Does the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard Issue live up to Gibson guitar standards?

[@TommySG1]

I tried one of these when I visited Nashville and surprisingly the horns are actually thicker on this model ( The carves are a bit different as well too ) it's easy to see it if they're side by side with a standard or something. My 2017 Gibson SG is is very similar to it as well where my 2019 and 2020 SG's are both thinner. Just something I've noticed and I thought I'd mention it to you guys 🤟

[@jasonconerty2214]

Bought one of these last year. Fantastic guitar. Fretwork unfortunately on all Epiphone guitars is a hit or miss situation. The action was quite high at the store but I loved the sound so bought it. When I got it home I checked fret height with a fret rocker and was absolutely surprised with the quality of fretwork. Only issue after that was a little work on the nut and then polishing the frets. It's a fantastic guitar. Case is a nice add as well.

[@SG_____]

"Les SG more paul" Love it.

[@texhaines9957]

Thanks, Chris and Cooper.

[@paulmackeigan7435]

Bro that demo was awesome 👏

[@JeffThompson-l4p]

I live 15 minutes from Sweetwater and I go out there about once a month...I have bought Epiphone stuff from Sweetwater but I picked out like three of them and had the salesman get them out of the warehouse and have them brought over to the store and I sat in a room by myself and took them out of the boxes and picked out the best playing one and bought that one..and they all differ in fit finish and playability... especially the fret work...and I will do the same when I get ready to get this SG model....🎸🎸🎸

[@terryoquinn8199]

Decent review guys , thanks .

[@steverafstedt4024]

That Demo would have sounded great on ANY guitar

[@rascalrichard7271]

...and this very guitar I will soon buy!

[@DanEvans-yb6wk]

Thanks again, dudes! I'm considering this one also. Superb presentation!

[@christinepratt4656]

Cool Les G. Why can't I fing the new episodes of your podcast on Spotify?

[@Kujinu]

Thank you for the great videos It would be nice to see a video about Fretboard radii in the future as well

[@iancurrie8844]

YEOW! That playing was FIRE!

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

This is the Epiphone SG to get if you’re going to do it. Especially if you already own Gibsons and you want to diversify. The contours are definitely not identical to the Gibson but not too big of a deal there. Epiphone/Gibson address some key things on these w/Switchcraft components, 2 piece body/1 piece neck, and Gibson pups/CTS, and of course a case. As others have mentioned the potential issue is always the fretwork. I’m considering adding a Maestro Vibrola to address neck dive and for looks purely. Even with that added cost you come up way cheaper than Gibson. My big knock on these although I appreciate the effort is the finish itself as you guys mentioned. The “collab” with the Gibson CS on the finish is pure marketing BS just as it was on the LP and the Nichols signature. I think they actually feel cheaper almost like an M&M that you’ve held in your hand, no joke so again…buff it to a shine and it looks way better. Adjust expectations on this import gem, have your tools ready, and save yourself some dough on these!

[@RichFranks]

I A/B'd one of these against an $1800 Gibson SG Standard last summer. That particular Epi sounded a bit better than that particular Gibson. Give these a shot. Let your hands and ears decide.

[@PaulGAckerman]

I never noticed the horns aren't symmetrical until you showed it from the back. I don't know why I couldn't see it until then.

[@Steve.Cutler]

Putting Gibson pick ups and wiring was a brilliant move. I have the 50 epi les paul and one of these SG coming in the mail later this week. Something I thought was strange, why did they put the BB1 and BB2 in the 59 and a BB2 and BB3 in the SG.

[@j7cc]

Love Texas, great place. Thanks for the review.

[@motogpboy]

I just came here for the verenerable drop 1:11 in.

[@musicalgear1024]

Today all guitar manufacturers have access to the specs and equipment to build top shelf guitars. This is a perfect example. This guitar is outstanding “as is” BUT, if you want the best tone possible, install a pair of ‘57 classic pickups Not because these pickups in the guitar are bad, the SG performs better regardless of the name on the headstock with the 57s. Or the equivalent. On a side note, the Epiphone Masterbilt DR500 acoustic is the best acoustic I’ve ever played in 30 years and about $12000 worth of acoustic guitars. AND the 60’s tribute plus Les Paul by Epiphone is one of the best solid body electric guitars I’ve ever played as well. Sure, it’s great to by the name on the headstock if you can afford it but most can’t and it won’t make you a better musician. Maybe Gibson can figure out how to make a top shelf instrument we can buy without taking out a loan

[@thebat6900]

I agree on the 60s tribute plus les Paul I have one and love it

[@michaelwhite8737]

I bought one. Sent it right back. Disappointed is an understatement. It may have been ok if they gave a shit about QC.👎

[@mathiasnilo6855]

Also a 2 piece body!! And... one piece neck! I have one and looooove it! Beats the shit out of the gibson sg i had years ago! Mine is a true friday example with bookmatched body pieces from same plank, with amazing flamed mahogany. Plus countersawn neck! Unbelievable and superlight! I just switched tuners to a set of classic gotoh locking tuners. (But Wasnt really needed, just had them in my drawer) A true player! In time a b5 bigsby will be mounted and perhaps a roller bridge. Worth Every penny but would not have bought it unseen... The flame checking made the deal!(and the pink case interior 😉)

[@chrisreed869]

I have one of these in red the finish is very thin-you can see the wood grain-2 pieces-mine are matched pretty well it needed a setup and had sharp frets but that was easily remedied it had tuning problems but nut lubricant solved that Less than a year the switch made a clunk and now only working in the neck I called Gibson/Epiphone and they said it was under warranty for 3 years which is pretty good so bring it into an authorized Epiphone repair shop it sounds killer but I don’t think SGs are for me the neck is too long and I end up reaching for the wrong notes used to my Strat, Tele and LP sounds killer but i’ll trade it in most likely on a new amp

[@roywarriner8441]

SG's are metal. Gibson has sold more SG's than any other model. It has also been in continuous production longer than any other Gibson. I like Epi's, I have a g-400, classic pro pups. If I was looking for a new SG, I'd look at that one.

[@monmixer]

They certainly could have put a rosewood fretboard on those. Especially for the price.

[@SionynJones]

The tuners are the same kluson makes both epiphone and Gibson deluxe tuners. The electronics is the same switchcraft switch and jack and Mallory capacitors. The only difference is the epiphone lock tone bridge and tail piece.

[@jasbails9857]

Isn't every Les Paul a "signature" guitar by definition?

[@frankzappa0815]

Sounds good

[@RonBaker456]

I still think the LesPaul body style is the most beautiful elec guitar body shape out there. It is as sexy as a bubble back vette. Classic lines and just beautiful and aesthetically pleasing to the eye, much more so than the Strats or Teles, which sound great but have the design nuance of a 7th place pinewood derby car, IMO.

[@robbyrobby7721]

Sent my epi sg to the shop, changed pickups and full fret work, custom bone nut. 50’s wiring. I can’t set it down

[@WyattScott]

Man, I played one at GC yesterday and it felt so cheap in my hands. I am spoiled by very nice guitars so a bit jaded, but it is hard to think about dropping $1k on a guitar that feels like a $400-500 guitar in the hands. The setup of course was abhorrent and likely part of my nose upturning at first impression.

[@Throckmorton_the_great]

If youre going to play a cheaper end guitar, done expect boutique results.

[@matt926uk1]

Only a snob would use the word abhorrent 😂

[@DennieSparkman]

I just bought two Epiphone Les Paul inspired by Gibson from a big box online seller. One was a black custom and the other was a smokehouse 60s. Both guitars had sharp fret ends, no neck relief, high nuts, high string height etc. Basically both had nonexistent factory setups. Not talking about a tailored setup but a basic factory spec setup. Everybody I have talked so far say that’s normal for these Epiphone guitars and should be expected. The online company has a 45 day return policy and that’s fine but should these les Paul’s have the sharp fret ends and these other issues? I have since done a full setup on both and they are better but I was appalled at the condition they arrived in especially taking into account that the online company claimed they did a “55 point” inspection. Interested in your thoughts.

[@frankhall7005]

Yeah maybe the QA's gone down a bit I've bought 2 LP in the last 2 years and they were set-up nicely. Their selling a ton of these so you'd expect some loss of quality at the factory to get them out the door.

[@Aspkkr]

Is Sam Newton still working there?

[@Bbba724]

I have a LesPaul2 Epiphone, bolt neck, but so thin, my left hand goes numb immediately, the 12 inch radius needs some choice, 7.25, 9.5 and maybe a Tele U neck?

[@thinkingape7655]

I wish Epiphone could use nitrocellulose finishes. Feels so much batter that poly.

[@ruffryder13]

That would be cool. Unfortunately, I think they'd also start having all of the problems Gibson currently has with that finish. Got a couple of Gibsons recently and both had significant finish problems...among other things

[@rexrathtar3893]

I agree. Nitro feels more like batter than poly. About as protective as well.

[@markmullins2756]

I just bought a 61 sg epiphone and it was straight trash ....I couldn't believe they sent it out ...neck high frets everywhere the truss rod would not tighten,and the bridge pickup cuts in and out ????

[@BobPerrone]

Interesting...are these from the Indonesian factory? (I think those instruments are better built than the Chinese factory)

[@DaveTadros]

These were made in China

[@ronmoore1219]

Great tones! Excellent presentation gentlemen. For $900 this will see a lot of interest. I just can’t get past the made in China thing. Great sounds.

[@jesterjigs9914]

Yeah I just pute up the extra 1000 and got the gibson made in the 🇺🇸

[@DaveTadros]

I just ordered this guitar in cherry red! Stoked to get my hands on it. I couldn't care any less about the country it was made in since everything is made in china. The stuff made in the USA is still made from the same stuff, and the staff is probably just as under paid and couldn't care any less about their jobs than their Chinese counterparts. Burstbuckers, Malory electronics and a hard shell case. That’s all that matters. This basically is a Gibson

[@sevennotes8940]

Do I wish I could just buy direct from Xi. What is wrong with Reverend. Most S or T type guitars sound the same or similar. Most LP type guitars sound similar. How about Reverend for the same money? The way it's going we will need to learn chinese . Forget spanish. Look at the projected or very possible debt to GDP ratio. I saw 80 trillion within some (?) time frame. Didn't put money in the bank and no money can be extracted. What a bummer. Oh I know A good administration in command and we could buy, minus the greed, an American made Epiphone

[@stephanematis]

What about the Epi Iommi Monkey ? Oh, get well Cooper.

[@rickmoderie4213]

How about "trapezoid" inlays? "Parallelogram?" Someone didn't listen in 3rd grade math.

[@jordantaylor1988]

Calm down, Karen

[@hotdraggin]

You mean the peanut butter cup inlays?

[@iamgumbydammit2217]

LightenUpFrancis-fromStripes.gif

[@Frapzoid]

Trapezoids.

[@bob-eu1jq]

Just buy a $200 SG and upgrade yourself for way less then $1,000

[@rlledesma8474]

Not that simple as a cts wiring harness with Mallory caps would runs $100 set of Gibson burstbuckers new is $400 maybe $200 used the special case used would be $100-200. Also this model is closer to a Gibson as it has a 2 piece body and no veneer. You can grab one used for around $600 if your lucky

[@MaxisBallinonaBudget]

Lmfao it's not even close to the same thing. It's not like the bodies and bones and tuners etc are the same on the cheap models. This is all American made hardware and burst buckers, cts pots everything on this thinf. It's a really damn nice guitar for the money.

[@888jimm]

So it's an SPaul ?😂😂

[@rexrathtar3893]

Like all Epiphone guitars, it offers a value proposition (ish, why pay this much money for a guitar that needs work on its finish?), but I don't like SGs... and I also will not buy a Chinese-made guitar under current conditions. Great pickups in this guitar (love those burstbuckers) though.

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

Both Gibsons & Epiphone (Gibby copies) have 22 frets...NOT 21. The body is 2-piece, but the neck is ONE piece...no scarf joint. There's my 2 cents!