SG or Les Paul

[Bluemans335]

I don't sound like a bee in a bottle--well, maybe a very large bee in a very clean bottle!

 

It's usually easier to get good tones from a Gibson and Epi, than it is from a Fender. Because of the warmer woods and PU's, Gibsons/Epi's start with a more balanced EQ and a fuller sound. Fender's are heavy on treble and that needs to be gotten under control. Besides the shrill and piercing quality of too much treble (tough on an audience), it also highlights every minor playing mistake. When a guitar player in a band has a schreechy Strat, I don't hang around long.

 

Some guys know how to EQ their Fenders and sound great. You guys need to show the other 90% what you're doing.

[bluefire98]

Jimmy's tone improved when he started playing LP's, which was on LZ 2. As a studio musician, he learned a lot about how to make guitars sound good. Most players don't have Jimmy's engineering/recording skills and experience. Living in an area plagued by Fenders, I can say without fear of contradiction, that average blues player down here (west coast of Florida) has no clue how to EQ his Strat. 90 % of the time it's either treble squared or too much distortion for that lovely 'bee in a can' sound. Most of those guys would sound a lot better with an Epi or Gibson. They really ought to give SG's a fair try. But Fenders apparently are part of the uniform, just like country singers with their obligatory boots and cowboy hats.

I don't have a true fender, but it's close enough (peavey generation exp 3 single coil tele). I'm also the proud owner of an epiphone les paul studio deluxe. I much prefer the sound and feel of my LP over the tele, even now when it still has fret buzz and the crappiest strings on it (got it used). I do think that every guitar has its purpose, but fenders just aren't for me. I do agree when you say that most people don't know how to EQ a fender due to its naturally high treble. However, i can EQ mine in well (running it through a mustang II amp) and it sounds very good.

[Ed Zeplin]

I already have an epiphone les paul studio and played a worn epiphone sg once. The question is, should I get a sg or something else. I also have a peavey generation exp (3 single coil tele) and I want something different in tone and style. I can't exactly recall how an sg sounds (g.a.s. amnesia ), but I don't just want a different looking les paul. I do have to say, after seeing this, you can probably guess which one I'm leaning towards...

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SGDXCFCB-13/

 

You need one of each.

 

[charlie brown]

Admittedly, I go through certain periods, where certain guitars get played, more than other's.

Right now...my SG's get the lions share of 6-string electric playing, these days. Though I love

Les Paul's, I've always preferred the upper fret access, and weight of an SG, over the Les Paul.

 

But, I didn't own an SG until recently, due to (1) not playing for 30+ years, and

(2) after I sold my '64, and '68 SG's, I didn't care for the beveling, and lack of

horn tapering on subsequent models. When they reissued the '61, and now the "Original,"

and new 2013 Standard, with '61 spec's, I HAD to have one. Ended up, with 2...a "Satin"

Cherry '61, and the recent SG "Original" model, as well. LOVE them both!!

 

But, if yuo can manage it, financially, I'd stronly recommend getting both a great Les Paul,

and a great SG! You really won't regret it, in either case.

 

CB

[Bluemans335]

if you can manage it, financially, I'd stronly recommend getting both a great Les Paul,

and a great SG! You really won't regret it, in either case.

 

 

+1. If you have one, you should have the other. It's a great pair.

[bluefire98]

I don't have a true fender, but it's close enough (peavey generation exp 3 single coil tele). I'm also the proud owner of an epiphone les paul studio deluxe. I much prefer the sound and feel of my LP over the tele, even now when it still has fret buzz and the crappiest strings on it (got it used). I do think that every guitar has its purpose, but fenders just aren't for me. I do agree when you say that most people don't know how to EQ a fender due to its naturally high treble. However, i can EQ mine in well (running it through a mustang II amp) and it sounds very good.

Did something stupid with my lp. Dropped it and one of the tuners broke. Thankfully, i have some top knotch USA grover tuners from a lp junior that i was gonna put in anyway. but until that happens, i'm stuck with a fake fender. However, the more i play it, the more i like it, just hate the neck, i've played a squire that feels better. One thing ive noticed is that i can get a really good metal sound, actually better than my lp (go figure) and with the right eq, i can get a nice touch of overdrive. Flip it to the neck pickup and you get some crystal clear cleans. i shouldn't say that fenders aren't for me, but the neck of a used fake fender isn't for me. Both fenders/squires and gibsons/epiphones are great guitars, which is why i have one of each (sort of )

[Ed Zeplin]

Hmmmm Never found my Telecaster to sound "tinny!" Don't think Jimmy Page did,

either, since Led Zepplin 1 & most of 2, were recorded using his Tele.

 

But, SG's are Great, too!

 

CB

 

Jimmy was also a master of miking, be it amps or drums(think "When the Levee Breaks" where he had the drums set up in the great hallway at Headley Grange to give it that larger than life sound) and would position mikes in less conventional ways with great results. We really didn't hear much from the Tele after he got the LP.

[4Hayden]

Les Paul has always been my Favorite other than the ES335

[charlie brown]

Les Paul has always been my Favorite other than the ES335

 

Yeah, I love Les Paul's! Especially, the ones that look like SG's!

 

Seriously, I love 'em both/all!

 

CV

[tweed2]

My first good guitar was a Gibson SG. Loved it and recently got an Epi version to goof around on. Over the years, I've tried to like LPs, but just can't warm up to them. Your earlier question on what to get next? I would go the hollow body route, Casino, Dot, Sheri, etc, with the Casino being my second favorite guitar I own. Very versatle, and P-90s are great pickups. Why limit yourself to guitars with only humbuckers? Unless, of course, you get an SG with P-90s.

[bigneil]

From the first moment I played a les paul, I knew it was the right guitar for me. The ergonomics seem to fit me and the way I play, The Humbuckers sounded cool, the scale length was right. But I couldn't afford one Epi or gibby .. Then for my 17th birthday I was extremely lucky to receive a gift of a usa fender strat', Although a lovely guitar, It just didn't feel right and sounded rather thin for the music I liked, so It lasted 3 days before getting traded for a gibby lp studio. I loved this guitar, and played it for at least 2 hours a day every day .... In short I played the sh1t out of it... I used it to kneel before the alter of rock~n~roll with the volume control set to stun, and cleanse my soul in pure overdrive.

 

I mourned that guitar deeply when I sold it for spares or repairs.

 

A couple of years ago I decided that an SG was in order, so I picked up a second hand G400, Cool guitar, sounded great, played nice. and yes.... I did duck walk past the bathroom mirror pretending to be Angus while thumping out Highway to Hell. In short, It was a really fun guitar and I enjoyed it very much, but ultimately the ergonomics didn't work for me as an every day guitar, so I sold it on.

 

 

I haven't chosen for the poll because there is only one answer ..... buy an SG, play it, enjoy it, and then decide which is the best guitar for you, SG or LP.

 

I think It's time for me to try out a 335

[Bluemans335]

buy an SG, play it, enjoy it, and then decide which is the best guitar for you, SG or LP.

 

I think It's time for me to try out a 335

 

Good point. You really should have the 'Big Three': SG, LP, & 335.