Epiphone Sheraton II Pro vs Ibanez AM93QM AYS Semi Hollowbody under $1000 Fret Success Guitar Show

‪@OfficialEpiphone‬ Epiphone Sheraton II Pro vs ‪@IbanezOfficial‬ Ibanez AM93QMAYS Review | Best Semi-Hollowbody under $1000? | Fret Success Guitar Show | 2023 Review
Get ready for an epic guitar showdown! In today's video, we're comparing two phenomenal semi-hollowbody electric guitars: the Ibanez AM93QM AYS and the Epiphone Sheraton-II PRO in Vintage Sunburst.
The Ibanez AM93QM AYS is a classic reimagined, dating back to the '80s. It's known for its warm, punchy tone, compact design, and onboard Super 58 pickups. On the other hand, we have the legendary Epiphone Sheraton-II PRO, an icon with a history that goes back to the '50s. It's loved for its superior tone, stunning inlays, and ProBucker humbuckers with coil-tapping.
We'll take you through the stories of these guitars, delve into their detailed specifications, and bring you an in-depth playthrough to showcase their unique sounds. Which one will come out on top? Stick around for our verdict!
Special thanks to Guitarworks Canada for providing the instruments for this demo. Check out their fantastic selection at guitarworks.ca/.
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below. It's time to rock and roll with the Ibanez AM93QM AYS and the Epiphone Sheraton-II PRO.
#semihollowbody #ibanez #epiphone #guitar #electricguitar #guitarreview

[@InfoStatz]

According to my emails with Ibanez, back in 2019, the Super 58 pickups on my AM93QM are both Alnico 3. It is in a tie for first place in my guitar collection, sharing that spot with a PRS SE Standard Santana. Shalom.

[@FretSuccess]

Nice.

[@paulclooney7524]

I use the that exact epiphone playing Neil Young songs, tone is super with a valve amp and analog delay. I can take it out after 3 or 4 days and its still tuned perfect. I actually thought it was better to stay in tune than anything I had previously. Only critisism for me is that it's a bit heavy after a while standing. Love it.

[@FretSuccess]

@@paulclooney7524 that's great to hear. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Paul

[@iisqw]

sorry might be a stupid question but which one would you recommend for someone with smaller hands and weaker fingers (love the sound on both but would prefer a slimmer neck)

[@FretSuccess]

@@iisqw they were similar from memory but I think the epiphone was slightly slimmer. The Ibanez was the better guitar though.

[@johnmarolakos9920]

Nice comparison of two fine guitars given their respective class. I purchased the Ibanez AM93QM about 6 months ago and have played it everyday since. It's a great guitar. The only thing I needed to improve was the very sharp fret edges. I spent a few hours filing them down and now the neck plays like butter. As described it's an excellent, versatile guitar. I'm happy with it. Well made with solid components. However, I find myself struggling with the voicing of the super 58's sometimes. I find them to be hotter than described. I haven't measured them but they just sound really hot to me. I lowered the pickups down a bit and that helped, but I still find them to be too bright and mid focused, lacking lows when playing chords. Perhaps I'm asking too much from a guitar in this price range. But I do agree the Ibanez handles gain really well. It rings beautifully even with full on fuzz. Yet on the other hand, I like the vintage clean sound of the Epiphone pick-ups a bit more, I think. : ) The thing is, my AM93QM seems to ring in the mids with a digital harmonic sound that I don't like sometimes. Perhaps I'll upgrade the pickups. Anyway, good review. All the best!

[@FretSuccess]

Interesting thoughts and appreciate you sharing your experiences. They were quite hot when I played it too. Very good instrument for the money. I thought they have great low end and clarity but I'm sure there's a variance in each one. Upgrading pickups can be a good idea. I think very highly of the lollar pickups if you're after something tried and true.

[@johnmarolakos9920]

Hello again, so here's an update on my Ibanez AM93QM now that I've played it everyday since last posting here. I love it! In this price range I don't think you can do better. And as suggested, I have considered upgrading the super 58 pickups, but, I've decided to just invest in another axe. Although, for the sake of betterment I've tweaked the polls raising some and lowering others just a bit, as well as finding the right hight of each pickup and I've found the sweet spots. She rings gloriously now, even through all my gain stages. She handles modulation well too. The tone and volume controls work splendidly as well. And yes, she is tight and articulate in the low notes or when playing chords. Again, it's a great guitar. All the best, John @@FretSuccess

[@FretSuccess]

@@johnmarolakos9920 that's fantastic to hear John. Good on you for persevering. Glad you have got it sorted. What you fancying for the new axe? 🪓

[@johnmarolakos9920]

@@FretSuccess Well, as for additional axes, while pursuing the Sam Ash store in NYC I came across a beautiful Transparent Orange, Gretsch Historic Streamliner with cat-eye sound holes, Filtertron pickups, and a bigsby. And Guess what?. It plays and sounds glorious and stays in tune. It's one of the last of its kind manufactured in the states - such a great instrument - brilliant sound and a very slim playable neck. I fell in love with it once I had it in my hands. The thing is, I was looking for a single coil guitar to replace an old Peavey I had for years. The Peavey never sounded that good, but it was fine for the low-fi, grungy sort of stuff I was playing years ago. So, I'm considering Fender Player series guitars, as well as PRS and Sire's. I didn't need or really want to buy another hollow or semi-hollow guitar with humbuckers, but, I fell in love with this Gretsch. Ha! As for a single coil axe, I was seriously considering the Sire Larry Carlton series. However, I heard somewhere on KZbin that the volume control on the Larry Carlton S style guitars cuts the high frequencies out of your tone as you dial the volume down. (Needs a treble bleed). Well, that would suck because I work the volume knob all the time. So, now I'm looking at the PRS Silver Sky SE's. I haven't played one, but, I've heard good things. Only problem with them is the head stock is ugly as sin. : ( The tuning machines look like they are made with cheap plastic. Anyway, my search continues. I might just end up with a player Series Tele or Strat. And I know every journeyman should have at least one of each, but, ha, I'm not a journeyman. : ) I'm just a guy who loves to play and record Music. : )

[@johnmarolakos9920]

@@FretSuccess Hello again, just wanted to follow up with some more thoughts on this Ibanez AM93QM with super 58's. I had said in a previous post that the super 58's are hot and that I was struggling with them. Well, as it turns out, for my guitar, the super 58's aren't really that hot. What they are is incredibly mid focused. Very mid humpy. And I eventually rectified this undesirable characteristic by dropping the Mids down on the EQ of my Fender Amp. I dropped the Mids way down, raised the bass all the way up, and placed the treble in the middle. This setting completely elevated the voicing of these super 58's. Now the guitar sounds awesome!!! It is a fine axe, now that I've found the right settings on my rig. Lesson learned. : )

[@StrummerVibes]

Will it sound good on my Fender Acoustasonic 40 Watt Amp?

[@FretSuccess]

They both sounded great on the three amps I chose to test on. Not sure on that amp but if it doesn't then it's time for a new amp as it's not the guitar that's causing the issue. Good luck

[@egarmo1]

just from the specs... Ibanez..solid top vs epi's laminated. Ibanez ebony on the fretbrd...Only the trademark Gotoh tuners give an edge to epi. Look. No flames or quilt on epi. No tourtoise. Sound.. subjective, but to me also Ibanez. I have ordered an Ibanez.

[@FretSuccess]

@@egarmo1 I think you made the right decision. Thanks for sharing

[@Blackjawreen]

Amazing tone of these axes brother

[@FretSuccess]

Yeah they are both good. Which did you prefer? Also any particular tone from either? The Ibanez high gain really was impressive. I'm now browsing Ibanez semi-hollowbody guitars lol. Uh oh.

[@Blackjawreen]

@@FretSuccess Man its obvious they both have very responsive sound .I chose the Ibanez am93qm. Wich is closer to the gibson 335

[@FretSuccess]

@@Blackjawreen nice man. Good choice. Wonderful to play also. Nice in the hands. Appreciate you dropping the comment!!

[@ChangoGuitarras]

Buena review, hermoas epiphone, new friend, Greetings. Chango

[@FretSuccess]

Thanks

[@grimoire7851]

ibanez more pro sound

[@marc-yv7cu]

Epiphone, seems to me a little aggresive and less musical, but it is porously subjective, of course

[@FretSuccess]

I completely agree. Thanks for the comment.