The evolution of the Epiphone Sheraton model goes all the way back to 1958. Gibson purchased Epiphone one year earlier in 1957, and with the release of the new semi-hollow, double-cutaway 335/355 body in '58, the Kalamazoo-made Sheraton featured the same body shape and construction. While those early Sheratons shared the same body as the iconic Gibson ES-335, their unique stylings borrowed from the New York Epiphone tradition. They also had Epiphone-style NY mini-humbuckers and the "Frequensator" trapeze tailpiece.
By 1986, Epiphone's production was all overseas, and (as they do to this day) Gibson primarily used the company to produce cost-effective, imported versions of American-made classics. That year, they introduced the Sheraton II, which more closely matches traditional ES-335 specs because it has full-size, Gibson-style humbuckers and a stop bar tailpiece. With these improvements and an affordable price tag, the Sheraton II is a no-brainer. But with the Tree of Life inlay on the peghead and abalone/pearl V block inlays on the fingerboard, the Sheraton II brings style and details you'll never find on a 335.
This 2009 Epiphone Sheraton II was built in the company's Qindao China facility, and it features a Vintage Sunburst finish and gold-plated hardware. It shows sincere build quality, and its tone is versatile and expressive. True to the Sheraton II reputation, it satisfies the vibe, tone, and appeal of late-'50s semi-hollowbodies, but at a fraction of the price. It's in nice condition all around with some expected playwear and a few scuffs on the edge of the peghead (see photos). It is missing the Epiphone "Epsilon" sticker on the pickguard. Also, some of the plating on the hardware is worn, especially around the bridge/stopbar/treble pickup. It does not include a case. No repairs, no issues—just a great player at a great price!