Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

[waltschwarzkopf]

Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Hi guys,

I have a 2010 Gibson SG Special Faded which quickly became my favorite guitar. I literally do not play my other guitars anymore, she sits on my stand so I can quickly grab it and play it whenever I want.

I love the light weight, the smoothness of the satin neck, the accessibility of the double-cut body, the versatility of the HH 2V 2T configuration and the sound of the 490R/T combo.

But just browsing through the classified like I always do, I saw a few SG Standards from 2010/2011/2012 for about 800-1000buck and made me think “Would this be an upgrade”?

The shape and neck of those is like mine, but with a gloss finish. They also have the big pickguard and 490R on the neck, but a 498T on the neck (both chrome-covered) And the visual differences of trapeze inlays, crown inlay and SG truss-rod cover. They come with a hardcase, which is nice, but since mine stays on the stand for quick access, its a bit pointless.

What do you think? most people say that the 490R/498T is a bad combo, and in my opinion they are a bit unbalanced. I’d have to buy a pair of 59s for example. I also have a Les Paul with BurstBucker Pros and I thought about swapping pickings between both of my Gibsons just for fun and to experiment. I do not look at the fretboard or headstock while playing, so those visual upgrades are a bit pointless. And the glossy finish is irrelevant while playing. My SG has a few marks that give her attitude and make me want to play her more. The ones I saw are in mint condition and may want to make me leave them in the case for protection, just like I do with my les paul. Am I missing something? Is there something that really makes the Standard a BETTER guitar than my more affordable model?

Cheers,
Walter



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[stef89]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

There is a small difference in sound by upgrading, because of the glossed finish actually makes them sound alitle bit brighter but NOT better!! Just different.

Also a glossy neck is not fun to play on

Burstbuckers 2-3 or pearly gates in a sg is pure sex.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Seths in an SG are excellent as well

 

[VinceT]

Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Hi guys,

I have a 2010 Gibson SG Special Faded which quickly became my favorite guitar. I literally do not play my other guitars anymore, she sits on my stand so I can quickly grab it and play it whenever I want.

I love the light weight, the smoothness of the satin neck, the accessibility of the double-cut body, the versatility of the HH 2V 2T configuration and the sound of the 490R/T combo.

But just browsing through the classified like I always do, I saw a few SG Standards from 2010/2011/2012 for about 800-1000buck and made me think “Would this be an upgrade”?

The shape and neck of those is like mine, but with a gloss finish. They also have the big pickguard and 490R on the neck, but a 498T on the neck (both chrome-covered) And the visual differences of trapeze inlays, crown inlay and SG truss-rod cover. They come with a hardcase, which is nice, but since mine stays on the stand for quick access, its a bit pointless.

What do you think? most people say that the 490R/498T is a bad combo, and in my opinion they are a bit unbalanced. I’d have to buy a pair of 59s for example. I also have a Les Paul with BurstBucker Pros and I thought about swapping pickings between both of my Gibsons just for fun and to experiment. I do not look at the fretboard or headstock while playing, so those visual upgrades are a bit pointless. And the glossy finish is irrelevant while playing. My SG has a few marks that give her attitude and make me want to play her more. The ones I saw are in mint condition and may want to make me leave them in the case for protection, just like I do with my les paul. Am I missing something? Is there something that really makes the Standard a BETTER guitar than my more affordable model?

Cheers,
Walter



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

To be honest, the way you describe your current SG, I don’t hear this alternate as an upgrade, whatever you do to fix it up. This sounds like a prime opportunity to “love the one you’re with”.

My closest analogy would be my 2006 LP Standard Faded - there’s really no Les Paul I’ve come across that would ever convince me to trade up on that - it’s my LP. Period.

Oh, and just to say, I find a MASSIVE difference between satin and gloss necks when playing, particularly when gigging/sweating. I’ve taken he finish off several of my guitar necks to get that satin feel (I have a MusicMan, which converted me - and there was no going back!)

Best of luck


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[Chickenwings]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Standards look better.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

^ And thats about it. Inlay on the headstock, traps and binding on the fretboard. Still the same SG dimensions which will give the same sort of voice - different wood planks between guitars notwithstanding.

I don't buy the 'glossy finish makes it brighter' at all. That sounds like the eyes telling the brain what its supposed to hear.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Sounds like your brain knows you got a great guitar there but you want another one. Maybe get another and keep er down half a step or some other tuning?

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Other than the 498T it's pretty much all visual. Standards look nicer, but I like that satin finish on the Special Faded model more.

 

[Condemnedsoul]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

After selling a LP and an Explorer, I jumped into the SG world and now have four of them. So, I thinks you should enjoy the beloved Satin. Decide what its personality and sound is lacking then start looking for the SG that gives you something that fills in the blanks.


While this comment could start a major sandstorm, some SG's really soften nicely with a top wrapped tailpiece.

And you can't go wrong with SD's in an SG - pair of 59's, Jazz / 59 Custom pair, WLH set........ many great choices and don't overlook a couple of pickups by DMZ.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

To be honest, the way you describe your current SG, I don’t hear this alternate as an upgrade, whatever you do to fix it up. This sounds like a prime opportunity to “love the one you’re with”.

My closest analogy would be my 2006 LP Standard Faded - there’s really no Les Paul I’ve come across that would ever convince me to trade up on that - it’s my LP. Period.

I feel the same way! I may take it to a local shop and play it along other SG of "higher" quality and see if I notice any differences.

Standards look better.

Exactly, looks better or maybe just different. But this guitar is not a looker it's a player!

Sounds like your brain knows you got a great guitar there but you want another one. Maybe get another and keep er down half a step or some other tuning?

I thought about buying another one, but this one is so good that makes me wonder if something else will be an upgrade...
BTW, I tried a while ago having many Les Paul, one in standard tuning, one hald step down, one in drop D and one in DADGAD. In the end I only played the main one in standard tuning.

Other than the 498T it's pretty much all visual. Standards look nicer, but I like that satin finish on the Special Faded model more.

Me too, I also think that beyond the 498T is all cosmetics. If I want to try some pickups I may install the BurstBucker Pros that I have. They are AlNiCo V and just a hair hotter than this 490R/T combo. I'm very curious about this.

After selling a LP and an Explorer, I jumped into the SG world and now have four of them. So, I thinks you should enjoy the beloved Satin. Decide what its personality and sound is lacking then start looking for the SG that gives you something that fills in the blanks.

While this comment could start a major sandstorm, some SG's really soften nicely with a top wrapped tailpiece.

And you can't go wrong with SD's in an SG - pair of 59's, Jazz / 59 Custom pair, WLH set........ many great choices and don't overlook a couple of pickups by DMZ.

I agree, I'll kepp playing it more and more and only then I could see if anything is missing.

I have 9s on my LP, so using this SG with 10s felt a bit hard. So I top wrapped the highest 3 strings and now I'm very happy with the feeling. Next time I change the strings I may try a full top wrap and see how it feels.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

I don't buy the 'glossy finish makes it brighter' at all. That sounds like the eyes telling the brain what its supposed to hear.

Yep, the finish has no effect on the tone. And these both have the same finish on them. They just saved money by not buffing out the "faded" models.

I've built guitars from scratch and played them before and after applying finish. They sound the same.


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[stef89]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

I swear to God in my ears when I play a glossy guitar and a satin type finished guitar. The glossy will always be alitle brighter and stiffer or "tighter" sounding.

I have played many different SG's and non gloss sounds different, especially if you play them unplugged

Thats between a thick glossy finish to a thin layered finish.

 

[cvansickle]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Pickups can always be changed. The neck binding is the biggest difference, it will feel different against the fret ends.

I say to the OP, if you like what you have as much as you say you do, stick with it.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Pickups can always be changed. The neck binding is the biggest difference, it will feel different against the fret ends.

I say to the OP, if you like what you have as much as you say you do, stick with it.

I'm gonna keep her for long, for sure. The binding is not a problem on this one, the neck is very smooth and the frets edges are great.

 

[RorySquier]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

I have a '91 Gibson SG Special that I chose over a Standard SG because it has an ebony fret board which felt great! The pick ups in the guitar are the Gibson 490R/490T combo which sounds real good and are very well balanced.



;>)/

 

[tnvol]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Other than the obvious cost difference, maybe not. My Faded was every bit the player and sounded as good as my 61 RI. That's really what counts.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

The pick ups in the guitar are the Gibson 490R/490T combo which sounds real good and are very well balanced.

True that, I can get amazing tones with this combo through my Gigmaster. Zeppelin, Cream, AC/DC!

I was thinking about putting an AlNiCo V magnet on the bridge, but after re-EQing my amp last night I couldn’t be happier with the setup.


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[ThisDyingSoul76]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

it really depends on the difference in specs being used during the year you get for a Standard, but I find my 2008 Faded Special is an entirely different animal from my '73 Standard. Not an upgrade as much as a different flavour.

Both sound great. My Special is brighter and dirtier. My Standard is darker and cleaner sounding. I switch up depending on whether I want smoother and bluesier or sharp and aggressive... or when recording I do multiple tracks with each and switch up amps and pedals to get different sounds that I blend together.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

“Would this be an upgrade”?

In a nutshell, no.

/Peter

 

[blueman335]

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

Re: Is an SG Standard an “upgrade” from my special?

While this comment could start a major sandstorm, some SG's really soften nicely with a top wrapped tailpiece.

And you can't go wrong with SD's in an SG - pair of 59's, Jazz / 59 Custom pair, WLH set........ many great choices and don't overlook a couple of pickups by DMZ.

+1. Duncan's would be a much better choice than either the 498T/490R in there now or a '57 set. If I worked at Gibson I certainly wouldn't be proud that they were putting those in guitars, and charging exorbitant aftermarket prices for them.

I also top wrap my stop bars except for ones with gold hardware, as that ends up in more tarnishing.