People say the name on the headstock means nothing, but if you ran down Christmas morning circa 1980 wanting a Mongoose or a Redline and saw a Huffy, you would know that's not true. The best guitar is the one that makes you want to wake up extra early to play it. If the name does that for you, then it's important.
So we are doing analogies....I buy glocks because they say that Name...and that Name doesn't jam. So if some asshole breaks into my house and tries to rape my daughter he is getting shot in the face. Or I could by a hi point or a Jennings and have it jam instead. Then I'm dead and my daughter is still raped.. names mean quality for a reason.
@@theguitaristas Most of my life I wanted a Gibson Les Paul, then my head told me to listen to my hands because my heart was being a damned fool...lol. Unfortunately, advertising hype can be very inspiring!!!
My friend i just want to say a massive thank you for all the effort you put into these reviews your work easily became my favourite on youtube ! These videos are very informative and also very relaxing for people who love guitars so again big THANK YOU and i wish you all the best ! Richard from Slovakia
The sound out of that Custom is amazing. The Standard is brighter and more "clear", more "naked", but the warmth of the Custom sounds so much more expensive. Great review, thanks a lot!
@@michaelcantinieri7890 I have a 2010 Epiphone Tribute Les Paul with the Gibson USA '57 Classic/Classic Plus pickups ( stock ) that easily stands toe to toe with my 94 Gibson Les Paul. I love 'em both for different reasons the same way that I have more Strats then I'd like to admit to. A great guitar is a great guitar no matter the name on the headstock.
@@michaelcantinieri7890 this guitar is essentially a Gibson with an Epiphone logo on it, the pickups are Gibson burst buckers and the electronics are CTS with a Mallory capacitor. It’s definitely not a step down, at all!
Great to hear the comparison from an SG master such as yourself. That Custom looks so good! Of course, if a proper pukka Gibson comes up for a good price you just have to don't you, but otherwise I'm in love with that Custom
Most of my used Gibsons were bought simply because they were the right price and ‘I just had to’… they do have a way of finding their way to you if you keep a lookout! 😎👍
Most of the Epiphone SGs I’ve played in the played in the past couple years have sounded really close to the Gibsons. The feel of the neck and knobs were noticeably worse in the epiphones. But I think most players can learn to make some cheap upgrades to lessen the gap. A great amp is where it’s at. Spend 300 on the epiphone and 1700 on the amp.
I have a 61 Epiphone SG Les Paul. 900.00. it sounds fantastic, but the frets are shit. Won't take long, you'll be digging into the fretboard. I play other guitars so I don't wear it out right away. Get ready for a fret job. weak. You're going to spend more money, so get jumbo's. It just sucks that 900.00 wasn't enough.
The only way you can go wrong is by laying them down on their backs and risking headstock breakage!!! I can't even lay mine down on the edge of the bed with the end sticking out because it still gets knocked into or starts sliding off towards the floor!!!
Greetings Guitaristas, The SG was my very first guitar I ever bought. I was 17 yrs old and it was in a pawn shop The beauty was a 61 real deal in a gorgeous burgundy finish the case was in pretty good shape. And the shop owner was kind enough to let me pay on it as I went. So it took me almost 2 yrs to get it payed off. But tenacity and determination payed off. And oh what a glorious day. It’s been a very long time since then. But I thank you for your Chanel it has been such a breath of fresh air! Wishing you well. Cheers!
@@theguitaristas sadly no Brad. Wishing I could have had been better funded for a more enriching life,,lol But I got a reissue never be the same. But it will do just fine.
@@pskemster Let's hope its' still going strong and remains cherished! I'm Colin btw... you were probably thinking of Brad the Guitologist who of course we all love... I am a bit like him but my only agenda is Guitars! 😆👍
Great video as always. Love the channel. There are some slight differences in tone in my headphones. But played through my phone they all sound almost exactly the same. I think I’m a true band mix you’d struggle to tell one from another.
Despite the fact you do some of the best video's on UA-cam, you're a guy I'd just like to have a beer with and hangout. THANKS for the time you put in and you casuals but brilliant approach to you vids. SO GOOD!!
Great to hear. I recently started to play and went with an Epi 60's Maestro Vibrola. My thoughts were that if I stick with it I'll treat myself and upgrade to the real Gibson eventually. Although I do still want that Gibson name on the headstock, it may not really be an upgrade. I love my Epiphone sg so far.
Cheers man, good choice of guitar to start learning on 👍 as you say it’s good to aspire to that Gibson but maybe not so much of an upgrade as an ambition… but whatever makes you want to play is what matters most! 😎🎸
Thank you so much for making your reviews Accessible for those of us that can't see too well, but play guitar. I always look forward to watching your channel.
SG's are just special regardless of variations. My Epiphone SG Classic Worn with P90's is stellar! P90's, Humbuckers, Vibrolas or whatever, they're great guitars. Your sound comparison (at least what I could hear) was very similar sounding. The first two seemed identical. The third had a little more brightness and the last one seemed to have a touch more growl. Which was which, I don't know at all... I love all of them, but then they're SG's! Cheers...
I have the Epiphone Classic Worn with P-90s, too. It is a very good guitar. Notice that there are two versions, one with a wrap-over tailpiece and the angel wing scratch plate (Faded Pelham and Sparkling Burgundy) and one with an ABR bridge and a stop bar tailpiece, which I have (it comes in Cherry Red and Inverness Green and has the bat wing scratch plate). I also have a brand new Epiphone Standard '61 SG which I like very much as well. They say that the neck joint of the SG Standard is more chunky than that of the Standard '61. But I don't know how much really. The neck profile of the P-90 SG is even thinner than that of the '61 Standard.
Thank you so much for your super cool in-depth reviews. Based on this review, I got a Ebony Epiphone SG Standard for only 310 Pounds (a B-STOCK). I put in treblebleed, and also I installed a 'freeway switch', that allows me to have 6 settings (basicly 3 extra settings: both humbuckers in series (in and out of phase), and parallel out of phase) -talk about a tone monster. I was used to playing a 1978 Gibson L6-S with a similar slim neck, but this new SG feels so much better to be honest.. Keep up the Excellent reviews!
You sir are a treasure, thanks for making such a great informative video. I just picked up a new Gibson standard SG and it would fit in well with all those SG’s you compared. I personally feel I can hear the difference between Epiphone & Gibson, pickups anyhow, so I feel confident in my blind test analysis. A. Epi Std. B. Epi ‘61 C. Gibson Std D. Epi Custom. Cheers, to a new subscriber!
Great review and comparisons! And you are 100% correct about older Epiphone’s vs ones produced in say, the last 3 years. I used to have an Epiphone G400 (I have no idea why they called their SG that, but whatever) that I bought new in about 2010. And while it was decent, my 2021 Epiphone SG Custom blows that guitar out of the water. Better fit, hardware, pickups, everything. The one thing the G400 had that I really liked was a satin finish. But the Custom appointments of my new SG are beautiful. It’s a GREAT guitar.
I’ve got a 2006 61 Les Paul Custom (SG) made in Korea at the Unsung factory that is simply flawless! It came fitted as standard with Grovers and the neck/action is as good as if not better than any Gibson I’ve ever owned. I’ve fitted a Maestro trem to it mainly for aesthetics, but feel the addition of a Tonepros roller bridge would improve its operation. Think it could also benefit from a pickup upgrade and am leaning towards some Dimarzio 59’s, my favourite PAF clones but will probably only change the neck and bridge initially and probably leave the middle one stock.
This makes me want to try the custom. I don’t know why the headstock is so important to me, but it is. The binding on the headstock seems to get me there with the epiphone.
The Custom has a smooth black ebony fretboard, rather than that Indian laurel full of pores, feels and looks much better, and I prefer the block markers to the Standard's, plus the beautiful diamond on the headstock. Mine has all the hardware upgraded with chrome, only the bridge and stop bar mounts are still gold. Kluson tuners with tulip knobs. Gotoh bridge and stop bar tailpiece. Switchcraft switch and jack added to stock CTS pots. Gibson '61 pickups (most important) added, but the stock pickups don't sound bad. A black SG Custom is my choice, and with the upgrades it's better than the '61 Standard reissue. It even says "Les Paul Custom" at the base of the fingerboard, covering the long tenon neck set. And the binding on the headstock of course (bling-bling-bling)!
This is probably one of the best guitar shootouts I've heard in a long time! Kudos Colin. A very complex, comprehensive and honest video. The neck and pickup tables are just insane, love that special nerdy touch. The Epis are just incredible value! I'd probably go with the 61 or Custom soundwise, also I don't like the batwing pickguard with no pickup rings on the standard... Visually I prefer the black custom, excluding the gold hardware. Concerning the blind test, I'll probably make a fool of myself as they're close, but let's try A (which I probably liked best) is the 61, B is custom, C is standard and D the Gibson. Rock on and thanks for so much SG love 🤘
After 30yrs of guitar playing my SG cherry has finally been popped. I'm now the proud owner of a Epiphone Tony Iommi SG. Very impressed with the Epiphone build quality and the P90's are just killer!!! -- thanks Colin for the inspiration!!!
@@thepatriot4355 I haven't tried them all but putting a maple cap on an SG changes the way they sound... and not in a better way imho. One reason I love SG's is because they sound different to their maple capped Les Paul brothers! ✌
I have a 2003 ebony gibson SG standard, I got it for 300 quid in 2015 (it has a professional neck repair and as a lefty it's sometimes cheaper). It's an incredible guitar, I feel so lucky with it. The weight is perfect- no neck dive- beautiful case and sounds and plays incredible.
They all sound great. Owning a Gibson is on my bucket list. If i was in the market the Epiphone '61 comes with a hardcase with a pink interior that's definitely tempting though.
I own 5 SG´s. SG 61 Reissue in natural burst (limited edition) SG Standard in cherry red SG Special in black SGJ with 24 frets Epiphone SG Custom (lives in the band rehearsal room) The SG I play the most is the Special, which I paid 550€ used for. It got the perfect neck shape for me. The 57 Classics are doing a great job. There is something about the sound of this guitar I can´t explain. I would never ever trade or sell this guitar for a Custom. Never. Bindings and inlays are just cosmetics. You can´t hear that on a record. Well, bindings... I mean... if the tone wood believers would take it seriously they should go with a Special. A Standard/Custom got less wood because of the bindings and the inlays... and if Standards or Customs are better than Specials there must be something about the binding... hmmm... and if thats´s the case luthiers should build guitars from plastic because plastic sounds great! Tone is in the fingers. There might be something about the sturdiness of the neck -> less material = more wobbliness = always out of tune Good Pickups and a good setup are important... and practice. practice makes perfect. My advice to people who start out with the electric guitar: Don´t get fooled by a brand on a headstock because there is no magic wood or wire... it´s just marketing. To the tone wood believers: You cannot disable the laws of physics! Not in this universe! Deal with it! ...but go ahead and spend thousands of ca$$$h on a guitar. I buy your used gear you need to sell ...and I will buy it at a fraction of the original price :)
I actually think the 61 and the Gibson come the closest in sound. They all sound great. Good video! We seem to have a lot of common ground, which one would personally choose? The custom or 61? I’m caught between the two.
I bought a 1979 aria pro ii SG. I put P90s in it replacing the original dimazzio humbuckers. It’s now my proper Heavy Metal guitar. I know people like to claim it’s humbuckers and distortion but early sabbath is p90 and fuzz. So it’s absolutely nailing the sabbath. It cost me $700AUD. So roughly £375
In the sound bites I could hear a sound difference but could not tell you witch guitar it was they all sounded great . This video has helped me decide witch guitar I will buy ! Thanks you've been a great help
I just got an Epiphone SG last week off of Facebook Market Place for $75. I have 22 guitars at the moment, my intention was to flip the guitar for $250-$300. I was blown away when I played it. It is an amazing guitar. I have several Gibsons, Fenders and PRS guitars and was surprised at how well the Epiphone stacked up. Some of my guitars are really expensive but I think a lot of it is paying for 10 Tops and fancy bindings. The Epiphone is just a solid, great playing guitar. I’m keeping it.
Thank you, Colin, that was just what I was looking for to help me in making my buying decision (even if I still remain undecided, but I am sure will be happy with any of them) and none of your playing is a (dog’s) dinner. Really appreciated and yours are the most down to earth, enjoyable review videos on YT.
Another excellent film! I won't even hazard a guess as to which is which. I can hear slight differences but nothing that would make me pick one over the other. I received my Epiphone SG Custom on Monday and can hardly put it down. It sounds wonderful, looks amazing, and it plays remarkably well. Not even a single high fret to complain about! Epiphone quality control in 2021 has been fantastic and is possibly giving Gibson a run for their money. Thank you for another entertaining and informational video!
Solid review! You can always trust an SG to give you the horn, bevels or no. My fave was the Epi custom for both sounds (reminded me of early Santana) and the look. So for what it’s worth: A - Epi Std, B - Epi ‘61, C - Epi Custom and D for the Gibbo. But they all sound good 👍🏼
Just bought a used 2013 SG Special Cherry with Kill switch and you have a new convert to the SG family! Changed the strings and cleaned/tuned it up (previous owner put stickers on it and never maintained it) It plays way above its price point! Thank you for your informative and entertaining videos.
As always great review, about the clips for me is hard to tell which is the real guitar in each one, I think just like you, all sounds really good. This week I got my sg les Paul 1962 epiphone CW and right away I fell in love. Thanks and I see you the next week.
To answer your question of timbers. Most import guitar companies use Natoh when they say mahogany. Usually it's called Eastern Mahogany. Gibson uses Khaya from Africa. Now this is where it get's tricky with Epiphone. A lot of their earlier builds (especially SG's) Used 3-4 piece Basswood/Agathis bodies with a mahogany veneer on both sides. post 2010's this doesn't seem to be the case and I can confirm they are using different woods for their "Inspired by Custom Shop series"
Your fantastic the way you explain your thoughts on guitars. Guitarists can fully understand the way you describe different guitars. Keep up the fantastic work your a legend.
You just made my weekend... (Edit: In a close field, the Epi Standard remains undefeated!) (That top end bite... my other favourite model is the Tele.)
Thanks much for an excellent comparison. Just a week ago I bought the IBG SG Standard in white. I had no color preference, but I bought this one as it was an outlet sale and I got it for just $320 US (2 knobs were busted and it had a tiny chip on the headstock) from an on-line big box store. Furthermore, I'm a lefty. To my delight, the pots were wired counterclockwise for a correct lefty rotation. I have owned many Gibson's previously and all their USA lefty's have a right-handed pot rotation. Very frustrating! I am very pleased with the Epiphone. It sounds great and plays very well. An excellent buy which is currently $499 US. Thank you.
Great video thank you!!..... I've tried a few sg guitars over the years and never really got on with them, being a les paul man. But I tried a Gibson 61 reissue back in August. Fell in love with it, and took it home....... the rest is history. Lol 👍👍👍
I found the same thing, I got re issue Wilshire which is what considered to be a precursor to sg guitar. Having identical layout and a similar asymmetric design. What I find I like about these guitars is thier simplicity and lack of weight. Sure your never going to prise my Joe competition 58 custom from hand but I dig both of the sounds. I'd say the thickness of a Les Paul gives it that unmistakable beefy sound that no other guitar can touch but thin body of a sg type guitar had uniqueness of its own more bite is how I'd describe it.
What's funny to me, is all the sound experts on youtube that pick apart Epiphone's sound. If you went to a club where a guy was wailing away on an Epi, you wouldn't care one shit what he was playing if it sounded good. I think you do an OUTSTANDING job at pointing out how good these and other brands sound, and do so at an affordable price. I still want a Gibson SG, but proudly play all my Epiphone's. Great video man.
Relatively new (but decidedly 55 year old) beginner guitarist here. I really love and value your approach to, and style of, content, Colin, so thank you. My best guess: Gibson, '61, Custom, Standard.
Great video as always! My own guess for the blind test (I've paused it there and am commenting before the reveal) are: A.'61 Epi, B.Gibson, C.Custom, D. Standard. Very difficult to tell to be honest, and that's not a slight against Gibson, it's praise for Epiphone! EDIT: There's no reveal (or did I miss it?) Don't leave us hanging lol!!
@@voyager7 We will definitely get there... problem is too many guitars and ideas! But we are in this for the long haul so stick with us and all will be rolled out in time 😎
In my opinion it's a mistake that Epiphone uses plug-in wiring on so many of their guitars. Many of us regard Epiphone guitars as great platforms for modding and changing stuff around. Handwired pots should be the way to go, in my opinion. Love your videos, mate.
You must have read my mind because this is the video I was wanting to see. I bought the Epiphone SG Custom shortly after your video about it (commented to you about it). I have been curious about how it compares to the other SG's. I think I made the right choice for me. It does sound a little darker and I like that. Nice job as always with the comparisons. Always a pleasure. Cheers!
I have a 1972 Gibson SG special & I received a Chinese SG fake Gibson to add a few bits & prices for a friend. It had a Vibrola unit & I replaced the standard type bridge with a roller bridge. I also replaced the pots ( they were mini pots ) with standard pots & I replaced the selector switch with a Gibson type switch. I set it up & the intonation was spot on, to my surprise. I then played both through my Fender Twin Reverb & I just couldn't separate the two. Sound & playability were impossible to the difference.
I fell in love with the sg ....u tend to actually use the tone and volume knob to shape ure tone with this guitar ...as it actually has some great tones ,a legendary guitar on its own ,I highly recommend the epiphone sg 👌 !!
My futile guess, how'd I go? Les Paul SG (Clip B), SG Custom (Clip C), SG Standard (Clip D), Gibson SG Standard (Clip A) Great work as always, very enjoyable watch!
Hello again Colin....just got out my 2010 SG (GIBSON). I dont have anything to compare it too but it is really a fine player. Enjoy your pace & brogue of British slowness. The dissection of innards is fun to see. Most reviewers just want to run scales at 90 mph. Compare a 200 buk firefly to a Gibson. (So wrong). Give away the cheap one they really dont want or didn't pay for just for a promo review. You own most of your stuff. Keep um coming dude....☺
Cheers Mark, that’s really appreciated! 🙏 yes I am trying to do it a bit differently here and in fact I own all the stuff I review and aim to keep it that way… it’s hopefully more about entertainment and enjoying guitars than selling them. I have a subscription channel theguitaristas.vhx.tv which helps support keeping UA-cam sponsorship and shills free! 😎👍👍
Friday at noon ! Best moment of the week ! Thank you for all the things you do in all your videos. Beacause of you, i bought a squier mustang that I never look at before. And because of you, i will sell my epi les paul tribute plus to buy an sg, the epi special with p90 you tested months ago. Thanks for the open-minded you bring to me. Cheers from France !
1.Clip - Epi CUSTOM 2.Clip - Epi Standard 3.Clip - Epi 61' 4.Clip - Gibson In general - You're awesome, I adore your videos so so much! Stay just the way you are! BEAUTIFUL
Besides the common neck dive issue (that thankfully can be remedied) I think the SG might be the perfect guitar. I love the channel btw, you're very thorough and very honest.
I think the SG is an evolution from the Les Paul in many ways, and obviously, Gibson agreed! It was only popuar demand that had them revert back to the classic LP design!
Love the 61! You could play each of those guitars live on stage over the course of a night and not one person on the crowd would know the difference in sound. We guitar players just like to have our peers believe we have "the" ear!! ") Love this channel more and more!! Jack ~'()'~ Canada
@@theguitaristas Very much deserved brother, I love your honest, sensible assessments and opinions, and very much appreciate that you don't get into goofy esoteric arguments or statements of "fact" only comprehensible by those ingesting monstrous fistfuls of lysergic acid diethylamide washed down with copious, yet delicious Tequila!! If Tequila were sentient, it would be disgusted being consumed by such "ignant" folk! ") Certain claims draw sweet, sweet "tones" of baited coin dropping in the little shit monkey's tin cup echoing down the long, deep, dark, foul smelling halls of "Mordor Lutes for Louts" sales-room!! DUN DUN DUNNNN!!!! Jack ~'()'~
@@bronzesnake7004 Cheers man, you're right on that front... Obviously I've been known to lick and sniff a bit of nitrocellulose myself in the past, but sometimes you just have to wake up and smell the coffee! 😎
Not quite as nice as any of these, but I recently bought a used Epiphone SG Special E1 for 110 bucks and it has single handedly converted me into the SG being my new favorite. The way it sounds and feels to play I've loved far more than the Squier Strat I have. Its technically the exact same price new as my Strat, but I swear the Epi is on another level quality wise. I've also learned to absolutely love the slim D shaped new. Fits my hand perfectly.
Cheers man… glad you found your way to the SG owners club and $110 has got to make it even more enjoyable! You should gig that if you get chance just to prove a point! 😎👍
Colin you can have all the "Slack" you want. I get so much joy from you and your channell. I bought my first gibson this past summer (LP) and still love it. you definitely have me sold on the SG. I honestly dont know what one to buy so I have decided to wait for the best deal or one that grabs me. Thanks for all the great content. God Bless
Love the SG! Still my favourite model guitar to play. I have both an Epiphone and Gibson and with the same pickups installed in either one of them they come very close soundwise. The Epiphone does seem to have a slightly darker sound whereas the Gibson has an ever so slight bit more sparkle in the top end, which i think might be down to the thickness of the finish above all else. The gibsons finish is about half a millimeter tops and the Epiphone is nearly 1.5 millimiters thick. You can hear it when you often play them and compare but it gets lost in the mix when heard with other instruments. The biggest difference to me is the neck shape and thickness, the gibsons neck is a bit thicker and more rounded (probably like your 2010 standard) which is more comfortable for the days when my fingers feel a little stiff and also great for chords. The thin neck on the Epi is great for fast playing and solo's. Both play and sound great, but the smell of the Gibson..🤤 I did notice not all Gibsons smell the same though.. I don't know if anyone else experienced this? My LP BFG smells like vanilla, my LP tribute smells like cookies, SG a bit of a mix between cherries and vanilla and my goldtop deluxe just faintly smells of solvent, which was a bit disappointing compared to the rest.. Im getting a bit off track again.. Love the video's, keep it up!
@@theguitaristas Like as with those whisky tastings you mean? Smell, slight sourness slight hints of cherry, closely followed by the sweet welcoming smell of vanilla. Taste, A bit crumbly and flakey, with some hints of solvents. Not very smooth on the tongue. After taste, A bit sharp going down the throat and a bit harsh on the stomach. 😋
That's a interesting take on wood Colin. You're completely correct we don't know for either Gibson or Epiphone where the wood is sourced. This true with most manufacturers too and I don't think it benefits them to not tell us what where getting. It just allows for misinformation. So the the idea that Epiphone wood is inferior is just misinformation, at best you can say we don't know. I'd argue that given Gibson buying power why wouldn't Gibson buy wood in bulk. Epiphone and Kramer have big competition these days so it be no a brainer to use their buying power to outcompete the competition. I understand Epiphone and Kramer has had fair criticism in past, but Gibson new ownership is giving these iconic brands the respect they deserve to which we all benefit. Your video shows the difference is basically negligible. Brilliant video as always Colin. I do hope that Epiphone rep contacts you. There is a old factory tour of Gibson China plant where Epiphone guitars are made but it's very outdated. if you search Epiphone factory tour on UA-cam you should find it.
Thanks Sionyn, I saw that old factory tour and it definitely needs updating! I’m quite serious about trying to find out more about this stuff so we’ll see what’s possible! 😎👍
Great post Colin, really enjoyed it, never owned a SG....yet lol, I couldn't really tell the difference between them. Ive only ever played an SG junior that belonged to a guy I worked with and loved it. Thanks for sharing all your guitars with us. Take care, have a good weekend man.
Just for the record, the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard and the 'Epiphone SG Standard '61 are different guitars with different pickups. 1961- Gibson BurstBuckers 2&3 and the '61- Epiphone ProBuckers 2&3. It may be a bit confusing to some when you refer to the 1961as a '61. Great review by the way. Thanks.
Thank you for another fine review, you sure do have a few SG's! I could not tell a lot of tone difference in the test. You have piqued my interest in getting an SG thought, appreciate the demos and information and opinions. Really enjoy the channel!
It’s interesting ‘cause my 2012 came originally with printed PCB board ! I always thought it would be hand wired but it’s not Thank you so much for your work! This channel was my best find this year ! Keep up the great work!
Colin your content superb as usual convinced me of the batwing standard Epiphone as a tele player I appreciate the brightness in white you may add never thought I would like that colour it’s grown on me by watching your excellent channel a must watch every Friday Thanks Mate
So I wrote a bunch of stuff while watching and as a muppet, I should have waited to the end since you covered it all. Cheers mate, thanks for sharing your love of the SG with all of us. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to figure out a little more time to practice instead of fondle my guitars.
@@theguitaristas Colin we have one of these arriving tomorrow if snow doesn’t bring the UK to a standstill overnight 🙏Epiphone 2003 Lynyrd Skynyrd 30th Anniversary Gold Top Les Paul Standard .
People say the name on the headstock means nothing, but if you ran down Christmas morning circa 1980 wanting a Mongoose or a Redline and saw a Huffy, you would know that's not true. The best guitar is the one that makes you want to wake up extra early to play it. If the name does that for you, then it's important.
Hahaaaaaa WITH you on the bmx analogy!!!!! (Still want a Redline, Hutch, GT pro series Team)
Very very true… you got to buy with your heart and not your head 😎👍
So we are doing analogies....I buy glocks because they say that Name...and that Name doesn't jam. So if some asshole breaks into my house and tries to rape my daughter he is getting shot in the face. Or I could by a hi point or a Jennings and have it jam instead. Then I'm dead and my daughter is still raped.. names mean quality for a reason.
mongoose sucked balls
redline hydrogen filled frame, made it lighter
@@theguitaristas Most of my life I wanted a Gibson Les Paul, then my head told me to listen to my hands because my heart was being a damned fool...lol.
Unfortunately, advertising hype can be very inspiring!!!
Your guitar evaluations are second to none. Your playing is Peter Green and you're languid pacing is right on. Helps me unwind
Cheers John, thanks for the kind words it’s very much appreciated! 😎👍
I follow a lot of channels about guitars but you are the best, thank goodness, you are a real rocker
God blass you !!!
@@rooster4906 Thanks man that's really nice of you and very much appreciated! 😎👍
My friend i just want to say a massive thank you for all the effort you put into these reviews your work easily became my favourite on youtube ! These videos are very informative and also very relaxing for people who love guitars so again big THANK YOU and i wish you all the best ! Richard from Slovakia
Hey Richard, thanks so much for the kind words and support it is much appreciated... I am very pleased you are enjoying my stuff! 😎👍👍
The sound out of that Custom is amazing. The Standard is brighter and more "clear", more "naked", but the warmth of the Custom sounds so much more expensive. Great review, thanks a lot!
My takeaway is that I'm amazed at how great the Epi pickups sound. Brillant stuff.
It will always be a step down..you'll always want the Gibson
@@michaelcantinieri7890 I have a 2010 Epiphone Tribute Les Paul with the Gibson USA '57 Classic/Classic Plus pickups ( stock ) that easily stands toe to toe with my 94 Gibson Les Paul.
I love 'em both for different reasons the same way that I have more Strats then I'd like to admit to. A great guitar is a great guitar no matter the name on the headstock.
They're Gibson pick-ups! I have this guitar (won it on Guitar Gear Giveaway).
(the '61 SG)
@@michaelcantinieri7890 this guitar is essentially a Gibson with an Epiphone logo on it, the pickups are Gibson burst buckers and the electronics are CTS with a Mallory capacitor. It’s definitely not a step down, at all!
Great to hear the comparison from an SG master such as yourself. That Custom looks so good! Of course, if a proper pukka Gibson comes up for a good price you just have to don't you, but otherwise I'm in love with that Custom
Most of my used Gibsons were bought simply because they were the right price and ‘I just had to’… they do have a way of finding their way to you if you keep a lookout! 😎👍
You always nail this kind of videos, mate! Comparisons are always a treat, and this video is going to get a lot of views for sure 😜
Cheers man thanks for the kind words it’s appreciated! 😎👍
@@theguitaristas they are all deserved, my kind friend. I recently found your channel, and I'm here to stay; waiting for what's to come 😁
Most of the Epiphone SGs I’ve played in the played in the past couple years have sounded really close to the Gibsons. The feel of the neck and knobs were noticeably worse in the epiphones. But I think most players can learn to make some cheap upgrades to lessen the gap. A great amp is where it’s at. Spend 300 on the epiphone and 1700 on the amp.
I have a 61 Epiphone SG Les Paul. 900.00. it sounds fantastic, but the frets are shit. Won't take long, you'll be digging into the fretboard. I play other guitars so I don't wear it out right away. Get ready for a fret job. weak. You're going to spend more money, so get jumbo's. It just sucks that 900.00 wasn't enough.
You can't go wrong with any of the new Epiphone/Gibson SGs. I've tried a lot of them from both brads and they are all great.
The only way you can go wrong is by laying them down on their backs and risking headstock breakage!!! I can't even lay mine down on the edge of the bed with the end sticking out because it still gets knocked into or starts sliding off towards the floor!!!
@@garyhundsrucker7771 Yes the classic gibson headstock problem.
@@gustafrenstrom8549 despite the break capability you are always supposed to lean a guitar strings down ..
Greetings Guitaristas,
The SG was my very first guitar I ever bought. I was 17 yrs old and it was in a pawn shop
The beauty was a 61 real deal in a gorgeous burgundy finish the case was in pretty good shape.
And the shop owner was kind enough to let me pay on it as I went. So it took me almost 2 yrs to get it payed off.
But tenacity and determination payed off. And oh what a glorious day. It’s been a very long time since then.
But I thank you for your Chanel it has been such a breath of fresh air! Wishing you well. Cheers!
Hey Patrick, thanks for comment and support… that’s a very cool story and now I wonder do you still own that guitar? 😎👍
@@theguitaristas sadly no Brad. Wishing I could have had been better funded for a more enriching life,,lol
But I got a reissue never be the same. But it will do just fine.
@@pskemster Let's hope its' still going strong and remains cherished! I'm Colin btw... you were probably thinking of Brad the Guitologist who of course we all love... I am a bit like him but my only agenda is Guitars! 😆👍
Great video as always. Love the channel. There are some slight differences in tone in my headphones. But played through my phone they all sound almost exactly the same. I think I’m a true band mix you’d struggle to tell one from another.
Despite the fact you do some of the best video's on UA-cam, you're a guy I'd just like to have a beer with and hangout. THANKS for the time you put in and you casuals but brilliant approach to you vids. SO GOOD!!
Thanks man that’s appreciated! 😎👍
@@theguitaristas
Great to hear. I recently started to play and went with an Epi 60's Maestro Vibrola. My thoughts were that if I stick with it I'll treat myself and upgrade to the real Gibson eventually. Although I do still want that Gibson name on the headstock, it may not really be an upgrade. I love my Epiphone sg so far.
Cheers man, good choice of guitar to start learning on 👍 as you say it’s good to aspire to that Gibson but maybe not so much of an upgrade as an ambition… but whatever makes you want to play is what matters most! 😎🎸
Thank you so much for making your reviews Accessible for those of us that can't see too well, but play guitar. I always look forward to watching your channel.
SG's are just special regardless of variations. My Epiphone SG Classic Worn with P90's is stellar! P90's, Humbuckers, Vibrolas or whatever, they're great guitars.
Your sound comparison (at least what I could hear) was very similar sounding. The first two seemed identical. The third had a little more brightness and the last one seemed to have a touch more growl. Which was which, I don't know at all...
I love all of them, but then they're SG's!
Cheers...
I have the Epiphone Classic Worn with P-90s, too. It is a very good guitar. Notice that there are two versions, one with a wrap-over tailpiece and the angel wing scratch plate (Faded Pelham and Sparkling Burgundy) and one with an ABR bridge and a stop bar tailpiece, which I have (it comes in Cherry Red and Inverness Green and has the bat wing scratch plate). I also have a brand new Epiphone Standard '61 SG which I like very much as well. They say that the neck joint of the SG Standard is more chunky than that of the Standard '61. But I don't know how much really. The neck profile of the P-90 SG is even thinner than that of the '61 Standard.
Thank you so much for your super cool in-depth reviews. Based on this review, I got a Ebony Epiphone SG Standard for only 310 Pounds (a B-STOCK). I put in treblebleed, and also I installed a 'freeway switch', that allows me to have 6 settings (basicly 3 extra settings: both humbuckers in series (in and out of phase), and parallel out of phase) -talk about a tone monster. I was used to playing a 1978 Gibson L6-S with a similar slim neck, but this new SG feels so much better to be honest.. Keep up the Excellent reviews!
Hey Claus, that's the way to do it man and now you have an awesome SG by the sound of it!! Thanks for supporting! 😎👍
Another banger brother! These all sound amazing partly because of a legendary playing demo! Thanks for the treat!! ❤️
Cheers Jason thanks for the kind words man! ☺️🙏
I also have a black 2010 Gibson SG Standard bough brand new, and that binding was always that cream colour. Great video!
Cheers Darren, nice guitar! 😎👍
You sir are a treasure, thanks for making such a great informative video. I just picked up a new Gibson standard SG and it would fit in well with all those SG’s you compared. I personally feel I can hear the difference between Epiphone & Gibson, pickups anyhow, so I feel confident in my blind test analysis.
A. Epi Std.
B. Epi ‘61
C. Gibson Std
D. Epi Custom.
Cheers, to a new subscriber!
Cheers man thanks for the support! …. Now you can checkout how you did the answers are in the ‘four tube amps’ film we posted the following week 😎👍
Great review and comparisons! And you are 100% correct about older Epiphone’s vs ones produced in say, the last 3 years. I used to have an Epiphone G400 (I have no idea why they called their SG that, but whatever) that I bought new in about 2010. And while it was decent, my 2021 Epiphone SG Custom blows that guitar out of the water. Better fit, hardware, pickups, everything. The one thing the G400 had that I really liked was a satin finish. But the Custom appointments of my new SG are beautiful. It’s a GREAT guitar.
I’ve got a 2006 61 Les Paul Custom (SG) made in Korea at the Unsung factory that is simply flawless!
It came fitted as standard with Grovers and the neck/action is as good as if not better than any Gibson I’ve ever owned.
I’ve fitted a Maestro trem to it mainly for aesthetics, but feel the addition of a Tonepros roller bridge would improve its operation.
Think it could also benefit from a pickup upgrade and am leaning towards some Dimarzio 59’s, my favourite PAF clones but will probably only change the neck and bridge initially and probably leave the middle one stock.
Great show! Thanks for putting so much into your videos/films. I really enjoy what you do. Keep it going, man!
Thanks Dennis that's appreciated! :)
They are all winners sir! It’s like Christmas in June seeing them all like this! A real treat.
Thanks Mike, since I started the channel it’s been like Christmas pretty much every month here! 😆👍
This makes me want to try the custom. I don’t know why the headstock is so important to me, but it is. The binding on the headstock seems to get me there with the epiphone.
The Custom has a smooth black ebony fretboard, rather than that Indian laurel full of pores, feels and looks much better, and I prefer the block markers to the Standard's, plus the beautiful diamond on the headstock. Mine has all the hardware upgraded with chrome, only the bridge and stop bar mounts are still gold. Kluson tuners with tulip knobs. Gotoh bridge and stop bar tailpiece. Switchcraft switch and jack added to stock CTS pots. Gibson '61 pickups (most important) added, but the stock pickups don't sound bad. A black SG Custom is my choice, and with the upgrades it's better than the '61 Standard reissue. It even says "Les Paul Custom" at the base of the fingerboard, covering the long tenon neck set. And the binding on the headstock of course (bling-bling-bling)!
@@pharmerdavid1432 I'm with you on the Custom. I love the ebony fretboard with the black body.
I bought an Sg custom, it is my favorite guitar, i really like the way the 61 sounds as well
This is probably one of the best guitar shootouts I've heard in a long time! Kudos Colin. A very complex, comprehensive and honest video. The neck and pickup tables are just insane, love that special nerdy touch. The Epis are just incredible value! I'd probably go with the 61 or Custom soundwise, also I don't like the batwing pickguard with no pickup rings on the standard... Visually I prefer the black custom, excluding the gold hardware. Concerning the blind test, I'll probably make a fool of myself as they're close, but let's try A (which I probably liked best) is the 61, B is custom, C is standard and D the Gibson. Rock on and thanks for so much SG love 🤘
Cheers man, thanks for all the kind words and support... answers tomorrow! :)
@@theguitaristas the support is more than deserved! 👏 I'm eager for the answers.
@@alanst.4417 They are up there now in the latest film!
Spent all day in the shop I walked out with the ep 61 vintage with the nice pick ups.. it was way best for me..
To my ears , the 61 Epi sounded the best . And it doesn’t go out of tuned so often as the Gibson
😎👍
One of the best & most honest guitar review & analysis on you tube!
Thanks man that’s appreciated! 😎👍
After 30yrs of guitar playing my SG cherry has finally been popped. I'm now the proud owner of a Epiphone Tony Iommi SG. Very impressed with the Epiphone build quality and the P90's are just killer!!! -- thanks Colin for the inspiration!!!
Nice one! 😁👍
I’m picking my Epiphone SG - Standard 2023 Model tomorrow, superb performance and what a bargain found it at £389.00 ! Can’t beat that.
Nice one! 😁👍
@@theguitaristas thank you for your input! Helped with all the confusion surrounding different models makes etc
2021 Epiphone modern figured Sg over all of them✌👍
I hear you but I’m not a fan of the maple cap and switching options personally 🤔
@@theguitaristas you must not like Gibson's either because they also use Maple Caps on their guitars
@@thepatriot4355 I haven't tried them all but putting a maple cap on an SG changes the way they sound... and not in a better way imho. One reason I love SG's is because they sound different to their maple capped Les Paul brothers! ✌
I have a 2003 ebony gibson SG standard, I got it for 300 quid in 2015 (it has a professional neck repair and as a lefty it's sometimes cheaper). It's an incredible guitar, I feel so lucky with it. The weight is perfect- no neck dive- beautiful case and sounds and plays incredible.
I just discovered your channel and this shootout was amazing. Thank you for the hard, fun work :)
Cheers man that’s appreciated! 😎👍
They all sound great. Owning a Gibson is on my bucket list. If i was in the market the Epiphone '61 comes with a hardcase with a pink interior that's definitely tempting though.
Your review of the Epi Custom was so good that I ended up buying a custom. Love the videos you put out. A Gibson, B standard, C Custom, D 61.
As did I!!
Love the channel…such a calm experience…I feel like I’m having a conversation with an intelligent human.
😊🙏
I own 5 SG´s.
SG 61 Reissue in natural burst (limited edition)
SG Standard in cherry red
SG Special in black
SGJ with 24 frets
Epiphone SG Custom (lives in the band rehearsal room)
The SG I play the most is the Special, which I paid 550€ used for. It got the perfect neck shape for me.
The 57 Classics are doing a great job. There is something about the sound of this guitar I can´t explain.
I would never ever trade or sell this guitar for a Custom. Never.
Bindings and inlays are just cosmetics. You can´t hear that on a record.
Well, bindings... I mean... if the tone wood believers would take it seriously they should go with a Special.
A Standard/Custom got less wood because of the bindings and the inlays... and if Standards or Customs are better than Specials there must be something about the binding... hmmm... and if thats´s the case luthiers should build guitars from plastic because plastic sounds great!
Tone is in the fingers. There might be something about the sturdiness of the neck -> less material = more wobbliness = always out of tune
Good Pickups and a good setup are important... and practice. practice makes perfect.
My advice to people who start out with the electric guitar:
Don´t get fooled by a brand on a headstock because there is no magic wood or wire... it´s just marketing.
To the tone wood believers:
You cannot disable the laws of physics!
Not in this universe!
Deal with it!
...but go ahead and spend thousands of ca$$$h on a guitar.
I buy your used gear you need to sell ...and I will buy it at a fraction of the original price :)
😎👍👍
They all sounded amazing. I agree with you. There’s no discernible difference between these guitars sonically.
I actually think the 61 and the Gibson come the closest in sound. They all sound great. Good video! We seem to have a lot of common ground, which one would personally choose? The custom or 61? I’m caught between the two.
Cheers man, it’s so difficult so I choose all four! 😆👍
I hit the like button before watching. Because I know I'm going to like it. Thank you again. Most waited youtube channel.
😎👍
The clean sound of the Gibson is incredible ...💣
Of course I have it too, with the groover mechanics.
I bought a 1979 aria pro ii SG. I put P90s in it replacing the original dimazzio humbuckers. It’s now my proper Heavy Metal guitar. I know people like to claim it’s humbuckers and distortion but early sabbath is p90 and fuzz. So it’s absolutely nailing the sabbath. It cost me $700AUD. So roughly £375
😎👍👍
Tried the SG Standard and it’s almost as good as the ‘61 inspired SG I think. Cannot go wrong with either one.
Lol
In the sound bites I could hear a sound difference but could not tell you witch guitar it was they all sounded great . This video has helped me decide witch guitar I will buy ! Thanks you've been a great help
I just got an Epiphone SG last week off of Facebook Market Place for $75. I have 22 guitars at the moment, my intention was to flip the guitar for $250-$300.
I was blown away when I played it. It is an amazing guitar. I have several Gibsons, Fenders and PRS guitars and was surprised at how well the Epiphone stacked up. Some of my guitars are really expensive but I think a lot of it is paying for 10 Tops and fancy bindings.
The Epiphone is just a solid, great playing guitar. I’m keeping it.
Nice one! It sounds like that may also be the coolest guitar you now own… it’s got a story behind it and it cost less than a night out! 😎👍
Until now, I had never considered an SG. You seem to have that effect upon me.
Keep up the great work!
😎👍… my plan is working! 😂
I finally broke down i got the epi 61. Thanks for the break review of them all.
Thank you, Colin, that was just what I was looking for to help me in making my buying decision (even if I still remain undecided, but I am sure will be happy with any of them) and none of your playing is a (dog’s) dinner. Really appreciated and yours are the most down to earth, enjoyable review videos on YT.
Thanks Anthony! 😎👍
Another excellent film! I won't even hazard a guess as to which is which. I can hear slight differences but nothing that would make me pick one over the other. I received my Epiphone SG Custom on Monday and can hardly put it down. It sounds wonderful, looks amazing, and it plays remarkably well. Not even a single high fret to complain about! Epiphone quality control in 2021 has been fantastic and is possibly giving Gibson a run for their money. Thank you for another entertaining and informational video!
Nice one man glad you are loving that Custom… welcome to the SG appreciation society! 😎👍
Solid review! You can always trust an SG to give you the horn, bevels or no. My fave was the Epi custom for both sounds (reminded me of early Santana) and the look. So for what it’s worth: A - Epi Std, B - Epi ‘61, C - Epi Custom and D for the Gibbo. But they all sound good 👍🏼
😂👍👍 I shall reveal the answers next week 😎
That junior is the clear winner. Very nice vintage lp/sg.
Just bought a used 2013 SG Special Cherry with Kill switch and you have a new convert to the SG family! Changed the strings and cleaned/tuned it up (previous owner put stickers on it and never maintained it)
It plays way above its price point! Thank you for your informative and entertaining videos.
Thanks for watching! 😎👍
Best guitar channel that's been recommended in a long time. Happily subscribed! Love the intros, Really great quality production.
Cheers Jay that’s appreciated! 😎👍👍
As always great review, about the clips for me is hard to tell which is the real guitar in each one, I think just like you, all sounds really good. This week I got my sg les Paul 1962 epiphone CW and right away I fell in love. Thanks and I see you the next week.
Sorry, I mean 1961 :)
Nice one Jose! 😎👍
To answer your question of timbers. Most import guitar companies use Natoh when they say mahogany. Usually it's called Eastern Mahogany. Gibson uses Khaya from Africa. Now this is where it get's tricky with Epiphone. A lot of their earlier builds (especially SG's) Used 3-4 piece Basswood/Agathis bodies with a mahogany veneer on both sides. post 2010's this doesn't seem to be the case and I can confirm they are using different woods for their "Inspired by Custom Shop series"
Your fantastic the way you explain your thoughts on guitars. Guitarists can fully understand the way you describe different guitars. Keep up the fantastic work your a legend.
Cheers Trevor 🙏😊
You just made my weekend...
(Edit: In a close field, the Epi Standard remains undefeated!)
(That top end bite... my other favourite model is the Tele.)
😆👍 I was willing it on but it needed no help whatsoever… in many ways my favourite as it’s an unassuming giant killer. 😎
Don't know which was which, but A sounded best and C(Gibson, I think) was second best.
I'm a bit late to the party here only found your channel last week, good job.
Thanks much for an excellent comparison. Just a week ago I bought the IBG SG Standard in white. I had no color preference, but I bought this one as it was an outlet sale and I got it for just $320 US (2 knobs were busted and it had a tiny chip on the headstock) from an on-line big box store. Furthermore, I'm a lefty. To my delight, the pots were wired counterclockwise for a correct lefty rotation. I have owned many Gibson's previously and all their USA lefty's have a right-handed pot rotation. Very frustrating! I am very pleased with the Epiphone. It sounds great and plays very well. An excellent buy which is currently $499 US. Thank you.
Cheers man, these are seriously great guitars for the dollar 💵!!
"I don't think we'll decide anything." This is the honesty I love this channel for.
Cheers Nathan… it’s indecision really! 🤣👍
Great video thank you!!..... I've tried a few sg guitars over the years and never really got on with them, being a les paul man. But I tried a Gibson 61 reissue back in August. Fell in love with it, and took it home....... the rest is history. Lol 👍👍👍
I found the same thing, I got re issue Wilshire which is what considered to be a precursor to sg guitar. Having identical layout and a similar asymmetric design.
What I find I like about these guitars is thier simplicity and lack of weight. Sure your never going to prise my Joe competition 58 custom from hand but I dig both of the sounds. I'd say the thickness of a Les Paul gives it that unmistakable beefy sound that no other guitar can touch but thin body of a sg type guitar had uniqueness of its own more bite is how I'd describe it.
What's funny to me, is all the sound experts on youtube that pick apart Epiphone's sound. If you went to a club where a guy was wailing away on an Epi, you wouldn't care one shit what he was playing if it sounded good. I think you do an OUTSTANDING job at pointing out how good these and other brands sound, and do so at an affordable price. I still want a Gibson SG, but proudly play all my Epiphone's. Great video man.
Cheers man! 😎👍
Relatively new (but decidedly 55 year old) beginner guitarist here. I really love and value your approach to, and style of, content, Colin, so thank you. My best guess: Gibson, '61, Custom, Standard.
Cheers man! I shall reveal all next week 😆👍
Great video as always! My own guess for the blind test (I've paused it there and am commenting before the reveal) are: A.'61 Epi, B.Gibson, C.Custom, D. Standard. Very difficult to tell to be honest, and that's not a slight against Gibson, it's praise for Epiphone! EDIT: There's no reveal (or did I miss it?) Don't leave us hanging lol!!
😆 cheers man… you didn’t miss it I shall reveal all next week! 😎👍
@@theguitaristas Still also want to suggest a film about your personal collection, I think that would be fantastic! Guitars, amps, effects, etc!
@@voyager7 We will definitely get there... problem is too many guitars and ideas! But we are in this for the long haul so stick with us and all will be rolled out in time 😎
That's the best review I've ever seen. Loved all that melodic note soloing as well. Spot on. Thank you
In my opinion it's a mistake that Epiphone uses plug-in wiring on so many of their guitars. Many of us regard Epiphone guitars as great platforms for modding and changing stuff around. Handwired pots should be the way to go, in my opinion.
Love your videos, mate.
You must have read my mind because this is the video I was wanting to see. I bought the Epiphone SG Custom shortly after your video about it (commented to you about it). I have been curious about how it compares to the other SG's. I think I made the right choice for me. It does sound a little darker and I like that. Nice job as always with the comparisons. Always a pleasure. Cheers!
Cheers man thanks for the support as always! 😎👍
Never been a fan of 490's But the Burstbuckers sound really nice. The Epi LP Modern I have has them and I love them!
I have a 1972 Gibson SG special & I received a Chinese SG fake Gibson to add a few bits & prices for a friend. It had a Vibrola unit & I replaced the standard type bridge with a roller bridge. I also replaced the pots ( they were mini pots ) with standard pots & I replaced the selector switch with a Gibson type switch. I set it up & the intonation was spot on, to my surprise. I then played both through my Fender Twin Reverb & I just couldn't separate the two. Sound & playability were impossible to the difference.
Cheers William, I keep getting tempted to order one of those imports…. they do a red non reverse firebird with P90s that keeps winking at me! 😆👍
I fell in love with the sg ....u tend to actually use the tone and volume knob to shape ure tone with this guitar ...as it actually has some great tones ,a legendary guitar on its own ,I highly recommend the epiphone sg 👌 !!
Can’t hear a difference. Thank you man, love your channel! Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪
Thanks for watching! 😎👍
My futile guess, how'd I go?
Les Paul SG (Clip B), SG Custom (Clip C), SG Standard (Clip D), Gibson SG Standard (Clip A)
Great work as always, very enjoyable watch!
Cheers man, thanks for kind words and playing along… results next Friday! 😎👍
To my ears the Epi 61 sounds best. But it appears to me you fancy her and that affects one's playing. Great video once again.
Well obviously I fancy them all like stupid by I may have an extra soft spot for the 61 🤔… 😆👍
Hello again Colin....just got out my 2010 SG (GIBSON). I dont have anything to compare it too but it is really a fine player. Enjoy your pace & brogue of British slowness. The dissection of innards is fun to see. Most reviewers just want to run scales at 90 mph. Compare a 200 buk firefly to a Gibson. (So wrong). Give away the cheap one they really dont want or didn't pay for just for a promo review. You own most of your stuff. Keep um coming dude....☺
Cheers Mark, that’s really appreciated! 🙏 yes I am trying to do it a bit differently here and in fact I own all the stuff I review and aim to keep it that way… it’s hopefully more about entertainment and enjoying guitars than selling them. I have a subscription channel theguitaristas.vhx.tv which helps support keeping UA-cam sponsorship and shills free! 😎👍👍
Friday at noon ! Best moment of the week !
Thank you for all the things you do in all your videos. Beacause of you, i bought a squier mustang that I never look at before. And because of you, i will sell my epi les paul tribute plus to buy an sg, the epi special with p90 you tested months ago. Thanks for the open-minded you bring to me. Cheers from France !
Hey Jerome!… thanks for the kind words and support it’s appreciated! 😎👍
1.Clip - Epi CUSTOM
2.Clip - Epi Standard
3.Clip - Epi 61'
4.Clip - Gibson
In general - You're awesome, I adore your videos so so much! Stay just the way you are! BEAUTIFUL
Cheers man, appreciated! 😎👍
Amazing deal you got on that second hand Gibson. I do prefer the looks of the Epi 1961.
😎👍
Besides the common neck dive issue (that thankfully can be remedied) I think the SG might be the perfect guitar. I love the channel btw, you're very thorough and very honest.
Cheers for the kind words and support… obviously I agree with you 100% 😆👍
I think the SG is an evolution from the Les Paul in many ways, and obviously, Gibson agreed! It was only popuar demand that had them revert back to the classic LP design!
Move the strap button to the upper horn - problem solved.
10:45pm in adelaide Australia 🇦🇺. Thanks Colin. Just snuck it in before I fell asleep. Love your work as always.
Cheers David thanks for supporting! 😎👍
Love the 61! You could play each of those guitars live on stage over the course of a night and not one person on the crowd would know the difference in sound. We guitar players just like to have our peers believe we have "the" ear!! ")
Love this channel more and more!!
Jack ~'()'~
Canada
Thanks Jack, so very much appreciated! :)
@@theguitaristas Very much deserved brother, I love your honest, sensible assessments and opinions, and very much appreciate that you don't get into goofy esoteric arguments or statements of "fact" only comprehensible by those ingesting monstrous fistfuls of lysergic acid diethylamide washed down with copious, yet delicious Tequila!!
If Tequila were sentient, it would be disgusted being consumed by such "ignant" folk! ")
Certain claims draw sweet, sweet "tones" of baited coin dropping in the little shit monkey's tin cup echoing down the long, deep, dark, foul smelling halls of "Mordor Lutes for Louts" sales-room!!
DUN DUN DUNNNN!!!!
Jack ~'()'~
@@bronzesnake7004 Cheers man, you're right on that front... Obviously I've been known to lick and sniff a bit of nitrocellulose myself in the past, but sometimes you just have to wake up and smell the coffee! 😎
@@theguitaristas LOL!
Cheers back acha brother!
As long as you got an sg your good! but upgrading to cts pots, switchcraft switch and gibson or seymour duncan pickups is a must!
These Epiphones already have cats pots so nearly there! 😎👍
@@theguitaristas agreed!
Not quite as nice as any of these, but I recently bought a used Epiphone SG Special E1 for 110 bucks and it has single handedly converted me into the SG being my new favorite. The way it sounds and feels to play I've loved far more than the Squier Strat I have. Its technically the exact same price new as my Strat, but I swear the Epi is on another level quality wise. I've also learned to absolutely love the slim D shaped new. Fits my hand perfectly.
Cheers man… glad you found your way to the SG owners club and $110 has got to make it even more enjoyable! You should gig that if you get chance just to prove a point! 😎👍
Great guitar and the Poplar body will compliment those high output ceramic humbuckers.
Colin you can have all the "Slack" you want. I get so much joy from you and your channell. I bought my first gibson this past summer (LP) and still love it. you definitely have me sold on the SG. I honestly dont know what one to buy so I have decided to wait for the best deal or one that grabs me. Thanks for all the great content. God Bless
Cheers Ernie!… that’s a great plan the best deal is always going to win and they all sound so similar you can’t lose 😎👍
Love the SG! Still my favourite model guitar to play. I have both an Epiphone and Gibson and with the same pickups installed in either one of them they come very close soundwise. The Epiphone does seem to have a slightly darker sound whereas the Gibson has an ever so slight bit more sparkle in the top end, which i think might be down to the thickness of the finish above all else. The gibsons finish is about half a millimeter tops and the Epiphone is nearly 1.5 millimiters thick. You can hear it when you often play them and compare but it gets lost in the mix when heard with other instruments. The biggest difference to me is the neck shape and thickness, the gibsons neck is a bit thicker and more rounded (probably like your 2010 standard) which is more comfortable for the days when my fingers feel a little stiff and also great for chords. The thin neck on the Epi is great for fast playing and solo's. Both play and sound great, but the smell of the Gibson..🤤 I did notice not all Gibsons smell the same though.. I don't know if anyone else experienced this? My LP BFG smells like vanilla, my LP tribute smells like cookies, SG a bit of a mix between cherries and vanilla and my goldtop deluxe just faintly smells of solvent, which was a bit disappointing compared to the rest.. Im getting a bit off track again.. Love the video's, keep it up!
Thanks man… I think a smell test video is needed! 🤣👍
@@theguitaristas Like as with those whisky tastings you mean? Smell, slight sourness slight hints of cherry, closely followed by the sweet welcoming smell of vanilla. Taste, A bit crumbly and flakey, with some hints of solvents. Not very smooth on the tongue. After taste, A bit sharp going down the throat and a bit harsh on the stomach. 😋
That's a interesting take on wood Colin. You're completely correct we don't know for either Gibson or Epiphone where the wood is sourced. This true with most manufacturers too and I don't think it benefits them to not tell us what where getting. It just allows for misinformation.
So the the idea that Epiphone wood is inferior is just misinformation, at best you can say we don't know. I'd argue that given Gibson buying power why wouldn't Gibson buy wood in bulk. Epiphone and Kramer have big competition these days so it be no a brainer to use their buying power to outcompete the competition.
I understand Epiphone and Kramer has had fair criticism in past, but Gibson new ownership is giving these iconic brands the respect they deserve to which we all benefit.
Your video shows the difference is basically negligible. Brilliant video as always Colin.
I do hope that Epiphone rep contacts you. There is a old factory tour of Gibson China plant where Epiphone guitars are made but it's very outdated. if you search Epiphone factory tour on UA-cam you should find it.
Thanks Sionyn, I saw that old factory tour and it definitely needs updating! I’m quite serious about trying to find out more about this stuff so we’ll see what’s possible! 😎👍
Just found your channel here a week or so ago. I’ve really been enjoying your reviews and critiques. Keep up the good work and thanks.
Cheers man glad you found us! 😎👍
Another fantastic guitar comparison...lots of fun, lots of details and lots of nerdy info that I eat up in a big bowl!
😎👍
The SG is Gibson's Telecaster ;) such a Performer guitar.. True Classic
Your talking me into picking up an SG! Great tone and nice playing. I like the Gibson
😆👍
All great but the 61 seems to sound a bit sweeter
Great post Colin, really enjoyed it, never owned a SG....yet lol, I couldn't really tell the difference between them. Ive only ever played an SG junior that belonged to a guy I worked with and loved it. Thanks for sharing all your guitars with us. Take care, have a good weekend man.
Cheers David, likewise have a great weekend! 😎👍
Just for the record, the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard and the 'Epiphone SG Standard '61 are different guitars with different pickups. 1961- Gibson BurstBuckers 2&3 and the '61- Epiphone ProBuckers 2&3. It may be a bit confusing to some when you refer to the 1961as a '61. Great review by the way. Thanks.
Thank you for another fine review, you sure do have a few SG's! I could not tell a lot of tone difference in the test. You have piqued my interest in getting an SG thought, appreciate the demos and information and opinions. Really enjoy the channel!
Cheers Peter, there’s an SG for everyone and everyone needs an SG 😆👍
It’s interesting ‘cause my 2012 came originally with printed PCB board !
I always thought it would be hand wired but it’s not
Thank you so much for your work! This channel was my best find this year ! Keep up the great work!
Gibson that is
Cheers man, Gibson changed things around a bit over the years. Thanks for supporting the channel! 😎👍
Colin your content superb as usual convinced me of the batwing standard Epiphone as a tele player I appreciate the brightness in white you may add never thought I would like that colour it’s grown on me by watching your excellent channel a must watch every Friday Thanks Mate
Cheers Edward… my plan is working! 😆👍
It sure is
So I wrote a bunch of stuff while watching and as a muppet, I should have waited to the end since you covered it all. Cheers mate, thanks for sharing your love of the SG with all of us. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to figure out a little more time to practice instead of fondle my guitars.
a-custom, b-standard, c-gibson, d-61, just a random guess. they all sound great , it's in the fingers,
great stuff Colin, keep on keeping on .
I got the the epi sg custom because of your review. I put on some locking tuners and called it good. Thanks for doing what you do. Cheers from the USA
Great guitars , it as good as the others in my mind. Coming from a guy with both
Cheers Chris! 😎👍
Colin ,
We received our first Gibson SG earlier today.
A 2009 Cherry Gibson SG Special in pretty much mint condition and love it 👍
😁👍👍
@@theguitaristas Colin we have one of these arriving tomorrow if snow doesn’t bring the UK to a standstill overnight 🙏Epiphone 2003 Lynyrd Skynyrd 30th Anniversary Gold Top Les Paul Standard .