Ok, I started playing just over a year ago. I've always loved the shape of a Gibson SG, so just starting out and wanting a nice , but affordable guitar I bought an Epiphone SG G400 Pro. I thought it was the dogs nads ........until, I bought a cheap Yamaha Pacifica as a project to learn about the workings of an electric guitar. I stripped out all the electrics and pick ups and replaced them with upgrades, CTS pots etc. I even made myself a new scratchplate to house a Neck P90, which although only a Wilkinson Jobbie, sounds great. It sounds so much better than the SG. So swap the pick ups in the SG I hear you cry. Yes, well here's the thing. I've tried to love the SG but It's just not comfortable to play, either standing due to it being very neck heavy, or sitting, due to the nut being a country mile further away than the Yamaha. I do prefer the Gibson scale length over the Fender Strat type scale length though.
So I've made my mind up, the Epi SG has to go as I'm playing it less and less, so does my answer lie in a Les Paul shape? Is it less of a reach to the first fret on an LP? I guess the answer is to go and try one, but I thought I'd throw it out for your thoughts.
(Another thing I noticed is the SG sounds dead unplugged compared to the Pacifica. Maybe because I stripped the finish off the Pacifica and finished it with a water based satin varnish? I dunno)
Thanks all.
Comments
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Some people think Les Pauls are the ultimate in comfort - some think the same of Strats. One thing’s for certain - those two are ‘very’ different. Some people can easily swap between them - some (I’m in this camp) can’t.
I suspect there are many factors at play, including: what did you start with/are most familiar with? How tall are you? How long are your arms? How big are your hands? Do you mainly play seated or standing? Do you switch pick-ups/change volume/tone settings often?
(formerly customkits)
I like the top-fret access, although I always worry a bit about the strength of the neck joint. I like the overall look, layout and shape of the SG, although I always think the body looks just slightly too wide or squat.
But my favourite thing about SGs is the body contouring. It looks super cool around the horns, and the body edges don't get in the way at all - unlike the dished/carved top of an LP or PRS, which has a sharp edge to irritate the forearm.
If I tried to design an ideal guitar, it would have several SG-like features but it wouldn't look exactly like an SG.
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Bandcamp
https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_dc_junior_fat_faded_cherry.htm
Or this fella's even got Grover tuners.
https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_xt_22_black_cherry_flame.htm
I've seen a Gibson a similar colour to that (not sure if it was original). Mine is a gold-burst (have definitely seen a couple of those including an sg shaped one).
That one does look proper nice though!