John Lee Hooker limited edition...info please?

Saxdragon

I just bought a JLH Limtied Edition Sheraton at an eBay auction. It's black with white pickguard and gold hardware. The sticker inside is orange, signed by JLH and numbered 114 of 220. Can anyone tell me how this guitar differs from other modern Sheratons, made in the late 90's and afterwards?

Thanks,
SD

herb · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:21 am Post subject:

Welcome to the forum! Very Happy

I am ashamed to say that I know little of the new Epiphones other than (for the most part, anyway) changing out the pickups, switches and wiring to high quality parts will make you one fine guitar. The woodwork on them seems to be good, just the electronics are inferior. Perhaps the JLH model already has quality electronics from the factory, I don't know.

601blues · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:03 am Post subject:

upgrades on the pick ups and mahongony neck

SAguitar · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:52 am Post subject:

Sorry, I don't have detailed info on the John Lee model, but it is, I believe an upgraded Sheraton, which is already an upgraded Epiphone archtop. Near as I can tell, they have discontinued that model. We're just really picky, but generally do like to swap out the pickups, pots, and all the electrics in there to make the Korean models really sound sweet. I have played/owned Sheratons with Seymour Pearly Gates pickups in there, and Gibson '57 pups, both of which sounded very nice. I would also suggest replacing the nut and tuning heads. With those improvements, you should have an axe that can stand up to nearly any semihollow out there. But, remember, I've been playing for decades now and have a very high expectation from my instruments. What you're getting might be just superfine to you! Pleas understand, I'm not trying to put the guitar down, they really are well-built, and beautiful to look at. The necks are particularly nice to play on, which, along with their good construction, makes them worthy of the extra money to eventually upgrade them. Congratulations on your new purchase, and please let us know what you think when you get it! Cool

Saxdragon · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:07 pm Post subject: specifics

Yes, I got it and I like it a lot...especially the beefy neck. Feels like I've got something real solid in my hands, even more so than my '96 LP Standard. Is it really a mahogany neck? How many pieces? It looks like a 5-piece neck, as I can just barely see the hint of lines going down the neck through the black paint.

The buyer said the pickups were changed for Duncan S55's, and he sent the old pups along in the case. They sounded a little too hot and bright for my taste, but I changed them for a set of D'addario 11's and top-wrapped them on the tailpiece and now it's got a nicer archtop thunk to it. Also raised the bridge a little so I can play more aggressively, since the previous owner played jazz and i play blues and rock. It's a great-looking guitar...first time I've ever played a triple-bound fretboard! The tuners feel just a tad sloppy, but it isn't a problem. In fact, I guess you could say it tunes pretty smoothly.

Here's something funny...the inside of the guitar has white powder adhering to the surface. The selector switch stopped working. I was afraid it was a broken wire, but after pulling it out I blew on it and it worked fine. The powder was getting into the contacts. But what the heck is that powder?

On another forum, I read that these guitars had 3-ply instead of 5-ply tops and that made for a better sound. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks for all your remarks.

SD