Gretsch Guitars

This is a 2006 Epiphone Sheraton II, Korean-made semi-hollow (335 size / style) in natural finish with gold hardware and "tortoise" pickguard.  Serial number (I061017) indicates manufacture at the Saein plant.  Comes with Epiphone hardshell case in excellent condition.  The neck is straight, with good action and plenty of fret life left.  Guitar is in very
good to excellent used condition; there are a couple of small dings in the poly clearcoat finish on
the top, which are invisible at stage distance and can only be seen up
close if you're looking really hard for them -- that natural finish really hides minor nicks well.  Currently strung with and set up for 10-46.

I have upgraded the pickups from the stock Epiphone humbuckers to a set of GFS Retrotron "Vintage Liverpool" Alnico humbuckers (GFS models R13 (neck) / R14 (bridge)); all rewiring was professionally done by SF Guitarworks here in San Francisco, who included a setup with the job.  The pickups are four-conductor, but currently just wired as standard humbuckers.  These pickups are a fantastic match for this guitar, especially through a vintage-voiced Fender amp: I was going for a sound a bit like Pete Townshend's studio work on albums like "Who's Next," for which he used a big Gretsch Chet Atkins hollowbody, and think I got pretty close, but it can cover a lot of other ground too, from rockabilly to Beatles to hard rock (e.g., Billy Duffy's Gretsch White Falcon tones on The Cult's Love and Electric LPs).  Check out the sound samples on the GFS web site here: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Liverpool-Vintage-Alnico-Humbucker-Gold_c_158.html -- or watch a demo video of one of these pickups in the bridge position of a Sheraton (with a different pickup installed at the neck) at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDHlgFtZV4Y .  Given the cost of the electronics work, I've put significantly more cash into this guitar than I expect to recover even with Buy-It-Now, but that's just the way it goes, I guess.

I have also replaced the stock amber "top hat" knobs with gold speed knobs, which are just my own preference -- if you wish, I would be happy to put the amber "top hat" knobs back on it before shipping - just let me know in a note with your payment.  I have also put Schaller strap lock buttons on this guitar: I will replace them with the stock strap buttons before shipping, unless you specifically request I leave the Schallers on -- in that event, I will ask for an additional $5.00 on top of the winning bid or Buy It Now price -- please send a note after auction close and I will adjust the total accordingly before sending an invoice.

In the interest of full disclosure, because I value my 100% positive feedback rating: the last digit of the serial number appears to be scratched out, which could indicate a factory "second": I inspected the guitar very closely when I bought it, and the only flaw I can find is a dull spot in the finish of the top, about the size of a nickel, between the pickup selector switch and the neck position volume knob.  I tried to capture it in the photos, but it's very difficult to see unless you're looking at it closely from the correct angle -- that spot just isn't as shiny as the rest of the top.  I'm telling you about it only for full disclosure purposes; it's invisible at any distance over a few feet, and does not affect the playability of the guitar whatsoever.

Any questions, please ask me before bidding; I will get back to you within a day at most.  Shipping will be by UPS Ground; please allow 3 business days after cleared payment for me to pack the guitar and get it to the UPS station to ship.  Flat rate shipping given here is an estimate; if actual shipping is less than that by $5.00 or more I will issue a Paypal refund for the difference after it ships, and if actual shipping cost is more, I'll eat the difference.  Local pickup is available -- for no shipping cost if you can meet me within the city of San Francisco, or within ~10 miles or so of the city for a nominal, negotiable amount for my gas / bridge toll / time; please send a note before bidding if you want to use this option.  Cash payment is an option if local pickup used also.  Sorry, no shipping outside US / Canada; please don't bother asking.  I love my foreign family & friends, but with something large, delicate, and expensive like this, there is just too much potential for things to go wrong in transit that will require major hassles to remedy, and I just don't want to risk the headaches.  Also, Canadian bidders, please don't ask me to lie on the customs form regarding the item value: due to the nature of my career, I cannot and will not take the risk of signing my name to any false statements.  Also, any customs duties or taxes are your responsibility.  Thank you for your understanding.