Two SGs on the horizon...

Fikealox

Fikealox

New member
In the face of my impending return to uni, I decided to get the last of my gear trades out of the way, sacrificing two of my superstrats for an SG Special (faded cherry) and an ESP Viper (matt black). I'm really excited to get my hands on both guitars, but I'm probably slightly more excited for the actual SG, because I have bigger plans for it.

I'm replacing the EMGs in the Viper with a set of Blackouts, but the SG is getting the full treatment: Bareknuckle Nailbombs, Tonepros/Kluson locking tuners, bridge, and tailpiece (all in nickel), and maybe a Graphtech nut and saddles in a few weeks (depending on if I feel that I can afford to lose any top-end).

Apart from just wanting to share my excitement, I had a few questions for you all:

1. Has anyone got any opinions on the SG Specials or ESP Vipers?
2. Since I never as a rule use the neck tone (and I don't like push-pull pots), I'm thinking of sacrificing a tone pot in order to put in a coil-split or similar. Should I wire up the remaining tone pot as a master tone or leave it as bridge tone?
3. Which wiring mod should I go for? Neck split, PRS-style outer-coils, series/parallel, other?
4. Is there anything I should be careful about as regards the nitro finish? I've heard that some types of foam (like on stands) react with nitro and turn it black.
5. What do you guys think of Tonepros hardware? Are there any other brands that make locking hardware that you would recommend?
6. If I do decide to get a Graphtech nut, would I be better off getting a blank or a slotted nut? (Either way, it'd be professionally installed).
7. Any other thoughts, warnings, or suggestions?

Thanks!

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Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

Hey bro,

1. I've got 3 SG's and I previously owned a ESP LTD Viper 400 for over a year. The Viper just never felt right to me. The balance was off, I didn't like the neck, and I was never able to get used to the 1 master vol and 1 master tone. I really wanted to like the Viper, it looked sweet and I liked the tone of the EMG's... I tried to bond with it, but it never happened. I ended up trading it for a LTD EC1000 deluxe which I didn't like either. I've have played SG's before I picked up the Viper. Maybe that had alot to do with my dissapointment. The SG's are way more comfortable and easy to play, IMO. YMMV.

4. Yes, I have had rubber/foam stands change the color of my Gibsons. It actually makes a dark patch where they come in contact. To remedy this, I've bought some black cloth and wrapped it around the foam/rubber. No more problems. you could probably cut up an old t shirt and do the same. The cloth actually works better IMO, There's no more affect on the nitro finish and provides a little more cushion on your guitar stand. If you have that foam rubber on your guitar stand you'll find that they go flat after time. The cloth replaces that cushioning that would otherwise be lost.

5. Concidentally I have TonePros hardware on 2 of my SG's, 1 Explorer, and 1 Les Paul. I got a few of 'em with the Graphtech saddles. If you get TonePros I highly recommend spending the extra $$ for the Graphtech saddles. The graphtech help prevent string breakage and makes tuning smoother. Can't say that I've noticed any improvement in tone or sustain, but it definetely hasn't hurt it any. I aslo like the locking feature becuz I change strings fairly often. I only have to measure once, lock it in place, and I'll know my settings haven't changed.
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

The 1 tip I can offer about the SG is check the fret edges. SG specials are kind of notorious for having very rough fret edges. Give 'em a feel first and be sure the edges are something you can live with, or worth getting filed...

I love my SG Faded Special. It was my first SG, and still gets played all the time. I get some amazing tone and indescribeable vibe when I play her...

Best wishes! Enjoy!
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

A guy with two SG's on the way, and dumping a couple superstrats to get them.

"And the Gods smiled..."
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

Hehe, I think you're right, blueman ;0) I don't think I'll ever let my other superstrat go, but I finally realised that if I want real Gibson tone, there's nothing for it but to bite the bullet and get short scale mahogany set necks. I was initially planning to trade for the Viper and buy an LP to really round out the collection, but after a week of guitar store visits I couldn't find an LP I liked. Then I realised my guitar teacher still had the SG Special which actually originally inspired my Gibson-lust, so the rest is history.

Thanks for your very helpful posts, Lex. The Viper is actually one I owned a while ago, and which I traded away for the very reasons you described, but I've been playing a cheap LTD version at a store lately and haven't been struggling with the weird shape, plus, the ESP's such such an awesome sounding/playing guitar.

I'm actually glad you think the real SGs are so much better balanced, because I anticipate the SG will be my main lesson guitar, so it'll probably become my new #1. I'm kind of lucky, too, because it's coming from my guitar teacher - it took some convincing and fortuitous timing to get him to part with it (I mainly only succeeded because he's an ESP endorsee and feels bad keeping guitars he can't play live) - so I know it's a good example of the model.

I'll take your advice and definitely shell out the extra to get the Graphtech saddles with the Tonepros bridge (I hadn't realised they sold them pre-installed before you mentioned it), and I'll nitro-safe my guitar stand.
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

Incidentally, do you happen to know whether the SG Special needs a small post or large post bridge?
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

i've got a gibson faded! those are great. anyways, for it you may want to consider artie's coil swap rather than a coil cut. it's a great mod, as blueman has mentioned it's also less harsh than just a plain ol' coil cut. series and phase are pretty cool too, but like you said less push pulls...:D
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

Fikealox said:
Incidentally, do you happen to know whether the SG Special needs a small post or large post bridge?
Click to expand...

Small post, no Gibson uses a large post bridge unless it was done aftermarket or is a fake.

The Viper is a nice guitar but I don't really find it to be a real SG style guitar. The thicker body and 2 octave neck change the dynamic quite a bit.
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

Sorry for the late reply - uni really got on top of me for a while there. I appreciate all the help :)

I've had the Viper and SG for the last week. They've been great! I've managed to adjust to the playing position without a problem, and man... the tone! The Viper sounds absolutely amazing with its Blackouts (even though it badly needs a setup), and the SG sounds great with its stock pickups (although I'm looking forward to the arrival of its Nailbombs, as I want a bit more grunt).

The SG is a much better guitar than the other SG Specials I tried out in stores (more resonant, better fretwork, etc), which was a nice surprise, and it actually already has Graphtech saddles. The priority for me is to change out the tuners, as they're a bit ordinary, and I really prefer locking tuners. I might change the nut out for a Graphtech nut, too. The tonepros hardware is a bit less of a priority, but eventually I'll grab some :)

I can't say I'm really a fan of the 2V, 2T control configuration. I'm actually planning to make it master volume, master tone, mini-toggle for the coil-swap mod, and maybe a coil split mini-toggle (though I'm less set on that one).

All in all, I think the all-mahogany tone is absolutely what I've been searching for, and I'm very much enjoying the shorter 24.75" scale. My bends and vibrato are more expressive, my tone is a lot fuller and more soulful, and I just can't keep myself from playing.
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

Amen, bro, you've just jacked up my sg gas to like 10,000! Glad you're happy with it (and the esp).:fest6:
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

Fikealox said:
All in all, I think the all-mahogany tone is absolutely what I've been searching for, and I'm very much enjoying the shorter 24.75" scale. My bends and vibrato are more expressive, my tone is a lot fuller and more soulful, and I just can't keep myself from playing.
Click to expand...

+1. "Blues with a feeling."
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

if you're not really feeling the coil split switch, why not go for a series or phase switch? i mean, you're already going to have coil swap which kinda negates the need for coil split(imo)
 
Re: Two SGs on the horizon...

super rad ska said:
if you're not really feeling the coil split switch, why not go for a series or phase switch? i mean, you're already going to have coil swap which kinda negates the need for coil split(imo)
Click to expand...

+1. If you have coil swap, there is no need for coil cut. You get a softer warmer sound, unbalanced coils, noise-free, and maybe even a mix of magnets. Coil cut can't compare.
 
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