Les Paul VS SG! - The Differences & Which Is Best For YOU! - History & Review

[@1969MARKETING]

The SG is a true rock guitar. It's exactly the tones you'd expect from a 6 string electric guitar. Nothing better than just a plain ol SG Standard IMO.

[@TheSavagederek]

Yea, that'll be a Stratocaster then.

[@1969MARKETING]

@@TheSavagederek a strat is definitely one of the best blues guitars

[@bubumber9662]

​@@TheSavagederek SG is a better rock guitar by far

[@TheSavagederek]

@@bubumber9662 nah madbummer it's good but definitely not .

[@sentientcardboarddumpster7900]

My SG has treated me very well for 15 years. I've decided I need to add a Les Paul to my collection. Gotta have both

[@Remsterdam]

Can’t help it, we just need both.

[@michaelheller8841]

Absolutely!!

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

And a Strat.

[@chipogles7639]

@@TylerJohnstonGuitar sg is a strat

[@michaelheller8841]

@@TylerJohnstonGuitar another great rock machine!

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

@@chipogles7639 Hardly, you need something with single coils.

[@michaelheller8841]

The reason why I picked up the Les Paul when I started out was two players actually. Jimmy Page for his 59’ and Mick Taylor for his 58’ and 61’ Les Paul SG. They are two different guitars that I believe most guitarists should have both. One is not better then the other, it’s that feeling you get when you play it.

[@JBurg_07]

Mick Taylor the 🐐

[@JoeAmaral427]

LP has more of a scooped sound (highs and lows) while the SG sounds like it has more of a mid range punch? My $0.02

[@kiillabytez]

The very diference why an expensive guitar is better than a cheap one. The "feel."

[@bricethenice1302]

the whole reason i started playing guitar was because I saw a live performance of ACDC when I was really young and I was like "I wanna do that", now I have my own Gibson SG and Angus Young is still my all time favourite guitarist

[@bayleyaustin2202]

Les Paul by far for me!! My mom was an 70’s-80’s girl so I grew up on a lot of music from that era, especially Guns N Roses and Aerosmith, both bands with Les Paul users for guitarists. I especially remember my first time seeing Slash with a leather jacket, top hat, and Les Paul in hand and thinking “That’s what a rockstar looks like!” My brother also played (for like a few months lol) and I remember he had a Gibson Cherry Sunburst Les Paul and it was gorgeous! Sadly he sold it for super cheap to get some cheap jewelry for some girl he was with. I still haven’t forgiven him for that lol. Half because I started playing years ago and could’ve used it, but also because he sold a $1,000+ guitar for so little!! But I ended up owning my own so oh well! However, as much as I love Les Pauls, the Juniors are where it’s at!! The ultimate rock guitar in my opinion. Plus as a punk rocker the likes of Bad Religion, Social Distortion, Johnny Thunders, and especially Green Day made me want an LP Junior more than any other guitar!!

[@SNTOSN]

Bad Religion and Green Day always have an awesome guitar tone. Leslie West from Mountain was also a LP Junior user that inspired Michael Schenker, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Slash, etc. He also had a Flying V that he put the LP Junior P90 pickup in.

[@carlosm9111]

I first saw the SG via Angus Young but it kind of blended into the background partially from his larger than life performing and AC/DC's huge sound. It wasn't until I saw Dustin Kensrue play one that I saw it as a legit piece of art, and when I finally played my first, a '61 reissue, I fell in love. So for me, it's Dustin followed by Chino Moreno that really got me to pay attention to the SG and I'm grateful for it ...

[@AdamRocksOut]

As a smaller guy, I can never play a Les Paul standing, but I love KISS so much😢😢😢, so it’s Les Paul songs on an SG for me, sadly

[@Ottophil]

Ive been playing an SG for 20 years, and a les paul for a week. I love them both

[@shadowspider4140]

I bought an SG after watching Frank Zappa play. Loved them ever since

[@harrison738]

I currently have an epiphone les paul and i love it to bits but the sg is literally my dream guitar, so I'm gonna have to give them both a tie as the best guitars ever

[@johninama585]

From the early 70s to the mid 80s, Gibson changed the SG and moved the neck join further in (it eliminated the gap between the neck pickup and the 22nd fret). It made the guitar more compact and reduced some neck dive. Interestingly, the bolt-on Epiphone SGs are kind of based on that design, so if you don't have an expensive vintage SG around, pick up a bolt-on Epi to see the difference.

[@Mephilis78]

To be fair, those aren't really the expensive vintages for SGs. Usually just a tad more than brand new. Norlin era has some interesting SGs though.

[@asktheidiotgaming539]

Funnily enough, although this is probably one of the last people who comes to mind when you think this guitar, the Gibson SG has always reminded me of none other than Radiohead's Thom Yorke. It's one of his main guitars. Thom is an amazing all around musician and a fantastic rhythm guitarist, a role of his that is often overlooked/underrated despite how crucial it is to Radiohead's sound. I love the three guitar thing they got going on.

[@zerosoma33]

I thought both Thom and Johnny played Teles?

[@ej8736]

Jonny plays a Tele, Thom plays an SG, Ed plays a Strat @@zerosoma33

[@giuliocerea5680]

I have an epiphone 61 les paul sg (aged white). It's beautiful and it sounds like a beast.. Amazing value for money 😍

[@SNTOSN]

I love the playing and the enthusiasm on these videos!. My favorite players SG: Derek Trucks, Tony Iommi, Duane Allman. Les Paul: Paul Kossoff, Gary Moore, Scott Gorham, Robbo Robertson. Bonus tracks Flying V: Michael Schenker, Albert King, Lonnie Mack, Michael Denner, Andy Powell Stratocaster: Blackmore, Rory Gallagher, Hendrix. Telecaster: Joanne Shaw Taylor, Carolyn Wonderland, Roy Buchanan, Kotzen.

[@SNTOSN]

Frank Zappa also played an SG and Gary Rossington played both. Mick Ronson an LP. Mick Box an LP. Clapton had an SG in Cream and also played Les Pauls , Hendrix played an SG for some songs. Jeff Beck played les pauls for a while. There are many players. I didn't mention Angus or Slash as everybody already knows them. An interesting idea is to use different guitars as their counterparts in AC/DC and GnR do. Also on Lynyrd Skynyrd they did the same, different guitars to fill the mix without blurring one another.

[@TheTeddydog1]

Great vid, Dagan! I'm more a Strat guy, but love the thick, creamy sound of a LP on neck pickup around the 12th fret. Played a well set up SG a few years ago, and it was one of the easiest guitars iv'e ever had the chance to play. Smooth and effortless bending, as well as easy chording. Epiphone or Gibson, you can't go far wrong. Cheers.

[@whereandbackagain7059]

I have and love both- 2018 LP Traditional and '08 SG Special. The SG is lighter and more comfortable, great to play during practice or when writing. The Les Paul gets more stage use and definitely has more beefiness to the tone (and weight). Can't go wrong with either.

[@jonasb81]

Both guitars are just so awesome. It would be almost impossible to choose between. That's why I own both! Love to play them - hard rocking bluesy strumming or gently fingerpicking licks. Oh my they get me going

[@ricochetjack7579]

I have one of each, a Les Paul with a 50's neck and an SG Standard. Both are great guitars! I would recommend a modern SG Standard over the '61 Reissue because of a (imo) better designed neck joint.

[@ricochetjack7579]

@Mark Seymour I have no experience with the Epiphone SGs but look at the back of the guitar for the following. '61 Reissue: the neck joint is lower than both horns and the strap button is on the body. Standard: the neck joint is between the horns and the strap button is equal with the lower horn. In my experience this movement of the strap button also helps a bit to stop neck dive.

[@benallmark9671]

Special’s are great too , can’t go wrong with the p-90’s

[@ricochetjack7579]

@@benallmark9671 I'm actually contemplating a Junior, not sure if an LP or SG. I like the look of the single P90. Since my SG standard is cherry, I would love to find a black SG Junior.

[@benallmark9671]

@@ricochetjack7579 I’m playing an Epiphone inspired by tobacco burst junior right now. I highly recommend it , for the money it’s an absolute score. Big fat neck though but I have small hands and love it.

[@Compass2101]

I just put Seymour Duncan High Voltage pickups in my 2008 Faded SG and totally fallen in love with it again. '59 spec Lester Standard will be my next purchase.

[@MattSwain1]

I had a Les Paul but sold it for a SG which is my dream guitar because of Angus Young. I’m not a good enough player for the differences between them to really matter but on a practical note I do prefer the SG for being so much lighter

[@phantomlord5707]

I choose Les Paul because of three generations of some of my favorite guitarists, from some of my favorite rock bands who influenced each other used LPs. Jimmy Page - Joe Perry - Slash

[@LordMattyA87]

SG for me. I love my Epiphone SG and it just amazing! Better than my Les Paul Standard

[@billydworrell8259]

Great breakdown, thx for the tip on the So called neck dive on the SG. I ve recently purchased the EPIPHONE SG Classic Worn Cherry. With P 90s It s absolutely fantastic. I have my share of LPS. But wholeheartedly agree, you need both. Love your ENERGY AND PASSION. KEEP IT GOING

[@BrettGivler]

Les paul - Warren Haynes SG - Derek Trucks

[@AjvarRelish]

Slash and his LP is the reason I play guitar! 🤘🏼

[@ryanmilner4315]

I love them both. Top 2 best guitars ever made. I own a Gibson SG because my Mum bought me one for my 18th birthday, also it's famously played by Angus Young, Robby Krieger, Tommy Iomi. I sometimes wish I had a Les Paul because of the more bluesy sound and it's famously played by SLASH, Jimmy Page, Joe Bonamassa and many more. Personally I find the Les Paul a bit heavy as well as I don't like where the toggle switch is located, I also prefer the thinner neck on an SG as opposed to the thicker neck on a Les Paul. But I love the look of the Les Paul as well as the sound. I'm happy with my SG though.

[@PoppaWheelies]

I’ve never owned a Gibson , blind Impulse ordered a 61’ SG Friday. I’m excited . My other guitars all have single coils !

[@ericwarrington6650]

I have both..I love them both..but I play my SG more than my LP lately..I migrate between guitars but if I had to choose..I'm probably going SG standard 🤘😜🎸🎶

[@coldwar1977]

100% Les Paul for me: beefier bottom end, pickup switch in a handy spot, much more stable neck, fullrange sound.

[@HooksBill]

They sound nearly the same. The '61 SG has the same LP 60's pups. I can play an LP and an SG back to back and they sound nearly identical. It's all in people's minds. The chunky furniture body of the LP doesn't do anything for tone. It just feels different. I'd rather have a slightly lighter guitar. Nothing against the LP, it's just well commercialized and has its following convinced there's a huge difference. There's not.

[@coldwar1977]

@@HooksBill No. It's not because *you* don't hear a difference that there isn't any. I can hear it very well, in person. People have different ears. And I've had both SG's and LP's over the past 30 years. Try playing through headphones and tell me you don't hear a difference in sheer heft?

[@LazarusLonger]

Agree. Big difference to my ears as well. The LP sounds much beefier, fuller. The SG is more midrangey, which I prefer with P90s.

[@jiggatoni4082]

@@HooksBillare we watching the same video or are you playin this from your phone speakers?

[@IndyRockStar]

Get them both. You wont' regret it. Recommend Gibson Custom shop versions if you can afford it. Playing an Epiphone SG is what made me want the real thing. Bought a Gibson SG a week later. The unpotted alnico 3 and 4 in the custom shop SG is unbelievable. The only downside of the SG is that it does not sustain.

[@TedTheTree]

I prefer the SG with the full pickguard for sure;

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

Thank you for this thorough discussion of the two (2) great guitars. 🤗 I have my heart set on a Gold Top Les Paul from Harley Benton, but I just won an SG from GIBSON. So, as luck would have it, I do NOT have to decide. I'm going to own one of each! 😁

[@guitarprepnplus1]

I have a Gibson sg faded and just bought an epi l.p. in bourbon burst. Love them both. The epi sounds great.

[@philhogan5623]

I'm luck enough to own both, a black 74 LP Custom and an '09 SG 1961 reissue like the one you're playing. When I play Highway To Hell on the LP and it reminds me of Alright Now. Conversely, Alright Now played on the SG reminds me of Highway To Hell.

[@Gigan10610]

SG. Les Pauls are sick but I'm more of an SG guy. My most recent guitar purchase I made was an Epiphone SG standard, I always wanted one. Tony Iommi's the one who inspired me to pick up guitar and ever since I layed my eyes upon an SG as a kid, I fell in love with the guitar

[@scarface1211]

It’s gotta be the Les Paul for me… Steve Clark of Def Leppard, slinging that three pickup white monster around on the 1988 hysteria tour was what got me into rock and roll 🤘🤘🤘

[@davidschlageter5962]

That's it I gotta go pick up my guitar, SG's and custom shop Les Paul's are just a joy

[@jonahfennis4462]

I grew up as an sg guy so the first one i noticed was the sg but some of the les Paul has reached my heart only later . And still today the really like both even if my heart will always be on the side of the sg as a angus young fan ❤

[@kyle2841]

Guitar Hero got me on to Les Pauls. Before playing the game I thought that electric guitars were only Strat shaped. But after seeing the Les Paul, it was love at first sight.

[@timusica]

Hey man that was a ripping video the entire way through. Curious to what song you were playing at around 19 minutes in. It’s been haunting me this morning! Cheers from the USA!

[@thelolguy007]

Both 🤘 The SG is lighter and therefore more suitable for longer gigs. It’s just a joy. It looks damn cool. It sounds great. Upper fret access is much better than the les paul. It’s less expensive. And it just breathes ROCK 🤘 The Les Paul is kinda The Daddy. It’s not perfect but it looks amazing and sounds it too.

[@peterclarke7240]

I used to be a les paul guy, but that was because i had one from the 1970s that had a really fast neck, at least for a les paul. I haven't found any that quite made me feel how that one did when I played it, so now I just sort of go with whatever I like the look of that has a decent neck on it. My amp does a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of sound, anyway.

[@Gregoriosplace]

Great video. With that information, I think I will get a Jay Turser SG. Thanks!

[@sandraspears6389]

Bought an Epi SG about a year ago and love it. Have always loved the look!! Took me awhile to get use to the scale length, as I have always played STRATS. Recently ordered a Les Paul and expecting it tomorrow. I have been looking for a different tone and thought I would try the LP. So I will add the LP to the stable along with the SG and Strat. Love your video's, keep up the good work.

[@sametzell7804]

Which one do you like more now? I’m debating whether les Paul or sg but I’m a little more hooked on the ab

[@sandraspears6389]

@@sametzell7804 , Honestly I love all three for different reason. I find the Strat a little easier to play. Thinner neck profile, I have small hands and the scale length is easier for me since I have a bad left shoulder. I feel more stretched out on the SG. But I have always loved the look of the SG. It honestly comes down to what I what to play and the sound I am going for. I love to play the Blues and older Rock (60's and 70"s) and some country. I also have an ES-335 that I LOVE the blues tones I get with it, but It is a big guitar and I cann't play it long or it tires me out and hurt my shoulder. Also if played with high gain for rock it can produce feedback, so I lean more to the SG or Les Paul. Just find what sound you are going for and then you can decide what guitar my fit that for you. Good Luck!!

[@michaelmeyer1384]

I love your reviews and explanations, your honest and plan spoken You the man.

[@raduandrei5867]

Yes , I can see clearly now!🤘

[@AnimalJohn85]

I already knew it was the lp for me as I've had one for years but by eck if it isnt worth tuning in for the good times n stonkin playin. Awesome vid as ever sir.

[@samboggs3499]

Hi Dagan, love the channel, but to make a true comparison, you would need a proper Lester. A thick Maple cap and long tenon neck joint. Both are Rock and Roll machines, the Les Paul proper has a screaming top end that the SG comes close, but not quite... the Maestro tremolos have more sustain and better playing action.

[@steviem1000]

Better still put 57' classics on three guitars, a les paul an sg, the third being one made out plywood. And wear a blindfold. Or play them awe blind. As using orangutan homes to make make luxury goods in this day and age is obscene. Wood!! Lot of hyped up crap!

[@malcolmsansom5026]

Mint vid, got 1 of each love them both 🎸🎸

[@alexswage1853]

I own Gibson SG standard in cherry gloss red and totally Awesome guitar 👍 😎

[@jacksonvand.5016]

Great helpful video. Thanks dude.

[@is_what_it_is]

Great vid. Love the history and the sound demo. I'm a former strat fan. Les Paul is my new fave after getting one in a trade. I'll more than likely never go back to a strat. It's the look, feel, sound, playability.

[@obst7759]

Got a Epiphone les Paul and a Harley Benton SG. Love them both.

[@shawnbell6392]

You always make good videos. If I ever get a Gibson it will be an SG, based mainly on various Japanese guitarists who I follow who make them sound fantastic....and they don't weight ten pounds.

[@raphi510]

Eddie made me pick up the guitar. I saw the live version of Eruption and that it had me. That was 1,5 years ago and i am stil playing. For the Gibson choice i would take the SG because of Tony iommi. Great video i really like it how you place the guitars on the wall - makes a nice scenary🎸

[@macgruff69]

That SG looks better in this video than it did in the unboxing video. The color looks better. Must have been bad lighting in that first video. Still doesn’t show a lot of grain but it sure does sound marvelous here. I think you can tell Dagan definitely likes that Epiphone 61 Les Paul SG.

[@sawbonesquad4876]

I bounced between the two for a while but I just got a new Epi Les Paul SG....the choice is clear now for me that I like SGs a lot! might have to do with my love of Sabbath and AC/DC.

[@garybateman6869]

I now have both

[@TheMack]

I own both the Gibson Slash sig. and the Gibson Tony Iommi sig. I had never played a Les Paul or SG before getting them. I gotta say I really like the SG. It's very light weight and thin. Easy to play sitting down with the guitar close to you, good balance on your leg. The Les Paul weighs a "ton" in comparison and sitting down it's kind of back-heavy so it's harder to keep it centered on your leg. The SG is more comfortable to me. I always thought a Les Paul would feel chunky to play, but both the LP and the SG have a very "petite" feel on the fretboard. I'm used to playing jumbo frets on wide fretboards (jacksons)where the strings almost never touches the fretboard. Not so here, the smaller frets gets the strings close to the fretboard and are very easy to press down, soft and nice. The neck on both the SG and LP are really round C-shaped but the distance between the frets, being only 22, feels comfortably small and easy to reach. Their necks are both really comfortable to play. I'm thinking about purchasing an Epiphone SG Standard to use as an everyday "work horse". Hopefully it's just as comfy as the Gibson variant. =)

[@sirlost94]

SG for me. I bought a Gibson SG, loudest unplugged guitar in my collection, lightest guitar in my collection, easiest playing guitar in my collection 🤯

[@theprismaticsystem2833]

I have an sg and the strap I've been using for it is some old wide cloth one I got many years ago that happens to have pronounced enough grove texture on it to not slide too bad.

[@jeffleecust]

My favorite guitar is the ESP/LTD Viper so I always lean SG.

[@SecretIdolBand]

I’m an sg guy 🐝cause they look cool ♥️

[@Arian_re15]

I bloody love the SG. And I don't understand why people hate the neckdive..

[@Someidiotwithageetar]

My absolute favourite guitar (as you can likely tell) is the Les Paul but it’s not because of my favourite guitarist no that’s Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi and he plays a Strat. The Les Paul has always just had something regal about it even in the name in my eyes and I’ve always loved it for that.

[@pedrocampos3532]

Hey man!! I love both!! Do you have a video about the SG with P90’s?

[@briansmith1760]

I have one of each. They're both my favorite 😆. Kinda like picking which of your kids is your favorite.

[@jackwld746]

As much as I love the Les Paul, Jimmy Page and Slash are amazing, but I'm an SG guy because of Angus Young and Tony Iommi. My two favourite players. I also love Jimmy Page's doubleneck SG. I own an Epiphone '61 with Maestro Vibrola, and a knockoff Vintage V100 Les Paul.

[@andrewbecker3700]

The Modern models blur the lines between the 2 classics. The Epiphone SG Modern is a great option for a beginner, with a maple top and asymetrical slim taper neck that's outstanding.

[@tito.tarantula]

I love them both for different reasons but if I could only choose one, it would be the SG. You can't beat that mid-range bite.

[@maxsalmon1573]

Got this two and a Telecaster , it's all you need

[@shinigami284]

Hey dagan what do you think is the best les paul guitar and sg guitar by Epiphone

[@debilarge]

Alex Lifeson and his lifelong love of Les Paul's! :)

[@KenKuroGuitar]

I love that SG! But there is just something special and magical about the Les Paul that puts a smile on my face :)

[@DennisMorassut]

Clapton... he put both to great use!

[@johnpeccarelli2389]

Hey Dagan- Thanks for the great info- now it makes sense. This would’ve been a great time to break out the school uniform again! Long live Angus!

[@offthatwood]

Hey dagan! i currently have 2 epiphone les paul guitars. i’m looking to get a new guitar: would you suggest an epiphone SG or Slash’s signature les paul. (as you can tell i love les paul’s and slash lol)

[@PMTVUK]

Maybe an SG would be a nice change! Then get the Slash Les Paul after that! Haha

[@bucky0868]

Love my ‘62 Les Paul. I call it a LP/SG

[@benallmark9671]

That Epi sounds so dam good

[@emartinezr]

Les Paul has more volume and will let you fill out the room with a single guitar; to me the SG is a guitar for at least a 2-guitar band or one with a very powerful bass. Also, the SG sounds VERY distinct; it's got this distinct sound you can kind of pin it to a specific artist/song etc. The Les Paul unless you're seeing it... you wouldn't necessarily tie a song/artist to it (of course, you can tell the sound is coming from a Les Paul, but it's not so obvious).

[@Deatg-ek8rf]

The SG suits you better. But that is a really nice Les Paul!

[@PMTVUK]

Yeah, Dagan is an SG guy through & through!

[@randy94willimas]

I will NEVER get bored of videos about les Paul's haha

[@Rizzo1812]

Im a total Les Paul fanboy but also have an SG because life is too short .

[@kiillabytez]

Best guitar I ever owned was a 1978 Gibson SG. It was a beast and served me for years until it was stolen during a house fire.

[@iancurrie8844]

The real differences: LP: Designed to sit level on your lap and hang level from a strap. Feels the same as any other guitar when playing so you can swap guitars and play without looking at the fretboard. SG: Designed to fall on its headstock on your lap. Designed to fall on its headstock on a strap. Feels totally different from any other guitars so if you switch guitar, you'll be landing on the wrong frets. You must look at the fret board while playing.

[@kameel68]

I have both.

[@adajay9257]

If able to afford it, a guitar player should have both. Actually, in my opinion, there are five guitars that every guitar player should own. They are: Tele, Strat, Les Paul, SG, and the ES. I recently sold all of my old gear and purchased all five of these american made. It was the best thing I ever did. It was expensive, but it was much cheaper than constantly buying guitars and trying to decide which ones were better.

[@rokcstar]

the neck join on the sg pushes the pickups closer to the bridge

[@decaenofficial]

Have both, a Tele and Strat. Use every one of em.. But the SG is the best one to play..

[@LivTealeaf]

I thought I would like Les Paul’s more. I tend to gravitate more to Slash and Jimmy Page than Angus or Tony. But when you pick up a guitar it’s a different experience. The SG just feels so much more agile, and ergonomic, it’s night and day to me.

[@theguycy6857]

I love Angus young so I prefer the sg, but slash makes me want les Paul's. Hard choice.

[@EduFirenze]

I have an SG for a quick session and a Les Paul for serious recording

[@panibanez334]

For me, the ultimate rock/metal guitar is an SG with P-90s, but I find Les Pauls more versatile. My favorite distorted tone comes from Tony Iommi

[@stevedixon8567]

Les Paul for me. The SG I had sounded good but had a bendy neck

[@nigelsmith721]

Just about to get an SG Special to compliment my LP Standard.

[@shawshankledzinc4254]

Please advise what PEDALS you are using and what AMP you are playing through for the SG - Thank you.

[@SketchGuitarFreak]

I can only dream to touch and smell these guitars😭

[@saqibsultan3663]

I've got the epi les paul 61 that dagan used in the vid. I absolutly love it. My ultimate goal though is to buy the gibson les paul 61 or the gibson sg standard.

[@willdenham]

What about differences in action/fretboard feel? The feel on LP's seems dramatically different, LP's being smoother and easier to play. This is something I don't see any of these demos talking about.

[@nedludd3641]

that was so much fun, it's gotta be illegal