Epiphone SG's?

[Mike M.]

I really don't know the first thing about SG's. But while at my local music store today I came across an Epiphone SG and I was VERY impressed with it. Now, when I play a guitar for the first time I prefer not to plug it into an amp because I'd rather see how it sounds "on it's own." Nice, clear tone with a resonance that you could feel throughout. Great fretwork with no sharp edges, no buzzing at all and it played like it had just been setup. The neck itself felt like it was set good in the body.

I even compared it to 4 Gibson SG's that were in the $900.00 range and IMO the $380.00 Epiphone was far better all around with a much better sound acoustically. I even played 2 other Epiphone SG's and they felt and sounded like something was missing.

I know a lot of people slam the electronics they use but apart from all that, how are these guitars in the long haul? Do they hold up structurally? Is staying in tune an issue like with some Gibsons?

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Epiphone SG's?

My #1 guitar is still the Epi Les Paul from 1996. They seem to be hit or miss with quality, but when you find a good one, I think they are almost as good as a Gibson. I say buy it, replace the electronics and you should be good to go.

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Epiphone SG's?

I say buy a Squier Standard Strat or a MIM Fender Strat, or a Tele. Screw Gibsons.

But then again, I have a huge bias!! There's a band here in town, who I'm quite fond of and the guitarist plays an Epi SG and an Epi Les Paul, usually the SG though, and through a Valvestate stack. As much as I love their songs, their energy, what they stand for, I can't stand his tone.

 

[Rowan]

Re: Epiphone SG's?

My drummer has an epiphone SG. Now most epiphones I've come across aren't great, but this one sounds really good. Its leads are just too creamy man. Even with the stock bucker in the bridge, and a duncan designed I put in the neck, the axe has good tone. It'd sound killer with some real duncans.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Epiphone SG's?

i have a crush on this G400 at my local guitar shop. i'm thinking of trading my big heavy 4x12 for it so that i can move easier, then getting a better 4x12 at my new residence...y'know, so that it's a smart economic decision, or something.

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: Epiphone SG's?

Some epiphones are very good. I have one of the cheapest epiphones you can get and it plays wonderfully, and sounds great. The epiphone SG's really do play a lot better than the cheaper gibsons.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Epiphone SG's?

I have an Epi G400 and it's a great guitar. I actually kept the Epi over a Gibson SG Faded.

 

[Dave Z]

Re: Epiphone SG's?

I have an ancient battered (prev owner scratched a pentagram in it with a hoe) G400 (setneck SG) and it sounds GREAT. Excellent acoustically, as you noted with yours. If it plays well & sounds good I say go for it -- if you can put up with the Gibson snobs. For some people, the name on the headstock blinds them to all other senses.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Epiphone SG's?

I've got a Iommi model G-400, so it avoids the normally blah pickup experience that most people have with Epi's. This model is not necessarily the best value if you are going to change pickups anyway, but I got mine used, and these were THE pickups (Gibson USA Iommis) I wanted, so it made sense for me.