Comparing 8 Gibson and Fender guitars on a Marshall Plexi
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- Опубліковано 26 січ 2025
- Gibson ES335, Les Paul, Flying V, Explorer, SG, fender Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster in a comparison - Shootout on a vintage Marshall Plexi. The guitars are:
1. 2016 Gibson ES335 (Burstbuckers 1+2)
2. 1973 Fender Strat
3. 2016 Explorer (496R+500T)
4. 2016 Fender Telecaster
5. 2013 Gibson SG Aged (Custombucker + Super distortion)
6. 2016 Fender Jazzmaster
7. 2008 Gibson Les Paul (Burstbucker1 + Custombucker)
8. 2016 Gibson Flying V (496R+500T)
through 1967/1968 Marshall Plexi 50W/1971 1960A 4x12 (cleans)
1968 Super Lead Plexi/1971 1982B 4x12 (dirty)
Clean
0:34 - ES 335
0:48 - Stratocaster
1:01 - Explorer
1:21 - Telecaster
1:41 - SG
1:54 - Jazzmaster
2:05 - Lespaul
2:24 - Flying V
Dirty:
2:43 - Stratocaster
2:54 - Flying V
3:02 - Telecaster
3:08 - Jazzmaster
3:20 - ES 335
3:26 - SG
3:36 - Les Paul
3:46 - Explorer
+Dmdmello Thanks! I appreciate that!
you're welcome!
3:08
3:27
that explorer had some HOT pickups in it
+Mox_au yeah! The 500T in the bridge!
I'm always amazed how crazy and "unmusically" the explorer looks on the one hand and how musically, harmonic and perfect it sounds on the other.
I was thinking the same thing until one day I went to buy a strat from a guy and saw an explorer on his wall. After testing the explorer I did not want the strat anymore.
Great tones all around! Not often you get to hear an explorer or a flying V played clean. I think the 335 was my favorite in this video.
+xMasterxRazorx thanks :-)
The dirty tones of the SG were awsome!
+JacknCocaine Thanks man, it's got an old Super Distirtion in the bridge
you gave me an idea now. i will get a used sg and throw in a super distortion.
I love the comparisons you do on your channel, Johan. This one included. It really is an educational service you're providing to us mere mortals who are probably never going to get the chance to hear the differences between these classic Marshalls, guitars, speakers etc that you show us. Bravo and thanks.
+Chris ACT Thanks Chris! Very glad to hear that. Cheers Johan
Was just watching this again. It would be really cool to see this guitar lineup but with a Fender amp like a deluxe reverb or such.
As always, you rock!
xMasterxRazorx exactly what I wanted to say, thanks!
I just started watching your videos. Totally awesome. Some of the best guitar tones I have ever heard. Thanks man.
+Corbin Hales Thanks Corbin! You make my day :-)
What a great video! Thank you for putting this together. The SG completely surprised me here.
+Justin Pasko Thanks man!
It's all about a great amp. It can bring out the best in a guitar. They all sounded really nice. I love this channel.
i think keeping the same settings between fender and gibson guitars doesn't work out well. VERY nice sound with all the gibsons but a little thin and wirey with all the fenders. Beautiful amp though, still dreaming of mine!
+Alexander R Starreveld Thanks Alexander, I agree either Fenders end up sounding thin or the Gibsons muddy.
Starreveld: Agreed. Settings is crucial to make one's guitar sound better.
The Tele sounded the thinnest of all, you got a little more bottom end with the Stra t and Jazzmaster. I noticed that you started getting that great bratty grit with the S G, V, and Explorer and full grit with the RD and the Paul.
That explorer sounded great!
+RokinLee I agree. Les Paul sounded good too
RokinLee it sure did I was actually surprised how good it sounded
Yeah, I was surprised at how good the explorer sounded as well. But nothing beats the les paul. The sg with the dimarzios comes close though.
I agree, same with the tele, strat, Les paul, sg, es, jazzmaster, and flying v
All great guitars, and some suprised me in a good way.
For me it is the SG, good for everything!
Thanks for the great video!
+Sander Groenhuijsen Thanks Sander!
Les Paul and SG are my favorites.
+Corbin Hales mine too :-) My goto guitars
I have never heard better tones on any UA-cam channel ever, not even on records these days.
+Hey! It's Me! Thanks, I appreciate it!
I love that flying v brother Johan!
Awesome videos my brother guitar man!
Cheers! Your videos are simply the coolest!
Another Day another amazing demo that just kills. Thanks Johan, awesome!! Very insightful for some folks who will NEVER get to put all these guitars side by side and capture the sound of each guitar decide what tone they want for themselves. I like 'em all, and can hear place for each of them. Great demo and keep'm coming, Cheers !!
Love the 335 and the LP, but that V is incredible sounding!!!
I love Les Paul's...I cannot have enough of them. With that being said, the SG dirty had it going on.
Today I learned that if I ever buy a jazz master that I should also purchase a boost pedal. That strat sounded so sweet at the beginning there. Absolutely beautiful sounds.
+Gareth Webb Thanks Gareth, yeah I really expected the Jazzmaster to be hotter than the Tele
Wow I wish my local music store would borrow to me. Keep up the videos man. Can't wait to see the next one.
Wow I wish my local music store would borrow to me. Keep up the videos man. Can't wait to see the next one.
+Johan Segeborn Everyday is a school day, Johan. It almost sounded like it was coming through a small AM radio through the clean sections there. Fun comparison. Cheers.
+Gareth Webb Cheers!
Actually heard the first riff in my head again and tried to remember the band so I could listen to it on
spotify.
Then accidentally came upon this vid again after a couple of months since I last watched it. Awesome creation, man.
Explorer sounded amazing...SG was really nice too. Great video!
+Gara M Thanks, glad to hear it!
I was blown away by the Explorer clean. It has a lot of twang for a Gibson with humbuckers, but obviously has that chunkiness that even heavier sounding Fenders lack.
that was such an ear pleasing demo and very informative. In the past I've criticized your tone, this was such an improvement.
Cleans on the Jazzmaster were lovely. Still saving for my own super lead but man your vids are making it hard to wait.
you "set the bar" high with another great video!
Awesome playing!
Awesome Tone!
And. nice hat.
Thanks, Johan!
+Mark Jaeckel Thanks Mark, so good to hear that!
as usual
a video masterpiece
thanks and all the best Johan !!
Great run-through Johan. It was cool to hear all the different voices of the different instruments. I'm partial to the Les Paul & Marshall combo, but I loved them all for different reasons.
I liked the SG dirty the best ! Thanks Johan ! : )
+Mitchell Ferre Thanks Mitchell, yeah it was quite thick sounding with the DiMarzio
That Sg was great!!!
Di marzio superdistortion,nothing better to rock
You're the only guy I know who can make a Gibson sound better clean than a Fender. Love your stuff!
Well they were designed from the ground up to be clean guitars
I probably like the 335 most, normally not a humbucker guy
+jtn191 thanks :-)
Agreed
Same. Need the 335 now
Evertyime I think of a combination, I always seem to find the answers here. Awesome Channel Johan, keep up the great work.
Keep up the good work Johan ! You are addicted to real analog and real staff, like as many subscribed to your page! We all are so proud of you ;)......Thank youuu !
Always enjoy your videos, thank you and keep up the great guitar work!
+Zach Johnson Thanks Zach!
Great show. I love my SG.
+Paul Montero Thanks Paul!
The Stratocaster sounds amazing! The Les Paul is great as well. It would be nice to hear some sort of P90 equipped guitar in the mix at some point. Maybe a later video.
Again Johan another brilliant and valuable video. I own a shit load of Marshall’s and of course a boat load of guitars
and this Video helped me dial in the sound of the Plexi with different guitars other than my 6 Les Pauls.
Thanks brother from another
Flaying V is the best guitar for clean stuff and blues!
With think and warm sound...and for high gain tone too!
I really liked the strat, that amp will make any guitar sound good!
+buzzsaw63 Thanks!
As always Johan superb. I'm equal parts delighted you share these amazing amps and guitars with us and jealous i can't get my hands on them! haha! Loved the almost Glam Rock section at 2.45. I was doing fills on low tuned saturated drums in my head lol.
+McSenna1979 haha! Thanks man :-)
The V really changed my perception of the instrument in this context.
Amazing how similar SG’s are to LP’s too.
The standout for me is the 335 and you can really hear it’s versatility shine through here.
Love this video and it also goes to show how guitar players only need a simple combo of great amp head , speaker cab plus any one of these to get TONE . Rock on Johan
Thanks man! You really help our lives become better!!! Rock on!
Great video Johan! I just found your channel and I am loving it! Keep it up Johan!
+Jacob Moustafa Welcome my friend! glad to have you here! Cheers Johan
Les Paul sounds so complete and best to me! Amazing video as always
+Misha T. Thanks Misha, yeah the LP is nicely balanced. Cheers Johan
+Johan Segborn I'm thinking about getting an LP, what would you say does an LP need to have such a nice balanced tone?
SG for me... Maybe Strat...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Explorer and Flying V are the only ones with ceramic magnet pickups, while the others have alnico magnet pickups. Personally, I love the sound of ceramic magnet pickups.
The 335 and (surprisingly) the V sounded great, especially clean!
+KnapfordMaster98 Thanks! :-)
A lotta blues guys play Vee's! You mightn't think so, but take notice, I'll bet you'll see them pop up blues scenarios more now that you've read this..
I like the explorer and flying v.
They have like a more bass sound and doesnt sound as bright and flimsy as the fender if you know what i mean. I still love fender tho
Very nice. You do some of the best comparisons on you UA-cam. Please keep them coming. Could you do a tweed deluxe 5e3 demo? Thanks in advance. Daniel. Australia.
+lilipearl1 Thanks! I have demoed the 57 Reissue here
ua-cam.com/video/69WI-dPwVA8/v-deo.html
If I get my hands on an original I'll do a clip :-)
Cheers
Johan
+Johan Segeborn thanks. I just watched it, and I got to do the 100👍. Thanks Johan.
Nice demo. Very useful. I liked the 335 & Flying V on the clean, SG on dirty, SG and 335 on the lead
Liked LP and ES. And that Flying V is surprisingly awesome! Are you sure it has same pickups as Explorer? Cause Explorer sounds like it's got much hotter pickups and has sort of scooped metal sound.
you're right 2016 Vs are loaded with 57s
+HotRats73 ah, that explains a lot.
I've checked right now. 57 Classic and BB3
+HotRats73 Thanks, I really liked the sound of the V. Maybe I'll put one of those BB3s in the LP
What an awesome video!! Great playing and tone!!
+Brad Parish Thanks Brad! Glad to hear it
I think the 335 is the winner in all cases
Izlamabadhoho please be serious for once in your life
thehomefront same here the es sounds great
for me SG and LP then 335 maybe
Made me miss my telli. Ive got all the rest.
Izlamabadhoho also les paul had same tone
IMHO and to my sound, in cleans: 1. Les Paul; 2. Strat; 3. Flying V. ; in crunch: 1. ESS 355; 2. Les Paul. 3. Explorer.
Another great video Johan. The tones that you get are lovely. I would really like to see/ hear you do a simple little bit of work with a firebird and that wonderful growling thunderbird bass as it's a combination i feel is shockingly undervalued for a hard rock or not too extreme metal sound.
+The Conrad Channel Thanks! I'll include the firebird in the next one. Am a big fan of T-bird too
+Johan Segeborn Great! I look forward to that!
Wowie, that V with the gain up is a chunky sound!
+jprg1966 yeah, all that meat without being muddy!
cool vid liked the es and the explorer did I miss youre vid with pleximaster on the marshall major
+rocknroor Thanks, the Pleximaster Interview is in the works
Honestly they all sounded great. Each was different - if only I could record a song used all of these guitars!
Just my $.02 -
For the clean sounds - on the Fender side, it's the Telecaster. On the Gibson side, I liked the 335.
For the crunch sounds - on the Gibson side, it's the Explorer. On the Fender side, I liked the Jazzmaster.
Honorable mention goes to the V.
+CV SoG Thanks!
I love this unadulterated guitar tone. To me, the stratocaster tone sounds best. Great rythm playing johan. Thanks for all those precious clips.
Love your vids! Great work.
Really nice comparison, Johan! I like the 335 a lot, and the Flying V surprised me! Kinda more versatile than I thought it could be. And I think it looks good on you:-)
+Mats Frånlund Thanks my friend, now I have to get a V! :-)
@3:13 it looks like the Jazzmaster's low E fell out of its groove messing up the string spacing.
+yeatzee7786 yeah, it was poorly set up with too low action as well. It wasn't fairly portrayed here. Cheers
String spacing on the Jazzmaster at 3:08 looks messed up.
Lovely stuff. The flying v sounded great... I'm a big fan despite never owning one and being into wishbone ash. I think the reduced mass around the neck and middle of the body, and the two separate prongs lend an interesting resonant element. Unfortunately so many have thinner necks and my big mitts cannot get comfortable. Do you know what the pickups where?
+PoJoWo I really liked the V too. It had BB3 in the bridge and 57Classic in the neck
I appreciate the fact that you play the same thing on each guitar
Love the guitars and the sound, great show ,thanks Mw
+mini0705 Thanks! Glad to hear it.
#1 explorer#2 strat #3 Flying V #4 tele #5 Gibson SG # 6 Gibson dot #7 Les Paul #8 fender mustang. There all beautiful and the amp's well.... My ear's are pleased!!
Sorry, 335 and jazz ! My mistake!
+Timothy A. Olmeda Thanks! Glad to hear it!
Nice job as always. Could you tell what you used for the recording chain. Thanks!
Thanks Chris! I used Two M160 Ribbons close mic and (room mic 9 feet out pointing up) into an Apogee Duet into an Ipad with Cubasis.
Hi Johan, i like the es335 best in this video, especially on the Clean Tones. Very warm but not muddy. One Question, have set up the amp for each guitar? I have a Super Distortion in the Bridge of my Strat and love it.
bye
Johan I'd like to ask what are your default dial settings and what are your favourite settings if they are different. You get a great top end sparkle that I just love. Or maybe its the mic and the room.
+Blakkstone Hexx Thanks, I like to max treble, mid, prescence and volume and set bass to zero for gainy tones. For crunch and clean I set it every knob to 22 o clock and work the guitar pots. So those are both default and favorite settings. With slight variations of course.
+Johan Segeborn Excellent your 2 o'clock setting are my personal favourite. I will try the all on ten and bass on zero for leads. Thanx much. I also sent you an email on your Gmail account... when you get the time of course.
Cheers Johan and thanx very much your videos provide so much information... incredible!
+Blakkstone Hexx Thanks! I'm gonna go through my mails this weekend. If I don't answer please write me again. There are so many mails so sometimes one is missed. Cheers Johan
Great as always! I reckon that you didn't alter the amps EQ when changing guitars? I loved the sound of the humbuckers but the singlecoil-models sounded a bit weak. Guess they could use a bit more bass and less treble. :)
+larsarnelana Thanks! Yeah I kept the EQ constant maybe a bit at the expense of the Fenders.
Amazing video.Thank you for sharing it with us.
+Atipam Thanks! Glad to hear it
This was the video I was waiting for! Thx a lot Johan, you the best! P.s. I wish there was a Lp junior also
+stipeur Thanks! I'll include a Jr inte the next one :-)
I like the most 335 and SG, but all are really good, thanks Johan.
+Dan Noc Thanks Dan!
Hello , could you tell me if the Gibson Explorer has ceramic pickups ? Maybe 496R and 500T ? Great vid as usual , thank you.
My worthless opinion is that the V seemed to be in the golden middle of them all. It was not too bright, not too muddy, not too hot, etc... Thanks for all that you do!
Oh man never thought I would like a tele into a 50w but that is it for me today
Could you do another demo with more dirty tones?
one example where you show us the same lick or riff for comparison and then a song example for every guitar. one they are especially known for. what i mean is that you play a hendrix style riff with the strat and some acdc riffs with the Sg
+ACDC1998Zippo I'll keep it in mind!
Hi Johan, love your videos and playing as always.
I know you've done it with speakers and the odd guitar, but would it be possible to compare vintage amps with their modern reissue counterparts, or modern amps that are not clones as such but in the same ballpark, e.g. the Blackstar Artisans and their new Artist series combos?
+alecboyyes Thanks! There's s 2005 Super Lead that's compared to 14 Plexis in this clip:
ua-cam.com/video/dSqGwEgEUgg/v-deo.html
I'm gonna compare a 2015 Marshall 1987X to a 1967 Marshall 1987 soon too.
And a new Zagray vs a 1968 Superlead.
I'll keep it in mind.
Cheers Johan
+Johan Segeborn Cool, will keep an eye out for those. The new Fender Bassbreakers are an interest concept also, Fender doing Marshall doing Fender! Would be interesting to see how they compare to the real thing, especially since you have no worries about turning up to 11!
the same settings when playing the sg and the es, at 3:30 or so?
+jurciks71 yes it was, but SG has a Super Distortion in the bridge and the ES has a BB2, so that's why the SG is gainier
Excellent!
I really love your LP but that ES335 sounded awesome
+Dee Dee Ramone Thanks :-)
Johan you are the best, greetings from MÉXICO city I don't miss you're work very imteresting keep rocking
Fantastic Video thoroughly enjoyed it 🤘🏼
A Firebird would be good! Were you using the guitar volume to get your cleans here?
+CIPHER hi, it will be included in the next clip. I had full volume and tone on all guitars for consistency. Some of them would certainly have benefitted from some tone adjustments on the guitar though. Cheers
+Johan Segeborn Cool.. I play a Firebird in to my Plexi, they don't get much love but they're definitely iconic. So you got cleans by dialling the amp back. Things can get thin very fast with a bright cap on these amps. Nice playing as always man! Cheers.
+CIPHER Thanks :-)
Hi Johan,
That SG is amazing. What year/model is it and what is the pickup you have in the bridge because I want one for my SG.
+Awesome2ThePowerOfSick Thanks, it's a 2013 SG Standard Aged, with a late 1970s Super Distortion in the bridge.
+Johan Segeborn cheers mate, I thought that pickup was something special and you've proven me right!
thanks for the video! I like the explorer the most actually, which I was not expecting
So much has to do with the particular style being employed, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this video. For me it comes down to either the Strat, the Paul, or the 335 -- depending on the technique used, the type of song, and the sound you are shooting for. That's just me. I know the other guitars have their fans.
+pnutbutrncrackers Thanks, yeah other riffs and amp settings may present them in another light. Cheers Johan
The first song you re playing is fantastic!
+Luca Ubaldi Thanks Luca, that's great to hear! :-)
The Vee and the SG rule - the rock rythoms are the evidence cant beat those tones awesome ....-
+Johnny Rushmore Thanks man, and the latest V:s from Gibson have improoved radically too
Yeah, you played them and Leslie West started flying out of the speakers! I forgot what a lovely sparkle a Plexi has clean...almost like a Fender Dual Showman with a little less presence.
All these tones are subjective lol. People saying this is better than that are crazy, I like the sound of the sg personally, its more of a preference to me. In the end its the fingers and soul doing the work. Great job. Loved the listen!!
+Adam Alward Thanks man, yeah they're just different flavors
Hey Johan. Just a quick question. How do you get all this equipment. Your in Marshall heaven. Thanks again for all the great videos.
+Corbin Hales I borrowed most of these guitars from 4Sound here in Gothenburg
What was the song you played for the clean tones? Loved the es335! Great Video!!
+cross Thanks! I was just trying to put a short revealing riff together. Cheers
Note that that particular model of Jazzmaster comes with some sort of P90 hybrid pickups, not "real" Jazzmaster pickups. Might explain why it doesn't sound a whole lot like a Jazzmaster.
Great Video! I liked the ES335 the best.
+covfox Thanks! :-)
The Les Paul Rules of course :-) I am often shocked at what a beast my strat turns into at louder volumes, then playing through smaller amps it becomes quite weedy sounding like the Fenders had a tendency to do in this vid. What model was the tele used here? Thanks Johan!!
+Gatpig Hi! It was the American Standard.
Hey Johan. Sorry to keep bugging you. I have a Jvm 410h. I watched your video on how to make it sound like a plexi. Do you remember what settings you were using. Thanks man. I do love my Jvm.
+Corbin Hales hi! No problem at all :-) I used the Overdrive 2 channel with very little gain and lots of volume and master, I maxed out resonance and mids. Bass almost 0 and about 5 on treble and prescence
Congratulations Johan! This video very interessant ...the different tonals ...very good friend !!! regard (Artur- i'm from Brazil !! ) ;)
I have a strat and a Telecaster but gibson+Plexi in your videos are breaking my heart. The Tele sound good but the strat sound is
skinny. Sorry my english is bad. Your videos are the best!!!GRACIAS!!!
+jejealin Gracias!
Next time add a Firebird! Amazing video though, great and effective comparison as always
Thanks Frank, I’m glad to hear it! And yeah the Firebird is indeed one of classics too
I think the 335 and the LP sounded best for me. Surprised at how good the explorer sounded though. I assume your favourite is the LP Johan?
+ferris5150 I liked the V best in this test actually. Cheers
Another great video 👍🏼 :)
+Jack Williamson Thanks Jack :-)