This 1996 Epiphone Sorrento in Sunburst is a lightweight, fully hollow electric from Epiphone's sought-after 1990s Korean production period.

Inspired by Epiphone's original 1960s Sorrento, this reissue combines a fully hollow maple body, set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and twin dog-ear P-90 pickups. The result is an open, lively instrument with plenty of acoustic resonance and the distinctive midrange bite associated with P-90 single coils.

At just 6.78 lbs, this individual guitar is particularly manageable for extended playing sessions.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a Coffin Case hardcase, it is an appealing option for blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, indie, alternative and players looking for something less conventional than an ES-335-style semi-hollow.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Epiphone
Model	Sorrento
Year	1996
Finish	Sunburst
Body Type	Fully Hollow
Body	Maple
Neck	Mahogany
Neck Joint	Set Neck
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	24.75"
Frets	22
Pickups	2 x Dog-Ear P-90 Single Coils
Electronics	Passive
Weight	6.78 lbs
Condition	Very Good
Included	Coffin Case Hardcase
Main Appeal	Lightweight '90s hollowbody with twin P-90s

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This 1996 Epiphone Sorrento is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the guitar shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

At nearly three decades old, some signs of age and previous use are naturally expected and form part of the character of the instrument.

What's Included?

✔ 1996 Epiphone Sorrento Sunburst
✔ Coffin Case Hardcase

No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.

The supplied Coffin Case is an aftermarket hardcase and is not represented as the guitar's original Epiphone case.

Condition Notes

• Very Good overall condition
• Sunburst finish
• Fully hollow construction
• Twin dog-ear P-90 pickups
• 6.78 lbs actual weight
• Coffin Case hardcase included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Epiphone has been checked for general operation and playability.

Assessment includes:

• Neck pickup operation
• Bridge pickup operation
• 3-way pickup selector
• Volume controls
• Tone controls
• Output jack
• Neck condition
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Frets
• Nut
• Tuning machines
• Bridge and tailpiece
• General hardware
• Hollowbody structural condition
• Overall playability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Bridge adjustment
• Hardware
• General playing feel

As a fully hollow wooden instrument, minor setup movement can naturally occur with changes in temperature and humidity.

What Makes The 1996 Epiphone Sorrento Special?

The Sorrento offers a distinctly different experience from the more familiar Epiphone Casino or Gibson ES-335 family.

Its single-cutaway fully hollow body and twin dog-ear P-90 pickups provide a lively, resonant response with considerably more acoustic character than a centre-block semi-hollow guitar.

The 1990s Korean reissues also have their own identity within the Sorrento story, combining vintage-inspired styling with straightforward construction and a particularly lightweight feel.

Fully Hollow Construction

Unlike a semi-hollow guitar with a solid centre block, the Sorrento has a fully hollow body.

This contributes to:

• Strong acoustic resonance
• Lively dynamic response
• Open clean tones
• Natural interaction with the amplifier
• Excellent touch sensitivity

It also means the guitar will react to higher gain and stage volume differently from a solidbody or centre-block design, allowing controlled feedback to become part of the playing experience.

Maple Body

The hollow maple body provides a clear, responsive foundation for the P-90 pickups.

Its tonal character works particularly well for:

• Clean chord work
• Blues
• Rock 'n' roll
• Jazz-influenced playing
• Indie
• Edge-of-breakup amplifier tones

Set Mahogany Neck

The Sorrento uses a set mahogany neck, providing the familiar glued-neck construction associated with many traditional Epiphone and Gibson designs.

Combined with the 24.75" scale, it offers a comfortable playing feel with slightly softer string tension than a typical 25.5" scale electric.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard features traditional dot position markers and 22 frets.

Its simple presentation suits the understated vintage character of the Sorrento.

Twin Dog-Ear P-90 Pickups

The Sorrento's two dog-ear P-90 single-coil pickups are central to its sound.

P-90s sit tonally between a traditional Fender-style single coil and a full-size humbucker.

They offer:

• Strong midrange
• Clear pick attack
• Warm neck tones
• Raw bridge-pickup bite
• Excellent dynamic response
• Natural interaction with overdrive

Because they are genuine single-coil pickups, some background hum at higher gain settings is normal.

Neck Pickup

The neck P-90 provides a warmer, rounder voice suited to:

• Jazz-influenced cleans
• Blues
• Soul
• Smooth lead work
• Warm rhythm tones

Bridge Pickup

The bridge P-90 delivers:

• More bite
• Greater attack
• Stronger upper-mid presence
• Rock 'n' roll rhythm sounds
• Cutting overdriven lead tones

Traditional Control Layout

The guitar uses:

• Neck Volume
• Bridge Volume
• Neck Tone
• Bridge Tone
• 3-Way Pickup Selector

This allows the two pickups to be balanced independently, particularly useful in the middle selector position.

Lightweight Feel

This individual guitar weighs just:

6.78 lbs

That makes it particularly comfortable for:

• Long rehearsals
• Extended live sets
• Seated playing
• Players who prefer lighter guitars

The low weight also reinforces the lively feel of its fully hollow construction.

Sorrento vs Casino

Both guitars are fully hollow and use P-90-style pickups, but their designs differ considerably.

The Sorrento features:

• Single-cutaway body
• Distinctive vintage Epiphone styling
• Different body proportions
• Its own visual and physical character

It makes an excellent alternative for players who like the concept of a Casino but want something less commonly encountered.

Sorrento vs ES-335-Style Guitar

A typical ES-335-style guitar has a solid centre block running through the body.

The Sorrento does not.

As a result, the Sorrento generally feels:

• More acoustically resonant
• Lighter
• More responsive at lower volumes
• More prone to interaction and feedback at high stage volume

Neither design is inherently better; they simply suit different playing styles.

Who Is It For?

Blues players – P-90 pickups and hollow construction provide excellent touch sensitivity.

Indie and alternative players – The Sorrento offers a distinctive sound and visual identity away from more conventional solidbody guitars.

Rock 'n' roll players – Bridge P-90 bite works beautifully through a driven valve-style amplifier.

Jazz-influenced guitarists – The warm neck pickup and hollow body provide smooth, rounded clean sounds.

Singer-songwriters – At 6.78 lbs, it is comfortable for long sets and provides an unusual tonal colour.

Vintage Epiphone enthusiasts – A genuine 1990s example from the Korean Sorrento reissue period.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Blues rock
• Rock 'n' roll
• Indie
• Alternative
• Jazz
• Soul
• Garage rock
• Americana
• Singer-songwriter
• Classic rock
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Effects-based rigs

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Fully Hollow Electric Guitar
Brand	Epiphone
Model	Sorrento
Year	1996
Production Era	1993–1997 Reissue
Country of Manufacture	Korea
Finish	Sunburst
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Body Type	Fully Hollow
Body Material	Maple
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Joint	Set Neck
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlays	Dot
Scale Length	24.75"
Number of Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	SS
Neck Pickup	Epiphone Dog-Ear P-90
Bridge Pickup	Epiphone Dog-Ear P-90
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic Style
Weight	6.78 lbs
Case	Coffin Case Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Production-Era Note

This guitar dates from 1996, during Epiphone's 1993–1997 Korean-made Sorrento reissue period.

These models revived the single-cutaway format of the earlier Epiphone Sorrento and combined it with:

• Fully hollow construction
• Twin dog-ear P-90 pickups
• Set mahogany neck
• Rosewood fingerboard
• 24.75" scale

Specifications could vary slightly during production, so this listing avoids attributing unverified factory details beyond those established for the model and this individual guitar.

Case Note

A Coffin Case hardcase is included.

This provides useful protection for transportation and storage.

It is an aftermarket case and is not described as the original Epiphone factory case.

Power Requirements

None.

The P-90 pickups and traditional volume/tone electronics are passive.

No battery or external power supply is required.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The 1996 Epiphone Sorrento in Sunburst is a particularly characterful choice for anyone wanting a lightweight hollowbody with more attitude than a traditional jazz guitar.

Its combination of fully hollow maple construction, set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and twin dog-ear P-90 pickups provides open acoustic resonance with plenty of midrange presence and pick attack.

At only 6.78 lbs, it is exceptionally comfortable to play, while the P-90s give it enough versatility to cover blues, jazz, indie, rock 'n' roll and more aggressive overdriven sounds.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a Coffin Case hardcase, this is an appealing survivor from Epiphone's 1990s Korean production period.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its condition and included accessories are represented clearly.

On this Sorrento, the 1996 production year, Very Good condition, 6.78 lbs actual weight and Coffin Case hardcase are all clearly stated.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing guitar could help towards the cost of this Epiphone.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your existing equipment could be worth towards this 1996 Epiphone Sorrento.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year is this Epiphone Sorrento?

This example dates from 1996.

Where was this generation of Sorrento made?

The 1993–1997 Sorrento reissue was produced in Korea.

What condition is this guitar in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

What finish does it have?

This example has a Sunburst finish.

Is the Sorrento semi-hollow?

No. This generation of Sorrento is fully hollow rather than using a solid centre block.

What body material does it use?

The body is constructed from maple.

What is the neck made from?

It has a mahogany set neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

It uses a rosewood fingerboard.

What pickups are fitted?

It has two dog-ear P-90 single-coil pickups.

Are P-90s humbuckers?

No. P-90s are single-coil pickups and may therefore produce some normal single-coil hum, particularly with higher gain.

How many frets does it have?

It has 22 frets.

What is the scale length?

It uses a 24.75" scale length.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 6.78 lbs.

Is it suitable for blues?

Yes. The P-90 pickups and fully hollow construction provide excellent dynamic response for blues and blues rock.

Can it handle overdrive?

Yes. P-90s respond extremely well to overdrive, although the fully hollow body can interact with the amplifier and produce feedback at higher gain and volume.

Is that feedback a fault?

No. Increased feedback sensitivity is a normal characteristic of fully hollow electric guitars.

Is it suitable for jazz?

Yes. The neck pickup produces warm, rounded sounds particularly well suited to clean jazz-influenced playing.

Does it require a battery?

No. The electronics are passive.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A Coffin Case hardcase is included.

Is the Coffin Case original?

No claim is made that it is an original Epiphone case. It is an aftermarket Coffin Case hardcase.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to see the Sunburst finish and individual condition or hear the P-90 pickups before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment.