Epiphone Sheraton-II Pro VS

Thought about this for a while as I already have a strat and tele. Wondered about adding that Gibsonish sound to my palette (my wife didn't get why I needed a third guitar so I used art terms, which she understands!) and can't afford the top-end stuff. Gibson own brand instruments have really jacked up in price of late, possibly due to their corporate financial issues. After much digging I settled on this Sheraton. I'm a big blues fan and the Hooker endorsement matters. The other guitar I considered seriously was the Epiphone Lucille. I was apprehensive about packaging and damage in transit but the plastic air packets around the Epi cardboard box, and a further Thomann cardboard outer box, meant that I need not have worried.
The Vintage Sunburst was as visually impressive as I hoped and the gold hardware plus rosewood neck stood out. But looks are not so important as I just amuse myself with music as a hobby and don't gig. The sound is what I was buying. I got what I wanted there. I get things out of it that the two Fenders cannot do. A certain twang is all I can refer to, a certain beefiness to the bass strings - sorry! words fail me there.
The workmanship was pretty good for the money and you need not fear its Oriental, as opposed ton U.S., origin. The binding in the Indonesian factory was A1 by my eyes. Flaws seemed limited to frets being rough and needing a little polish (bending is stiff but easily fixed with a Brillo pad and fretboard protector) to the infamous tin '¤' on the pickguard: why do they bother? It is rubbish. It peeled away as soon as I touched it, thus solving my prior question about getting rid of it, as many people do, though I have no 'Epiphone = poorman's Gibson' hangups as it is not a copy of any Gibson and the Beatles/Hooker/Gallagher thing counts. The Grover tuners are especially good. There are lots of tonal possibilities between the pickup switch, volume/tone controls, and of course coil tapping. You ought to get what you want sooner or later by experimenting. It hangs on my wall now and looks really good. The body shape when playing seated is not as ergonomic as the Fenders' but that comes with semi-hollow territory. Does not matter when you sling a strap over your shoulder and stand. All told, I was excited to unbox and am very happy with results: I can definitely recommend to those who are unsure, as I myself was. A good value guitar, no mistake about that. Credit to Thomann for quick dispatch and good packaging.

Great service from Thomann, thank you! The Sheraton II is a great instrument. Flawless, beautiful in appearance and musically. I have had high end guitars to include Fender, Gibson, etc. and I have to say this guitar can hold it's own against them. So many sounds with the split coils , pick ups are great, and the neck is nice which makes those jazz chords a breeze. A great value for the money, you can't go wrong with this one! 5 stars Epiphone!