Battle of the SGs - Epiphone 1961 SG Standard vs Gibson Custom Shop!

[@mrtelechi]

I have to say the production and editing, the playing and the 'banter', is outstanding, this is basically 'Top Gear' for musicians. I would watch this all the time if it was taken up by a TV station. Superb!

[@OnePaintedMan]

Just hit like and Subscribe to "Anderson's TV" 😊👍

[@JohnKelly2]

Today on Anderton's TV: The Captain plays a G chord, Pete makes a double entendre, and Ben wears denim

[@FelixHureau]

@@JohnKelly2 I heard Jeremy Clarkson when I read that ffs 😂

[@bradpaul]

I always thought this would be a good idea haha do like andertons challenges, like a top gear challenge, “what’s the cheapest gig rig we can make” for example, and then actually go play a gig. Pete could be the stig and then have “star and a reasonably priced guitar” section haha Just don’t go punching producers haha

[@anthonycraig1458]

They could easily do a cheap guitar challenge and have to scour ebay for knackered old kit with a limited budget! How hard can it be?

[@rob28781]

Thank you for this video. Not enough SG's played on the channel IMO, especially how good a clean tone SG sounds! 🙌

[@andertons]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@WilfulAlmond6]

Omg Lee is getting crazy good. That jam was extremely tasty, and his feel/rythm is getting very tight too. The hard work he's put into practicing really shows. Nice guitars too. And Pete, you're a gem, obviously.

[@underground_fuzz]

Agreed 100%!

[@loosabway3400]

you're deaf

[@jasonhuang6332]

Them opening bends really got me grooving.

[@1973larryrichardson]

Wow Captain Lee, such tasty riffs and what a privilege it has been to watch you evolve as a guitarist. I like the guitars, but love the playing. And as always, geez Pete. What can anyone ever add to just how amazing you are. I’m constantly inspired to get better.

[@Flashfyre-p1k]

What fine way to start my morning, a cup of Joe, my 3rd or 4th favorite English blues duo jamming out on some lovely SG's. Thank you gentlemen and team across the pond!

[@markgardiner1742]

Wow iv just come back onto Andertons today after not checking it out for a couple of years. Started watching other reviewers for some reason. But what a difference in the captains playing in that time. Mines stayed exactly the same in that period in fact iv probably got worse lol but he's made massive strides. His phrasing. Timing everything. Well done to him. It just shows practice and more practice does make a difference. Iv allways given up thinking good guitarists are blessed with natural talent but Lee is disproving that theory and is getting better as time goes on. Massive pat on the back to him.

[@carpathus]

Lovely as always gentlemen. I can tell you that I love my Epi SG and have no regrets not having a Gibson. 🤘

[@zenncatt]

Lee, your opening blues lead was very tasteful and in the pocket. I've been watching your channel for a while and have heard you progress so much on guitar. I know you down play your skills, but you sound GREAT. And for Mr. Honore: amazing as usual. You inspire me, but want to quit playing guitar at the same time! A job well executed! Cheers

[@jacobarmstrong5308]

I am DESPERATELY holding out hope that EPiphone does a 3 pick SG Custom in white sometime soon.

[@thomasboniface4554]

My favourite is my 2001 MIK Epiphone sg that I got for £50! Added a set of locking Grovers and zebra probuckers and she’s a beast

[@ImLeuff]

I know it was just a comparison for fun and not fair at all but it was interesting to hear so clearly that "extra something". Both great guitars in their priceranges. Tasty jams and good company with a couple of SGs - what's not to love!

[@danielbrown1119]

I don’t watch as often as I should, but it’s a treat to see how much Lee improves every time I do. Killing it.

[@TheOtherCreeper]

despite being probably about 30 years younger, i still feel like a proud dad seeing how far lee has improved as a player

[@wildesage4172]

The Gibson really does have a lot extra going on tonally. For a professional musician who pays for their instruments with their music, it's a great choice. Personally, as a hobbyist, it's awesome that I can get something so close for like 15% of the price.

[@robertiola88]

The custom shop guitar definitely has "more", but if you're laying out that much more, you deserve to get "more" for your money. Fun show.

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

Not even close the days of you Gibson boys trying to BS others is long gone maybe someday Gibson will actually win a lawsuit over something they Actually invented but I doubt it..Epiphones are now King!

[@acquitz2208]

Andertons and Casino Guitars are by far the best guitar channels in my opinion. Y’all rock!

[@steventhomas231]

I have missed these type of comparison videos. 👌🏻👍

[@Spaceman-jo5mz]

In my humble opinion The “law of diminishing returns” applies to the differences in sound between an Epiphone SG and a Gibson SG. The difference is not worth paying $4000-$5000 more to get a sound from a Gibson SG that can be achieved with turning a knob on gear you’re running your signal through. 🤔

[@cmet8280]

$4,000 to $5,000 where are shopping for guitars?

[@MP40meatballTR]

Now we need a Gibson Standard SG vs. Gibson Custom Shop SG shootout. Ideally both with sideways vibrola; he tailpiece affects the tone as well!

[@Hotelguitarplayer]

Loved it, towards the end cap. Was playing the Gibson SG, and Pete came in with the epi 59 les Paul, and I couldn't tell a transition occurred! Epic! That epi 59 les Paul is a beast!!! Also gotta give props to cap. His playing is getting better and better!!!

[@mattbradford1135]

Man that jam at the end was so good! Love to listen to you guys.

[@trainhuntersfamily8625]

As a person who saved up to 950 bucks for my first electric guitar which was a epiphone sg 61 reissue I can say that it does not disappoint.

[@markhallam7821]

Great video and performance (smut aside!). I'm very excited, my preowned 61 LP/SG is arriving today.

[@DavidRamos-nz4bh]

I just bought the 59 and I’m blown away! That SG may next!

[@80shairmetalband]

Both are excellent. Bought both. They're just as good as good Gibsons.

[@johnjgibson6807]

This is Why I watch You Guys The Demos are Excellent The Products are Sweet and The Jam Sessions Rock 👍👍🎶🎶🎸

[@michaelheller8841]

The custom shop has the best killer tone of all. That being said, it darn well should. Even as great of a player Pete is, He was getting his tone with less effort on the Custom shop. Yes, it's way more expensive and the feel is just as important. The Epi's have come a long way with the Burstbuckers in them at a fraction of the cost. I'd rather save up though to get exactly what I want. Every player is different.

[@christoguichard4311]

They sound GREAT. 😎 SG's sound so much better to my ears than Les Paul's.

[@robinho1978.]

So interesting eh cos I thought the exact opposite! ( Gibson not included) That difference in opinion aside they do sound great.

[@joshuaboville4924]

I am such a fan and I have thought of something. Have you thought about compiling a playlist of all your jams. I could listen to your jams over a dinner or gathering and have it as the focus of the evening. You guys are truly amazing and this Canadian truly appreciates what you do for the guitar and music community. Thank you Lee and Pete.

[@guitarsandcodeandrage9887]

They've made at least 9 or 10 videos of precisely that. Search "Andertons jams" and you'll get quite a few results.

[@tedcondo9884]

What I love most about Andertons' The Captain and Danish Pete, are the laughs! Great sounds, great jams, great laughs! Thnx for making my day, guys...

[@ryemill7787]

Can't believe it but I preferred the honky/clicky tone from the pick attack on the Epi.

[@sawbonesquad4876]

Just got one as a reward for myself landing a job at a certain big software company's vendor :D Great video boys!

[@baabaabaa2293]

Lee you're smashing it mate! Nuthin against Admiral Gain (Chappers obv) but l enjoy watching u & Pete havn a strum, we get to hear what different guitars sound like clean & a bit dirty..it's great! Never been the biggest SG fan, but if Epi see fit to make a white Special with p90s...lm in! Thanks fellas.

[@wessmusic]

I've been looking for an off-white SG for the longest time. Would've loved for this one to be slightly yellowed. I suppose you can do it yourself but I always thought an off-white SG with a white pickguard looks awesome

[@Skiddins]

Lol, got an 'Alpine White' Les Paul Studio for sale.. it's yellowed like every other Gibson

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Take up smoking !

[@scottjua]

Hot damn LEE… great playing and kudos for using the vibrola to great effect!

[@mrredritehand]

Those vibrato tailpieces I think ad a cool tonal character to the SG. What awesome guitars they all are. Love that white one as it would look great beside my Black Epi Custom.

[@gernotreinheimer4385]

What i personally like about all epiphone copys ist the fret ends overlapping. Having much more space to work on without annoying screech as the Gibsons do. I got me a 2013 SG model which i love ´cause of the 59´s but i´m afraid i am too old wearing the frets out for a new fret-job without nibs. Epiphone, well-done job!

[@bingobongo1615]

Daaamn you made those epiphone‘s sing! The custom shop destroys them but the epiphones are great bang for the bucks. I am still not a fan of Epi Les Pauls but the SGs are really quite close to the Gibson standards (except for the feel of the nitro finish).

[@wtfdelicious]

I own an Epihphone SG and even though I prefer the sound of my Gibson Standard and my Yamaha SG 1820, I LOVE the Epiphone!! It is such a good guitar for the price tag, incredible value!!

[@beaumas]

I really think if you adjust the pole pieces in the epiphone's pickups properly, you can really get them close to the Gibson or at least make they sound much better. I have done this by the way to great results.

[@f2detaboada]

Yeah, people don't realize that the gibsons come more "fine tuned" from factory. All the adjustments that you would have done on a Gibson from factory you'd need to do yourself.

[@Reesecful]

Good lord. Pete, amazing solo as always, but LEE. That intro was the most expressive solo I have ever heard!

[@gabrielhagg9597]

Dude, Lee is killing it these days!

[@ilmisxx2]

The difference in "depth" is audible for sure but I'm wondering if you guys set the guitars up as close as possible to each other since in this comparison pickup height makes a pretty big difference in output and amount of high end. SG's with trem systems always look killer to me

[@davidharding200]

I suspect you’re correct. I have a fair few 2021 Epiphone including an SG (though not this one) and my feeling is there is not a lot of work on the set up. With 20 minutes and a screwdriver you may very well close that gap.

[@postoffice146]

Yes, the Epiphones should have a proper setup first before comparing, the kind of setup we do at home. The Gibson is already set for sure.

[@f2detaboada]

The trem system on the Gibson also has a huge influence on the tone of the strings, because it also changes the angle of the strings in relation to the frets and the pickups.

[@NLRider-i1m]

Don't understand why Gibson don't follow Fender's lead and use the same headstock on both the Gibson and Epiphone, like the Fender/Squire guitars. Same shape just different logo's. I think they would sell way more Epi's that way. Love the channel.

[@agusg.t.8950]

The Epiphone headstock was already in the 50s and 60s…maybe they should change the Gibson one to the Epi😂😂😜

[@hq72hotmale]

​@@agusg.t.8950absolutely

[@Jydmd]

I've always liked a white SG, so my vote goes to this one.

[@KrenarCilkuGuitar]

I was fearing a video like this will come up... Ever since I heard a couple clips of Robben Ford playing an SG, I've been craving for an SG... Especially one with that gorgeous vibrola!

[@joshuamazza2790]

Damn captain getting so much better and more confident!!

[@mrshiney2]

I have a JAY TURSER SG that I bought for $99....dont have a clue what it is made out of, but it really rocks

[@joeydurant6267]

I've heard good things about them actually. Never seen one in the wild though. I had a lawsuit era Electra sg that got stolen and still haunts my dreams. I'm about to order a HB for a placeholder while I save for one of these epis.... It's hard for me to not get a bunch of the cheapest set neck sgs I can find and just mod tf out of them. Budget and the wife both agree... I can't do that currently though.

[@danielcoleman4807]

The white SG was great. Very expressive lead from the musician. Thanks for a good video.

[@bassmandudge]

Pete: "Gibson let me have one please..... I'll do anything" Gibson: "No problem Pete .. pay for it like everyone else and you can have one"

[@michaelirons5662]

THAT LES PAUL HAS GOT SOME LEGS ON IT, WAAY BETTER THAN THE SGS.

[@danfaulsmusic]

😆 I love how he said "NOT" dad blues! And then instantly references a kids movie. Lol. Btw, I totally got the movie reference 😔

[@iceman10129]

Captain ate his Wheaties this morning on THAT opening jam.

[@mikepretorius6350]

That Intro is great 👍

[@p0l21]

Captain's got the chops!

[@jonathanbladen3513]

Those SGs with the actual Gibson burstbuckers sound extremely good.

[@tonycoleman7535]

I want a PINK SWEATSHIRT SO COOL great playing as always 🎸🎸🎸🎸🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼❤️👍🥁♠️

[@EyecareBacklog1]

That old Vibrola is like a dashboard gear change.

[@bluesrockguitaristmikesall2708]

The Epiphone S.G. was reminiscent of the type of "tight" tone Johnny Winter would use ,on his Rock albums.

[@matzer8846]

... had to dig deep into me brain ... but here me memories form the 60s and 70 - LesPauls didn't sell well in the later 60 - producing a LP was expensive - Fender produced more, easier to build and cheaper guitars - so the came up with the new Standard Guitar design and named it LesPaul too - Les didn't like the design and said: "a man could hurt himself on these sharp horns" ... thus withdrawing his licence Name 🤣 - so the SG just became the SG - and the Sideways Vibrola became an issue, because of round wound strings becoming more popular than the much more slippery and easy going & smooth (i remember some Gibson which dad Nylon equipped bridges > more smoothness) - but selling dwindled down anyway and Gibson went off to a new factory grounds 🧐 - this was a good thing because Guild was founded by some left alone Gibson workers 😍 - this made some of us very happy ... esp. me, cause i got a Guild JS bass in the mid 70s: a great to play bass with a offset SG design and much better build quality than Gibson .... History ... oh ... a thousand years ago .... Anyway ... thanks a lot for this great demo 🌈

[@tomblaze2]

Very timely video for me - I am a bit tired of lugging my prized es-335 and worrying about taking it to dive pubs/bars for blues jams- I am looking at a solid Epiphone sg for gigs I am getting paid not much-at all

[@Thestinkues17]

“2 in the neck, 3 in the bridge, just how I prefer it”lol. Pete you dirty dog 😂

[@SilverWatcher.]

the captain and pistol Pete make it happen again cheers mates!!!

[@matthigdon4809]

You should do a video on which is the better pair a Les Paul and Strat or a SG and Tele. It could be a overdog vs underdog type of thing and I’d use custom shop versions of all them

[@ottson]

19:06 The Gibson looks great up close with the mahogany, rosewood & everything.

[@lordporcupine8767]

Yes first. Great guitars these Epi’s, the value for money is sensational.

[@neverenoughguitars8276]

I think the main reason for the SG was Gibson wanting to make something that was inexpensive and easy to make to compete with the stratocaster and telecaster.

[@hiimawasteoftime8678]

And it sold crazy good never left the catalog since 61

[@sekon2008ify]

Sgs were no more than 1k 4 yrs ago. Guitar prices gone stupid

[@hiimawasteoftime8678]

@@sekon2008ify inflation gone stupid

[@robinho1978.]

@@sekon2008ify remember this is a custom shop job. You can get a standard new for about £1300

[@Neightlive]

Bingo

[@ro3784]

I've owned three Gibson, SG's during 1970's. The last one I sold to a Las Vegas, NM artist, but he informed me that it lied. In other words would not fret or hold its intonation. I've never have put an Epiphone SG in my possession, but since I know how to set intonation and action on a guitar neck, I realize that with this specific knowledge and if needed change out electronics might have me buying an Epiphone. Had a 355 model in Epiphone and a 1981 Strat cut red built Epiphone and both I would still have, but US Government protocols changed my objectives and my style: even thou should be hateful, but instead have forgiven those that honestly, loyalty, and respectfully have changed to a betterment for social behavior.

[@Trevenclaw]

Fwiw I listened to the "blind" test with this video playing in another window while doing work and I could tell the first guitar was the Epiphone in an instant and knew the second was the Gibson in an instant. Was it close? Absolutely. But Gibsons just have that unmistakable depth and clarity. Is that clarity worth the additional 4 grand? No. But the headstock is. 😉

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

In 61 the SG was actually a Les Paul. I own a 61 les paul jr shaped like an sg. It's cool seeing "Les Paul" script on an sg

[@sdy30]

Anyone else super impressed with how much The Captain’s playing has improved? Great feel, great note choices, great sound, great to listen to! No more modesty from you please Cap’, you can play as well as most of us!

[@michaelmestres9661]

I have an Epi 61 LP Inspired by… and it is my gigging workhorse, supplanting my Telecaster Am. Both are one does all instruments -

[@BRAG450]

I think Lee is an sg guy and doesn’t know it. That was a tasty intro and I think that’s a good tone for his playing.

[@adamw.7169]

Damn with the 649 for an Epiphone, just a bit more and you could get a 2nd hand Gibson SG for that.

[@genipaisley4340]

That's the comparison I'd like to see. I'm not so sure Gibson would win that one. 😜

[@MrMikepresley]

Correct me if I am wrong, the Gibson has the Custombucker pickups, while the Epi has the Burstbucker, these two pickups will sound slightly different.

[@rien2080]

Fun episode as always lol

[@Mr.Nabil.Belhaj]

Epiphone should of put Classic 57's on that SG to differentiated it from the Les paul and get that angry sound we know and love

[@bradleyjpaolucci]

Gibson 14:06 Epiphone 14:26 (the extra gain makes the difference at least on youtube)

[@soulagent79]

No joke, I sold my Gibson SG Special with P90s a couple of weeks ago, because I bought the Epiphone version (new 2020 model) which sounded and played better. I still have a Gibson SG Standard though, but I never thought this would happen.

[@Turbo-D]

"out of stock" is the most present colour in your shop 😏

[@Bobby_Digital37]

Main sonic difference comes from the pickups, electronics, vintage spec bridge, and vintage spec aluminum tailpiece... if you mod the Epiphone to match the Gibson in those areas you'll get pretty much the same exact sound, only problem is it will still say Epiphone on the headstock...

[@MickyWalnuts]

Having Epiphone on the headstock never seemed to hold John Lee Hooker or the Beatles back (to mention just two of many).

[@davidburke2132]

@@MickyWalnuts the difference being they played guitars that were “valid” Epiphone models in their own right, also made in the USA at that time, not guitars that were exclusively Gibson models for decades and then just given the Epiphone treatment to hit a lower price point. Maybe that shouldn’t matter but it does matter to a lot of people and is a pretty significant distinction.

[@mindcontrolledmachines9110]

The Gibson SG sounds much fuller in isolation. In the mix the only difference was a touch of volume. The Epiphone LP sounded the best of them all for me.

[@TribalGuitars]

Great outro jam! Sounded kinda like Judas Priest meets Allman Bros.

[@steveeckert8396]

Install a proper aluminum tail piece on the Epi and you won't be able to tell any difference in sound quality.

[@xvarzka33]

You can see Lee is trying to improve, it gets only better

[@Chemist1076]

I like the long neck of SG but not the neck dive

[@nimrod1975bce]

Ya know.. I really don't watch you guys for your reviews. But what piss funny shenanigans you guys are going to get up too! And yes, the reviews!

[@seancdfw]

Well and if I’m not mistaken, every set of pickups is different too so wouldn’t each of the custom shop sg’s sound different too? And are they all matched pairs of pickups?

[@Mark_Ocain]

My my...Lee is getting pretty bloody good! Has Pete been cracking the whip on his practice? lol

[@williampayne7678]

I own a Red Vintage SG Copy which I love ❤️.

[@billyboy65leath84]

I reckon Lee’s new watch adds to the tone

[@MyDrugHell]

It's also improved his timing.

[@slingman1981]

I think they were sitting around after the first sg shape guitar was made and someone said "that guitar is Solid"

[@alanjsamples]

In the U.S you get a Gibson SG Standard '61 - Vintage Cherry for 1,999$ and the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard - Aged Sixties Cherry for 850$ ...I don't if the 1,150 is worth it. You could upgrade pickups/ tuners for under 600$ and have better tuning stability. And killer sounding guitar for jamming or recording.

[@killacoiler1707]

I think that part of the reason the Gibson model was a slight bit more pronounced is due to 3 factors: 1) the Gibson is finished in such a way that the wood can breath a bit whereas the Epi is a thicker and heavier finish layer, 2) the height of the pickup to the strings during set up is going to be slightly different due to the difference in the tail pieces, 3) the style of vibrato on the Gibson incorporates a length of metal that adds a tonal intensification similar to how an enclosed Tele ashtray style bridge piece does it creates a resonator effect. This is only opinion and there is no way for me to prove or disprove such assessments but for less than 1/4 the cost the sound is not beyond a few EQ tweaks.

[@IgorMuller]

While Gibson is obviously sonically superior, these Epis are absolutely astonishing for the price you pay. These are some brilliant guitars, Gibson (as a company) definitely uped their game.

[@1973larryrichardson]

Am I wrong, or did that Les Paul just sound bigger and fuller?

[@LysanderLH]

I own a ‘64 Murphy Lab SG which I bought from Andertons (thanks Paul). It is almost perfect. Within the pricing ecosystem, it is superior to everything nonCS. I prefer the cosmetics of the Murphy Lab but it’s still a CS, so everything below a CS is a cheapened version. But that’s not to say nonCS are rubbish, because thanks to the new direction taken by Gibson HQ, things are looking good for them and their consistency issues. Still a work in progress but going the right way. My advice? Buy what you can afford and unless it absolutely has to be a Gibson SG, consider other brands with similar pups and aesthetics.

[@troycollins6069]

You can adjust Epiphone pickups to sound closer to Gibson, never at stock settings

[@davidburke2132]

But these aren’t Epiphone pickups. They’re made in the USA Gibson pickups… that’s what the Burstbuckers are and one of the main ways in which these SGs are considered an upgrade compared to standard Epiphone SGs.

[@troycollins6069]

I have an Epiphone Lee Malia RD with Gibson Pickups, a LP traditional 3 with Gibson 57's, and a 79 Sheridan with busrtbuckers and they all needed pickup adjustment to open up the sound usually backing off the strings

[@IndyRockStar]

i have both the Epiphone Custom Shop SG and the Gibson SG Standard. I love them both, but I do prefer the Gibson over the Epiphone. It just feels better and it's thinner and lighter.

[@davedavem]

On the dynamic range thing, I've played cheaper Gibson SGs, like a Tribute form the early 2010s that had that failing in comparison with the standard. And you know where I'm going with this! Updated Cheap Gibson vs Expensive Epiphone Challenge!! They've both changed a bit since last time you did that.

[@RoastPotato-s7x]

Nice video as always! The epiphone is pretty much as beautiful as the gibson, imagine if they did a limited run of epiphones with gibson headstocks? Maybe even all across the epiphone line up. We can all wish, it would be awesome. Everybody, protest for epiphone to use gibson headstock!! Joking, it's never gonna happen. 😢