Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

[pac112]

Yo wise pple of the forum.

Please tell me all you know about the Gibson SG Standard. I've played the Epi SG's . nearly bought the Iommi Epi SG, i liked the sound but not so much the feel. Now thinking abt the Gibson Standard SG, costing 2 times the price. would appreciate any comment at all abt it.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

from my guitar center escapades its a really solid guitar, good natural tone, great midrange. Only woes-crappy pickups (gibson's classic design is so good though it still sounds good stock) and there tends to be rectangular edged frets on these guitars.

What about the feel did you not like? I was all over the SG until i tried an american strat. The feel fit me like a glove and the tone grew on me alot. Unpainted necks have a more natural, smoother feel than the glossy red or black gibson painted necks.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

I can't tell you much about current SG Standards since the ones that I own are from the mid to late 70s. However, I LOVE these instruments. My "wife" (that would be my first love instrument) is a '79 wine red SG. SGs seemed to capture, for me, a quintessential rock tone. Plus, you could use them for everything. I can name players who used them in nearly every genre. I do have a few qualms with them, however. They're not a real heavy guitar, and as a result, I don't play them much anymore, because my playing style is better suited to a guitar that can handle being attacked and SGs just don't cut it in that aspect. The pickups, as Quencho092 has stated, are admittedly a bit muddy, but the SG is such a high end/mid rangey instrument that it really doesn't matter much.
If I were you, I'd look for a mid 70's issue model. They're old enough now that you might have to refret it, but I think you'll like the result.

 

[MattPete]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

I test drove a Special and a Standard last summer. The only difference I could tell between the two was the the Standard had a bound neck and a 498t in the bridge rather than a 490t. I preferred the sound of the 490t over the more powerful pickup in the Standard, so I went for the cheaper special.

Downside? I don't care for the fret crown -- too flat for my taste. I also wouldn't mind a bit more sustain, but that's the nature of the [SG] beast. I ended up replacing the 490r neck pickup with a Seth Lover, as it was too loud and muddy compared to the 490t bridge pickup.

Otherwise, this guitar has fantastic tone. Very resonant and earthy.

 

[frigginalex]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

MY SG Standard is the best guitar I own. Big thick neck, light body, and snappy midrangey tone. Build quality is better than anything Epiphone puts out.

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

very solid piece of gear.
the fretwork on all the SG standards i've ever played on has been up to par, if not excellent. i think most of the bad fretwork on SG's comes from the lower models where there isn't a binding on the fretboard.
the sound overall is very balanced, and it sounds really good even with the stock pickups. it's nice and light which makes it comfortable to play on stage, but it tends to be a little neck-heavy. but a leather strap will keep it balenced nicely.
it plays like a dream...the only thing that peeves me about it is that with the nitro finish, the back of the neck can get built up very quickly with dirt/sweat/whatever, which keeps your hand from moving freely up and down the neck. i take a rag to it pretty often for this reason.

 

[frigginalex]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

very solid piece of gear.
the fretwork on all the SG standards i've ever played on has been up to par, if not excellent. i think most of the bad fretwork on SG's comes from the lower models where there isn't a binding on the fretboard.
the sound overall is very balanced, and it sounds really good even with the stock pickups. it's nice and light which makes it comfortable to play on stage, but it tends to be a little neck-heavy. but a leather strap will keep it balenced nicely.
it plays like a dream...the only thing that peeves me about it is that with the nitro finish, the back of the neck can get built up very quickly with dirt/sweat/whatever, which keeps your hand from moving freely up and down the neck. i take a rag to it pretty often for this reason.

+1 to what he said

The nitro finish can be a problem and it's one that I've noticed on mine especially for someone who sweats as much as I do. Just keep something to clean it with handy and you'll be set. I wipe mine down everytime I play it.

 

[pac112]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

bum be da bum

 

[Bludave]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

I can't tell you much about current SG Standards since the ones that I own are from the mid to late 70s. However, I LOVE these instruments. My "wife" (that would be my first love instrument) is a '79 wine red SG. SGs seemed to capture, for me, a quintessential rock tone. Plus, you could use them for everything. I can name players who used them in nearly every genre. I do have a few qualms with them, however. They're not a real heavy guitar, and as a result, I don't play them much anymore, because my playing style is better suited to a guitar that can handle being attacked and SGs just don't cut it in that aspect. The pickups, as Quencho092 has stated, are admittedly a bit muddy, but the SG is such a high end/mid rangey instrument that it really doesn't matter much.
If I were you, I'd look for a mid 70's issue model. They're old enough now that you might have to refret it, but I think you'll like the result.

Yeah I agree. I have a 1968 SG Standard. Even though I don't use it much today, it offers a real classic rock type of tone. Everything from AC DC to Cream can be had with this type of guitar. It should be one that all guitar players have. The only negative to them is the tend to be headstock heavy and try to slide down when playing, but that can be fixed by repositioning the strap button. The other issue is they are notorious for the head stocks breaking off. The neck/headstock joint is weak. They have also been known to break at the joint where the neck meets the body. Great guitars though. Mine sounds awsome thru Fenders as well as Marshalls.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

I have a quite new Gibson SG Standard, from June 2004 May. Like others before have said, it is a very solid instrument, both with quality and feel.

I bought mine from GC through a relative, and had zero problems. They told me they had to return to get the plastic for the rhythm-treble switch which had fallen off, but otherwise simply none at all. All parts seem to be rock solid, I earlier thought that I'll have to change at least the tuners because I thought they wouldn't keep in tune and looked ugly in pictures, but that all changed when I saw it in person. Tuners, frets, binding, pickguard, pots, jack, bridge all are very good quality, IMO. The case is very very nice as well.

My only gripe is with the pickups, mainly the bridge pickup. The neck pickup was okay, but the bridge one bad. I replaced them with DMZ Tonezone and PAF Pro and couldn't be happier. The TZ seems to cure the problems commonly associated with the SG bridge pup placement closer to the bridge. I'm currently wondering how well the 498t would work as a neck pickup on some of my guitars-to-be.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

It's a good guitar and plays well. I personally prefer the '61 LP/SG reissue, but it's more $$. You might get them to drop the price on the Standard if you go in with $$ in hand. Last I looked they were going for between 12K & 13K.

 

[pac112]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

It's a good guitar and plays well. I personally prefer the '61 LP/SG reissue, but it's more $$. You might get them to drop the price on the Standard if you go in with $$ in hand. Last I looked they were going for between 12K & 13K.

12 grand?! :yell:
dude i dun have that kinda dough to spend on anything. let alone an axe.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

I think the asking price for one is 1069$ in GC. In europe, I think that you should find one for 1350€. I think Thomann had one for even less, it's now in their hot deals with a possibility to return it if it doesn't suit one. I'd go for it if I were you.

Couple more things sprung into mind, my SG is not neck heavy at all, which is sometimes attributed to them. I also find no difficulties with the painted neck opposed to a satin finished neck, I think it only took ten minutes and I was past the initial difficulty.

 

[SpeedDemon]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

I played a SG standard today, i am gassing for one now, and thats not good because i DO NOT have 1400$ to spend, i played a brown colored SG at the local shop today, it was sooo extremely amazing, the setup, the neck and the pup's were pretty good too. damn i want one.... DAMNIT, i hate you gibson

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

12 grand?! :yell:
dude i dun have that kinda dough to spend on anything. let alone an axe.

OOPS! Sorry, I meant 1200-1300. If you pay 12-Grand for a new SG Standard you'll be needing a good Proctologist real soon :laugh2:

Jeff

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

if you go to guitar center, and you know what you're doing, you can get it for a few bucks cheaper. i got the guy at GC to knock 100 bucks off of what the price tag said, AND throw in a set of straplocks AND a set of strings. granted i did pay with cash, but the bottom line is that it's doable.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

if you go to guitar center, and you know what you're doing, you can get it for a few bucks cheaper. i got the guy at GC to knock 100 bucks off of what the price tag said, AND throw in a set of straplocks AND a set of strings. granted i did pay with cash, but the bottom line is that it's doable.

That's defintiely the way to go. I bought my '61 Reissue at CG and new the salesguy somewhat. He was able to knock off about $200+. It's doable if you have cash.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

if you go to guitar center, and you know what you're doing, you can get it for a few bucks cheaper. i got the guy at GC to knock 100 bucks off of what the price tag said, AND throw in a set of straplocks AND a set of strings. granted i did pay with cash, but the bottom line is that it's doable.

It's definitleyt doable if you have cash. I got CG to knock $200+ off of my '61 reissue and few years ago.

 

[pac112]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

the thing is there's no GC in germany. and if i walk into my local music shop, the pple they know me and will give some discount, but it'll still be 100 or more euros more than ordering online.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Gibson SG Standard review pls!!

http://www.thomann.de/gibson_sgstd_prodinfo.html

Have a look at that. A very good price, 1098 euros, from a very reputable dealer. And you have the 30 days return guarantee. Go for it, now! The price is different on that sheet and the hot deals sheet, but I'm sure they'll go with the lower one.