So I'm getting an SG... but which?

[GuitarDoc]

Lighter tuners help the neckdive too.

And not having oversized headstocks like the Epis helps too.

And getting a different guitar REALLY helps with neckdive.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I find the neck dive argument to be ridiculous. Yes, if you take your hand off the neck, the guitar will rest perpendicular to the floor. The second you put your hand under the neck, it slides into the desired position. It is not as if you have to fight with the neck to play the guitar. I do not even notice "neck dive" on my SG.

Actually...yes you do. Some people get used to it and it doesn't affect their playing, but that doesn't mean they don't have to contend with it...it just becomes a subconscious thing.

 

[GuitarDoc]

The offset on the Vintage/Harley guitars is really weird feeling and imo make the guitar sit very awkwardly, much like the ESP Vipers

Besides, the Vipers are just downright ugly.

 

[Securb]

Actually...yes you do. Some people get used to it and it doesn't affect their playing, but that doesn't mean they don't have to contend with it...it just becomes a subconscious thing.

There was nothing to contend with from the first second I picked up my SG. It was NEVER an issue or something I needed to get used to. Just pick it up, plug it in, and rock the hell out of it.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

The neck dive thing depends, I found it to vary across guitars - some had it prominently, others not at all. I agree heavier tuners with metal buttons (Grovers or similar) won't help because of the general geometry of the guitar. Anyway, there's several ways around it to the point that complaining about nowadays is eh.. Unless you have a luthier built SG, where the maker may select a lighter piece of wood for the neck and a heavier one for the body, that kind of attention to detail won't happen. If it really bothers you, get a different guitar.

Fwiw, I have one of the 'inspired by...' dual P90 Epiphone SGs, I use a skinny, non grippy strap and it doesn't have this problem, even if I let the guitar hang on its own. So, I'm not contending with anything either, and I didn't own an SG till fairly recently, or am shilling because of long-term investment in the model or whatever.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Let's talk about Harley Benton...





Just kidding. Seriously though, how much SG do you need? I have heard a LOT of love and no complaints on Epiphone G400's over the years.

I like it, but half of the reason for me wanting an SG is how they sound because the bridge pickup is really close to the bridge. The bridge pickup on that Harley looks like it's further away from the Gibson, much like an Epi.

The only Epi that seems to have the "right" pickup position is the 1961, but I don't like the paddle headstock. Which is the other half of the reason why I want an SG: because it looks cool. The Epi's 1961 headstock kinda doesn't look cool to me.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The problem with the old G400's is the same bridge-bridge pickup relative position.

Believe it or not, though, I prefer the headstock on those old G400's.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Besides, the Vipers are just downright ugly.

I like the looks of the Vipers... but then again, the bridge pickup is not in the same position as Gibsons. So at that point, they're never going to sound like an SG.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Why?!
Neckdive is a function of math/geometry. The math doesn't care who is wearing the guitar.

Ive had at least 6 Gibson SG's and none had "neck dive".
Ive also never had a problem keeping a Les Paul "in tune" w or w/o locking tuners.
Or never had a problem with the "brite cap? on a Marshall or any of the other 1001 internet forum myths.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

And getting a different guitar REALLY helps with neckdive.

Yes, but a different guitar doesn't sound strident or looks like a retro Metal guitar like an SG does, which is kinda like why I want one.

Not all SG's dive anyways. And if it does, plenty of ways to fix it. I'm fine with fixing it if it does indeed happen on whichever one I get.

Pretty sure that if I find one without an oversized headstock, a Mahogany neck, and lighter Kluson-style tuners, the chances of it neckdiving are less anyways.

Are there any guitars free of this problem anyways? Pretty sure I've played Strats, Superstrats, Les Pauls, and Explorers that neckdive.

 

[Aceman]

The only Epi that seems to have the "right" pickup position is the 1961, but I don't like the paddle headstock. Which is the other half of the reason why I want an SG: because it looks cool. The Epi's 1961 headstock kinda doesn't look cool to me.

I do not find either of these reasons unreasonable...


This will get the job done
https://reverb.com/item/76464722-gibson-sg-tribute-2021-cherry

This is what you seem to really want. Get it.
https://reverb.com/item/78824024-gibson-sg-61-reissue-2022-cherry-red

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I do not find either of these reasons unreasonable...


This will get the job done
https://reverb.com/item/76464722-gibson-sg-tribute-2021-cherry

This is what you seem to really want. Get it.
https://reverb.com/item/78824024-gibson-sg-61-reissue-2022-cherry-red

I like that last one!

The Tributes would be great, but I kinda want a thin neck too. I kinda want an SG that feels like an SG. I've already got the Rounded profile on my Les Paul.

But that second one ticks all the boxes!

 

[marcello252]

First get a big fat strap and you don't have to worry about neck heavy.

Second, take any SG and run it through your preferred signal chain and jam on the high end of the neck for an hour.

At that point, it's really hard not to fall in love.

And then if you really want to go insane, do the same thing on an early 60 or reissue and you will never want to stop because you can reach anything that you ever imagined and more.

I had it for 2 years, sorry, no love

 

[zionstrat]

I had it for 2 years, sorry, no love

Tell me more, is it the fact that the neck feels long?

I definitely have that response to Firebirds and wonder if it could be the same...

 

[jeremy]

if you want a sg, play a bunch till you find the one that speaks to you. i have, and i assume you do too, enough guitars so getting one that isnt "the one" is foolish. itll take time, but youll end up with something that suits you best

 

[GuitarDoc]

if you want a sg, play a bunch till you find the one that speaks to you. i have, and i assume you do too, enough guitars so getting one that isnt "the one" is foolish. itll take time, but youll end up with something that suits you best

That's the best advice.

No one can pick out a guitar for some one else. And it's foolish to buy something that you don't love.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The local store has the Epi 1961 and the Gibson Tribute. I guess I could play both, I'm sure they even have them in all the different finishes, so I could cherry pick the best, but it would also be cool to know if you guys have other models to look out for.

I guess if not, look out for a used Standard.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

I find the neck dive argument to be ridiculous. Yes, if you take your hand off the neck, the guitar will rest perpendicular to the floor. The second you put your hand under the neck, it slides into the desired position. It is not as if you have to fight with the neck to play the guitar. I do not even notice "neck dive" on my SG.

You clearly have'nt played my Ironbird :lmao:. Neck dive is real and takes quite some getting used to. I remember the firsttime I slung it on w/ one of my usual 2 inch nylon straps. It nearly took my toe off. The trick is a leather stap (rough/unfinished at the back) and quite some time spent playing it/getting used to it. It does'nt bother me anymore but it's far from a non issue.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

As far as SG's go I like this one...

[video]https://www.allinoneguitars.com/product-page/aio-asg-electric-guitar-honey-burst[/video]

Apparently they're a decent up and coming brand & really well made too w/o breaking the bank.

If I was in the US I'd have one. :bigthumb:

 

[Mincer]

I did see a solution for neck dive that was something that attached to your strap and clipped to the top of your jeans.