant… gorgeous. I loved that guitar. I sold it again to save up for a Stanford CR30, a Casino style hollowbody with P90s, which I really do love, but I still miss my good ole Sherry. I couldn’t justify at home to have two “identical” guitars, though. So it had to leave. Hope it is making somebody happy wherever it is now.
@jimjustice581 2 жыл бұрын
I have so much respect for you, Jens. Not only is your playing and instruction heaven sent, but you took more time and research than a medical student to get just the sound you wanted. Your ear must be incredible. You are to be commended for, among many other things, your patience in waiting to find the “Ahhh” guitar. Keep on pickin’, because we’re eating it up.
@Saladzingers 2 жыл бұрын
I bought a bargain secondhand Ibanez Artcore AS73, and realised the pick-ups looked different to each other. Had a guitar tech set it up and look underneath - it’s a Seymour Duncan Seth Lover! Lovely free upgrade 😁
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Great! I love those pickups :)
@saucybaka4439 2 жыл бұрын
I have a cherry red art core 73 with seth lovers in it and switchcraft pots and Jack. Bought it for 400. Love that guitar
@bustabass9025 2 жыл бұрын
I traded a bass amp for an AS73. The motherboard was going out on the amp. The guy said no problem could fix it and traded the amp for the guitar. That guitar is great for the value of the amp. Now I gotta learn how to play it.
@rockguitarmodes 2 жыл бұрын
Great advice: I saw Jim Mullen playing in a pub situation and he was using a really cheap Korean Aria. He didn’t want to bring his best (very expensive) jazz guitars out. The sound and playability of guitars has come a long way. My Ibanez AF120 and AF95 both sound great and are completely stock guitars under £400
@krisseals9113 Жыл бұрын
I truly appreciate your insight on music. I also have a 1952Gibson ES175 with a Dog ear P90 and a 1967 Gibson satin red 333. Same as a 335 just no pick gard or pickup covers. I have been playing Classic rock and Bles for a few years but I am ready to start my Jazz adventure. With you help and great knowledge of the world of Jazz. Thanks Jans.😎👍
@johnharrisjr.351 2 жыл бұрын
My gigging jazz box is an Epiphone Broadway I bought for 400-bucks and replaced the internals with those from an L5. I bring it everywhere and don't worry about it at clubs. If it ever got stolen, broken or lost I'd just build it again. Great video, great advice.
@pharmerdavid1432 Жыл бұрын
Nice, what's the difference in their "internals"? I thought they both used parallel bracing is why I ask.......?
@Kimomaru 2 жыл бұрын
The video I've been waiting for, answered at least ten questions. Thinking of an Ibanez semi-hollow and was looking at the Japanese made ones. Expensive.
@juandanielgarciamercado 2 жыл бұрын
I've been playing guitar since I was a kid, but 2 years ago I fell in love with jazz and got my first jazz box, a D'angelico Premier Exl-1. Great guitar for the money highly recomend it.
@joereadel 2 жыл бұрын
Falling asleep in front of a microphone is a jazz tradition. Welcome to the club
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Haha! I wasn't aware that it was common :D
@uriahroseii1026 2 жыл бұрын
@@JensLarsen Back in the old days it was usually because they were on smack. If you watch some of the old shows (Miles, ect...) you can catch some of the guys nodding out.
@larsgroenewegen63 Жыл бұрын
Happy to see that you still have your Epiphone Sheraton II, as I noticed in your video today about not using an amp. I have exactly the same model of 1998, bought new at Voxhumana in 2000 for 1100 guilders! So you were lucky! Your videos and work are quite impressive! 👍🏻
@Darrenowsley 2 жыл бұрын
Love your Channel Jens , thank you for all the info you give us you are a true gift Darren Owsley
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you find the videos useful 🙂
@austinmunoz2497 2 жыл бұрын
Hello Jens, this made my day. Thank you
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@somtingwongwai7194 2 жыл бұрын
it Wouldn't matter what guitar Jens plays. Don't be fooled, he is just giving us little breather in order to get our heads around the last few lessons.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Haha! Well.... :D
@aylbdrmadison1051 2 жыл бұрын
It's true that a lot of the tone comes from your own fingers.
@TheFreeman4955 Жыл бұрын
This is what I needed. An honest guitar review from actual experience. Not a paid review of cheaper cookie cutter guitars. I wish I had a guitar shop around me to try what I buy. I totally agree it’s hit and miss buying without playing. Thanks for sharing your experience.
@hughcameron 2 жыл бұрын
For 15 years I had a Heritage 535. I bought a 62 re-issue Sheraton, with tailpiece and Gibson Mini-Humbuckers, like the original Sheratons. After a couple of years I came to the realisation that I liked the Sheraton better and sold the Heritage. This year I got myself a 2008 Gibson Custom ES 345. It is a great guitar, but I still prefer the Sheraton.
@JoePariseauMusic 2 жыл бұрын
My main guitar 🎸 is the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro and LOVE IT! The pro has coil taps which for me allows me to switch to clean funk and then right back to jazz! I love the tree of life headstock and Gibson USA made PAF pickups too!!!
@tomcripps7229 2 жыл бұрын
I'm with you Jens. I put a $230 Fender pre wired pickguard from Stewmac with 57-62 pickups in a $130 squire strat. It sounds and plays amazing. This was my first non stock pickups and it hooked me into the magic of electric guitar like never before. I bought an Ibanez AF95 last year online and it exceeds my expectations. The stock pickups are super 58's. Same ones Scofield, Metheny and Benson use. With CNC machines, this has been the golden age of affordable guitars.
@Ebadd9 2 жыл бұрын
These are great guitars! Mine usually ends up on most recordings I do. I really like how snappy and responsive it is with chords and that you can hear each note clearly. The sound options are great too, you can do almost any genre. Middle position with a bit neck rolled off, is 10/10 for me. Only downside is It took me a while to get used to the upper frets I wish it had inlays for 17th & 19th fret too.
@hearpalhere 2 жыл бұрын
Great to hear your story about this guitar Jens! I'm a big fan of the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups too. I did a similar research journey when I was trying to find out what to put into my SBG2000 many years ago. I went with a pair of Seth Lovers and still have them in there now. They are really lovely. Your Sheraton looks and sounds great!
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Glad you liked the video :)
@olisaush6552 2 жыл бұрын
Great vid Jens! I absolutly agree. One of my top 3 guitars. I put some "Staufer57" in mine. He is a small german luthier, and the pickup is his interpretation of a PAF. A warm but chimey, snappy sound with a lot of topend on the neck PU. It has a really nice woody and gnarly tone (if that makes any sense...) My Sheraton is also made in Korea but is mostly made out of maple, Centerblock, 5pc neck natural finish,... never had problems with intonation and stability. Which I have on my '77 Gibson Les Paul... My other top two guitars are my Suhr Strat and my Fender Telly.
@wjniemi 2 жыл бұрын
My Sheraton is the same vintage & color. I replaced the pots and caps, strung it up with Chrome lights, and I love it. Agree that it plays amazingly well and it would probably benefit from new pickups. Thanks for the video.
@stuartwatson3648 2 жыл бұрын
Great info and story. Thanks for sharing.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it 🙂
@ozelot75 2 жыл бұрын
U r so right, Jens. Cheap instruments can often be upgraded by changing certain components and a good setup. Afterwards u have an amazing instrument:-)
@dlgm161 2 жыл бұрын
What an amazing video! Very inspiring!
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you 🙂
@fusion-music 2 жыл бұрын
I had the Epiphone Sheriton and modified it. You are right about the weight, it is heavy, too heavy for me. Sadly I had to sell it as it caused back problems, but the buyer was very keen because of the mods and was happy with my selling price. Bare Knuckle pickups are very nice. Very happy with them on my Strat builds. Interesting video for those who don't know what or how to buy.
@benthomasguitar 2 жыл бұрын
Yesss! My Sheraton II is one of my faves and an amazing deal.
@insidejazzguitar8112 2 жыл бұрын
I don’t watch a lot of gear videos, but this one had your personality, which made it quite good.
@RidingWithSeb Жыл бұрын
I have a -99 Sheraton, very similar to your as well! I've had it since 2012 and back in those days I installed a Bigsby tailpiece and swapped the pickups to a pair of Gibson burstbuckers. A real gem that will remain in my guitar collection for many years to come.
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
Great! Congrats on a good guitar :)
@GermanSharp1 4 ай бұрын
Its been my go to for past 10 years. So well rounded you can use it for any genre
@mikemurdock7234 2 жыл бұрын
Cheap guitars are awesome and I love seeing videos like this. My main workhorse the past 2 years has been an Epiphone ES-339. Not as big as the full body 335, but it was $500 and it does everything I need it to do, and does it better than any guitar I previously had. When I need good blues or rock sounds, it does that well. It handles Jazz extremely well as you would expect from a semi-hollow body guitar. Like you said about the guitar choosing you, that's what happened with me and my 339. I wanted a big bodied 335 really bad, but when I came across a natural finished 339, there was something about that guitar that I couldn't shake. I've played in southern rock bands and did a fair bit of country, and I think that being in my roots is how I ended up with the blonde 339.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Great! A few of my students have 339s they are really great instruments 👍
@jamessmithurst6011 Жыл бұрын
Interesting discussion Jens: hand-made vs factory. US vs Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam and China. I used to work for a Gibson importer. I sold Gibsons and Epiphones but also Fender, Ibanez, PRS, ESP et al. Brand fetishists will claim that you get what you pay for. That was never true. Gibson stuff up in the factory a lot. They grade their guitars and overall, the Asian counterparts coming out of Asia are now better than some of the "high quality" expensive Les Paul's I sold in the 90's. I can't rationally justify spending 10 to 20 times more for an overpriced US made guitar. I just bought a Chinese Les Paul inspired Chinese Les Paul for under US $300. It is so good, you can't tell the difference to a genuine Les Paul.
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
Yes, that is what I have seen too. Gibson quality was always all over the map, and very expensive instruments are often not worth the money you pay for them if you buy new. It's like buying 2nd hand, you need to try them to know that it is good.
@jerbear7952 4 ай бұрын
Gibsons are for the same suckers who buy Snapon and Harley's. They don't realize things change
@klecoxs2 20 күн бұрын
@@JensLarsenIt also was a wake up call when talking about Ibanez Super 58’s I never questioned the quality of them relative to model until pointed out the difference in price for replacing them for say a GB200 as opposed to a lower end Ibanez fitted with Super 58’s they are not created exactly equal !!
@frankvaleron 2 жыл бұрын
Great video. I have an Epiphone Les Paul which I loved in every way except the pickups, which were quite flat and undefined sounding. Again after much research and learning more than I ever thought I would about pickups, I replaced them with Gibson Classic 57s. The guitar is exactly what I want now, it has a beautiful, older sound and has also become more versatile. Was too scared to attempt a wiring changeout though!
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Great! Replacing pickups is indeed the way to go :)
@herbertnosworthy1 Жыл бұрын
Very funny and knowledgeable run-down. Thanks mate!
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
Glad you like it 🙂
@josephmiller6677 2 жыл бұрын
Good info... thanks Jens... Bravo !
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it 🙂
@alexolague5965 5 ай бұрын
This video helped me a lot! I was looking for a semihollow for my next semester at jazz school. Got an Ibanez Artstar AS153 for a really nice price. Your content made the search easier for me!
@JensLarsen 5 ай бұрын
That's great to hear! 🙂
@alexanderpotts8425 2 жыл бұрын
so many things in this video resonate with me. my #1 guitar is a 90s MIJ tele, and the pickups were so microphonic you could tap a pick on the neck pickup and hear it through the amp... its getting seymour duncans put in it this week :) I've also seen a large number of (lefty!) sheratons locally here. kinda annoyed I never picked one up...
@bluesrockguitaristmikesall2708 Жыл бұрын
Jens ,thanks ,great video. I bought a Sheraton in 2018,and it's a great guitar. Epiphone changed their pickups,to a more traditional configuration,and it's made all the difference sonically.The only mod, was having the frets "shaved". This model also has coil tapping capabilities,which is good if some malcontent says I can't make my guitar sound like a Strat !
@fredvanderlinden8908 2 жыл бұрын
I have my korean Sheraton now for more than 30 years. Changed pick ups with German Hausel pickups with split coil feature. Unbeatable.
@brendanlindsaywebb4932 2 жыл бұрын
I also have a Samick-made Sheraton that I’ve had professionally set up with flat wounds and gold Dimarzio PAF style pickups. It came up very nice.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Very nice!
@mwicks1968 2 жыл бұрын
My favourite guitar is the cheapest - it just has the best feel! Fender Player Tele with custom shop pickups and a roasted maple neck (a GuitarGuitar exclusive) - I’ve put a Callaham bridge on it too - super-pleased with it!!!
@dananthony6258 Ай бұрын
Cool video, thanks for sharing this.
@JensLarsen Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@MikeSingSing 2 жыл бұрын
My main guitar is a MiK Sheraton from 04. I just love semi-hollows aesthetically and sonically, and the MiK Sheratons are just such a nice basis for modding them into great tools
@flogginga_dead_horse4022 2 жыл бұрын
Great video Jens. Great editing too. :) I have over 20 guitars and some more expensive than others. (not all for jazz) I recently picked up an Ibanez semi hollow for $499 that is really nice. Believe it or not I also have an Ibanez "RG" style guitar that I put a Benedetto jazz pickup in the neck and disconnected the bridge pickup. This has had flatwounds on it for years and sounds surprisingly "jazzy"!! I play this more than all my other guitars. It was originally $399 but I did add the pickup and some locking tuners.
@ericschwartz9982 Жыл бұрын
Great video. Your comment about 7:10 reminds me of the Sonny Rollins/John Coltrane session where Sonny yelled out "Coltrane! Coltrane!" who had apparently nodded off. Thanks again!!
@ianedmonds9191 2 жыл бұрын
Totally agree. I've upgraded almost all my guitars over time. If you have a great playing guitar you can work on the sound for sure. I've never bought a guitar that didn't play well that I've bonded with enough to improve the playability. Ibanez and Yamaha necks are the best in the business to my fingers. PRS are a close second and mitigated by everything else about the guitar. Still on top as a whole package in my experience. A really good trick right now is buy a Harley Benton strat, get a fret dress and install new pickups and maybe a new nut. Also to follow on my project is a new trem. As a foundation for a project it's insanely good. I bought one and put lace sensors in it. It sounds amazing but tuning is still a bit sketchy. A new nut and vega trem are on the road map but now I have a trad strat to play. For next to no money and it sounds good. Basswood body and Alder neck. Also scored a swamp ash pacifica 921 92 vintage in old violin sunburst. Gorgeous guitar. Probably about £1200 in 92 so closer to 3000 now. Mine for £500. It's a shredder guitar with dimarzios and hsh pickups and a floyd but damn it sounds good and given that's my roots I love it. There are bargains to be had for sure. Luv and Peace.
@dmytromeshcheriakov3197 2 жыл бұрын
just recently bought a Sheraton II (pro) - nice to know that i am in a good direction :) . Thanks a lot for sharing your videos, it is a great channel you're leading. ps : it would be interesting to watch / hear you are playing your SRV strat :)
@danqodusk8140 10 ай бұрын
Interesting presentation, Jens! The price of quality vintage and new guitars can certainly be quite ridiculous. I was surprised to learn the amount of time and effort you put in to find a good guitar that suited you. I totally relate to the idea of having more time than money. I'm old and poor, so before I purchase anything, music related or not, I have to invest a lot of time doing homework.
@mzxc 2 жыл бұрын
Peter Tiehuis also seems to get a killer tone from the Sheraton, albeit with alternative pickups. Thanks for showing that good sounding instruments don't need to cost you an arm and a leg! Having said that, life's still comfortable with one kidney and my new John Mayer PRS...
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Haha! I didn't know you could get a PRS for just one kidney :)
@acoustically9201 Жыл бұрын
You swapped an organ for a guitar. Boom tish...
@binface9 2 жыл бұрын
Interesting story time, Jens! I was particularly interested that you started out jazzing on a Strat. I love the sound of Jazz on a Strat neck pickup and this may go some way to explain why I love your tone so much. I have a Bare Knuckle Juggernaut in my baritone, which sounds great as a bridge pickup for people who don't like the bridge position. (Sounds great coiled-tapped too.)
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@ymelfilm 2 жыл бұрын
Lots of us live in a small city or village. We have internet but no chance to try bunch of guitars in a good shop, lol. But I enjoyed this video and we got some kinda personal information about a great guitarist and accurate teacher. Tks Jens! Really appreciate your youtube works - even I don't get the 70% u r talking about :)
@aylbdrmadison1051 2 жыл бұрын
I know the feeling. Even though I grew up in the Bay Area Calif, where you couldn't walk out the front door without tripping over a guitarist back then, I live out in the middle of nowhere now. There's only one music store in the entire (actually huge) county, and that's a 40 minute drive from me. Maybe you can make a day trip to a larger city sometime though?
@ymelfilm 2 жыл бұрын
@@aylbdrmadison1051 from here (Nha Trang, Vn) Saigon takes a night on the bus. 7-8 hours on train. Lol
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you 🙂 obviously it is not always an option, but it is the best thing to do if you can.
@larrylorenzen2449 2 жыл бұрын
I played a Sheraton in a big band and loved it. Now I play Eastmans - 335 and 175 knock offs. Wonderful guitars for the money. I actually prefer their necks to the Gibsons I have owned.
@williamjr.taborn1942 2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant sense of humor!
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! :)
@jimpollicita3945 Жыл бұрын
Jens, Your videos are always very informative; clear, practical, and useful. This one I also found, let's say, "affirming." About a year ago, I purchased an Epiphone ES 335 Pro that was in great shape, for $300. I had a set of Lollar Imperials laying around ... they had been installed in a PRS I had. I installed those with a new wiring harness (about $100) with.015 (neck) and a .022 (bridge) capacitors. I did a trade-out with a store owner friend so he did the tedious job of stuffing all the new wiring into the guitar. It's a sweet guitar, currently strung with round wounds, but soon to have flatwound strings. $400 out of pocket, though I think the Lollars would go for around $300 for the pair. Thank you and carry on!
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
Sounds like a great guitar 👍🙂
@patledoc 2 жыл бұрын
I also bought a ´93 Sheraton II in 2007 for jazzy / blues things, and put Gibson 59 pick-ups and wiring. Great video !
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks! :)
@rikd5452 2 жыл бұрын
You're a goldmine. Thank you!
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@johndaugherty4127 Жыл бұрын
Excellent information.
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@dansantospirito5310 2 жыл бұрын
Epiphone Sheraton II was my first proper guitar. Korean made. Learned how to play on it. Loved it. Now using a D'Angelico with Lollar humbuckers.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Cool! Which D'Angelico?
@dansantospirito5310 2 жыл бұрын
@@JensLarsen excel ss. I ordered it online to get the hineyburst, so I know what you mean about buying unseen and unplayed. Initially found it hard to play, but got it set up properly at a luthier and then it was great. The Seymour Duncans it came with were that mellow dulled jazz sound only, and I prefer a bit of range, so went for Lollar humbuckers. Sounds great now, and looks beautiful. Don't think I'd gig with it though - I've put too much money into it! For gigging, I'd probably get another Sheraton II and change the pickups as you did. Great mid priced guitar.
@Montrealestjazzmanouche 2 жыл бұрын
I totaly agree. I revamped an Epiphone WildKat with new wiring and Fralin p 90's pick up (a pure marvel) and like you got the sound I wanted, A time consuming but highly satisfying experience
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a good combination
@tomasvanecek8626 Жыл бұрын
It is so great when you find a guitar that does it for you.. And I always go for the true sound of the guitar, always choosing them unplugged. Your experience shows the same - I swapped pickups on most, to get the sound I wanted to hear amplified. But with a semi, or full hollow body - man, you want to get it right the first time 😆 .. fishing for the pots lost down there... but I always did it on my kitchen table, no tech needed, there are some tricks that help
@ejdean1929 2 жыл бұрын
I so agree with you. I bought an Epiphone 335 tried out a ton of them and kept coming back to the same one. Like you switched the pickups to a pearly gate and a custom custom Seymour Duncan. Changed the bridge and tail piece and put new tuners on it. I still love the guitar and sounds fabulous. But finding the right piece of wood is the hard part but they are out there. Mine is 20 years old and Korean as well. It is good advice.
@boomerdell 2 жыл бұрын
This is a great video, as always -- such is the high quality that one can describe best as "Jens Quality"! -- but I also have the feeling I could string a few rubber bands across a small cardboard box and Jens would make it sound like a Gibson Custom Shop semi-hollow.
@bassyey 2 жыл бұрын
I'm a new guitar player coming from bass. The other day, I also got an Epiphone as my first guitar but only an ES-335 Figured from Inspired By Gibson lineup, around $570. Sheraton II pro was $100 more, so I couldn't buy it. I'm loving it, now I follow your lessons.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
That is great! Glad you like it!
@PANDORAZTOYBOKZ 2 жыл бұрын
Been playing a stock Eastman 503 for the past couple years that I bought used for about $900 and to this day I have people ask how much it was expecting me to say it was thousands. You can spend vintage Gibson money all you want, but at the end of the day, the guitar that feels like wearing a nice worn in glove is going to make you sound better than anything else, whether you spent $400 or $4,000
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Certainly! A lot of my friends swear by their Eastmans :)
@raymondvaughan6262 2 жыл бұрын
Correct some great guitars out there now for the price and play better and sound better than a lot of big names especially the custom ones ridiculous price and had them all gibsons fenders and many others still stuck to blade guitars for years
@westernrider100 Жыл бұрын
Have the Eastman version of the ES-339. It came from the h factory with SD pickups [ jazz in the neck and a 59 in the bridge - yes they compliment each other nicely ] and played nicely right out of the music store unpacking it. And yes, it is every bit as nice as the Gibson 339.
@mb5o 2 жыл бұрын
Wow! It sounds awesome.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! :)
@JackTheSkunk 2 жыл бұрын
Several years ago I played an Epiphone Elitist ES335 and it was virtually indistinguishable from a Gibson. I heard the Elitist line was discontinued because they were sapping sales from the Gibson models.
@kellyinterrante3884 2 жыл бұрын
This was helpful Mr Larsen thank you/
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
You are very welcome
@davidxedwards 2 жыл бұрын
Great video. I learned a lot. Would love to see a video on your Ibanez 2630!
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks David! I might do one at some point, let's see :)
@wandering_satellite Жыл бұрын
I bought a used Epiphone Sheraton Pro II years ago, and it sounded FANTASTIC with already upgraded Lindy Fralin pickups. The issue for me was the horrendous square-ish neck, so, I gave it to my luthier and he shaved a 100 lbs of wood off the neck, and now it's one of my favorites.
@guitarandbeyondplus Жыл бұрын
I love your videos and your sense of humour.
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
Thank you 🙂 I really appreciate that!!
@Mr512austintexas 2 ай бұрын
I just bought a 2009 Epiphone "Dot" 335, made in Korea in 2009. It's got DiMarzio pickups, and it sounds really great. It's also really fun to play unplugged; very vibrant and alive. Best of all? $400, including a nice SKB hardshell case.
@JensLarsen 2 ай бұрын
Sounds great!
@Micek97 2 жыл бұрын
I've been playing 2005 Korean Sheraton for almost 4 years now. Although it's really heavy and could use some better pickups, it feels great to play.
@simonwj6404 Жыл бұрын
I bought a Samick Sheraton and it's absolutely lovely! Thanks for the recommendation!
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
Great to hear! Congrats on the guitar 🙂
@simonwj6404 Жыл бұрын
@@JensLarsen I've played other later-generation Epiphones, and they all played like cricket bats. But this one is great. (Fanboy time) I'm not a jazz player, but I absolutely love your videos. I learn so much that I can incorporate into what I do.
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
@@simonwj6404 Ok. I have actually played new ones that were really good, so they do exist 🙂
@jerbear7952 4 ай бұрын
I paid $50 for a cheap used samick acoustic. I can't believe how it plays. I don't think it is intended to sound like it does but it does. Beautiful neck feel too
@weihuafischer6538 Жыл бұрын
I just picked up a used 2007 Sheraton and I was blown away by the sound, playability and looks. I have more expensive guitars but this is my number one now. My playing doesn't warrant modifications so these is nothing left to do except play it.
@jonathanavery7583 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jens! Now watch Sheraton Korean made go thru the roof in value!!
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Haha! I doubt if my videos have that type of impact 😂
@1963jesse 2 жыл бұрын
What you describe here is actually the right way to do it. I even change my fret wire and the nuts quite often to get a good feel on the guitar.
@wimdewild9345 2 жыл бұрын
Great story ! I have a couple of guitars but I wanted an affordable 335 style guitar. I came across a Washburn HB-30 from around 2000, Korean made. The pickups were already swapped for PAF style pickups (I don't know the brand). These guitars are pretty good, except for some rough fret edges, very playable and you can get them for not a lot of money.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Very cool! Glad you like the video!
@ClarenceHW 2 жыл бұрын
Fun and informative video, you are indeed... a patient man. :-)
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Clarence
@seanhallahan14 3 ай бұрын
This is a really good and perfectly timed piece for me! I have several acoustics and am wondering if I have the work ethic, patience and drive to get into jazz. Buying the box is the shiney object part for me. Follow through hasn't always been my strong suit in new music generas but we'll see. Thank you for the great ideas here. Best & cheers, Sean
@fredvanderlinden8908 Жыл бұрын
I play my Sheraton for almos 35 years. Changed pickups with Hausel Humbuckers with Coil split. Just fantastic.
@Zion-18 Жыл бұрын
I've got a similar Ibanez with locking tuners, TV Jones pickups, and a great setup. It plays better than some of my ~$2000 guitars.
@soulagent79 2 жыл бұрын
I had the same one for a couple of months. Regretted selling it and tried to find another one at a reasonable price, but the Indonesian and Chinese models you can buy new from the store these days are definitely not the same as the older ones from Korea. I finally ended up with a Korean Epiphone ES-335 "The Dot", which plays, feels and sounds identical to the Sheraton. It's basically the same guitar, just without the multi-ply binding and fancy headstock.
@arlo2203 2 жыл бұрын
Just bought a Comings gcs-16-1, made in Korea but sent back to Bill Comings for final QC and set-up. He says he spends about 4 hours with each guitar before sending them to the dealer. I absolutely love it... $2,200 and feels and plays like a dream.
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
That does sound like a great guitar! I tried one of his instruments at NAMM :)
@tinman8014 2 жыл бұрын
Same, have a blonde GCS-16-1 and love it.
@JazzGuitarFan72 Жыл бұрын
Sage advice. I wish I started watching this channel years ago.
@JensLarsen Жыл бұрын
Glad you like the video 🙂
@lonegroover 2 жыл бұрын
I have an Epiphone Uptown Kat. Amazing guitar for the money; I have guitars that cost me 5 or 6 times as much but I love it. Really nice semi with mini humbuckers and an ebony fingerboard.
@user-fv5yo5fi5c 2 ай бұрын
Cool Jens. I have an older Epi Sheraton that was Made in Korea. I play only blues and the factory pickups are ideal for that. I also have an Ibanez AM93 which is just a stunning and great sounding instrument. I bought both used online and they both worked out amazingly well. Cheers and thanks for sharing your insights sir.
@janfikke9496 2 жыл бұрын
My favourite semi acoustical guitar is a korean made sunburst sheraton with gibson classic 57 PAF humbuckers. Excellent for jazzy moods. Best quality for the money spent.
@xoxb2 2 жыл бұрын
Very helpful and interesting. It would be nice to have a video on custom/boutique builders where you might not have the chance to play in advance. It's a lot of money, so what kind of things are you looking for to build trust that it will be worth it?
@KenTeel 2 жыл бұрын
$100 Squire Bullet Strat with replacement Stew-Mac traditional wound Golden Age Humbuckers, with Carvin pots and switch, and luthier lowered action. Still has original tuners. Although cheap, they seem to hold up. Cheap and cheerful. Works great. Thanks for the video, Jens. Guitars are fairly simple mechanically, so this hot rod stuff works well (as opposed to trying to hot rod a cheap saxohone.)
@oliverchapman51177 Жыл бұрын
Yup
@oliverchapman51177 Жыл бұрын
Have 9
@karlklabuster7216 6 ай бұрын
Have had the same experience with my 94 Samick Sheraton II. Had upgraded it with Gibson 57 PAFs und Gibson original electronics and then a proper setup. What an instrument. Last year I purchased a Riviera. I love these Mini Humbuckers. Replaced the Pickups with Seymor Duncan's Antiquity II Mini Humbuckers (authentic ’60s) - not cheap, but worth every Penny.
@chrismac4451 2 жыл бұрын
I've been playing for 50 years and still play my first real guitar which is a Hummingbird Copy I bought from Rose Music in Western Australia. It cost me $150 Australian dollars and I bought it to replace my $3 second hand guitar which was of poor quality, but an instrument that got me around the fret board. I have an old Ibanez SG copy which feels and plays great through my 1964 Australian Goldentone 60Watt Piggyback Reverb Valve amp. I have been playing a fair bit of jazz lately so I looking for a suitable jazz guitar and this post has shown that I don't have to spend a small fortune to get the sound I want. Another advantage of a jazz guitar is that I don't have to plug a semi into an amp to get a decent and loud enough tone while practicing. Thank you for your post. Chris from AUSTRALIA
@Pinstriped5120 Жыл бұрын
The Peerless made Epiphone’s from that era are really great guitars. They do seem to put cheap electronics and hardware on less expensive instruments. I just did a ridiculous build on a Gretsch 5120 T and yes the TV Jones Filtertron pickups cost two thirds the price of the guitar used! Thanks for a great video.
@closer71 2 жыл бұрын
Dude fronting Silversun Pickups plays a Sheraton with modified bridge, saddles, nut and tuners. His tone is absolutely sick too! Especially on their EP and the first three LPs.
@martystudioone 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for this video. It's like the answer for my comment. I appreciate it 🎵🎸
@JensLarsen 2 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome! I am glad you like it! 🙂
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