I agree - if you already have a Les Paul - it's most likely got humbuckers in. Unless you absolutely have to have an SG with humbuckers too, maybe get the SG with the P-90s. That way you have different pickups, different body shape and weight covered over two guitars.
I have a Les Paul with Classic 57 HBs and a Les Paul special with p90s. I trade off every other day on purpose. Which ever one I'm playing at the time becomes my favorite. Life is good and I am blessed.
I have the Gibson Standard Tribute Sg with the 490's humbuckers love them ...and Pro buckers in my 2021 Epiphone modern figured Sg love these even more
I’ve owned a 2009 Gibson SG standard and also a 2017 Gibson SG Standard. I just purchased the Gibson SG Special in Vintage cherry and it is by far my favorite SG I have owned or played so far. Amazing sounds and quality coming from the special. Things get real nasty with a Marshall real quick!
It is a pity that recent Gibson P90s do not sound anymore like those they were selling in the 60s or 70s. Fortunately, there are some small pick up builders, I.e. Andreas Kloppmann in Germany, who still produce P90s following the old specs. With them, an SG opens up and out of a sudden has the sound that really made them famous! All the muddiness of the newer Gibson P90s is gone. A kind of must have mod.
Great video that addresses a common question for would-be SG buyers. I went with the SG Special with P-90s for several reasons noted here. I have a Gibson LP Standard that covers my humbucker needs. Once I heard these P-90s.. oh man... the cleans are sparkling, and there is a lot of variance by adjusting the volume and tone. Distorted, the P-90s clean up nicely at a lower volume. I found there to be more tonal possibilities with the P-90s vs. humbuckers. Mine is Pelham blue, a striking color that appears to be no longer available on the Gibson site. And, yes, the case is awesome. Thx again for a great video!
I've mostly played Teles my whole life but always wanted an SG. Love a Special but also like fretboard inlays and wanted a vibrato. I got a 2020 Standard 61 Maestro. Tried to live with the humbuckers but I grew not to like them so I switched the pickups out for a humbucker sized Bare Knuckle Blue Note low-wind p90. I know, not a REAL p90 but a true single coil pickup. Tons of clarity and definition, they bark when you want them to but clean up so beautifully and offer a hint of sparkle that a humbucker just doesn't provide. I tried a set of Lollartrons which had more high end but zero definition on the low strings. I wanted it to be a more versatile guitar and the Bare Knuckles did it ten times over. They're staying.
@@squidge7436 there is no downside when you're playing simple. Amp, Guitar and maybe an Overdrive. It's when you start getting into a shitload pedals and Marshall amps and high-gain sounds where P90s can be a b****.
@@BITESIZEJONES Not going to argue, just saying it is the nature of a single coil and if the buzz really bothers you thant much it is an easy switch. And besides Iommi used P90s on the early Sabbath records, and Hendrix, Blackmore, and Malmsteen all used single coils with high gain.
I currently own four Gibson SGs that range from a Custom shop to the Sparkling Burgundy version of the P-90 Special in the video. I have 3 with P-90s and the 4th with humbuckers. To me, it all comes down to what kind of music I'll be playing and my mood when I pick up a guitar to play. I can get a much greater tonal variety out of the P-90s than I can with the humbuckers, but the humbuckers definitely have their place, especially when I want to go high gain. The P-90s, for me, sit in the tonal pallet right between my Les Paul and single coils like a Fender Strat. Either way, I love all my SGs. Chris, based on what music I see you playing, I think you couldn't go wrong if you went with the p-90 SG. For everyone else trying to decide, I would suggest playing them yourself, with a variety of amps/pedals that fit your style to make your decision. I hope this helps someone trying to make a decision.
I just picked up the SG special he’s playing right there. I’ve been playing a Les Paul with humbuckers for a long time, and although I adore it, I’ve been craving something with a little more gnarly growl and punch for a long time now. I couldn’t be happier with the SG Special. I love the weight. I love the long neck. I love the p90s. It’s hands down the perfect guitar for me and my way of playing. I’m a very animated player (especially on stage, I jump around) and the light weight is perfect for this. I’m also a very aggressive lead guitarist, which the p90s and long neck are perfect for. The SG Special makes me feel like I’m Freddy Krueger or something (sonically speaking) and it totally kicks ass. I love it.
I loved the Sparkling Burgundy finish Gibson offered on the Specials more than the Pelham Blue, but I think the ebony just takes the cake. Timeless look. Absolutely beautiful and a tone monster!)
The special is hand wired with orange drop capacitors. The standard has the board if that makes a difference to anyone. I love the special. Townsend!!!!
Easy choice. You need both ! Seriously, though, if I had to pick only one it would be very hard for me too. Leaning slightly towards the Special, because I already have 2 guitars with dual humbuckers.
I have a Heritage Cherry 2005 SG Standard with the 490R and 498T pickups I love this guitar but I'm also a fan of the P90s which I once had on an old 58 Gold Top Les Paul and I really miss that guitar which had been stolen from me and I miss those P90 tonal qualities.
Weird no one goes for pelham blue. My fav finish/colour for the sg. Loved it on the les paul as well. Would love to see more colour options on SG’s. Ive seen come gold ones in past years that looked gorgeous.
It's not an easy decision between the P90 or the humbucker, trying both is the only way to decide. I've got an Agile AL3000 with P90's & it's great. I tried an AL2000 with humbuckers and liked it also, il think Il get that one too. Can't go wrong either way! Sg is next, probably with humbuckers.
Other SG variants include the Custom with 3 Humbuckers, and also the discontinued 2 Mini-Humbuckers Special. Many guitar companies are now offering guitars with a P90 at the Neck, and a Humbucker at the Bridge - would be interesting to hear a similarly spec’d SG.
Love my SG standard in cherry, but love the p90 tone , ordered the special in ebony…best of both worlds! SG’s have always been my favourite guitars…had a 72 special back in the day that was stolen…still dream about that guitar…looking forward to having a special again. Love your videos and amazing playing ! Go “ala mode” lol 😂
Once upon a time, I was able to do the ultimate P90/Humbucker comparison test. I had a '52 Les Paul, which the previous owner had converted to a '56 setup with a tunamatic bridge and stoptail. I had the neck re-set, which turned the guitar from a wall hanger into a stage ready flagship. All through the early years of playing & gigging, P90s always sounded better to me than humcbuckers. I bought a '59 Flametop in the 1980s for $1000, and every time I did a comparison, I had the same impression...that my ear preferred the P90s to PAFs.
Dang, I’m with Cooper on the wrap-around compensated tailpiece. I had a bad experience with the intonation being way off on an expensive guitar with one of these vintage correct, “good enough” bridges, but I’d rather have saddles to adjust and get it as close to perfect as possible for everything you might play (it’s got high fret access too so why wouldn’t that be a priority on this guitar?). I think a guitar that is intonated well always sounds great!
my buddy got an 83 or 84 special SG brand new and it was great even with the wonky bridge. it had black humbuckers , it was a cool silverish color, intonation was perfect even with lame bridge, it was great, I have never seen another one. It came with a giant case that seemed indestructible...
The 61 Standard has 61 Burst-buckers for pick-ups. The Bobbons are wound unbalanced, meaning one bobbin from each pick up has more wraps of wire. These pick ups have more wraps on the bobbin with the adjustable pole pieces.
Great review, guys. Chris hit the nail on the head at the end. I was sure I wanted a cherry red Standard. Went into a store to try both and ended up with a black Special - I just couldn't put it down. For blues and classic rock, it just spoke to me more.
So I'm still waiting for a valid answer on where the Gibson standard tribute Sg $1,300 and Gibson standard Sg $1,700 so tell me where the $400 difference is..
There is no real significant difference between them practically the same everything. The standard tribute actually has a bonus with the Maple neck with Rosewood fretboard I personally prefer the standard tribute Sg over the standard Sg
I'd like a Gelato Burst with two scoops of P90 and the waffle cone tuners. That's one Special Gourmet edition. I enjoy the rich clean tones of those P90s from Cooper, and any playing from Cooper for that matter. He can pull off the "serious face" better than Chris, probably because Chris has learned (esp. as a parent) that "as soon as you have a plan, life happens." Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, it all goes out the window, and we just go with the flow, that's how we roll... (There might be a song in there.) Mahalo!
I’m surprised to hear that the Pelham blue ones didn’t sell, I thought they were rad, personally can’t stand gibsons over use of cherry and sunburst, and if you wanna get REALLY crazy, black. Sounds great though, but again there is a market for fun colours, I would do crazy things to get a non reverse firebird in poly heather, if Gibson USA ever made one.
I think I’m the only one who likes they switched to cherry lol I’m OCD and trying to put the sg set together and didn’t want to go vintage or custom shop to get a cherry one
It’s always a treat listening to Cooper, he always stands out in a sea of great UA-cam players. I own three SG’s: batwing Standard from 2010 w/ burstbuckers and ebony board, a 2020 ‘61 Standard, and a new Iommi Monkey SG w/ P90’s. All great guitars and all very different sounding. If push came to shove for tone alone and versatility, I think I’d have to go with the ‘61 Standard. The 2010 is the easiest playing and looks the best IMO (classic white!). The Iommi has a very big neck and great snarl, and noisier than the other two. I’m fortunate to own all three, SG’s are some of the coolest guitars! :)
Well I did! My Gibson 2017 HP STD. in Heritage Cherry has such severe neck dive that it's unplayable. I ended up gluing on a few weight's about 1/2 pound to the plastic cover on the back (over the pots) to balance the guitar better. This helped with the neck dive somewhat but did not eliminate it and now my 6.6 lb. guitar weighs 7.1 lbs.
I’m hooked on my 71 SG with the P90’s & custom upside down cross inlays. The tone & sound I get out of my Peavy rig & Ibanez Session Man pedal blasting out super fast out high output Tractor Shuttle Death Metal Grind Core Noise with my SG live on stage with the strings down tuned for much better low end sound has a dual output of a combined sound of both a bass & guitar 🎸 coming out of the PA’s. The sound is so brutal (like buildings on fire 🔥 crumbling to destruction) that it makes the Debble 😈 want to go back to being an Angel of good.
Iommi played an Epiphone Custom with P90s on those first Sabbath records. Enough said. Im going for the Gibson just so I can tell myself I owned one. The p90s are much grittier.
Phil X approves this video, lol. In the past couple years I was introduced to P90s and I am now obsessed with them. I was always a humbucker fan, growing up... I would love this SG.
I have way too many guitars all Gibson aside from my acoustic, two SG’s one a 2016 Standard and a 2021 SG 61 with Maestro, a Studio Deluxe LP, and a Memphis ES-330 Standard. I hate to say it but just watching this makes me miss having a p90 SG. It’s just so different from my other stuff yet similar.
*sorry for my English Nice demo! Gibson SG with those P-90s : heavy R & B/power pop vibe (Graham Coxon-early Robbie Krieger-Pete T); Gibson SG with humbuckers/P.A.F. : hard rock or hotter/more modern rock vibe (Weezer-AC/DC) than the SG Special P-90. Both really wonderful solid body guitars. Maybe it's quite interesting if the Standard SG have low output AlNiCo P.A.F.s like Gibson Custombuckers or Seymour D Seth Lover. thanks!
I have a Gibson SG Special like the one on this video and love its tones, neck, coolness factor and mojo! It also stays in tune, rock solid! All that said there is a huge problem with SGs - they are uncomfortable to play standing up. Neck dive, neck joint placed strap button, etc. makes the guitar lean forward and down. You have to fight it all gig long and ruins the experience. Also as you play you are unconsciously pulling the strings out of tune as you fight the neck dive. YMMV but these are not the best guitars to gig with.
I had a large guard Standard and an SG Modern I traded in for a different guitar, but I kept the Special and 61 Standard with vibrola. I might sell the Special for a LP gold top with P90s.
I'll just say that I have an SG Jr. Money where my mouth is on that. The mid-range push on P-90s is unbeatable, especially if you pair it up with something scoopy like a Strat.
The first clip that showed the clean P90 neck tone made me wanna get this SG so freaking bad! Ive been looking into P90 guitars but there is something about an SG that has always caught my interest. Ive owned Les Pauls before, but never an SG. I guess I will go and try one myself and decide whether or not it suits my style. I am a bit worried about the neck diving situation. Is it as bad as people say?
I'm so drawn in by the "excessive" blackness of the Special Ebony! Simple and smart. It's again the exquisite P90s fault, as these come in black for all colors of both models.
I have the '61 SG Reissue and I love it! I am debating whether to get the guitar with P90s, but after watching this, the tones sound better clean and dirty with the Humbuckers. Although I like the P90s, the Humbuckers sound better. Just my opinion!!
SG Special 67's model sounds better . With ABR-1 you feel the quality of a cream of the crop sound, PAF humbuckers and offset pickguard. It feels and looks like a real Tuxedo, it's a jewel. Better between 1994 to 1996 models.
Agreed that clean, the P90s sounded better. But, on the other hand, I have an Epiphone Casino P90 that I love for that kind of tone. But, only other guitar I have that's humbuckers is a 335. So, I'd probably go with the humbuckers. I think I liked the full-range psychedlic hard rock tone, with gain. But, I'm shopping for an SG for high-gain. Don't have a Les Paul, interested in this instead. Though, the Deluxe reissue of the Guild Polara has my attention at the moment.
Call me insane but i love the P90 pickups more , why ? because they seem to be more versatile than humbuckers , you can get more tones from them and on clean settings you can literally get those beautiful 60s Fender clean tones but on a Gibson and if you want to Rock out they have enough bottom end to do it.
Bob Marley used a Les Paul Special P90's he wouldn't have traded it for the world, and he was Rhythm! Thanks for a great demo..and buy both for the price of one les paul!
I have a '92 Gibson SG Special in black and a '01 Standard in cherry. Both have a fat neck. I do not like the 490 & 498 on the Standard and I will probably get some P90 style pickups for it.
Just watched the beginning so far, as I’ve got to go out, but doesn’t the batwing humbuckered SG have pickguard mounted pups, the humbuckers in a ‘61 being mounted, via pup rings, to the body… ? Must make a difference, tonally. Just saying. 😬
I love SG’s however I can’t stand the circuit board pots they are using on the SG Standards and Tributes and probably the Specials too although I haven’t cracked one of those open yet. So what I did was I bought a brand new husk via Stratosphere and I installed a set of Saturday Night Specials and nice pots with bumblebee caps and it’s an awesome SG now, I also did something similar with an SG Tribute as well with other pups. For me that was the way to go.
I liked the p90's way better with dirt. Clean I thought the humbuckers sounded a bit better. Since I tend to allways play with at least little dirt, I'd prefer the p90's one and am curious about the Tony Iommi one. Too bad about the old fashioned cherry red and black being the only finishes. Gets a bit boring. Gibson should bring back all the custom colours.
I cannot buy a guitar without single coils or p90s, i dont know what it is but i just prefer them over humbuckers and don't understand why everyone else seems to think the opposite
Man I am glad my special is the mini humbucker model with a real bridge not that wonky bridge that the p90 ones do. Mine also has block inlays and ebony fretboard. I just could not pay for a guitar with such a wonky bridge...
Oh no: I loved the P90s in the neck and middle, esp clean, but I loved the humbucker in the bridge, esp dirty. Did not care for the reverse (P90 bridge, HB neck). How to split this baby?!?
Well, that settles it once and for all. I want both!
I agree - if you already have a Les Paul - it's most likely got humbuckers in. Unless you absolutely have to have an SG with humbuckers too, maybe get the SG with the P-90s. That way you have different pickups, different body shape and weight covered over two guitars.
I have a Les Paul with Classic 57 HBs and a Les Paul special with p90s.
I trade off every other day on purpose. Which ever one I'm playing at the
time becomes my favorite. Life is good and I am blessed.
I took the budget route and got the Epiphone SG Special w/ p90's, and it's great. The p90 sound is so raw. Nice demo.
I have the Gibson Standard Tribute Sg with the 490's humbuckers love them ...and Pro buckers in my 2021 Epiphone modern figured Sg love these even more
I love my epi sg modern. The probuckers fit my style perfectly, and that asymmetrical neck, so comfortable
I’ve owned a 2009 Gibson SG standard and also a 2017 Gibson SG Standard. I just purchased the Gibson SG Special in Vintage cherry and it is by far my favorite SG I have owned or played so far. Amazing sounds and quality coming from the special. Things get real nasty with a Marshall real quick!
It is a pity that recent Gibson P90s do not sound anymore like those they were selling in the 60s or 70s. Fortunately, there are some small pick up builders, I.e. Andreas Kloppmann in Germany, who still produce P90s following the old specs. With them, an SG opens up and out of a sudden has the sound that really made them famous! All the muddiness of the newer Gibson P90s is gone. A kind of must have mod.
Great video that addresses a common question for would-be SG buyers. I went with the SG Special with P-90s for several reasons noted here. I have a Gibson LP Standard that covers my humbucker needs. Once I heard these P-90s.. oh man... the cleans are sparkling, and there is a lot of variance by adjusting the volume and tone. Distorted, the P-90s clean up nicely at a lower volume. I found there to be more tonal possibilities with the P-90s vs. humbuckers. Mine is Pelham blue, a striking color that appears to be no longer available on the Gibson site. And, yes, the case is awesome. Thx again for a great video!
I've mostly played Teles my whole life but always wanted an SG. Love a Special but also like fretboard inlays and wanted a vibrato. I got a 2020 Standard 61 Maestro. Tried to live with the humbuckers but I grew not to like them so I switched the pickups out for a humbucker sized Bare Knuckle Blue Note low-wind p90. I know, not a REAL p90 but a true single coil pickup. Tons of clarity and definition, they bark when you want them to but clean up so beautifully and offer a hint of sparkle that a humbucker just doesn't provide. I tried a set of Lollartrons which had more high end but zero definition on the low strings. I wanted it to be a more versatile guitar and the Bare Knuckles did it ten times over. They're staying.
Man that Greenbhrg can WAIL
The secret only known to fans, P-90s are actually an upgrade from humbuckers.
The only downside is that they are noisy as hell. But also have the added benefit being able to switch to mini humbucks with little modification.
@@squidge7436 there is no downside when you're playing simple. Amp, Guitar and maybe an Overdrive. It's when you start getting into a shitload pedals and Marshall amps and high-gain sounds where P90s can be a b****.
@@BITESIZEJONES Not going to argue, just saying it is the nature of a single coil and if the buzz really bothers you thant much it is an easy switch. And besides Iommi used P90s on the early Sabbath records, and Hendrix, Blackmore, and Malmsteen all used single coils with high gain.
@@squidge7436 Noise gate or hum debugger.
Well, P90s came BEFORE the humbuckers.
I currently own four Gibson SGs that range from a Custom shop to the Sparkling Burgundy version of the P-90 Special in the video. I have 3 with P-90s and the 4th with humbuckers. To me, it all comes down to what kind of music I'll be playing and my mood when I pick up a guitar to play. I can get a much greater tonal variety out of the P-90s than I can with the humbuckers, but the humbuckers definitely have their place, especially when I want to go high gain. The P-90s, for me, sit in the tonal pallet right between my Les Paul and single coils like a Fender Strat. Either way, I love all my SGs. Chris, based on what music I see you playing, I think you couldn't go wrong if you went with the p-90 SG. For everyone else trying to decide, I would suggest playing them yourself, with a variety of amps/pedals that fit your style to make your decision. I hope this helps someone trying to make a decision.
I just picked up the SG special he’s playing right there. I’ve been playing a Les Paul with humbuckers for a long time, and although I adore it, I’ve been craving something with a little more gnarly growl and punch for a long time now. I couldn’t be happier with the SG Special. I love the weight. I love the long neck. I love the p90s. It’s hands down the perfect guitar for me and my way of playing. I’m a very animated player (especially on stage, I jump around) and the light weight is perfect for this. I’m also a very aggressive lead guitarist, which the p90s and long neck are perfect for. The SG Special makes me feel like I’m Freddy Krueger or something (sonically speaking) and it totally kicks ass. I love it.
I loved the Sparkling Burgundy finish Gibson offered on the Specials more than the Pelham Blue, but I think the ebony just takes the cake. Timeless look. Absolutely beautiful and a tone monster!)
I just got a sparkling burgundy a couple months ago and I love it! Definitely better suited to me than the Pelham blue would be
The special is hand wired with orange drop capacitors. The standard has the board if that makes a difference to anyone. I love the special. Townsend!!!!
Good point!
IMHO the brighter P-90s just make more sense with a dark sounding solid mahogany guitar.
Dark sounding wood for electric guitar...you must be a clever cookie.
@@torzsokszilveszter2444yes but the nitro finish gives it more sustain /sarcasm
Easy choice. You need both !
Seriously, though, if I had to pick only one it would be very hard for me too.
Leaning slightly towards the Special, because I already have 2 guitars with dual humbuckers.
yup i ended up with both
@@cajunqueen5125 w00t ! Congrats ! \m/
Special is stunning on both clean and drive.Nice playing ,great demo.
I have a Heritage Cherry 2005 SG Standard with the 490R and 498T pickups I love this guitar but I'm also a fan of the P90s which I once had on an old 58 Gold Top Les Paul and I really miss that guitar which had been stolen from me and I miss those P90 tonal qualities.
Going on looks I prefer the larger "Batwing" pickguard it makes the body look more in proportion. Love the P-90s!
You’d probably prefer a Gibson SG classic then! It has the big batwing pickguard with p90’s instead of humbuckers.
I like the P90s all the way around. And Chris, the inlays are trapezoids, not parallelograms. ; )
Weird no one goes for pelham blue. My fav finish/colour for the sg. Loved it on the les paul as well. Would love to see more colour options on SG’s. Ive seen come gold ones in past years that looked gorgeous.
I'm a lefty and the Special is only available in that color. I'd rather have ebony or cherry myself. Just not into the light blue.
The colour has made a comeback of sorts lately.
It's not an easy decision between the P90 or the humbucker, trying both is the only way to decide. I've got an Agile AL3000 with P90's & it's great. I tried an AL2000 with humbuckers and liked it also, il think Il get that one too. Can't go wrong either way! Sg is next, probably with humbuckers.
Other SG variants include the Custom with 3 Humbuckers, and also the discontinued 2 Mini-Humbuckers Special. Many guitar companies are now offering guitars with a P90 at the Neck, and a Humbucker at the Bridge - would be interesting to hear a similarly spec’d SG.
I have a classic.p90s with a regular bridge and a 50s thick neck
Bridge dirty P90s 9:52
Bridge dirty humbuckers 11:21
Such a cool playing!
Love my SG standard in cherry, but love the p90 tone , ordered the special in ebony…best of both worlds!
SG’s have always been my favourite guitars…had a 72 special back in the day that was stolen…still dream about that guitar…looking forward to having a special again.
Love your videos and amazing playing ! Go “ala mode” lol 😂
I think the problem with the Pelham blue is that it's not the classic color.Townsend,Iommi,Young etc etc all used cherry,or ebony of course.
Once upon a time, I was able to do the ultimate P90/Humbucker comparison test. I had a '52 Les Paul, which the previous owner had converted to a '56 setup with a tunamatic bridge and stoptail. I had the neck re-set, which turned the guitar from a wall hanger into a stage ready flagship. All through the early years of playing & gigging, P90s always sounded better to me than humcbuckers. I bought a '59 Flametop in the 1980s for $1000, and every time I did a comparison, I had the same impression...that my ear preferred the P90s to PAFs.
These were so much closer to each other than I thought they were going to be 😂
I will take the Special over the Standard SG every day, the secret is the amp, Marshall’s and SG’s are a match made in Heaven
Dude on the left is clearly thinking his own thoughts while nodding his head up and down as if to agree, but only because he's a genuinely good dude.
Dang, I’m with Cooper on the wrap-around compensated tailpiece. I had a bad experience with the intonation being way off on an expensive guitar with one of these vintage correct, “good enough” bridges, but I’d rather have saddles to adjust and get it as close to perfect as possible for everything you might play (it’s got high fret access too so why wouldn’t that be a priority on this guitar?). I think a guitar that is intonated well always sounds great!
my buddy got an 83 or 84 special SG brand new and it was great even with the wonky bridge. it had black humbuckers , it was a cool silverish color, intonation was perfect even with lame bridge, it was great, I have never seen another one. It came with a giant case that seemed indestructible...
if i remember correctly it was only like $400 brand new back then
i found a bunch of yellow ones online, no silver ones...
looks like the 84 model had the real bridge and tailpiece so my buddies must have been an 83
The 61 Standard has 61 Burst-buckers for pick-ups.
The Bobbons are wound unbalanced, meaning one bobbin from each pick up has more wraps of wire.
These pick ups have more wraps on the bobbin with the adjustable pole pieces.
Great review, guys. Chris hit the nail on the head at the end. I was sure I wanted a cherry red Standard. Went into a store to try both and ended up with a black Special - I just couldn't put it down. For blues and classic rock, it just spoke to me more.
Same here! Special Ebony just won my heart.
Don't fret - you can add a Gibson P-94 (humbucker sized P-90) if you have a standard with humbuckers and don't want to modify the cavity or guard.
So I'm still waiting for a valid answer on where the Gibson standard tribute Sg $1,300 and Gibson standard Sg $1,700 so tell me where the $400 difference is..
There is no real significant difference between them practically the same everything. The standard tribute actually has a bonus with the Maple neck with Rosewood fretboard I personally prefer the standard tribute Sg over the standard Sg
I love my SG standard since 1970 but love my LP Special DC also. Very different but great sounds.
I'd like a Gelato Burst with two scoops of P90 and the waffle cone tuners. That's one Special Gourmet edition. I enjoy the rich clean tones of those P90s from Cooper, and any playing from Cooper for that matter. He can pull off the "serious face" better than Chris, probably because Chris has learned (esp. as a parent) that "as soon as you have a plan, life happens." Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, it all goes out the window, and we just go with the flow, that's how we roll... (There might be a song in there.) Mahalo!
Bro is absolutely fucking shredding that guitar to pieces. You are awesome sir.
Hard to believe Pelham blue wasn't popular. It reminds me of a cool, vintage sports car, which is a perfect fit for this guitar.
I’m surprised to hear that the Pelham blue ones didn’t sell, I thought they were rad, personally can’t stand gibsons over use of cherry and sunburst, and if you wanna get REALLY crazy, black.
Sounds great though, but again there is a market for fun colours, I would do crazy things to get a non reverse firebird in poly heather, if Gibson USA ever made one.
I think I’m the only one who likes they switched to cherry lol I’m OCD and trying to put the sg set together and didn’t want to go vintage or custom shop to get a cherry one
i was lucky enough to find one in pelham blue. stunning
For me it was all about my heroes.Townsend didn't play a Pelham blue sg,nor did Iommi,A Young,Clark jr etc etc
My 1999 SG Special came with humbuckers. I can’t quite get it to snarl as much as P-90s would. I still love it, though.
It’s always a treat listening to Cooper, he always stands out in a sea of great UA-cam players. I own three SG’s: batwing Standard from 2010 w/ burstbuckers and ebony board, a 2020 ‘61 Standard, and a new Iommi Monkey SG w/ P90’s. All great guitars and all very different sounding. If push came to shove for tone alone and versatility, I think I’d have to go with the ‘61 Standard. The 2010 is the easiest playing and looks the best IMO (classic white!). The Iommi has a very big neck and great snarl, and noisier than the other two. I’m fortunate to own all three, SG’s are some of the coolest guitars! :)
Hi, What do you think about Iommi Money. Is it really better than the other SG Special? Thx
great demo guys! My solution is: get both this is the the way I went. I really like them both...
Can’t go wrong with any SG
Well I did! My Gibson 2017 HP STD. in Heritage Cherry has such severe neck dive that it's unplayable. I ended up gluing on a few weight's about 1/2 pound to the plastic cover on the back (over the pots) to balance the guitar better. This helped with the neck dive somewhat but did not eliminate it and now my 6.6 lb. guitar weighs 7.1 lbs.
I’m hooked on my 71 SG with the P90’s & custom upside down cross inlays. The tone & sound I get out of my Peavy rig & Ibanez Session Man pedal blasting out super fast out high output Tractor Shuttle Death Metal Grind Core Noise with my SG live on stage with the strings down tuned for much better low end sound has a dual output of a combined sound of both a bass & guitar 🎸 coming out of the PA’s. The sound is so brutal (like buildings on fire 🔥 crumbling to destruction) that it makes the Debble 😈 want to go back to being an Angel of good.
Love my Pelham Blue SG Special. Just ordered a White SG Les Paul Standard Epiphone.
Iommi played an Epiphone Custom with P90s on those first Sabbath records. Enough said. Im going for the Gibson just so I can tell myself I owned one. The p90s are much grittier.
ah yes, TONY IOMMI (best SG guitarist therr will ever be)
Phil X approves this video, lol. In the past couple years I was introduced to P90s and I am now obsessed with them. I was always a humbucker fan, growing up... I would love this SG.
Great review, many thanks
I have way too many guitars all Gibson aside from my acoustic, two SG’s one a 2016 Standard and a 2021 SG 61 with Maestro, a Studio Deluxe LP, and a Memphis ES-330 Standard.
I hate to say it but just watching this makes me miss having a p90 SG. It’s just so different from my other stuff yet similar.
Hello Alamo, ...good job !
*sorry for my English
Nice demo! Gibson SG with those P-90s : heavy R & B/power pop vibe (Graham Coxon-early Robbie Krieger-Pete T); Gibson SG with humbuckers/P.A.F. : hard rock or hotter/more modern rock vibe (Weezer-AC/DC) than the SG Special P-90. Both really wonderful solid body guitars. Maybe it's quite interesting if the Standard SG have low output AlNiCo P.A.F.s like Gibson Custombuckers or Seymour D Seth Lover. thanks!
What do you think a p90 in the neck and a humbucker in the bridge?
I have a Gibson SG Special like the one on this video and love its tones, neck, coolness factor and mojo! It also stays in tune, rock solid! All that said there is a huge problem with SGs - they are uncomfortable to play standing up. Neck dive, neck joint placed strap button, etc. makes the guitar lean forward and down. You have to fight it all gig long and ruins the experience. Also as you play you are unconsciously pulling the strings out of tune as you fight the neck dive. YMMV but these are not the best guitars to gig with.
Came for the guitar comparison, stayed for the ice cream store.
I just ordered my first Gibson, first SG and first P90 guitar! It’ll be here tomorrow! So excited only concern is the wrap around tail piece!
How did it go?
I had a large guard Standard and an SG Modern I traded in for a different guitar, but I kept the Special and 61 Standard with vibrola. I might sell the Special for a LP gold top with P90s.
I'll just say that I have an SG Jr. Money where my mouth is on that. The mid-range push on P-90s is unbeatable, especially if you pair it up with something scoopy like a Strat.
The first clip that showed the clean P90 neck tone made me wanna get this SG so freaking bad! Ive been looking into P90 guitars but there is something about an SG that has always caught my interest. Ive owned Les Pauls before, but never an SG. I guess I will go and try one myself and decide whether or not it suits my style. I am a bit worried about the neck diving situation. Is it as bad as people say?
The fret inlays aren't parallelograms, they are trapezoids...
I have the Pellum Blue Special and the Neck feels WIDER than the STD SG. But I still Love it!
I'm so drawn in by the "excessive" blackness of the Special Ebony! Simple and smart. It's again the exquisite P90s fault, as these come in black for all colors of both models.
I like slim 60s style necks. Is the special more similar to a standard on neck size?
I am in for Rumbucker Icecream!
I have the '61 SG Reissue and I love it! I am debating whether to get the guitar with P90s, but after watching this, the tones sound better clean and dirty with the Humbuckers. Although I like the P90s, the Humbuckers sound better. Just my opinion!!
OMG, the P90 one. To die for. But with .11s.
I don’t mind the bridge on the Specials. They’re like Juniors, which I like.
Loved the sound of both. Do you recall what amp you were using?
Well, there we go, I need both! And also a '61.
The SG Special is the same as the SG Classic except pickguard shape? Am I wrong?
Do you know what a parallelogram is? 🤔
Sounds great Cooper
Nice playing
great guitars, great amp, great playing. love it
Oh I absolutely LOVE Pelham Blue!!!
Hi Cooper, what pick do you use? Nice video!
SG Special 67's model sounds better . With ABR-1 you feel the quality of a cream of the crop sound, PAF humbuckers and offset pickguard. It feels and looks like a real Tuxedo, it's a jewel. Better between 1994 to 1996 models.
Agreed that clean, the P90s sounded better. But, on the other hand, I have an Epiphone Casino P90 that I love for that kind of tone. But, only other guitar I have that's humbuckers is a 335. So, I'd probably go with the humbuckers. I think I liked the full-range psychedlic hard rock tone, with gain. But, I'm shopping for an SG for high-gain. Don't have a Les Paul, interested in this instead. Though, the Deluxe reissue of the Guild Polara has my attention at the moment.
Call me insane but i love the P90 pickups more , why ? because they seem to be more versatile than humbuckers , you can get more tones from them and on clean settings you can literally get those beautiful 60s Fender clean tones but on a Gibson and if you want to Rock out they have enough bottom end to do it.
P90 for me thanks.🇬🇧
Bob Marley used a Les Paul Special P90's he wouldn't have traded it for the world, and he was Rhythm! Thanks for a great demo..and buy both for the price of one les paul!
Love my Les Paul Special!
I like the sound of the SG with the humbuckers. Roly Large.
Great demo. What are you using for overdrive?
P-90s are the sound of Rock’n’Roll! ❤️🎶🤘
I like the standard
lol, i solved the "which one to get?" problem by getting both of them. :)
I have a '92 Gibson SG Special in black and a '01 Standard in cherry. Both have a fat neck. I do not like the 490 & 498 on the Standard and I will probably get some P90 style pickups for it.
Just watched the beginning so far, as I’ve got to go out, but doesn’t the batwing humbuckered SG have pickguard mounted pups, the humbuckers in a ‘61 being mounted, via pup rings, to the body… ? Must make a difference, tonally.
Just saying. 😬
P-90s sound much better and clearer. The humbuckers are muddier than the P-90s.
Neck is the same?
I love SG’s however I can’t stand the circuit board pots they are using on the SG Standards and Tributes and probably the Specials too although I haven’t cracked one of those open yet. So what I did was I bought a brand new husk via Stratosphere and I installed a set of Saturday Night Specials and nice pots with bumblebee caps and it’s an awesome SG now, I also did something similar with an SG Tribute as well with other pups. For me that was the way to go.
how does a circuit board sound compared against handwired? and what percievable difference does bumblefuck caps make a difference.
@@chickenlickin3820 , none…. Go play with your circuit board, thanks.
@@chickenlickin3820 , I like all the pretty colors on the caps. It makes the control cavity look psychedelic.
the special is handwired orange drop caps
@@not_sutton , Aye... you're right. I actually just purchased a new LP Special w/ P90's and I was happy to see it was hand wired.
SG Special sounds vastly superior clean and dirty to my ears. But the Standard looks so much nicer. Have to go with the ears and choose the Special.
I liked the p90's way better with dirt. Clean I thought the humbuckers sounded a bit better. Since I tend to allways play with at least little dirt, I'd prefer the p90's one and am curious about the Tony Iommi one. Too bad about the old fashioned cherry red and black being the only finishes. Gets a bit boring. Gibson should bring back all the custom colours.
I cannot buy a guitar without single coils or p90s, i dont know what it is but i just prefer them over humbuckers and don't understand why everyone else seems to think the opposite
I'm a P90 fan, but damn... Cooper, your playing is amazing!
If you have Humbuckers you can always switch to P90's if you want to?
Man I am glad my special is the mini humbucker model with a real bridge not that wonky bridge that the p90 ones do. Mine also has block inlays and ebony fretboard. I just could not pay for a guitar with such a wonky bridge...
Love my P90s SG.......
Oh no: I loved the P90s in the neck and middle, esp clean, but I loved the humbucker in the bridge, esp dirty. Did not care for the reverse (P90 bridge, HB neck). How to split this baby?!?
In europe the std and special p90 cost exactly the same. The only issue for me on the special is the early 60's neckjoint.