Topic: Gibson SG - As good as more expensive models, but not as pretty?
A guy at the guitar center told me the $799 SG is as good musically as the higher priced Gibsons, just no frills, no gold plating, no lacquer finish. True or false?
- gitaardocphil
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Re: Gibson SG - As good as more expensive models, but not as pretty?
I think I have a similar SG, Gibson SG Menace. The coils have exactly the same name as the coils on the more expensive, but here they speak about SMOKEY COILS, still don't know what this means. I do know that the laquer finish is a proces that takes time, saw it visiting the Memphis factory, where the ES 335, and other (semi) hollow bodies are produced. It is impossible to believe that this treatment is cheap, but I see more and more Gibsons who can beat other "low cost" guitars.
Have a flying V also no lacquer, no covers where the coils are. Just wood, electronics, and strings.
It is a very good thing that people can finally buy a Gibson at lower cost, in stead of an Epiphone, with the same price. But and for you and for me, I think to be sure, is to enter a guitar store, taking a SG model with all the options, and to compare
[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color] AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]
Re: Gibson SG - As good as more expensive models, but not as pretty?
chuckyg wrote:
A guy at the guitar center told me the $799 SG is as good musically as the higher priced Gibsons, just no frills, no gold plating, no lacquer finish. True or false?
Well, it will sound good but as good no because the type of wood and the weight of the guitars. The tonal quailties will be different more sustain from the higher priced heavier guitar. The amount of $799.00 buys alot of guitar, their are great MIK's out there (made in Korea). Play a MK (michael kelly www.michaelkelly.com) you can buy one and still have about $ 150.00 to change pickups if you want.
Bootlegger.
4 2007-07-24 14:44:13 (edited by SGinCYQX 2007-07-24 14:45:09)
Re: Gibson SG - As good as more expensive models, but not as pretty?
gitaardocphil wrote:
I think I have a similar SG, Gibson SG Menace. The coils have exactly the same name as the coils on the more expensive, but here they speak about SMOKEY COILS, still don't know what this means. I do know that the laquer finish is a proces that takes time, saw it visiting the Memphis factory, where the ES 335, and other (semi) hollow bodies are produced. It is impossible to believe that this treatment is cheap, but I see more and more Gibsons who can beat other "low cost" guitars.
Have a flying V also no lacquer, no covers where the coils are. Just wood, electronics, and strings.
It is a very good thing that people can finally buy a Gibson at lower cost, in stead of an Epiphone, with the same price. But and for you and for me, I think to be sure, is to enter a guitar store, taking a SG model with all the options, and to compare
But, I can get a top of the line Epiphone with EMG Active pickups instead of a stripped-down Gibson with cheaper pickups. Sure it's an Epiphone, but the tone is better and it looks nicer
That said, the stripped-down Gibsons are sweet. I'm thinking about a faded V for my next guitar.
"You have to get over the love of power, and enjoy the power of love, in order to know peace."
-Jimi Hendrix.
-Jimi Hendrix.
Re: Gibson SG - As good as more expensive models, but not as pretty?
A Gibson SG can be an absolute tone monster (AC/DC comes to mind) but does it have the tone that you want? With some of the higher priced Gibsons you are paying the extra for fancy plating, bindings, trim and things that are labor intensive but do not always add to the tone. It really depends on what you want...if you want a really pretty instrument, that's valuable and will hold it's value, then spend lots of money for a higher end Gibson (or brand or your choice) If you want a player then find the sound that you want and go for it. It is fun to buy something lower priced and then hotrod or modify it until you achieve what you want. When talking to sales people remember that they are just that..."Sales People"... Look at and listen to what other musicians play and then think about the sound that you want...body shapes, woods, electronics, and even finishes all have an impact on the tone...
Middleaged Redneck sorta guy who refuses to grow up...passion for music, especially Southern Rock but like bout everything cept Gangsta/Hip Hop. Collect guitars, mandolins, and love to ride Harleys.
Re: Gibson SG - As good as more expensive models, but not as pretty?
sg=metal=ass ugly= really not worth it at any price
- gitaardocphil
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Re: Gibson SG - As good as more expensive models, but not as pretty?
I have a GIBSON SG MENACE, really a heavy metal guitar, and yes, I am always confronted with the fact that this is a "naked guitar".
The GIBSON SG STANDARD
Neck Pickups: 490R Alnico magnet humbucker
Bridge Pickups: 498T Alnico magnet humbucker
The GIBSON SG MENACE HAS:
Neck Pickups: 490R Smoky Coils w/brass stud
Bridge Pickups: 498T Smoky Coils w/brass stud
The GIBSON REISSUE 61:
Neck Pickups: '57 Classic humbuckers
Bridge Pickups: '57 Classic humbuckers
The GIBSON SG SPECIAL FADED:
Neck Pickups: 490R Alnico magnet humbucker
Bridge Pickups: 490T Alnico magnet humbucker
I have a special thank to my friend BOOTLEGER, who lreaned me a lot about thes guitars.
They look very similar, but comparing a regular 498 alnico humbucker with a 498 hot alnico, you will have a specially wound coil combination, to get the 498T "Hot Alnico." With its higher output and emphasis on mid-ranges and highs, the 498T is the perfect rock pickup.
I hope I could help with this answer. So Gibson sells SG models, "stripped", no special, and more expensive extras, you can buy a real SG for a still expensive, but reasonable price. There is also no lacqier used, I had the opportunity to watch that process used in the Gibson plant in Memphis Tennessee where the hollowbodies are produced. You buy a ticket there (10$), and once they have 5-10 people, they show you the fabrication process. Hollow bodies or heavy Les Pauls, the way they treat them is the same. The lacquer process takes time, (compare it with a car), and is "crucial" in the production, and I think that the $$$ price is determined by that process.
[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color] AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]