Comparing The Gibson & Epiphone Tony Iommi 'Monkey' SG Specials! - Spoiler: They're Both AMAZING!

There's legendary guitars, then there's LEGENDARY guitars! The Tony Iommi Signature 'Monkey' SG Special is one of the most iconic guitars in history, and now Gibson & Epiphone are paying homage by creating 2 beautiful replicas! In this video Dagan compares, reviews & demos both the Epiphone & Gibson to show the main differences in features, specs and tones! They're both bloody unbelievable though!
Get your own Tony Iommi Signature SG at PMT Online below:
Gibson Tonny Iommi Monkey SG Special - bit.ly/3SJ5r4T
Epiphone Tonny Iommi Monkey SG Special - bit.ly/3gOFa7Z
Tony Iommi's iconic riffs, heavy tones, and massively influential albums created the blueprint for heavy metal and many other genres to follow. His career, like the man himself, is universally loved and revered. And while his innovative tuning and playing styles were a major part of his monstrous tones, a heavily-modified 1964 Gibson SG was at the centre of it all!
Gibson USA have made a guitar based on the iconic original that launched countless heavy riffs, with a mahogany body, bound mahogany neck with a rounded profile, Indian rosewood fretboard with 22 frets, a Graph Tech nut, Grover Rotomatic tuners with contemporary style buttons, and chrome-covered P-90 pickups. A reproduction of Tony's "Monkey" sticker is included in the case, along with two longer intonation adjustment screws in case you need additional adjustment range. A left-handed version is also available.
The Epiphone Tony Iommi SG Special features a two-piece mahogany body, a bound one piece mahogany neck with a rounded profile, an Indian laurel fretboard with 22 frets, a Graph Tech nut, Grover Rotomatic tuners with contemporary style buttons, and chrome-covered Epiphone PRO P-90 pickups that are wired to CTS potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors. A static cling reproduction of Tony's "Monkey" sticker is in the included hardshell case. A left-handed version is also available.
00:00 Intro Riffs
01:27 From The Custom Shop To The Gibson Core Lineup
02:51 Gibson Iommi SG Special - Specs, & Unique Features
04:47 Epiphone Iommi SG Special - Specs & Unique Features
06:06 Epiphone Dirty Tone Demo
09:04 Epiphone Clean Tone Demo
11:08 Gibson Dirty Tone Demo
15:48 Gibson Clean Tone Demo
17:02 Final Thoughts
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[@BoyAditya]

What I love about Tony Iommi's signature series are the position of strap button on the SG horn! I hope they re-release Tony's old black SG with humbucker.

[@ThomasL]

Nearly impossible as they wanted to sell out the remaining Gibson Iommi HB through the 10 years old "newer" Epiphone Iommi Custom (The one with big crosses, not the older ones). Though I agree with you, but I prefered the Cherry one on the Gibson Custom Shop version.

[@FortessofShred]

I just bought one two weeks ago. Keep your eye on Reverb and check Guitar Center.

[@globalnova]

I still noticed he was not letting the neck go, always grabbing it with the other hand when he let go. Makes me think still dives ..?

[@sleevelessace]

@@ThomasLI want one with the crosses so bad but literally 0 on the market can’t find em only monkeys

[@crypticreality8484]

The way Dagen talks and bounces around makes him a real life caricature of a British rocker! He's awesome

[@fb1767]

Wow that must be the best sounding Epi SG I ever heard. It made me want to get one, it's such a charm!

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

You've never played the Epiphone modern figured Cutoms or prophecy Sg Models they are high end models..

[@jimthethirdprobably]

@@mr.astrophysics9115 the problem with the prophecy is that they don't play very good

As soon I click the video, tons of hard and loud playing. I say to myself it has to be Dagan!! Yup! Hell yeah! Keep it up my friend!

[@isaacparker1028]

Bought this guitar the other day and love it, it’s my first every brand new guitar

[@TheMack]

Great video! I own the Gibson and it's so nice to play, very comfortable but still with a "meaty" neck. The guitar is so light and thin which makes it a joy to play, even when sitting down.

[@sixbladeknife44]

I have the Gibson version, the neck is bigger than my Les Paul R8…it is BIG. Huge sounding guitar too.

[@Skagzy.]

Great video, You should do the Gibson and Epiphone Flying V next

[@tma5799]

Tony + Dagan + Gibson + SG = one love !!!!)))

[@kostasdimitriadisguitar9607]

Both of them great with nice sounding pickups and really great sustain!!! Black Sabbath icon and a little bit louder and chunky the Gibson one!!! Never say die!!!

[@amoruzz]

Good demo 👍

[@UncleScumdeath]

I have a 1971 John Birch SG in my loft hahha. I need to get it running again

[@booshting3520]

No you need to sell it to someone who doesn't shove it in the loft 😅

[@jayquanvo5134]

If I hadn't recently gotten the Epiphone 61' SG Std Cherry probably would have gotten this. However I do like prefer the block inlays rather than the dot inlays, just adds a more premium look. The Tony Iommi SG sounds amazing, but I'm really happy with my 61' SG. Epiphone have really been knocking it out of the park with their quality and range.

[@monteself6826]

another feature I think the 61 has the "Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Stopbar Tailpiece " opposed to the "Adjustable Wraparound " bridge. it may not need it but for those playing heavy strings the intonation limits might help.

[@LetsGoKraks]

I usually judge these comparisons by the smile on their face with each guitar. In this case there’s a clear winner

[@mojobag01]

This old Gibson Les Paul devotee completely fell in love with the Epiphone. It just seems livelier than any Gibson SG I have played (and a John Birch). I think the electronics have a lot to do with it. It is also so much easier to throw around than my 2002 LPS.

[@booshting3520]

Got one of these. Had to send the first one back due to the truss rod being cranked so tight at the factory that it cracked the laquer on the neck. Crazy back bow. 2nd one definitely needs a full setup, but i can do that.

[@MrJingles021]

Jared James Nichols makes me want a guitar with P90s. I don't have an SG, so these are tempting.

[@bobramalhorealtor6523]

I have the Gibson version, left handed. No regrets , Love the guitar! Being a Gibson I did change the pots to left handed but knew that going in. The Epiphone looks like a great substitute and in left handed comes with left hand pots. The neck feels a amazing, Yes it is a chunk of money but if you can do it , it is worth it not just because of the name on the back of the headstock. Now if I could only play like Dagan. Nice demo of both guitars!

[@IronSausage]

I couldn't stop worrying that the guitar was going to fall off the Blackstar.

[@stephendada8163]

Love that Gibson Dean keep on rockin.

[@makinganoise6028]

The Epiphone is fantastic, I nearly bought one in Andertons last week, but wouldn't come close to Bax on price, probably buy 2nd hand, I have a really old Vintage SG, which I stuck a P90 in the neck, nice guitar, but I preferred this Epiphone.

[@FanaticDrummer]

Considering used SG’s are $900-1000 got that route. There is a noticeable difference in the weight and depth of the sound. Even on a phone you can hear it.

[@josephbelcher2568]

I particularly noticed the Gibson sounding better clean. Seemed like there was less difference with distortion.

[@garycordwell9730]

I want this guitar. I need this guitar.

[@Kinda_lingers]

How that Epiphone stand didn’t fall off the amp is a mystery.

[@booshting3520]

It doesn't matter

[@NWTMasterWolf]

Love them both. Would buy the Epiphone because it's more price correct IMO. And I'm a bit dismayed with Gibson and their BS in the market of late. Don't get me wrong I have a custom built SG and a 61 Ebony standard LP Epiphone as well. And I love them. As far as the strap button. I just don't like the way it looks and it spooks me about breakage potential. I like mine standard but then again as I said mine is custom built so neck dive is not an issue really.

[@davelewis4215]

Sorry Typo meant Dagan 👍😎

[@D.O.214]

Oh yeah!

[@D.O.214]

Naw im good!

[@jimwarner8071]

Awesome.

[@FockeWulfFW200]

Im usually a "just get the epi, the gibson doesn't worth it, too expensive" but here you can hear the obvious difference, the Gibson just sound godly. Sadly where I live is 100% impossible to get one. Same story for epi. Someday...

[@mikeyleenders]

I want an SG so badly! but sadly, I have a long way to go!

[@gooeykev]

Epiphone is still a great in my opinion. Just wish they’d used different hardware like Seymour Duncan’s pickups in some of their models. I guess that’s why you modify a guitar to your liking yourself though lol 😂

[@AlphabetPudding69]

this whole time i thaught it was tommy ive listened to sabbath for years and known about him for years and im just finding out its tony

[@adge74]

I have the Epiphone sg classic are they just sg's with p90s. And one or two cosmetic difference ?.

[@garypannone7755]

A better neck on the Iommi

[@googaboogaloo]

Me: “I need a guitar with humbuckers” Also me: 👀

[@manelalentorn]

I have a bit of a dilema here… EPIPHONE SG 61’ or EPIPHONE SG TONY IOMMI 2022? Which one would you buy? Despite the fact that one has the Gibson Burstbuckers 2 and 3, and the other one has Epiphone P90 plus…

[@DavidFleming-st4vg]

you can hear the difference. the gibson is closer to the original sound. i was going to buy the 61 and the iommi but after hearing this, i will buy the epi 61 and wait, until i can get the iommi gibson.

[@LucasR-xl4sl]

Both sound great! But would have sounded much better through a Laney, like Tony... =P

[@DaganWilkin]

That was the original plan but we didn’t have time to get one in! Wounded! 😫

[@LucasR-xl4sl]

@@DaganWilkin Still a great video 👍

[@rastacritickal5128]

ROCK AND ROLL

[@thebaneofyourexistence.3377]

I can see these being highly sought after, soon enough.

[@sydguitar99]

Idk for 1000+ USD, if it's really worth it if it's not using Gibson USA pick ups

[@FortessofShred]

Better get on Caesar and Mark's Casting Couch if you think you're going to afford one.

[@williamwebb8908]

I wish Epiphone would put the same bevels as on the Gibsons. It looks so much better.

[@markclarke6428]

Not the best amp match. Better with a Marshall or blackstar el34 or orange. That amp is based on modern metal. That gibson is amazing. Just amazing.

[@davelewis4215]

.I’ve got enough SGs So just watched this out of interest as I like Mr D’s videos .What I did like was the black Epiphone single P90 Les Paul hanging on the wall behind him👍I then spent 20 minutes on the phone to a very helpful PMT sales guy trying to find out what it is?? Dayan please don’t hang your own unavailable modified guitars up behind you for sales videos.Your a retail Chanel So everything should be available 👍😡🤣

[@PMTVUK]

That’s not a guitar Dagan’s modified. That’s the Epiphone Jared James Nichols signature ‘Old Glory’! Which is discontinued unfortunately, but you can get his new signature ‘Gold Glory’ at PMT! 🤘 We’ve had a few pre-owned Old Glory’s though our stores though, so keep an eye out on our website!

[@motorrebell]

Love the Guitar but HATE the price !

[@rastacritickal5128]

ON BEER

[@tinomendoza9372]

What is the deference in weight??

[@PMTVUK]

Gibson is a little lighter, but not by much!

[@roberte03915]

@@PMTVUK The Gibson is lighter?! I got the Epiphone version and it feels like a toy, like the $200 Epiphone, which is what got me thinking maybe I need to upgrade to the Gibson, for that "Gibson quality feel" (plus better pickups). But maybe it's fine.

[@williamkeith3669]

The Gibson Tony Iommi signature has a much hotter sound than the Epiphone. Most likely because the Gibson has a one piece body as opposed to a two piece for the Epiphone. In addition, the finish on the Gibson is far and above better than the finish on the Epiphone. I guess, it's the old adage, "You get What you pay for".

[@andreaberteotti5999]

Is It right that Epiphone SG hasn t a good clean sound?

[@user-sg1bv7oo1y]

To be expected the Gibson sounds better ... but to me the Epi sounds more Iommi.

[@ogretattoo]

Proof you can make single coils sound like dinosaur roars.

[@felixthecat5152]

They’re not single coils….

[@ogretattoo]

@@felixthecat5152 From wikipedia: "The P-90 (sometimes written P90) is a single coil electric guitar pickup produced by Gibson since 1946." Did you see the term "single coil" in there?

[@felixthecat5152]

@@ogretattoo By direct definition I suppose they are SINGLE coils with a humbucker quality. You’re not gonna get that sound from a tele or a Strat.

[@ogretattoo]

@@felixthecat5152Except that they still hum. :-) But, they have a warmer, fuller tone than your traditional Strat-style single coil. I'm actually planning on installing them on a cheap guitar for just such a purpose.

[@makinganoise6028]

Back in the day, when venues had shit wiring, fluorescent lights etc and everything was turned up to silly levels, single coils were noisy, but nowadays, much less of an issue, P90's are great, I have them in the neck of my Tele and SG.

[@boppermacca9346]

They both sound great but for value for money I'd take the Epiphone

[@ephraimwarrior6766]

0mg c# tune the babys nothing like a black sabbath sound

[@tinomendoza9372]

Wow huge difference in tone and sound between those two.. you can tell a clear difference on the clean sound way more round and real sound on the Gibson SG , the Epi Sounded weak and trebly dang ,, Gibson will always be by far better than any epi .. sad but true my friends

[@makinganoise6028]

Because it's really hard to change Pups, not...

[@rastacritickal5128]

COMO SUENA

[@ny7294]

Lacquer and poly are not the same thing , they are two different finishes .

[@zago78]

What about noise? I heard p90 are noisy

[@ZacharyMelvin]

Usually more noticeable with a lot of gain. A noise gate works extremely well with little to no tone loss.

[@totallykoolyeah]

Sgs are badass just don't throw it

[@Gigan10610]

Does the Gibson sound better? Yes, of course it does, it's Gibson for god's sake. Is it $1,000 better? No, not at all, I'd recommend the Epiphone, especially if you're on a budget

[@kevingilpin6707]

Elvis was Rock!!!! But it's ok!

[@metriffs]

It's too bad he always reviews these awesome guitars through a poor mans Marshall.

[@Alienkiwi730]

Not gonna lie, I prefer the Epiphone