Head to head
Epiphone Masterbilt Gem Archer Sheraton vs Jackson Pro Origins 1985 Limited Edition San Dimas SD1 HS FR
The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HH against HS), and the scale lengths are not the same (24.75" against 25.5"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 28 rows that actually differ marked out.
Masterbilt Gem Archer Sheraton
Cherry Red, left-handed, with hardshell case
USA Gibson mini humbuckers in a semi-hollow — and, unusually, built left-handed
Pro Origins 1985 Limited Edition San Dimas SD1 HS FR
Yellow Bengal, ebony fingerboard
Jackson rebuilding its own 1985, down to the bengal stripes and the Duncan pair
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Epiphone Masterbilt Gem Archer Sheraton8.3
- Jackson Pro Origins 1985 Limited Edition San Dimas SD1 HS FR8.2
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| Masterbilt Gem Archer Sheraton | Pro Origins 1985 Limited Edition San Dimas SD1 HS FR | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Jackson |
| Model | Masterbilt Gem Archer Sheraton | Pro Origins 1985 Limited Edition San Dimas SD1 HS FR |
| Finish | Cherry Red, left-handed, with hardshell case | Yellow Bengal, ebony fingerboard |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.3 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Value for money | 7 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,000 - $2,000 | $1,000 - $2,000 |
| Type | Semi-hollow electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | Sheraton semi-hollowbody with solid maple centre block | San Dimas Style 1 solidbody |
| Body wood | 5-ply layered maple/poplar | Alder |
| Neck joint | Glued-in set neck | Bolt-on, graphite reinforced with scarf joint |
| Neck wood | One-piece mahogany | Maple |
| Neck profile | 1960s C | Speed Neck |
| Scale length | 24.75" (628.65 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Radius | 12" (304.8 mm) | 12" to 16" compound (305 mm to 406 mm) |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo | Jumbo |
| Nut | Graph Tech | Floyd Rose 1000 Series locking |
| Nut width | 1.65" (42 mm) | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) |
| Bridge | ABR-1 | Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo, top-mounted |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic with Milk Bottle buttons | Jackson sealed die-cast |
| Neck pickup | Gibson USA Mini Humbucker | Seymour Duncan Hot Rails SHR-1N |
| Bridge pickup | Gibson USA Mini Humbucker | Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 |
| Configuration | HH (mini humbuckers) | HS |
| Electronics | Passive, CTS 500K pots with Mallory capacitors | Passive |
| Controls | 2 volume, 2 tone | Volume, tone |
| Switching | 3-position Switchcraft toggle | Three-position toggle |
| Orientation | Left-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Advanced, Professional | Intermediate, Advanced, Professional |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Indie, Pop, Jazz, Funk | Metal, Rock, Prog, Punk |
| In the box | Epiphone hardshell case | Jackson gig bag included |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Best value
Epiphone Masterbilt Gem Archer SheratonHighest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.
Most versatile
Epiphone Masterbilt Gem Archer SheratonHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 Limited Edition San Dimas SD1 HS FRHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for rock
Epiphone Masterbilt Gem Archer SheratonStrongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.
Best for metal
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 Limited Edition San Dimas SD1 HS FRStrongest overall score among the instruments suited to metal.
Best for the studio
Epiphone Masterbilt Gem Archer SheratonBuild and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.
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