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Finally got a 'real' '61 ***PIX*** finally


RotcanX

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Well, I wasn't really in the market but... when opportunity knocks you gotta answer the door. Grabbed a 'B' stock '61 reissue SG... basically the only flaw is that it has barely perceptible cracks in the finish over the binding where the fret ends are... and they shaved $350 off the street price for that. So after whining and groaning for all of two minutes I decided to grab it. Only thing that pisses me off is that it has a Nashville bridge (not in 1961, boys - should be an ABR-1) and the TRC is missing the 'Les Paul' engraving. It also has the 'new' knobs that are duller than the originals were. I'll post some photos soonish. Still available are:

 

Gibson: Ebony LP Standard, 50s neck; two LP Studios (White/gold and Cherry/chrome); SG Standard (black); a limited edtion SG in ebony satin with EMGs; and two acoustics.

 

Epiphone: Slim pickings this time around; we got a Standard Plus top in vintage sunburst, a G-310 in vintage white and an LP Special II in heritage sunburst plus four acoustics.

 

Anybody living in the valley thinking of checking these out just PM me for more info.

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So, money is an object, but I have to get an SG eventually. You appear to be the go-to guy for SG advice. If you didn't have any of yours and you were on a teacher's salary, what would you buy? While my gut tells me the Epiphone G-400 is where to go, I guess I have to know whether to go with a '61 reissue (and save for another 6 months).

 

My GAS is under control since getting the Elitist Casino. The honeymoon ain't over yet.

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Well... what I'd do under that scenario would be to cruise the 'bay for a decent Elitist '61 SG reissue. All in all, it's the awesomest SG for the $$$. Putting the Elitist in a side-by-side comparison with the Gibson is just... uncanny. You might think that having the Gibson might make me be less enthusiastic about the Elitist... but it's just not the case. The Elitist... is the last thing they ever should have discontinued. And considering that you can find Elitists for around $600 on eBay, it's a no-brainer. As to the G-400, it's a great guitar in its own right; but compared to the reissues, it's just not in the same league. Period. If you want an SG that's going to make shivers run up your spine.. you gotta get a '61.

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Well... what I'd do under that scenario would be to cruise the 'bay for a decent Elitist '61 SG reissue. All in all' date=' it's the awesomest SG for the $$$. Putting the Elitist in a side-by-side comparison with the Gibson is just... uncanny. You might think that having the Gibson might make me be less enthusiastic about the Elitist... but it's just not the case. The Elitist... is the last thing they ever should have discontinued. And considering that you can find Elitists for around $600 on eBay, it's a no-brainer. As to the G-400, it's a great guitar in its own right; but compared to the reissues, it's just not in the same league. Period. If you want an SG that's going to make shivers run up your spine.. you [i']gotta[/i] get a '61.

 

That's what I'll shoot for. Thanks!

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Okay, here she is:

SG61.jpg

 

Now here's a shot of the Gibson and the Elitist:

SG61x2.jpg

...amazing how close these two are. Looks like the Elitist PG is a little undersized, and the Elitist has the 'brand new cherry' finish compared to the Gibson's 'heritage' cherry finish. Then there's this little thing going on at the heels:

SG61Gheel.jpg

...and the Elitist:

SG61Eheel.jpg

That little 'step' is very interesting. Now I'm wondering which is 'correct'. Note that in some respects the Elitist is more accurate; for example it has the proper ABR-1 bridge while the Gibson has a Nashville unit. Also the knobs on the Elitist have 'chromier' inserts, which again is more prototypical. So I'm wondering what went on with that heel. The question in my mind is how did the boys at FujiGen get their info? Were they furnished with blueprints, or were they given a genuine '61 SG to copy? Hmmmm.

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....the '61 is the BEST SG there is (IMO).

 

A big ditto.....IMO also of course. Maybe the P-90 loaded Classic running real close. Anyhow I've been really happy with mine. Short of getting the single coil twang, got my Strat for that, you can pretty much cover anything with one I think.....then again you could pretty much do the same with any other I guess.

 

I just be liking mine allot....congrats!

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Okay' date=' here she is:

[img']http://www.marantatech.com/Graphix/SG61.jpg[/img]

 

Now here's a shot of the Gibson and the Elitist:

SG61x2.jpg

...amazing how close these two are. Looks like the Elitist PG is a little undersized, and the Elitist has the 'brand new cherry' finish compared to the Gibson's 'heritage' cherry finish. Then there's this little thing going on at the heels:

SG61Gheel.jpg

...and the Elitist:

SG61Eheel.jpg

That little 'step' is very interesting. Now I'm wondering which is 'correct'. Note that in some respects the Elitist is more accurate; for example it has the proper ABR-1 bridge while the Gibson has a Nashville unit. Also the knobs on the Elitist have 'chromier' inserts, which again is more prototypical. So I'm wondering what went on with that heel. The question in my mind is how did the boys at FujiGen get their info? Were they furnished with blueprints, or were they given a genuine '61 SG to copy? Hmmmm.

 

If the Elitist had the Gibson headstock like the one in the recent post here I would like that one better. Either way 2 beautiful guitars!

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Thanks RotcanX, now I've got SG lust again (repeat to myself - I will resist - I will resist - I will resist - I will resist)

 

And I prefer them with the smaller pickguard (repeat to myself - I will resist - I will resist - I will resist - I will resist)

 

Nice score -- congratulations!

 

Notes

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Which one has the step at the heel, the Gibson or the Epiphone? I recall a discussion about the heel on SGs and how they are different, making accessing the higher frets hard. Not a worry for me, I must admit....

 

Never mind, it appears to be the Gibson with the step.

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Which one has the step at the heel' date=' the Gibson or the Epiphone? I recall a discussion about the heel on SGs and how they are different, making accessing the higher frets hard. Not a worry for me, I must admit....

 

Never mind, it appears to be the Gibson with the step.[/quote']

The discussion you refer to was about the heels on LPs.

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Beautiful specimen. I hope that the Epiphone moderator is hearing this discussion. If they use these threads for any sort of feedback, I would think they might consider eliminating the G-400 and resurrecting the '61 reissue. Or send the G-400 packing off to China to compete with the Ibanezes.

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