The Gibson SG is THE Most Misunderstood Guitar (2023 Gibson SG Standard)

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I bought a new 2023 Gibson SG Standard and after playing it for a week, I think this is the most misunderstood and misrepresented guitar. I might be an SG guy now!

[@privateer0561]

Frank Zappa, Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Angus Young...they all can't be wrong. I played one for 20 years straight and love the thing. Still play it.

[@Les537]

Yeah. Santana, Iommi and Townshend rocking SG specials with p90s showed me the light and the way.

[@msaintpc]

And don't forget about the great and legendary 'Shuggie Otis'.

[@charliesaunders8713]

Derek Trucks, Gary Clark JR, the dude from Greta Van Fleet

[@billieg826]

Love the neck !

[@reyznbran9586]

the doors guitarist was playing sg also

[@jnixo9900]

I just got an SG with p90s about 2 months ago. My first SG and its awesome. Very little neck dive and the pickups make it the best of single coils and humbuckers. Sooooo light and comfortable to play. I love that the body is thinner than a standard guitar.

[@dutchfpv7010]

Bro, I'm jelly! I have an old ES330 with P90s and they're just so good. An SG or LP with P90s is def high on my short list. Hope you're rocking that thing out extra hard!

[@michaeljones559]

Me too. SG Special with P90s. I love it. P90s are so diverse. The unusual position of an SG neck relative to the body makes it feel like a a runway or racetrack, and really inspires me to move around.

[@bishvegas4834]

We need more good honest reviews like this. Don't doubt yourself Randy, Keep going.

[@Meylan191083]

My first electric was a 1997 Epiphone SG G310. Was my main electric until I got a Les Paul 15 years later. I love the SG. I have found the LP sounds warmer, more mellow, while the SG is more brash, in your face. And the horns.....

[@matthewharper9615]

I saw a local band play a few months back, the lead guitarist was playing an SG. I don't remember much about the songs they played, but I remember being low key amazed at the types of sounds he was getting out of it. It's more versatile than people think.

[@mccoy4354]

Sorry bruh it IS a thrash machine, it is a blues machine, it delivers cleans from heaven. You’re not the only one to recognize this guitar, there’s covers and live gigs all the the time on SG from all genres

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

When I did Gibson's advertising in the mid-70s, I bought a '74 SG Standard. My favorite of all the factory-made guitars I owned.

[@scotthutchens1556]

@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1 After wanting an SG ever since I heard Robbie Krieger use them early on I finally got one (a 1974 standard in cherry) in about 1977.

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

@@scotthutchens1556 Ahhh...A winner! BIG TIME...

[@-Thunder]

I hated the way SGs felt whenever I tried them in the store. They feel like the nut is a mile away. I bought a used Epiphone SG just because I wanted one on the wall. I put on a strap and fell in love pretty quickly. You just have to angle the neck up like Angus does and the neck dive become irrelevant. I went from the smallest strat necks (41mm) to this thing and I actually prefer the wider neck now.

[@Randolphguitars]

You and I are in the exact same boat!

[@Les537]

Yeah. When swapping between SG and LP it's like the frets all move 2 inches in one direction or the other.

[@elantric]

1st fret a mile away is even worse on Firebird or Explorer- re SG, Tony Iommi relocates the strap button to the upper horn for better balance

[@Jarjoriskamin]

I believe it's a guitar to stand up and play. It's sort of intimate. Like a rock and roll machine

[@mjtan6787]

Yes I noticed that the SG neck is way too much to the left, it feels like a baritone guitar. The LP feels nicer.

[@arrodisbaletide2726]

I am an sg fanatic. probably have 12-15 of them, I like the thin but wide neck style similar to a 61'. good to see someone else supporting them. also it depends vastly on the type of pups and amp you have in there as to what kinda music you can do.. SG's themselves are more than capable of the any kinda metal.

[@greggilman905]

Things to remember about SGs. Played by ACDC, Sabbath, Jerry Garcia, Frank Zappa, Country JOe and the Fish, Big Brother, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Cream of Clapton, Judas Priest, George Harrison .

[@clutteredchicagogarage2720]

Don’t forget Robby Krieger of the Doors! I love his tone and playing, and he basically only played an sg.

[@greggilman905]

You know it’s funny I forgot him considering I jammed out to Morrison hotel all last week

[@Plisken65]

EVH-dirty movies, randy Rhodes in quiet riot, Steve Miller...

[@sneakking101]

I gotta say, white sgs with the full black pickguard is underrated as hell, I don’t see many people talking about it and it sucks because they didn’t really make those in that color before, just a lot of red. Guitar looks like an angel

[@WithCarePlz]

Good points. Most SG videos do one of the two things you mentioned. The SG is completely misunderstood. They make fantastic all-around guitars. The biggest thing with SG’s is that if you’re coming from the Strat world to an SG well SG’s are gonna probably always sound muddy to your ear when you want cleans. That’s how my SG was with me. I have a killer 2017 SG Standard T in ebony with a super dark rosewood. When I got it I said wow this thing sounds like 💩. I started shopping for pickups, I started shopping for wiring harnesses to swap out the PCB board. Then before buying anything I saw a video about how Dickie Betts said to lower the Pickup heights down to just above their plastic rings. I made the quick adjustment and BAM. I instantly got the clarity my ears needed. Now the thing sounds killer whether I’m doing a clean Jerry jam or using a clean boost (archer ikon klon clone) to gain it up to metal sounds. It sounds just phenomenal. Like especially at edge of breakup- it makes people weep. It’s never gonna do the single coil thing, but if you back those pickups down it becomes like the all-around machine that will do anything you want it to. 7lbs, killer fret access. What’s not to love? The neck dive isn’t an issue like people say either- bcuz your picking arm rests on the body when you’re playing anyway. Killer guitars that are completely misunderstood. I do recommend people go with a Standard though, they just feel better with the neck binding. Mine sounds almost like an acoustic guitar when unplugged. You can strum a chord and feel the neck keep vibrating for over 1 minute no lie. One thing to note is that setups are everything on an SG. People like to buy them for slide guitars. Then they find out they aren’t Derek Trucks and they sell them. So odds are when you buy an SG it’s gonna have high action and need a full setup. But once you get one dialed- jeez. I’m hardly ever playing my custom shop strat anymore and she was my boo. I do have a hard time getting away from the neck pickup though- it sounds so good. I do put it in the middle sometimes and kind of pull some tone out for a ‘woman’ tone. But I guess if you need to cut through a mix the bridge will definitely do that lol. The SG is the most misunderstood guitar in the same way that the STI is the most misunderstood car. They aren’t supposed to drag race Mustangs. They aren’t autobahn cars that are meant to do 180 across the country. They’re raw and unassisted all-weather drivers cars with 2 mechanical limited slip diffs with a driver controlled center diff and hydraulic steering and 4.11 gearing with a manual trans only and full time rear biased awd. If you don’t know how to drive they’ll understeer all over a racetrack because computers aren’t moving power around or giving you babysitting. But once you learn proper car control and get used to the unique engine sound/feel and all the unassisted glory- nothing else compares not an evo not even an R34- because they have computers moving the power around to make you look like a better driver. But kids on the internet talk about head gaskets or V8’s and have no clue that they’re dismissing the most unique driving experience available on the road.

[@allenlocke1935]

I saw Eric Johnson live when the Derek Trucks Band opened for him. Eric was playing an SG that night and his legendary clean sound was as immaculate as I ever heard. It was other worldly, I kid you not. It blew my mind to hear the songs I had seen him do on his beloved Strats and I could hear a tonal difference.

[@adamswanson8216]

Found your video today. Just ordered a SG supreme play a lot of blues and jazz but it does have a maple cap so I do think of it as a less Paul in a way can’t wait to get it. Have a couple of SG’s now, but not with the compound radius, so the supreme is certainly not a traditional guitar, but I think that improving on tradition is a good thing, but I do agree with this video absolutely and what the guitars are geared and good for as a jazz player, I have used the guitar great deal and had great success. I don’t play heavy rock but certainly a lot of blues either way thanks for the great video and the information. Look forward to more of your videos now that I found your channel especially if you have any on boutique pick ups, I am a whiz pick up user and would love to hear any opinions. 6:26

[@XiaNingTian]

I love my SG and used it for some jazz. Great stuff. Though I've since made the change to hollow body with my 6120. Better fits my needs. One thing my SG has over my 6120 is that I can really cut loose.

[@petset77]

Personally, I love the tone of mahogany in acoustic as well as electric guitars. It just has a nice, warm resonance that just works for me. I had a '66 Gibson Melody Maker (SG body), and I'd sometimes just play it unplugged because the tone was so nice. Just a block of wood and strings. I didn't play it all that often because of the thin neck, so my son has it now. I had a '73 Les Paul that had a maple top and better neck... but I still have an Ovation Breadwinner that's mahogany, and with a better neck than the LP. A good friend has a '54 LP Junior that plays and sounds GREAT with the mahogany and P90. ...a real '54 Junior, not reissue. He hasn't turned it loose to me (yet!!). I still have a couple of Strats and one Tele, and while they do what they do better than Gibsons, I still prefer the Gibson tone.... probably because of the wood. Everybody has their preference.

[@dutchfpv7010]

Yes lad! I'm a wood snob and mahogany is my brand. Got a mahogany Martin, SG and Strat. The warm mid tones you get from mahogany just cant be beat. I built a solid maple Telecaster with Fender noiseless V2s. It absolutely blasts tone. At full volume you get 4 full harmonics. It sounds almost liquid like a harp and is a truly special guitar. But even that guitar doesn't sound as tight and centered and composed as my mahogany ones do. All this being the case I love my all mahogany SG probably most of all. You think its a rock machine and yes it can do that well, but it has a nice twang and chime and great tonal balance. If you have ever seen Les Paul in his prime you understand how the SG really is his exact sound and suited to that style from the beginning. But versatile enough to make Angus Young a rock god too. I pray every night that they don't put any further restrictions on mahogany so we can enjoy it in guitars for years to come. First and foremost SGs! FYI, since you're a fan, there is a guy on ebay that has old stock of Brazilian mahogany that is grandfathered from all the current trade restrictions on it. He sells guitar blanks and routed bodies. My friend just got a thinline body from him that is absolutely magnificient. Get one before they're gone.

[@nealixd.3011]

Good video. The Gibson SG Standard was the guitar of my youth, $250 new back in 1969. Finally went through two Stds. and a Special by the end of the 70s. $175 used for a Standard was the going rate. Remember, inflation was not crazy yet, nor was there any such thing as a vintage market yet. That came in the 1980s when the USA regained prosperity under President Reagan, and the new owner Henry J. raised the new prices a lot. I picked up another 1995 Gibson SG Standard in the early 2000s, but had to sell it due to being in the family way. By the end of the 2000s, I bought a new 2010 Gibson SG Standard - 60s model w/OHSC for only $1299.99, good price. It was literally the one I waited about 30 plus years for. That one really has the true 1960s dark cherry and 60s slim taper neck. The open coil burstbuckers with coil taps are a nice touch, although the single coil tones are quite thin. I really don't play it much, although it's a great guitar. Tend to gravitate towards Fender Strats, Teles, other guitars, and a Charvel for more practical gigging guitars. But, I like having the 2010 Gibson SG Std. - 1960s model, close enough to my youthful forays and many gigs back in the day, and it does have nice smooth tones. My advice for anyone planning stand up gigs is try the SG out standing up with a strap, before buying. It's a whole different animal standing up, from sitting down. The entire center of gravity shifts or swings out to your left standing up on a strap, and that neck all of a sudden looks a mile long going off to the left (for a right hand player), ha. Try it before buying and see if it is the ticket or not for you. It should be fine if you are simply a lap/sit down gigging or home player, that doesn't need to stand up on gigs, etc.

[@rossbroadley6787]

Excellent no bullshit review. I've got an Epiphone SG, really think that stepping up to a Gibson SG standard will be a good shout. Thanks!

[@user-hc8cl2ez9m]

I just bought an sg with p90s. Been playing for decades and absolutely love this thing. Haven’t been excited for a guitar like this in years. Love my tele and strat and even my old les paul custom but the SG is so comfortable and love that the neck/strings are more forward and makes the high notes so comfy to play. I have what is called an SG classic. Modern bridge but 50s neck, old style tuners and dot inlays.

[@randallsmith7885]

As a woodworker I can verify your comments about hardwood hardness. And thanks for the SG overview. I am a begining guitar player. Started with an accoustic, then got a Stratocaster. Now I am thinking that I want a guitar with humbuckers. Been looking at Les Pauls, but this has me thinking that I can have what I need with less weight and lower cost from an SG.

[@JohnPatrick-mylifecademy]

As a Strat fanatic I love the look of a Les Paul but the downfalls keep me from coughing up the coin. Hence the love of the "other than Gibson" Les Pauls and SG's. One thing is the string angle off the nut for both the LP and SG wreaks havok on the tuning if you bend aggressively.

[@dutchfpv7010]

@@JohnPatrick-mylifecademy love my SG but totally agree about the tuning. Strangely my SG had a Nashville bridge when I got it. If you even held a chord too hard it sagged out of tune. I switched it (back?) to an ABR-1 bridge and this significantly improved the tuning and intonation especially at the first few frets. Just one guy's experience but something to consider if you're struggling with this.

[@JohnPatrick-mylifecademy]

@@dutchfpv7010 I have an Epiphone G-400 and was considering drilling in a string tree to alleviate the spread...or get the spread off the nut.

[@johnpanchuk9993]

Check out the String Butler for better alignment

[@stratolestele7611]

@@JohnPatrick-mylifecademy there are zero flagrant tuning issues with a Les Paul. You guys are over analyzing it. Les Pauls are amazing, SGs are amazing. They each do their own things in their own way and excel in their given designs - which are both excellent.

[@Nightpants]

I bought a new '61 reissue last year and i had some guitar player friends who questioned my decision. They said it wouldn't stay in tune. It does. They said the neck would dive like a plummeting comet. not so much but a little bit. I fu*king LOVE this guitar. I was down to a standard or the '61 and the 61 just felt better TO ME. I would really dig if it was white (mine is cherry). That is a beautiful finish! glad you're digging it. It is not a shred guitar, but i am not a shred player.

[@Melonos]

Great overview. They’re a really great guitar. I used one for many years giggling. Found it versatile for many styles, comfortable and a bit cheaper than a Les Paul. The neck dive has never bothered me.

[@msaintpc]

@Melonos, Lol, always knew they were really good guitars, but I didn't know they could giggle too.😆

[@Melonos]

@@msaintpc ha ha. Damn autocorrect

[@msaintpc]

@@Melonos Lol, happens to me all the time. I sent a text to my daughter saying "luv you", but when it got to her it said "eff you". Needless to say she was very, very upset. After that embarrassing moment I deleted auto correct.🙂

[@mrjah603]

490s are hotter than burstbuckers. They are meant to be a modern version of PAFs. Burstbuckers, as the name implies, are meant to be more faithful to the late 50's "Burst" era PAFs, which were clearer and brighter with less output.

[@Randolphguitars]

Son of a bitch you're right. I had always heard the opposite but I just did some googling and you are correct

[@socialmeaslesinpartnership1252]

@@Randolphguitars True but.. there are Burstbuckers and Burstbuckers......1&2, Pro....etc. Careful!

[@abnerqjames]

you're so right. been trying to find a sweet spot between strat, tele, 335, les paul, etc. never thought of an SG until i saw one recently and decided to pick it up. game changer. easy guitar to build your own tone with too. It's not all hendrix or clapton etc. i got the 61 standard w the slim neck -- i don't shred at all. americana, indie, etc. it's perfect

[@GuitarQuackery]

Very interesting video. I've also been meaning to do an SG video (covering other details) and I agree with you that it is a misunderstood guitar.

[@allenlocke1935]

I have one with the G Force Tuners (robtic). They got a bad wrap but mine have always worked flawlessly. Those tuners though make the neck dive even worse unfortunately. Being able to go from any tuning I want in a matter of seconds is incredible. It's also been pleckd which makes soloing on this thing incredible in spite of its rather big feeling neck. I'm glad to own it no major regrets other than the neck dive.Which is a bit distracting when gigging. But, if your sitting a round recording it's a fun tool to have at the ready:) Mine has the mini buckers and came brand new from Guitar Center for 899.00, no glossy finish helped keep the price down.

[@onlyguitars]

I've had multiple LP's and PRS and other guitars, and never cared much on SG's (In part because when I sqw specs they seem to always have slim taper necks that I dont like much). But had an SG bug, and realized the Standard has a thicker neck that suits me well. Got it last week and damn, what a great guitar is the SG. I really thought I would like it, but it like it for different thigns I imagined. IS a very different animal than a les paul to me, in tone and in feel. The offset freboard gives it different feel, besides the great access and how light it is. Plays amazing. Neck dive is 0 issue to me. Never think about it when I grab it. There is but how my arm naturally supports the guitar then its always great. And the tone! It reminds me of the tele. A drier direct tone, and the guitar is loud! Its really interesting. As days goes by i'm liking it more and more. There is something about the SG. I can see why many people can like it and why people may not like it. But it brings something different to me from my LP type guitar and my PRS DGT SE. And is much more than just a rock machine. I mean it is, like a tele, has that bite and works great for rock, but can do so much more. Actually for blues I think its awesome!!

[@mistermojo1969]

I have the Epi Pro version that looks just like that one. Great guitar! A friend who passed away bought that for me, so I'll always keep it.

[@msimple]

I have 3 les pauls a 339 and a 2018 SG standard which is like the 61 standard thin neck burst buckers and cast kluson tuneres I put a bigsby and a roller bridge on it and its unbelievably great I fully agree with your comments but I think is sounds pretty good crunchy too there are no guitars more comfortable to play a strat is a close second

[@dimensionalencounter3689]

Being someone who owns a few SG’s I get anxiety seeing a regular guitar cable ran to one because I have seen many with the cable male end pushed through the body from being bumped, dropped, etc. a 90 degree my friend is the safest guitar cable end for an sg. lol I gig a SG special, gotta love the p90s in a SG, you get into the fat tele territory. I also love my SG standard, great tones man!

[@oggorat]

One thing worth noting on the neck dive is it's pretty ok on the batwing guard SGs like yours, but on SGs based on the earlier models (smaller pickguard) the body joins the neck a few frets higher up, and in my experience, usually has the unbearable neck dive. Still my fav classic electric along with the telecaster, the SG freaking rules.

[@Randolphguitars]

Interesting that's good to know

[@brianschiller4053]

I installed a Bigsby on my 61 Standard, it rebalanced the guitar and eliminated the neck dive. I suspect that the Maestro and Sideways trem versions of the 61 Standard have little or no neck dive.

[@guitarplayer_de]

@ oggorat: Not true: I own both (Standard and 61 Standard, both without tremolo) and the neck dive is MUCH worse on the Standard because of its fat neck. Neck dive on my Standard is really bad while sitting, but not a big problem with a wide leather strap while standing.

[@thisdyingsoul76]

SG's are my favorite guitars. I LOVE the sound and feel. The neck dive is not a big deal. A strap that is textured on the backside like a rough leather or something that grips you shoulder will reduce that greatly. I have a 70's SG with the ultra thin neck and it fits my small hands perfectly. Angus Young likes them because he is not a big guy and they just work for him because of the size of hands and small frame.

[@badhairdaave]

My SG has never had any neck dive...

[@mistermojo1969]

I'd plan on buying a leather strap as well as the guitar. That solves a lot of problems.

[@thisdyingsoul76]

@@badhairdaave I think with the exception of the 70's big headstock models like mine, the neck dive is exaggerated. And like I said above, the right strap will solve that. A worse concern is dropping an SG. I've seen many guys have neck breaks from straps coming off while playing. Strap locks or something over the strap button to keep straps from coming off are highly recommended

[@badhairdaave]

@@thisdyingsoul76 good advice... thanks 👍

[@randrothify]

@@thisdyingsoul76I second that. I like SGs better than Les Pauls because the sound is brighter, they weigh less, and the price is right. But the strap button design combined with Gibson‘s QC until recently makes this a potential failure point that is hard to live with. The other SG problem that I have is specific to the '61 SG‘s heel joint not having much support from the body despite the supposed long-tenon. I can live with the SG Standard, though I don’t like the aesthetica or ergonomics as much, because that heel joint is a little more robust. I wanted to pick up a '61 SG Special with the P90s but am a little gun shy after dealing with an expensive heel repair in the past. That’s before we even get to the typical Gibson headstock issues.

[@Jarjoriskamin]

I bought one a month ago, and I am delighted. A thing that really surprised me where the clean and bright sounds. Also when you go into heavier sounds , you stand up and I never quite understood the neck diving thing. It's a rock machine, the only problem I could say it's it sounds like an SG, other guitars are more mutable in a sense.

[@paulneeds]

While I do love the 33x series and have a 339, I do love a thinner necked SG. Have a listen to Pete Townshend’s variety of tones at Woodstock, using a man SG Special and the volume knob. I prefer the look of the junior version, but there’s no doubt that the neck pickup adds to the equation.

[@murfbass]

Every time I turn on my amp, my maple cap loses its snap. Bummer.

[@andrewli899]

does the neck dive affect your playing in any way?

[@guitarplayer_de]

It does a little bit, while playing the guitar sitting. I really have to hold the neck of my Standard SG then. But I love this guitar, so I'll have to live with it... There's no guitar without flaws. You won't have this problem with a 61.

[@frankdardano3182]

I played a sg, starting in 1967 .I have had seven due ro theft.I agree it is the best for professionals,and the best overall electric. You can really hear the middle toggle switch ,sounds sounds like bloomfield on middle,cLEAN.l like what you did,demonstrates your narrative

[@frankdardano3182]

Forgot to say your video explains the sg. I GOT SICK OF EVERYBODY SAYING YOU HAVE THE MONEY GET A LES PAUL. WELL I did buy a les paul custom.Sounds heavenly now l am over 70, and can hardly lift it. Same weight as my AR15!!!

[@johnpanchuk9993]

Similar age. Go for light guitars so can one hand pick them up :) When I guitar shop I take a kitchen scale with me. Usually lightest guitars are the cheaper ones. Can be a huge range in weights for same model depending on density of wood in the body. Necks all similar weight. A big sg fan. Also love short scale. Jackson minion, Squier mini strat and epiphone express much easier with age. Still weigh though and go for lightest

[@dompidenolf8751]

Great observation, i turned to an Sg after long time a les paul, and yes that's what i'm expierincing, versatile. And the maple explanation 👍 It's still very forward mid, towards the LP.

[@chrisb3976]

The only guitar I own is a Fender American Pro ii Telecaster. I;d love to add the SG to it. IMO the tele and SG are two of the best versatile guitars ever made ever made.

[@bobbychubb6913]

I think the sg is the best Gibson electric I've ever owned and I never really played any ac/dc songs . I used it for blues and southern rock and even black sabbath tunes . It does everything fairly well . If you only have one this is a good one

[@jerometurner451]

I’ve been playing SG’s since my first one in 1967. Many variations over the years, many music styles. Now we play anything we fancy and the SG will handle it all. Helps to have a nice pedal board and amp as well.

[@elzippo488]

What drives me absolutely insane about every single SG to ever leave Gibson's Factories from Kalamazoo to Nashville, is the lack of attention to detail on the pickup angles of practically every SG that has ever left their shop. All it takes is is a couple proper sized neoprene blocks installed beneath the pickups to make them perpendicular to the strings. Lack of detail makes even the US made SG seem bottom shelf.

[@guitarplayer_de]

Believe me: It doesn't matter tonewise.

[@pvater]

This brought back memories. I bought a '61 model new back in '87 for $500 american. it seemed to have more cons than pros for me. neck heavy, so bought a thick leather strap. I would find myself playing in B when everyone else was in A. but the worst bit was I couldn't get it to stay in tune. it had a great sound and I liked the thin neck. wound up selling it to my brother. he didn't care much for it either. I pretty much play guitar to amp. at the time I used a '61 d'Armond 15w valve amp [with tremolo!] but it made any guitar sound great.

[@petset77]

The one thing I've noticed over the years is that Gibsons are more challenging to keep in tune. ....perhaps the mahogany (which sounds so good) being softer than maple or other really hard woods.

[@robspectre1973]

I have a SG , LP, and Explorer. Believe it or not, the Explorer is my favorite followed by the SG (very similar feel IMO). The LP is cool and although I like it a lot, I prefer the others and mostly due to the thickness.

[@allenlocke1935]

I miss my old black and white Explorer. It saw many a great gig. I felt like a rock star with it. I hope one day to have another:)

[@CathyHolton-jh1xv]

I have a ‘91 Gibson Explorer and I find it a lot more versatile than people usually give it credit for. A lot of people demoing them will load it up with gain right away. It can handle Jazz (just not in my hands), soft rock, shoegaze, pop, funk and even Surf. I’ve had it 30 years now, but I found a whole new appreciation for it lately. I want an SG next, a 335 (perhaps an Epiphone in lieu of a Gibson…$$$$$) and then I want to find the right Les Paul.

[@fancykarlmarx]

A lot of heavy bands use sg over Les Paul’s. Doom and drone without at least one sg is concerning tbh. I’ve come to find it might be the perfect Gibson.

[@socialmeaslesinpartnership1252]

The SG has more "splash" to the way it delivers the tones. It's less "A stick up your arse".

[@chillout4495]

totally agree! SG's are great!

[@will2181]

Some SG’s do have a pencil thin shredders neck. It’s just that Gibson isn’t currently making them that thin.

[@dco1929]

love the color , cool guitar .

[@dmatt1116]

Great review, I totally agree with your opinion. I’ve played them and find them like you said, the most versatile. Thanks!

[@philsalvage]

Mine gets picked up 90 percent of time over my Lp standard. I connect so much more with it

[@shvmichael]

Great video, lots of thought behind everything

[@ericheder777]

The white SG is sick. I've got a '22 61 cherry that I absolutely love, but that white standard is on my list!

[@joshoptical]

Is that the TV yellow? I been looking at one

[@Randolphguitars]

No sir that's just a reflection from my desk lamp (I like warm tone lightbulbs I'm weird) it's the "classic white" finish

[@michaelheller8841]

The Les Paul replacement was the SG and it wasn't called that till a couple years later. The whole point of making that guitar is because believe it or not Les Paul wasn't selling well at that time. They made some changes and Fender was really their biggest competition. I am more of a Les Paul guy but I do love my new '61 SG it holds its own and I in fact think that you can play anything on it. Can it do all the things a Les Paul can? No, but why would you want it to, it's a different animal. There isn't one that's better than the other, they are both great and people should just play them more and complain less lol.

[@ryanbaldwin8352]

As someone who just had to do it on his SG, sounds like you need to clean your pots. Otherwise, totally agree. SGs are rad!

[@toneshop]

I really dig that color.

[@derekyoung-music]

I went to the store with my dad when i was young to buy me a les paul. picked up an sg for kicks and was amazed how much better it sounded than the les paul. deeper bigger sound. and it was the clean neck tone that got me. have been playing mainly SGs since then. Awesome video man 🤘

[@postoffice146]

A hard maple batwing pickguard should make it just perfect then?

[@Randolphguitars]

I haven't seen many pickguards made out of wood 😂

[@postoffice146]

​​@@Randolphguitars But it's easy to make one yourself. (A black SG is the guitar of batmen.)

[@michaelr.4878]

Great video. I do disagree with you regarding 'tone wood', though. If you are using wax potted pickups, as the majority of us are, the maple cap on a LP does not make your guitar sound snappier. Just think about how pickups work. For the wood to impact your sound, your pickups would have to be super microphonic.

[@Randolphguitars]

We can agree to disagree about the tonewood thing

[@hmmmmm6034]

100% the tone wood in electrics myth needs to die. It's been debunked over and over.

[@waltjames407]

There exists a phoneomenon in physics where something like a vibrating string's harmonic content will be affected by whatever you tie it to that reflects and absorbs varying frequencies to varying degrees. In other words, yes the wood affects the tone...and that's one reason you'll never quite get an SG to sound like a Les Paul. Another reason SGs sound different is that the neck pickup isn't in the same spot between the two guitars. Getting an SG neck pickup to sound good takes some knob fiddling...getting a LP neck pickup to sound good takes way less effort.

[@xxxgabaxxx]

I've been playing Les Pauls and SGs for 20 years. I agree about the snap with the maple cap on LPs. I don't use wax potted pickups, always a JB or 498T, usually with no covers, or covered with no wax.

[@steviemac8075]

Austin any guy that plays the Darkness I believe in a thing called love in his sounds is definitely alright by me. Great content 😌 👍🏻👍🏻

[@guitarplayer_de]

SGs became my favourite guitars after decades of guitar playing. They are so comfortable to play and the distorted sound is from heaven. And I can also recommend these Standard SGs. It's not necessary, but I changed the electronics and put Bare Knuckle Riff Raffs in it. Greetings from Angus! 😈 Your white SG Standard looks great! 👍🏻

[@ijumitzu]

Got my SG Faded yesterday - blows my mind after being a fender guy after being an Ibanez guy after starting as a Les Paul guy in the first place. It’s just so versatile and easy to play - also very light and no neck dive on mine 🤷‍♂️ PS I know exactly wich video you are talking about regarding „tech Ibanez polyphia fans spending 6 Month with an sg and hating it“ 😂

[@remembertheblacksabbath]

My hands down favorite guitar!!!🔥🔥🔥🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@billhannum4117]

Big sg fan and les Paul's......and strats and teles....lol. I think the bigger difference on the 61 standard and the standard is where the neck joins the body different heel joint. Also the Pickguard on the standard has the pickups mounted in it keeps the pickups flat to the body instead of on a angle like the neck and strings are.on the small guard sg s the pick ups are mounted in a ring that puts the pickups in parallel with the strings giving it more room to adjust . I prefer the neck joint on the standard but I like the pickups mounted in the rings better on the 61s. For a few years the were doing the standards with the standard heel and a small guard and rings . That was ideal specs for me.

[@zachwagner2448]

I own the ‘61 Standard with the Maestro and I would agree entirely. I’m plugging into a Mark V: 35 combo and covering everything from modern jazz tones to Metallica. I would go as far as to say it draws a better tone (to my ears) for Metallica than does my Eclipse. For the month I’ve owned the SG I’ve found it to be WILDLY versatile. I’ve heard Les Pauls played everywhere, but I’ve never played one myself that felt quite right. I’ve felt right at home with both the Standard SG (running into a DSL 40 - covering classic rock/metal) and ‘61 Standard SG (running into the Mark V:35 and a 65 Princeton Reverb - covering modern jazz, classic and modern country, classic rock, classic metal). The only times I don’t favor my ‘61 over the Eclipse (JB/‘59) are while playing Nickelback, Bad Omens, Disturbed… basically modern, drop-tuned hard rock and metal songs that were recorded on amps like Dual Rectifiers with the gain cranked. The only other guitar I feel that I need in my collection after this is a telecaster (for what twang I can’t already achieve). Side note: I notice zero neck dive on the model with the Maestro Vibrola.

[@talkychris]

I'd take a 61 all day. I like the small pickguard and the Burstbucker pickups are an upgrade on the 490 set.

[@SAREL1963]

I do have a SG 2004 Faded and go very strong ❤

[@peterjetnikoff]

I still miss my 60s style Special with P90s (had to sell it a while back) it was very responsive and played beautifully clean (the way I mostly played). If you want famous advocates of it, try Pete Townshend from the Who's late 60s live shows.

[@winterpegers]

I put Bareknuckle mississippi queen bucker sized P90s in mine. Sounds great, plays great.

[@guitarplayer_de]

I put Bare Knuckle Riff Raff humbuckers in my Standard SG. Instant AC/DC sound with low gain and 80s Hardrock sound with high gain. Great PUs, highly recommended!

[@mikeller]

SG aside - your comment on the Bassbreaker amp is spot on - those are great sounding amps

[@preciseaudioblog]

7:42 Is that neck thicker than the LP 50’s?

[@Skinnyorangemusic]

I have a strat, been playing acoustic lately. Looking for something suited to real rock and roll but still sound natural playing softer music.

[@scotthutchens1556]

SG’s are the first Gibson I saw in the mid to late 60’s before I saw and liked Les Paul’s. The SG player that got me into them was Robbie Krieger of The Doors pretty and haunting tones, not Angus as many others have said. Even though I’m older, I wasn’t aware of AC/DC until 1977 with “Let There Be Rock. Then I noticed many other west coast psychedelic players using them plus Clapton and his painted 1964 Std and a little later Hendrix’ and Glen Buxton’s white SG Customs. The tone on the neck pickups is very beautiful, jazzy and unique and somewhat Strat-like. They were also cheaper and more affordable for the more poor players at that time in the later 60’s. I think the body shape lends itself to that “hippie” era in music plus as many colors as they come in nowadays-the cherry is my favorite being like a deep wine color plus walnuts were also a nice color. I have one 1961 repainted white by a previous owner that saw an early rare standard in Tom Wheeler’s “American Guitar” book that was white with two pickups. I took off the side to side vibrola. I also have a 1962 (also took off side to side vibrola) and two 1964’s. Of course all of them play and sound great and are totally different and unique in sound and feel, the 1962 has a baseball bat neck which is great.

[@apolloyork]

Okay I stayed away from Les Paul's and SG my entire life. Les Paul because I didn't see the appear over a cheap strat. SG because of AC/DC association.... THAT Being said... I picked up a teal green 61' SG (my first Gibson) and it's freaking awesome...It's just a blues machine. I gravitate to warming tones, so the SG fits my style. Also, there's a great book called "The Birth of Loud" by Ian S. Port. It details the life history of Les Paul and Leo Fender, and several others, and how they developed their sound and gear. Check it out if you are a guitar nerd such as myself.

[@davidmajor4484]

Transfer the strap pin to the upper horn to correct the neck dive

[@mattfleming2287]

I’ll never understand why people make excuses for Gibsons flaws. The neck dive is real. If you play live it’s more than annoying as it affects playability. I think SGs are the coolest guitar ever but I can’t play one. I realized awhile ago that anything with a strap button higher than 13-14th fret will have neck dive. I went to practice today with a Washburn Idol and it’s the same deal. It annoyed me for 3 hours-I’m not using it live. Glad you love it.

[@Les537]

Other changes on the '61 standard include a smaller headstock like the classic. The modern gibsons have a wider head (more weight). Flat head screws holding in the pickup. Different neck join. More body weight due to less routing with the tear drop pick guard. Overall the '61 version sits a lot better on the strap. The only thing I don't like about the '61 is the burstbucker '61 pickups. They are A5 mags and they sound very scooped. Too much bass. Too much treb. Swapped mine out ofr A2 seth lovers with great results. Also the bridge uses SS parts. Swapped it out for one with brass parts. The guitar was very shrill before changes. I love it. I also have an SG special and a les paul. I never liked SG for 20 years because Angus played them. Took me a long time to figure out they are great guitars.

[@JohnDoeJohnboy]

George Harrison had one on hey bulldog, the doors, a lot of good pro guitarists have since I've bought my 08 Gibson SG, got a Les Paul junior, the real les Paul standard or studio is gonna be my next. I like the axe shape the SG has mine has bridge, neck or in series pickups p90s ps a decent strap will stop neck dive dude

[@jstroketillyayoke]

I think you got it wrong. It most certainly does the shred lord stuff lol. I have a 2017 faded t and it’s the doomiest guitar I’ve ever played. When you play an sg at lower tunings like c standard it really becomes a whole different beast. Heavy strings and a good setup help lol. I put pickup covers on mine and it seemed to tame the brightness a bit and made the crunch really shine.

[@SenseiNWDA]

Want to hear the full range of an SG? Listen to Frank Marino. Especially the album "Strange Universe" with Mahogany Rush. Amazing.

[@psychonaut689]

You're right an SG is very versatile. A bit of a shame it has got the ACDC stereotype (even though I love ACDC). I have the kluson tuners which make the head lighter and no neck dive at all. It's essentially a Les Paul with a different, lighter, body that allows greater access to the higher notes (musician's choice). And we can describe the "devil's horns" as Florentine cutaways if you want to get fancy. Also - I have no tuning problems with mine. Not hating on Les Paul's - they are beautiful guitars - but the SG does have some pro's to the Les Paul. Not sure about the comments on the wood affecting tone - not convinced on that one.

[@preciseaudioblog]

7:12 Absolutely. I have a 2008. You can play everything. The design is amazing.

[@steeleye11]

why's the volume changing so much? (e.g. 12:40 -13:05)

[@Randolphguitars]

I have some technical difficulties to work out with the microphone

[@socialmeaslesinpartnership1252]

@@Randolphguitars Sorted yet? Try replacing the jack with an American one? I thought it was a cheap Oriental guitar lead but you didn't notice while playing so - yeah - it's the recording. That kind of "stutter" happens when a 6mm jack is in an Imperial socket (6.1mm). Betting is that the mic is Far East....soldering is a very useful attribute.

[@kurtbader9711]

These things have been made in so many different ways their tones and playability are all over the map. That being said, a good SG is a great guitar. So many things to like including tone, playability and they look killer.

[@jimcastillo8950]

Great review, but many great guitarist used SG, Carlos Santana, Terry Kath, Robbie Krieger, Angus Young, Tony Lommi, and so on..............

[@WillyWP]

I agree, SGs are very versatile. My 2017 Standard even does surf!

[@1davejsutdave1]

This is why PRS is so popular, it's a boutique SG with maple top.

[@Randolphguitars]

That's actually really interesting and I'd never thought about that

[@samstewart9249]

I own both and no!

[@datutturugang666]

aside from the unbearable neck dive, i think the sg is the most comfortable guitar excluding ergonomic shapes like strandberg and stuff

[@elantric]

You speak Truth- but sad the KZbin Audio clips and is garbled notable at 11:16 minutes

[@marcreno893]

My 2014 sg 61 standard in fireburst always sounds out of tune too. Drives me nuts. My 05 lpj is phenomenal all around and for everything. But since I got an American pro ii fender tele about a year ago I can’t seem to play anything else. The thing does it all and stays in perfect tune

[@marcreno893]

Love that off white with the bat wing guard though.. can’t say there’s a much cooler looking guitar out there

[@pmcate2]

would you say it's more of a cream color than white?

[@pf100andahalf]

The SG is like a strat with humbuckers and a wider neck.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I undertand it, it's freaking awesome. ;)

[@zombieparrot2606]

I love the SG. I fell in love *because* of Angus Young 😂😂😂. I have a 120th anniversary standard from 2014. I had that guitar for like six years before I realized it had coil splitting capabilities ha. So it’s even better now. Don’t get me wrong, Les Paul’s are awesome but there is something special about the SG. Great video btw.

[@Bad.At.Guitar]

The SG is a super practical guitar. The only thing i would say is sadly the SG lacks a little bit of mojo in my opinion, but that is player to player. If you like the looks, SGs are awesome

[@dansguitarstuf]

I've owned many of them over the years (currently have 3) and I still don't understand them.

[@blackwind743]

The body of your guitar influences how your string moves only in etremely sublle ways. Most of the difference between LP and SG is in the fact that the pickups are not mounted in exactly the same spot, that the strings flex against their anchor points differently, that the body is solid in an SG or obviously that it has different pickups. Magnetic fields don't care a great deal about tonewood specifically.

[@KatmanJazznBlues]

I like your show, good vibe. One thing a lot of people don't know, Angus used (maybe still) uses heavy gauge strings full tuning, starting with .012 for the E. He proved an SG can handle heavy strings and by doing so may even complement jazz and styles that utilize cleaner tones.

[@guitarplayer_de]

Sorry, this is totally wrong. You probably mixed up Malcolm with Angus and Malcolm played even heavier strings. Angus has been playing Super Slinkys (009 to 042) for decades now. He has super small hands, that's also why he preferes 60s/70s SGs with narrow fretboards (39-40 mm nut width!). Watch the Premier Guitar rig rundown!

[@PeteEllson5656]

Angus definitely does not use heavy gauge strings.

[@VoxMax1200]

Great video..But! Next time change your guitar cable. Can't you hear that it's malfunctioning?...there are interruptions in the sound transmission.

[@Randolphguitars]

I'm 99% sure it's a microphone issue. New one arrived this morning

[@VoxMax1200]

@@Randolphguitars thanks a lot for this information. Keep on your good work!

[@jcwoodstl]

I just think they take getting used to and figuring out to fully appreciate them. I currently have a couple Gibson SG’s and have owned several more over the years. They are my favorite guitars. I prefer them to my Les Paul, PRS, Teles, Strats, etc…. Everything guitar related is subjective. One man’s hated guitar is another man’s favorite guitar

[@DeadRingerMachine]

I'm not really MUCH of a Gibson guy - I've owned and sold 2 Les Pauls - a Standard and a Studio - and an SG Special. Right now I have a Gibson Flying V and an Epi Explorer. I love the shapes but not so much the playability or tone of their stock pups. I like a pristine, thin neck-thru construction and everything set up for metal. But as to the SG in particular, it was the most unique-feeling guitar I ever owned. EXTREMELY light, almost felt like it wasn't even made out of wood. And I don't recall the neck feeling very fat, I would have remembered that. I got it used, it was a little beaten up, had some dings in the neck that kind of bothered me. But of the Gibsons I sold, it was better than the Les Pauls IMO. I've always thought about getting a brand new Standard version. So anytime I see a video like this talking about them I click right away. Thanks for the info.