Epiphone SG Standard '61 Review

[@johndaugherty4127]

8:12 I got a Epi SG Modern, my first SG, and I was blown away with the binding and the ebony fretboard. Could do without the two extra frets, but the pickups are pretty good and I like the split coil and out of phase options. Looking hard at the Gibson '61 faded. Big SG fan now! Great review.

[@OCDStee]

@@johndaugherty4127 I'm glad you like your SG Modern! They're beautiful guitars, and the Epiphones (IMO) are much better value for the money. That said, it's just nice to have that 'Gibson' on the headstock 🤤

[@johndaugherty4127]

@@OCDStee it is. It may just be in my head but my Les Paul Classic sure rocks balls. And let's face it, nothing sounds like a Gibson Les Paul. Maybe within $500, but not exactly...

[@sonicmilk]

Great review and really dig your playing. I have a Les Paul and thinking I might get one of these for gigs since the Les Paul is shooting up in value.

[@OCDStee]

@@sonicmilk Thanks a lot man! Mega appreciated, and I highly recommend the guitar too! I play this more than my Gibson to be honest. Mainly due to the narrower neck on the Epiphone 👍🏻

[@fifteen8]

I find off the shelf budget guitars have nuts that are usually cut too high to prevent buzzing. So much so the chording can be out of tune. I've cut/installed Tusq nuts on several. It's nice this one comes with a one, well-cut. I prefer the smaller pickguard, the thin neck and the heel on the 61 which is much closer to the body. Glad you're happy with it. I'm a big fan of Epiphone guitars. I put Dimarzio Super Distortion (bridge) and Bluesbucker (neck) in my Epi Les Paul Plus Top Pro. It gets raves.

[@OCDStee]

@@fifteen8 Yeah, I seem to recall that being the case too, that the nuts were cut too high. Seems to be the opposite now though, in my experience. But yeah, I'm well impressed with this Epiphone. They have massively improved since I had an SG400 as a teenager in the late 90s/ early 2000s!

[@TheSeano]

G'day from down here in Australia, mate. Thanks for the video-it was very informative. I'm keen to get an SG to progress my guitar journey, but I've concluded that at my level, there's no point getting a Gibson when only professionals and serious musos can tell the difference. I'm tossing up between this one, the Epi SG custom, and the Epi SG Les Paul 61 (which is a little more expensive). Any thoughts? Thx again.

[@OCDStee]

@@TheSeano How do mate? Thanks for your comment! Much appreciated 😁👍🏻 And I'm excited to hear about your guitar journey too! So... I guess it really depends on a couple of things; How much money you want to spend and what you want for it??? So the only differences between the SG '61 and the Custom are cosmetic. I.e, The custom is black with an ebony fretboard and gold hardware. Otherwise, it's the same instrument for around 100 GBP more. Some people say that black finishes show up scratches easier too, if that kinda thing bothers you 🤷🏻‍♂️ Then the Les Paul '61 comes with proper Gibson Pickups and a case. So you can kinda justify the extra money for that. Probably the closest you'll get to a proper Gibson without the price tag. That said, it's still not cheap. That's all the advice I can give really, but I hope it's helpful. It ultimately comes down to what you want. But I hope you're very happy with whatever you choose! Cheers 🍻

[@TheSeano]

@@OCDStee Thanks mate very helpful! If I chose between the SG '61 and the custom I'd probably go with the Custom because I like the ebony fretboard and black & gold but now you've pointed out the SG '61 Les Paul is as close to a Gibson without being a Gibson, I think I might have to talk to the wife about upping my budget!. I also like the idea of the aged 60's cherry, a finish like that looks great but also if it gets scratched or dinged it adds to the character. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again.

[@MaMa-xx105do]

Great Guitar ❤i love SG epiphone

[@OCDStee]

@@MaMa-xx105do Yup! My favourite! 🤗

[@romanershov2639]

👍

[@markedid5818]

Does it have a weak neck connection ? I keep seeing that comment come up. I have an epi, (several years old, like a 335 model) and it has that problem. I can lightly push/pull on the neck and see (and hear) the strings go up and down.

[@OCDStee]

Mine does NOT have a weak neck. Funnily enough, I had a D'angelico Premier Brighton before this Epiphone that had that very issue! Weak neck where the string pitch would change with the slightest movement. But this Epiphone SG neck is solid! Cheers 🍻

[@markedid5818]

@@OCDStee Cool thanks for the info 👍. I just ordered a PSR (edit PRS )SE Standard 24-08, never tried one but the reviews are very positive so I'm giving it a shot. If it doesn't work out I'll be back on the search and check the Epiphone SG out.

[@OCDStee]

@@markedid5818 No worries. Good luck with your PRS! 😁

[@markedid5818]

@@OCDStee Don't know why PSR sticks in my head instead of PRS 👍

[@pauljohnson3686]

I have a the gibson sg standard with the 490t 490r pickups and it rocks.. Epiphone make nice SGs but I just can't get on with the Indian Laurel fretboard.. Its on my Casino and I just don't like how it looks and feels.. I hope epiphone goes back to rosewood.

[@OCDStee]

@@pauljohnson3686 That's fair enough. I don't really notice the difference tbh. Or if there is, it's negligible. But to each their own 🤟🏻😁

[@gt7150]

Gibson used to plek their frets. Do they still do that? If not, that's like 300 pounds if you can find a place

[@OCDStee]

@@gt7150 I do believe they still indeed PLEK their frets. I have to say though, they're still overpriced nowadays. My Gibson is a 2015 and was £700 new! Now it'd be worth double that! 😱