Epiphone G400 vs Gibson SGJ comparison

[@arkitekt2613]

I wonder how many people commenting realize that epiphone is owned by Gibson (has been since 1957) and is their budget brand.

[@andythomas706]

+Arkitekt26 Yes! Thanks you and goodnight!

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

Um..so their owned by Gibson...i suggest you learn your history about Epiphone and Les Paul...Gibson is over rated over priced garbage

[@keeganembr1744]

I find the Epiphone G400 SG Pro not only better in sound and tone, but in looks, too. :)

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Then you'll save a lot of money AND get the best one for you!

[@TheGregory2006]

bullshit

[@keeganembr1744]

Gregory Stryapchiev Y'know, beliefs are a lot like penises, it is ok to have one, it is ok to be proud of having one, but it is usually frowned upon if you shove them down other peoples throats. It is my opinion, and that is that. You can have your own, but don't bring your euphoria in my life. Good day sir.

[@keeganembr1744]

Gregory Stryapchiev Gr8 b8 m8, I r8 8/8, no h8.

[@TheGregory2006]

pussy, congradulate! :-)

[@Redeemed1337]

That "sticky" feeling is easily taken care of with some 0000 steel woop and mineral oil. Buffs out to a nice, even semi gloss, and plays fantastic.

[@DailyPragmatism]

We've been had. I thought for a second I was going to get to hear the guitars played.

[@theshyguitarist]

8:02 homey...lol

[@nigelgspencer]

Thanks so much for the demo. I have been playing for 50 years and have a collection of guitars including Fenders and Gibsons so I am familiar with the tonal differences. Ignore the negative comments. You just can't please everyone online it seems. You illustrated the Epiphone and Gibson SG differences very well. I think I will get the Epiphone G400 Pro based on this video. Not only for the lower price but the coil tap offers much more tonal variation.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks a lot for the kind comment! The G400 PRO has been the best sounding Epiphone with stock pickups I have ever tried. I like the coil-split option too!

[@12south31]

Always had Gibsons and one day tried an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro and loved it. My Gibsons been in its case since. Now I just got the Epiphone SG 400 pro 1966 reissue and before I bought it I played a few Gibson SG fadeds and the Epi just felt and sounded better. The Gibson SG standard is a little better but for the same price you could get 3 Custom Epiphones!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

That's great! The price tag (or name on the headstock) can't tell you if you'll like the guitar or not.

[@ttcovers]

The best guitars in the world is the one that feels best in your hands and sounds best to your ears. Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, Squire, Guild, Daisy Rock, whatever. This is a statement Slash made, and its true.

[@josephh49]

ttcovers Excellent comment. In the end, it's how you feel about the instrument in your hands that matters. If it meets your needs and feels right, IMHO, that is the ONLY thing that matters. It's fun to watch the comparison videos, but nothing beats going out, playing one, and buying it because it just feels right. Kudos again on your comment.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Damien Jiles Yes noone can tell you what's good or bad for you. Not even me!! :)

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Really?! That great to hear!!

[@ttcovers]

All guitars are a work of art. I have about 35 and I love all of them. I have Fender and Squire, Gibson and Epiphone. Not all brands feel the same or play the same. I'm just tired of people saying Gibson is the best and all others fall beneath. And again Epiphone is NOT a copy of Gibson. Les Paul put him stamp and name on both. It is the only les paul besides gibson that bares his name. For that it is a real les paul.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Yes you can NEVER have too many guitars!!

[@DucksDeLucks]

I now own both these guitars. Picked up an Epi for $175 used with gig bag. The SGJ is the better guitar overall but the neck is too thick for me whereas the Epiphone's slimmer neck is perfect. Its frets are smaller which is also a plus. It sounds good too despite not having Gibson pickups.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks a lot for the input! I really appreciate it!

[@LegalJEP]

Damn, this "guitar nerd" makes both guitars sound pretty bad.

[@RhythmGuitarMan]

sadly yes...

[@samlyle4951]

I know half of my brain cells are dead (~.~)

[@bobbydazzler8684]

It's unkind, but I have to agree. After all that tech talk I was expecting some tasty chops. He butchered it. I never understand why some people can't hear that their playing is not good enough for reviews.

[@suzukagms]

I got my SGJ a couple months ago and it plays beautifully. Thank goodness they removed the pickup covers, black looked horrible.

[@freebirdforever2674]

One more observation - the SGJ has 24 frets, whereas the G400 has 22. Really enjoyed your comparison!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I actually noticed that after I'd done the video and didn't think about it while I was playing..

[@bofuscrapshaw]

This is painful to watch

[@metania63]

Hebrewsauce 😂👍🏻

[@IceehawkPSN]

The gloss feels like you're playing on a glazed donut. I just got my Gibson sgj yesterday for $350 with a case and I'm totally loving it.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Wunder Wimp Good for you! Rock on!

[@seanprogram]

Wunder Wimp It does on a guitar with a cheap finish. I have an SG Standard and it feels amazing.

[@MrChris-bx7ss]

Wunder Wimp yes those glassy guitars don't let your hands move very smoothly over them...especially the neck. Love the satin finish though.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks for the input and especially for watching! I don't really mind the thin finishes. It just seems that Gibson doesn't pay too much attention to the guitars that have them.

Is it just me or the Epiphone sounds way better, especially in high gain sounds? More bite and more mediums in my ears. The overall look of the Epiphone is better too, iMHO.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Epiphone pickups in general seem to be voiced to fit high gain.

[@MegaAluchi]

I agree on the better tone of the Epi's pickups hands down. But also the crown trapezoid on the Epi dont look attractive. I prefer the no frills dot inlays. I am still reluctant to buy an Epi after I heard negative comments about their quality control

[@avrilcadabra]

the classic pro pickups in the epi, probably a more desirable sound, the 490r 498t are the least favoured pickups, even though they are both alnico II magnets, the classics are not that high output. Agree the epi looks better also. Of course how they feel to play comes into also.

[@MegaAluchi]

it is also worth it to check out the other range of Gibson SG's. Up until last year 2014, Gibson SG's different models, SGJ, and the Special was not so much different from the standard. At least the nut width was 43mm on all of them. The difference was in the maple neck vs mahogany on the standard, pickups, and neck thickness. In 2015, the SG Special was a lot different and deviated from the norm. It has a 45.5mm nut width. It seems to me that Gibson is pushing for novelties that can help with marketing and more sales. Thanks again!

[@freebirdforever2674]

More clarity and dark timbre on the Epi, more bite and brightness on the Gibson. Both are great.

[@KnuckleThruster]

I've owned an Epiphone SG and an Epiphone Les Paul. Both were pretty dang good guitars, but I sold both of them and now own two Gibson SG guitars. The SGJ and a Faded. The Gibsons absolutely feel better and definitely have a better overall tone. This may not be the case for everyone or every situation, but I've got two killer Gibsons right now.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I'm happy for you. I tend to get my hands on the bad ones it seems. I liked the SGJ in the video though.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks for all that input!! I'm sure my viewers will find that interesting to read.

[@kingcobramcdonald8131]

I like Epiphone I have 3 eletric guitars and 2 of them are Epiphone. The 3rd is a dean. I have a acoustic. Guitar to.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Kingcobra McDonald You can never have enough guitars!

[@davids.816]

I was undecided about getting one of these. After playing both, I felt like the SGJ was built a little better. Plus I can always throw some better PUPs in and make it sound even better.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

David Sosebee Myself I found the pickups the be amazing. Not the looks of them, but the sounds.

[@jacquestrap1904]

They sound almost identical to me.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

You can't fool our ears! The new Epiphone PRO pickups are a huge upgrade compared to the old ones.

[@LincolnFStern]

SwedishGuitarNerd I got the 1961 50th anniversary SG and the P-90s on it are pretty freaking awesome sounding.

[@hbomb76]

LincolnFStern I have two of those (a black one, and just acquired a New Old Stock cherry one online), and I think the quality there is amazing. I really wish they'd to bound necks like theirs on the G-400's (especially on my "1965" Limited Edition G-400 with the Epiphone-branded Maestro tailpiece). The 50th Anniversary Specials should've set a new standard for how Epi SG's should be made, actually. I'm still going to look out for a mint white one too, but for now my black (live) and cherry (studio) ones are some of my prized possessions. Feel VERY close to even the Gibson Custom Shop "Historic" Specials they made for several years (poly-VS-nitro finishes notwithstanding), and the sound is spot-on.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Poly rules! :) Isn't it great when you find those special guitars that are just perfect for you?

[@keithbryant4193]

I've got a 1992 Cherry Red Gibson SG hanging on my wall right now. A friend of mine loaned it to me. I absolutely love it. Having said that, I can't afford to buy one and wouldn't buy one if I could considering the state of Gibsons quality these days. I'm going to get the Epi G400 and perhaps Gibson it up, pickups, pots, and switch. That's just me.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Keith Bryant Why not? Gibson still makes great and relatively affordable pickups.

[@jwandhistools]

I have an epi. Surprisingly nice guitar. The original pups were actually pretty good for blues. Rewired it and put in P90's. Sounds and plays as good as anything Gibson sells, and I have owned, and still own many Gibsons, including SG's.

[@ajkcoleman]

It's kinda like this: The G-310 is probably names so because the price of an original Gibson SG/Les Paul was $310. The price for this is around $400 US so t might be like that.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

That's a new theory :)

[@ajkcoleman]

I guessed because Gibson used to name its models after their price.

[@Patrick33194]

It's coil split Not coil tab What coil tab does is making a shortcut to a part of the pickup where there are less windings Coil split is turning off one of the two 'sigle coils' in a humbucker so you get a single coil( ish) sound Go look it up Gibson als made this mistake for over 50, but they fixed it around 2010 or so (the misadvertizement)

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Patrick Tap not tab, but yes you're right. The term coil-tap has been misused so much that I don't even think about it anymore.

[@Patrick33194]

SwedishGuitarNerd thanks.

[@thijsmergaert2336]

Thanks for the comparison. I'm considering both of these (as well as the Epiphone 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special P90 Outfit) to learn to play on, and am trying to figure out whether I'm better off spending a little less money on the guitar and a bit more on the amp, or going for the SGJ and getting perhaps a slightly lower price amp. How does the action compare on these two guitars?

[@TheHeatru]

From Russia with fun! I choose the G400. Do you notice the feedback answers in it on high gain upper notes and the lack of this fact in SGJ? I love the "whistle" in between the notes. It makes the sound more kinda vivid.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

El Condor Pasa No I was only playing them with headphones so I didn't get to try the feedback. Rock on man!

[@kjchicago1]

I also forgot to mention one more guitar, a Gibson Melody Maker Special! Have you played that and a Gibson Les Paul Jr? Hope to see you play the Gibson Les Paul Custom!

[@nerkoids]

I dunno.... I kinda like the Epi. It sounds like it's fighting you less. Plus, for us lefties, it's one of the few genuine lefties Gibson/Epiphone makes that is affordable brand new.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

+nerkoids All guitars should be made in left-hand versions!

[@TheLenaweeTrekker]

+SwedishGuitarNerd I do hereby second that motion.

[@darknite653]

I've heard that the G400s are a bit neck heavy, is that true? And, is this a good beginner guitar?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

+Hawkeye Yes, since the neck is placed where it is most SG-style guitars (like the G400) are neck-heavy. It's not a major problem since you're always holding the neck when playing anyway. The G400 PRO is a great guitar it's good for anyone, not just people starting out. I really recommend it!

[@darknite653]

SwedishGuitarNerd I am honestly in love with the SG design, but I'm afraid of getting one and the heavy neck being a problem.

[@tomsimms674]

When I got mine, it was perfectly balanced. However, it had terrible tuners. My dealer sold me some Grovers, with free installation. Tuning stability came right up to snuff, but the guitar was neck-heavy. At my insistence, my dealer sold me an extra Epi Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop tailpiece, complete with installation. The extra hardware is centered with the functional bridge and tailpiece, but located near the jack. The extra bridge and tailpiece serve as counterweights to the heavy tuners. The balance is perfect again. The feel and playability are identical whether I sit or stand. If you install the pieces yourself, you can pay less than $100 for better tuning stability, good balance, and an extra touch of nickel-plated flash.

[@Skunk90210]

Thank you SGN I have been contemplating a Epiphone purchase and this helps my decision

[@BadMotivator66]

i can't believe how much better the epi sounds than the gibson. much richer and thicker.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Then you'll save a lot of money AND still get the guitar that you liked the most. I really recommend the G400 PRO if you're after a SG.

[@BadMotivator66]

im trading my cort for one. the cort is a superstrat. not really my style anymore.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Both. You won't have any problem nailing that sound with either of them.

[@alakasam44]

I actually couldn't believe how much sound difference there was here.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Wow! You should have done a before/after video. People request that all the time from me. How would you describe the difference in sound? Duncans compared to Gibsons? Duncans compared to Epiphones?

[@pmccartney75]

A very early guitar was named something like ES150 which meant Electric Spanish and the price of the guitar was $150 at the time. So maybe the number reflects the price.

[@gonzalorivera2555]

well thank you so much! that was totally helpful coming from yoou! :D just one more question, would you go for any epi sg g-400 or a wilshire pro? thanks for your time!

[@THApeanutMagician]

Would you recommend a epiphone g400 pro as a first guitar?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

+THApeanutMagician Yes I would! It's the best Epiphone I have ever tried actually.

[@THApeanutMagician]

Im also interested in the epiphone nighthawk and the Ibanez rg450dx, have you played either of these?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

The Nighthawk is rather good. I haven't tried the RG450DX, but I've tried similar guitars and I have only good things to say about Ibanez guitars. They certainly have a higher quality than Epiphone guitars in general.

[@marvinstarr6399]

I would

[@VaryRandomVideos]

Hello other guitar players. I am a rhythm guitarist for a little bands. I am looking for a new guitar, and I don't really know what to get. We play like Guns n' Roses and the Heavier Zeppelin stuff. I am currently using a Epiphone Les Paul studio, and I want something a little better for rhythm. I was looking at the G400, Fender Telecaster Standard, and the Epiphone Dot. Most I really want to spend is $500(ish) Thanks.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Out of the ones you suggested I'd go for the Tele!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I don't see myself as a collector. I just can't stop buying guitars! :)

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

That's right! I forgot to mention that in the video.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Awesome! I'm glad I could help you!

[@MindFullCheeseburger]

i was thinking of getting the sgj mainly because its the cheapest sg you can get i have the g400 pro i like it what kind of amp would be ideal to bring out the tone and full capabilities of both guitars?

[@paulharris8551]

The SGJ uses the 490t and 498r pickups on Mondays and Wednesdays but the 490r and 490t on tuesday and thurdays, sometimes on the same advertisent. How it's academic owing to the new 61 Zebra coils. Are these as good as the old ones?

[@paulharris8551]

Ps I think they smoke a lot of pot in Tennessee.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Haha! Maybe that explains it all :) Yes apparently you can't really trust the info that Gibson hands out since it has proved itself to be flat-out wrong at several occasions. I have no idea what the 61s are like.

[@FloydRoseDiscovery]

Are you sure about the 490T and 498R? My Gibson LPJ has the the 490R and 498T. Did they change them in the SGJ?

[@FloydRoseDiscovery]

James Sanders Oh and I have the Gibson LPJ Les Paul

[@paulharris8551]

James Sanders I only know what I read on Gibson's website, and Sweetwater's and Guitar Center's. Which was contradictory. But the 2014 LPJ and SGJ both use the 'zebra-coil' humbuckers which don't have the ugly black covers. As for the sound, I don't know. The 490/490 combo is used in the SG special which is more expensive so I suppose it's still competitive.

[@retrogamah]

Yeah! I'm pretty curious on their pickups, maybe i'd change only the covers from black to chrome, someday.

[@agirotto1]

Are you Robbaz?

[@ttcovers]

SG stands for Solid Guitar. It also was considered a Les Paul in 1961. Les Paul wanted.his name taken off because he thought it didnt meet his standards. But the Epiphone les paul stayed due to the quality of the guitar. Most people only read what they want about guitars and ignor the rest.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I'm not sure what you're answering here? I asked about why the Epiphone SG is called G400 and not SG Standard, SG400 or something. Why the G? Epiphone started making Les Paul and SG models in the late 80s/early 90s.

[@s.flaviusmercurius6265]

SwedishGuitarNerd Because back in the eighties almost all of the first "new" epiphone models produced under Gibson's current administration were numbered as part of a series. Like this: T-Series, S-Series, I-Series and of curse the G-Series. Each letter stands for the model or brand of guitars they were copying: T=Telecaster, S=Stratocaster, I=Ibanez and G=Gibson. With the exception of the les pauls standard and custom

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Really? I had no idea about this.

[@tobiasinnit]

Epiphone has a much much better tone, imo

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Don't let anyone tell you that you're wrong!

[@HighlanderNorth1]

I never thought this would be the case, but this is the 2nd "Gibson SG vs Epiphone SG" video that I've watched, where the Epiphone SG actually sounds at least a bit better....... To the Author: It sounded as if you've had issues with Gibson guitars from a quality control standpoint, so I'd be interested in knowing what problems you've encountered? You insinuated something about control knobs not working correctly in the past as well.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

+HighlanderNorth1 I have had bad paint jobs, bad fretwork, saddles that we'rent cut right. These were all on US-made Gibsons.

[@markusaurelius777]

@@SwedishGuitarNerd I heard that recently Gibsons were not as good as they were made before. Is that true? BTW, nice comparison video! I just bought a red lefty SG-400 Pro. I had to tweak the intonation, the truss rod and the action to get it better. I am very close to having it just right.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

@@markusaurelius777 Yes that's a common thing. The wood in the neck and body goes through a lot of changes from the factory in China to our doorstep. There are still big issues with Gibson guitars. When you pay the big money that they cost you expect perfect instruments and that has not been the case in recent years.

[@markusaurelius777]

@@SwedishGuitarNerd Indeed. Thanks for the good info and speedy reply. I will be checking out more of your videos. Cheers to you !!!

[@paulharris8551]

I recommend the Wildwood Guitars website for very detailed specs on each individual guitar in stock - weight, thickness at both ends etc. I imagine they would provide pretty accurate answers though I haven't actually talked with them.

[@d00m762]

i went there, to the website you said, they didn't have any info on the SGJ! nice work.

[@paulharris8551]

You are right! The specs on SGJ were there a week ago but have vanished. They must be out of stock or something. Either the SGJ is selling well or it's being discontinued. If you are seriously interested you might call them. If/when they get some back in stock they will put the specs on the website.

[@d00m762]

cool, i will check back soon, thanks paul harris for the info

[@remiozero]

I've been offered the Gibson SGJ on promo now, and it's about $80-100 more expensive than the Epiphone (vs. originally, $300-400 price difference). Do you think Epi's coil tap feature is a plus point that can seal the deal for me (not to mention good looks resembling Gibson SG standard), or is the Gibson SGJ versatile enough to overwrite that factor?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

If you're only going to use one guitar then the coil-split is a good thing and very usable. On the other hand you can get another guitar that has real single coils instead. The SGJ is the better guitar of the two in my opinion.

[@remiozero]

SwedishGuitarNerd Sorry for the late update! Been quite busy.. Thank you so much for your input. I ended up buying the Gibson SGJ 2013 model that was on offer :) I guess they were trying to clear stock for the upcoming 2014 model (but I personally prefer the 2013 for certain specs and aesthetics). I'm glad I chose it over the Epiphone sound+playability-wise and what do you know, it is actually versatile enough to imitate the single coil sound pretty well by turning the neck pickup tone to way up--and it helps too if you are using the Brit Combo effect on the Roland Cube amp. Ultimately, the SG is a great, mean machine with its own trademark sound but I just wanted to keep my options wider while getting a genuinely good first electric guitar (my previous ones were all loaned from friends and taken back eventually).

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

It's a great guitar! I hope you'll play a lot of awesome music with it!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I hope this helped you deciding :)

[@GiannisSKonstantinidis25]

Hey buddy! Great review as any of your videos I have watched! You are doing great work by telling true things about guitars and not like several shop reviews which just tell you that everything is perfect on the guitar they are "reviewing". I would appreciate it if you could tell me your opinion about 2 guitars. Gretsch G2622 streamliner and Hofner Verything CT. Which one would you prefer? Thank you! Keep up the good work!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Giannis S. Konstantinidis Oh thanks a lot! I'd get the Hofner for a few reasons. You get better upper-fret access. The Hofner has a maple neck that's much more solid than the rather fragile nato neck on the Gretch. I think the Hofner is thinner too (hence the name) and that would be a plus too I think. The Gretch might have better pickups and it looks better to me on the other hand :)

[@ALEEN517]

Comparing an SGJ and a G400 Pro is still a little unfair. The SGJ is an entry level guitar. It is made cheaply, when compared to an SG Standard. The G400 Pro is an upper tier model for Epiphone. The high gloss nitro cellulose lacquer finish on the G400 looks very nice, but it won't allow the guitar to breathe the way it will with the stained wax finish on the SGJ. Incidentally, the first thing anybody does when they buy an SGJ is swap out the pups. For an extra $200, you have an SG Standard in tone and a Melody Maker in feel. I still appreciate you sharing this.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I think it's very fair to compare them since a lot of people will choose between a high-grade Epiphone and low-grade Gibson since they are close in price. In fact I have gotten several request for this very review. In my opinion the pickups on the SGJ sounded great. They're US-made by Gibson and I see no reason to upgrade them. A correction: The finish on the G400 is Polyurethane not Nitrocellulose. The wood on an electric guitar is dried and dead - it does not breath in any way, nor does the type of finish affect the amplified tone in any way. (It's a myth spread mostly by Gibson.)

[@Rickholly74]

SwedishGuitarNerd I think I agree. A piece of dead wood, factory dried to remove all the moisture and stored for months in a perfect humidity (check Gibson factory tour video), then covered in layers of (any) finish cannot "breathe". I'm sure that the wood may have some small effect on the sustain of the guitar but I can't see how it could effect the tone in any way. It is all about a metal string vibrating over a magnet. Whether or not it is a one piece body or three or four I don't see how that changes the tone of the metal string vibrating over a magnet. Jimmy Page made many of Led Zeps favorite recordings on his cheap Danelectro that is made out of some kind of fiber board. He gets great sustain and tone. I'm still on the fence about how much wood itself has any effect on tone.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

This is a big debate amongst guitar nerds at the moment. I agree with Rickholly74.

[@ALEEN517]

SwedishGuitarNerd I definitely respect everybody's opinion on the matter. And I could actually never tire of discussing the topic. I still feel as though finish will show up in tone characteristics of the instrument. A finish will restrict vibration. It will form an insulating layer on the wood. I firmly believe that as the finish gets thinner and "wears in" the instrument will sound better. I am a Gibson owner, but I don't believe everything someone says who's trying to sell me something. I network. More often than not, the people who have been playing for 30+ years tell me finish can effect the tone. Everything is subjective. I just happen to believe it. I still really value your video and opinions. Nothing but love and respect.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks for that! I value your opinion as well and I don't hold all the answers or facts. Love!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks for the input!

[@erickreyes5540]

I have both Gibson SGJ 2013 and the Epiphone G-400 PRO, they both have a great feel but the Gibson SGJ 2013 has a more superior sound compared to the Epiphone G-400 PRO. Thanks for the video +SwedishGuitarNerd (Please reply I am a fan of your videos) xD

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Erick Gabriel Reyes What else do you like/dislike about the two? I preferred the sound of the SGJ too. Gibson makes great pickups, I give them that.

[@erickreyes5540]

SwedishGuitarNerd I dislike the glossy neck and finish also i dislike the coil tapping because its unnecessary and it is heavier than the gibson. and the Gibson SGJ sounds better by a mile and is lighter than the epiphone and the gibson has 24 frets so its better the gibson also has better tone than the epiphone. Do you think the Gibson SGJ 2013 will be a collectible in the future? Because its made for the year 2013 and maybe in 2063 its a collectible. Can you do a review about the Gibson SGJ 2013 and a demo. Thanks. And btw your channel is Great!!!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks a lot for the kind words and the input! Not all Gibsons are collection pieces. For instance all the late 70s models (that in many way are superior to the 50s designs) still sell for relatively little money. My guess is that the current models will suffer the same fate. Gibson seems to be run by people that are more interested in making a buck rather than building great instruments at the moment. People send me pictures of broken Gibson guitar all the time. On the other hand: If you have found a guitar that suits you and that you feel is great, then that's all you need to know. The resell-value or what anyone else (even me!) thinks of it is secondary. I would love to review a 2013 SGJ if I ever got my hands on one!

[@erickreyes5540]

SwedishGuitarNerd Thank you so much for replying to my comments. I really appreciate your reviews. On your next video can you do a little shredding and stuff like that? If so give a shout-out to me. Thanks!! Keep making videos and God bless you!!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I'm a horrible guitar-player as you can tell (by my playing and all the "YOU SUUUUUCK"-comments). I always attempt shredding in every video I make :) Thanks a lot for the kind comments!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks a lot! You can find videos on youtube of me playing a Gibson Les Paul custom, a Fender Standard Stratocaster, a Ibanez GRG150 and a PRS SE Custom :)

[@tubal1]

This may seem a stupid question but there it goes. Which one is best suited if you want to get an AC/DC style sound? Thanks

[@tubal1]

oh. now I realize it is not the Gibson SGJ 2014. Do you know about this one?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

tubal1 You can sound like AC/DC on any of them :) The 2014 SGJ is basically the same guitar without the ugly pickup covers. Apparently they listened to us players..

[@tubal1]

SwedishGuitarNerd I guess the most important thing for getting a given a sound is the pickup (apart from the musician technique itself of course). And I am still surprised they are selling the SGJ 2014 at about 500 euros now, one could think they are using low quality materials for that guitar.... but sounds like a good option for those who don't want (can't) spend much money but still own a Gibson.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

It's a MUCH better guitar than the Melody Maker versions they did a few years ago. It plays and sounds great.

[@corn1078]

My epi sg has satin finish and I like it more then any Gibson I've picked up

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Robert Farry Awesome!

[@corn1078]

SwedishGuitarNerd it's a G400 but not the pro version since it's all satin finished and has the same alnico V pickups but actually is set up better then the guitar in the video lol

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Robert Farry The PRO pickups in this one was the best original Epiphone pickups I have ever heard. They should use them in more models!

[@corn1078]

SwedishGuitarNerd I have those same pickups and they're great! I've seen no need to replace them. I guarantee you if you used the satin finish model it'd feel just like that Gibson since I've almost bought that same Gibson sg j but the epi has that classic sound like an AC/DC kind of thing. Plus the trapezoid markers look better lol

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I have to try one of those!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

No that can be a hassle. Especially when you're using straplocks like me. The idea is that it will help with the balance (since all SGs are neck-heavy), but it doesn't really cure that anyway.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I've tried some from previous years that hasn't really been that good, but the later models are amazing. Will post a comparison today with a Mexican Standard and a Squier Standard Strat.

[@Hammerman1234567]

The G in the name stands for guitar, SG actually stands for solidbody guitar and it's what they were originally going to call the les Paul but becuase les Paul helped design it they named it after him and the called their next model the SG

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Good luck with that one! Thanks for watching!!

[@DucksDeLucks]

Gibson says their 490 pair is very popular. Does that mean it's good quality or are some 490s better than others? The problem with changing pickups is that you're already paying for the stock ones so you have to resell them.

[@PantheonLincoln]

I agree about the pickup covers. open coils would look cooler and add to the stripped-down look and vibe of these guitars.

[@taylor124567890]

I was considering both of these before buying my Hagstrom Viking, and I'd say that the G400 Pro is good for a authentic budget SG, while the SGJ gives you the look and feel of the SG, but the option of playing a heavier style. I think I might buy the SGJ later this year. Thanks for the video!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Yes my sustain test is not universal. Since guitars usually are made of wood, that's one of the most inconsistent materials in the world, the characteristics of every single instrument will be different. The Epiphone in the video might even have sustained longer if I'd played a different note..

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I'd say that the width of the necks were identical. Around 2" at the 12 I think. The depth is different though and the Epi is much fatter. We'll see what comparisons the future holds..

[@cigdamagelungs]

just got the epi, thx sgn

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Ricgard Smith Feel free to tell me what you like and hate about it!

[@cigdamagelungs]

like the pups, wilkenson tuners are good, not to neck heavy- i have the 1966 version, almost like a sg i had

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Ricgard Smith Awesome!

[@cigdamagelungs]

thx, man

[@rodostergar7565]

One thing I noticed today, I have 3 70s sgs and recently purchased an epi SG . the epi has a 25 inch scale vs the gibson 24& whatever inch. I don't know if all the g400s are that way or what?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

The ones I've tried have all had the regular 24 3/4 scale length.

[@rodostergar7565]

Crazy, like I said I recently bought this one,a buddy picked it up because it was close to his town but I did talk with the owner.It had a broken neck at the body,I'm into it 150 bucks with new strings & straplocks,& it plays pretty good I do have it tuned e flat.I can't believe the repaired neck changed it?? Who knows? I'll have to play some others when I get to a town that has them. Its not like my Gibsons but it's ok. Hoping to pick up a lp standard epi. This weekend. I do have a 66 Wilshire ri & I just love it. Thanks☺. Rock on!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Good luck with that and keep rocking!

[@guitar-mercury9067]

Can you make a video of comparing Gibson LPJ 2013 vs Gibson LPJ 2014?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I'd love to, but I will have a hard time getting those guitars I'm afraid.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks for watching! The Hagstroms I've tried have been very very good.

[@MegaAluchi]

I agree with you about how ugly the pups are, they appeared to me at first as active pups though. What is the fretboard width at the 12th fret of the two guitars? I hope you do a similar review about the them (those two guitars) and the Gibson tribute 60 with burstnbuckers. Thanks

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Did you watch the video? In what way am I saying that the SGJ is a bad guitar?? The professional guitarists that are endorsed by Gibson are usually using guitars that are not made by Gibson, Just replicas made by others with a Gibson sticker on the headstock. If I understand what you're saying, you think that it's better to own a guitar from a company that takes care of their workers? I couldn't agree more! This is a MAJOR problem with the guitars made in China/Korea/Indonesia.

[@MegaAluchi]

I have checked some of the SGJ at a store, and I noticed how sharp the fret edges are. The Epi SG pro has better fret finishes. But again, all guitars are different. Epi Pro has nice pups, but as Swedish of the reeview mentioned, the neck can get sticky especially if your fingers or palm gets sweaty. Just to mention, the Gibson Special 2014 has much better neck, and it is matt finish, and nice pups as well. Thanks

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Yes I have noticed the same problems with the cheaper Gibsons.

[@paulharris8551]

I bought an SGJ 2013 model (the same as that reviewed) and I would say the neck is pretty fat, sort of a D shape. Too fat for my hand, maybe, but it really feels good. I only wish the body had a flat bottom so it wouldn't slip out of my lap when sitting down. QC is very good. The frets are fine except they're on the tall side. That helps with some things and hinders with others. The guitar has a full-bodied, woody sound, good for blues or metal alike but maybe not what Fender fans would prefer. Note that the 2014 model has "61 Zebra coil" pickups and may sound a little different. I am using it with an Orange Micro-Terror and it produces some nice tones.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Thanks for the input!

[@paulharris8551]

My pleasure! Thanks for the review!

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Nitro is also very bad for the environment. Polyurethane rules!

[@ThaNila01]

I see, that's what I've heard too, but haven't heard anything concrete on the new fender blacktop guitars. Also I'm looking forward to see the video !

[@RobertBrumley60]

SG stands for Solid Guitar. Gibson named it that after first naming it the Les Paul. Late 1950's and early 1960's The standard Les Paul sales were terrible so they decided to make a new Les Paul. That didn't work so well so they called it the SG meaning Solid Guitar.

[@JoshLMusic]

No problem! Keep up the awesome videos man!

[@JoshLMusic]

I really should have! And do you mean how do the Duncan pickups sound compared to the Gibson pickups then compared to the epiphone pickups? If so, it all depends on which Duncan pickups you're getting, for my personal taste the neck pickup im getting has a very nice, clean warm sound, while the bridge pickup(Invader) has a higher output so it's perfect for that heavy metal sound! Much better than the factory pickups on both guitars. Seymour Duncan and EMG pickups are always great! :)

[@themadouz]

confused between Epi WORN G400 and G400 PRO. do they just look different? help pls

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

They do look different. The worn one has a thinner finish (much like the SGJ in this video). The G400 PRO has the upgraded pickups though and that makes a huge difference. I would get that one!

[@themadouz]

Thanks a lot man. really!

[@LiquidFACE94]

i think, with the g400 pro you can switch from humbucker pickup sound to single coil

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

That's true! And you also get the MUCH better PRO pickups that makes all the difference in the world.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

As soon as one finds it's way to me. I've tried it and it sounded better than the other Epiphones. Something about the construction made it brighter. I tried both the mini humbucker and regular humbucker version and the regular sounded better. More definition, output and clarity. I almost bought one, but found the build quality to be rather bad so I ended up resisting it.

[@Garjames1]

twice the price, but not twice as good!

[@taiming71]

I found this very useful thank you.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I primarily play in the Ionian mode. Usually in A or G. Thanks for giving me something else than the usual "learn how to play!"/ "practice more!!" comments that everyone else sends :) Well an electric guitar is a system of magnets picking up the vibrations from metal strings. That's it. The wood does nothing to the tone for instance. In other words any pickup should sound the same in any guitar. In theory at least. The quality of the electronics will affect the tone too. But not as much.

[@MartiniSaysNo]

Got my eye on the SGJ, thanks for this video :)

[@ThaNila01]

yeah, I tend to agree with you on the price. What about the mexican made fenders, had any problems with them ?

[@AmoryMuerte2]

They're both pretty solid guitars for their price!

[@Godspeed961]

nice video ! u say the gibson has thiner neck... i was about to buy this guitar and i dont want thiner neck than my epiphone les paul gothic (F.R.) ... where i can see the specs for gibson neck to compare with L.p. neck?????

[@sammagee21]

All sg guitars have thinner necks than a les Paul

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

There are several variations on both Les Paul and SG necks. I wish I could tell you were to find the info but Gibson usually only writes things like 60's or 50's neck profile or slim taper.. Not really any exact measurements (and the 50s and 60s ones have had different profiles from year to year...). I'm quite sure that the SGJ has a slightly thinner neck than the Epi LP but it will not be a major difference.

[@sanyarock45]

Epiphone g400 or Gibson sgj???

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Watch the video and decide 😀

[@sanyarock45]

@@SwedishGuitarNerd what is your opinion?)

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

@@sanyarock45 If you were getting these 2013 models I'd get the Epiphone. Today I think the new Epiphones have gotten even better.

[@kjchicago1]

Gibson is phasing out the LPJ & SGJ guitars out for the 2015 models, but the Gibson LPM guitars will be around in 2015

[@Usuallyjustahuman]

If he only could play guitar ...

[@brianomalley6901]

I also talked a guy down to $350 with case. I use to have a 2002 faded model. Does anyone know how they compare?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Brian O'Malley They are very similar. Both were the most affordable Gibson models and featured the same thin finish to keep the costs down. I think they had similar if not the same pickups.

[@Gelo-st3wc]

Which one should I get ?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

The one that you can't resist!

[@Gelo-st3wc]

Thanks

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

It's a song called "The Nerd playing random chords" ;)

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

So why not SG400?

[@JoshLMusic]

Also, the Epiphone factory pickups compared to the Gibson pickups, I personally prefer the Epiphone factory pickups. I find they give a nicer tone. Also the fact the Epiphone is a one piece guitar while the Gibson is 3 or 4 pieces of wood glued together, and the fact the Gibson's body is smaller. I think that gives it a softer tone in my opinion. I've played lots of shows with my last Epiphone SG and it has a great tone. The only guitar id choose over it are Schecter guitars or maybe certain ESP

[@franzschnabel8428]

I thought the Gibson sounded better clean while the Epi sounded better distorted. Perhaps the Epi pickups are actually hotter than 498T? Anyway, that Epi sounded much better than I recall. Are they really equal in terms of playability, though?

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

Yes the Epiphone pickups were really good on this one. I was really surprised since I've done several videos where I've complained about the muddiness of the Epis. As far as playability goes, the Gibson wins in my opinion. It has a slimmer neck and the finish is less sticky.

[@yanneckmock1214]

SwedishGuitarNerd That is wrong. The Gibson has a 50´s Profile, the Epi a 60´s, which is way slimmer. But I can agree, most of the Epiphones sound muddy...obviously you got a good one!

[@yanneckmock1214]

SwedishGuitarNerd well this is akward, because my SGJ has a fat neck and when i get hands on my G400 it feels like a tiny stick.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I might be fooling myself here.. I have no reason to doubt you. I'm quite sure that the Epi wasn't slimmer at least. Maybe the sticky neck made it feel bigger and bulkier that in actually was?

[@yanneckmock1214]

SwedishGuitarNerd That is maybe possible. But I should mention that my Gibson is a Limited Run for the German Retailer Thomann. Don´t know if this profile is different to the normal one. Also it came with open humbuckers and green tuning heads :D

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I didn't feel the big difference in resonance that you talked about though. Epiphone are slowly improving their quality I suppose. I don't like the colour of the SGJs. Why don't they do one in a natural finish? The feel of it is great though. The less finish the better :)

[@BeardedDev90]

3:50 is when he starts playing the instruments

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

That's a hard one... They are basically the same guitar. Since I'm a Strat guy I might choose the Wilshire. There's nothing setting them apart tonally or quality-wise I think.