Budget SG Shootout
- Thread starter Aceman
- Start date
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Budget SG Shootout
The problem I have about the Viper is that it is designed to be similar to an SG. I played one at GC once and everything about it struck me as almost but not quite an SG. To me it's an attempt to get as close as possible to am SG without attracting negative "attention" from Gibson. It would be cool if they changed it up a bit though, maybe go for a nontraditional color and made the pickups wood mount. On the plus side however, they did switch to a master volume/ master tone layout, which I prefer, and they made it a 24 fretter, which you might as well do on an SG since the neck pickup is in a weird place anyway. The side jack is also nice. I never liked how they put the input on the face of the SG. The LTD is also a fine piece of workmanship for the money and the neck seems to be more secure to the body than the G400.
I'd say if you've never spent serious time with an SG or don't think the minor changes from the Gibson design will bother you, go for the Viper. If you care for traditional looks and mojo, go for the Epi. They are both decent guitars and neither is a bad choice.
The problem I have about the Viper is that it is designed to be similar to an SG. I played one at GC once and everything about it struck me as almost but not quite an SG. To me it's an attempt to get as close as possible to am SG without attracting negative "attention" from Gibson. It would be cool if they changed it up a bit though, maybe go for a nontraditional color and made the pickups wood mount. On the plus side however, they did switch to a master volume/ master tone layout, which I prefer, and they made it a 24 fretter, which you might as well do on an SG since the neck pickup is in a weird place anyway. The side jack is also nice. I never liked how they put the input on the face of the SG. The LTD is also a fine piece of workmanship for the money and the neck seems to be more secure to the body than the G400.
I'd say if you've never spent serious time with an SG or don't think the minor changes from the Gibson design will bother you, go for the Viper. If you care for traditional looks and mojo, go for the Epi. They are both decent guitars and neither is a bad choice.
Van Noord
New member
Re: Budget SG Shootout
Viper.
Although I feel they play and sound more like an LP than an SG. The neck profile is classic LTD though.
They are a big hunk of mahogany that sound really great and the offset body shape looks killer IMO.
I have an older one, with the top strap button on the tip of the upper horn. This is ideal because you get no dreaded "neck dive" when you remove your hand from the neck. Same can't be said for the newer Vipers or any SG.
Viper.
Although I feel they play and sound more like an LP than an SG. The neck profile is classic LTD though.
They are a big hunk of mahogany that sound really great and the offset body shape looks killer IMO.
I have an older one, with the top strap button on the tip of the upper horn. This is ideal because you get no dreaded "neck dive" when you remove your hand from the neck. Same can't be said for the newer Vipers or any SG.
Condemned soul
New member
Have a Guitar to throw into the Mix
Have a Guitar to throw into the Mix
Have played both guitars. Would rather play the Viper. Just liked the neck better than the Epiphone necks.
Here is another guitar to consider.
Can I throw another guitar into the mix?
Have never seen or played one - Rhondo's Agile Valkyrie. For the price, they look like a player. Does anyone have experience with this guitar? How does it compare to the Viper or the Epiphone?
Have a Guitar to throw into the Mix
Have played both guitars. Would rather play the Viper. Just liked the neck better than the Epiphone necks.
Here is another guitar to consider.
Can I throw another guitar into the mix?
Have never seen or played one - Rhondo's Agile Valkyrie. For the price, they look like a player. Does anyone have experience with this guitar? How does it compare to the Viper or the Epiphone?
muttznmongrelz
New member
Re: Budget SG Shootout
Viper; the ones I have run across feels and play better and seems more consistent/higher quality as well.
Viper; the ones I have run across feels and play better and seems more consistent/higher quality as well.
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: Budget SG Shootout
Grab a good used G400 and throw in a set of whatever pups you like and new vol pots.
I really like the G400's but sometimes the neck profiles can throw me if they're too square shouldered. I've had a few good ones over the years, they did a Pelham Blue with a Maestro that I really liked and the Customs are pretty cool if you can swing with the 3 pups. Just before Xmas I picked up a G400 Pro as a new "scratch and dent" special at GC for $200. I didn't feel bad re-shaping the neck and practicing some scar repair on it. Thing sounds and plays great with a little TLC. I like it enough to throw my SNS set in there. I like them painted as opposed to the veneered cherry red ones but YMMV.
If you can find a Vintage VS6 you might dig them
Grab a good used G400 and throw in a set of whatever pups you like and new vol pots.
I really like the G400's but sometimes the neck profiles can throw me if they're too square shouldered. I've had a few good ones over the years, they did a Pelham Blue with a Maestro that I really liked and the Customs are pretty cool if you can swing with the 3 pups. Just before Xmas I picked up a G400 Pro as a new "scratch and dent" special at GC for $200. I didn't feel bad re-shaping the neck and practicing some scar repair on it. Thing sounds and plays great with a little TLC. I like it enough to throw my SNS set in there. I like them painted as opposed to the veneered cherry red ones but YMMV.
If you can find a Vintage VS6 you might dig them
Lovegun
Active member
Re: Budget SG Shootout
I'm not sure if Epiphone even makes the G-400 anymore. I think Epi has replaced the G-400 with G-400 Pro. The Pro has a thicker neck and nice pickups with coil splitting. So if you choose Epiphone go with the Pro model. That's what I would do if I chose Epiphone because of the thicker neck and nicer pickups.
I'm not sure if Epiphone even makes the G-400 anymore. I think Epi has replaced the G-400 with G-400 Pro. The Pro has a thicker neck and nice pickups with coil splitting. So if you choose Epiphone go with the Pro model. That's what I would do if I chose Epiphone because of the thicker neck and nicer pickups.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Budget SG Shootout
Or find a PRS Mira....
Bill
Or find a PRS Mira....
Bill
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Budget SG Shootout
Used Gibson Faded series. You might even score a glossy black Special for $450ish if you're patient.
Used Gibson Faded series. You might even score a glossy black Special for $450ish if you're patient.
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: Budget SG Shootout
If you can find a good used Gibson for chump change sure go for it. I am going to guess that you'll find 1/2 dozen Epi's for $125-150 so if you're looking for cheap that's where I'd shop. If you are going up the ladder that's a different story. I picked up a Standard for $400 with a neck repair but you know how to shop so.....
I like that the Epiphones generally have a bit less neck angle than the Gibsons but that varies.
If you can find a good used Gibson for chump change sure go for it. I am going to guess that you'll find 1/2 dozen Epi's for $125-150 so if you're looking for cheap that's where I'd shop. If you are going up the ladder that's a different story. I picked up a Standard for $400 with a neck repair but you know how to shop so.....
I like that the Epiphones generally have a bit less neck angle than the Gibsons but that varies.
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: Budget SG Shootout
What's budget about that? Core or S2 neither qualifies as a lo-buk ride
What's budget about that? Core or S2 neither qualifies as a lo-buk ride
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Budget SG Shootout
Definitely Epi SG for me, there's so many models and finishes to choose from. I also like that many of them have thick C-shaped necks. I've owned/played many Chinese & Korean G400's over the years and really like them. Workmanship has always been very good. I always upgrade the PU's, '59's are nice in them, especially with an UOA5 in the bridge. Actually, any PAF would probably sound good in them. They're also well-suited for C8's, C5's, and UOA5 Customs. I always do some alternative wirings like independent volume controls, spin-a-split on the neck PU, and the Kinman treble bleed mod on the bridge. Total cost for these three mods is $2, and they add a lot of nice tones options, so I need 4 knobs to get what I want.
With these mods on a used G400 with used Duncans, you can have a nice sounding, versatile guitar without spending a lot. I don't think the lower-end Gibson SG's are anything to get excited about, and all of Gibson's SG's seem to have the usual so-so PU's which I'd replace (498T/490R, '57 Classics, 490 set) for better sounding ones.
Definitely Epi SG for me, there's so many models and finishes to choose from. I also like that many of them have thick C-shaped necks. I've owned/played many Chinese & Korean G400's over the years and really like them. Workmanship has always been very good. I always upgrade the PU's, '59's are nice in them, especially with an UOA5 in the bridge. Actually, any PAF would probably sound good in them. They're also well-suited for C8's, C5's, and UOA5 Customs. I always do some alternative wirings like independent volume controls, spin-a-split on the neck PU, and the Kinman treble bleed mod on the bridge. Total cost for these three mods is $2, and they add a lot of nice tones options, so I need 4 knobs to get what I want.
With these mods on a used G400 with used Duncans, you can have a nice sounding, versatile guitar without spending a lot. I don't think the lower-end Gibson SG's are anything to get excited about, and all of Gibson's SG's seem to have the usual so-so PU's which I'd replace (498T/490R, '57 Classics, 490 set) for better sounding ones.
Last edited:
P
Plessure
Guest
Re: Budget SG Shootout
Vipor wins
Next challanger??
Vipor wins
Next challanger??