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To those that own both an SG/G and a Les Paul-


eminentgonz

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Posted

Why did you end up getting both? Is it because both are iconic? Are both really different enough to where both provide variety? Did you get both because you're working to collect as many Epiphones or Gibsons as possible?

 

I have an LP and I'm looking at a G-400 because it's a good visual complement to the Les Paul, but is it really different enough to justify the investment?

 

Share your story.

Posted
Absolutely' date=' they are very different instruments.[/quote']

+1 on that......for me, the tone is completely different, AND the double cutaway really makes upper fret access easier.

Posted

I used to own a epi lp-100 which was my first serious electric guitar and was great. but soon I wanted more...uh just flash I guess, i was young and thought more expensive meant better. My Gibson SG special is one of the greatest investments ive ever made. I think the les paul v. sg debate is really personal preference. From the ones I pluged in at the store I couldnt tell a huge difference in sound, but the sg cut aways didnt inhibit my hands at all, no matter how fast I went. Also it seemed to fit my leg so much better, and as I play 95% of the time sitting down that was a big deal to me. Plus it was great that some of my favorites play the sg. Its just one of those things I think. However, thats not to say I dont still want a les paul haha.

Posted
Why did you end up getting both? Is it because both are iconic? Are both really different enough to where both provide variety? Did you get both because you're working to collect as many Epiphones or Gibsons as possible?

 

I have an LP and I'm looking at a G-400 because it's a good visual complement to the Les Paul' date=' but is it really different enough to justify the investment?

 

Share your story.[/quote']

I had an SG (bass) back when the SG guitars were still referred to as "Les Paul" guitars. I can see why Les Paul insisted that his name be taken off as they are very much different guitars. I like the looks and sounds of the Les Paul, but the SG is more comfortable for me to play.

Posted

I just like both when it comes down to it.

 

I've had a slew of SG's but just one Les Paul. The Pauls are just too expensive, or I'd have more.

 

The pair I have currently are vastly different: P90's in the SG, 57 Classics in the Paul. They cover alot of ground. All the rest of the SG's(Specials and Standards both) of my past had various humbucking PU's. I'd rate the Les Paul I own higher then any SG I've owned prior to the SG Classic. It's just a mojo thing, not quantifiable, and perhaps not valid for anyone but me. This SG is my favorite guitar in the last 22 years.

 

I GAS for a soap bar P 90 rigged Gibson Les Paul though, and I still also want another SG Standard. It never ends.

 

I'm not as into the Epiphone SG and Pauls...I like Epiphone's own designs better than their copies. I'm not dissing their guitars, only stating a personal preference.

 

Your investment is returned if you enjoy the guitars. Money is an abstract. Guitars are real. LOL

Posted

I have a bunch of Les Pauls (all Gibson), which I have always loved!

Since I got my MIJ '61 SG, I haven't touched one of them. THAT may/will change,

of course, but...I'm sure loving the SG, and that great neck and upper fret access.

It's so light and comfortable, too! My only question (to myself), has been..."what took

you so long?!!!" LOL!

 

CB

Posted

 

Your investment is returned if you enjoy the guitars. Money is an abstract. Guitars are real. LOL

 

 

 

 

 

I may have NEVER read a truer statement GAS...........^5 on that!!

Posted

I've had an SG since I was a kid. Got to be my all time favorite. About a month ago I bought a Les Paul classic. It feels big & "clunky" compared to the SG & very heavy. The sound however is unique. The more I play it the more I like it. Both guitars have their place & I'll never part with my SG but I don't know how anyone can say they sound the same, there is a night & day diff in them. I bought the LP when I started getting into Blues music & love the sound. Didn't get that bluesy tone with the SG.

Posted
they sound entirely different to my ears

 

That's what I needed to hear. I think I'll get a G-400 and install some active pickups.

 

Do chrome humbucker covers interfere with an active humbucker's signal? I never see active pickups with pickup covers...

Posted

I love both SGs and Les Pauls, and I have both. I will say that I do like the upper fret access on the SG over the Les Paul though. I really have never had a problem with the neck diving on an SG. Get a good leather strap, with rough leather on the back of the strap and the guitar will stay in place all night long.

Posted

I've got 3 SGs and an SG Junior, and 3 Les Pauls. The latest is an Ultra II because the Standard and Zakk Wylde Camo I have are too heavy for my injured back. One of the SGs is the Tony Iommi, another is an Antonosai neck through sandwich Rosewood/mahogany/ash with Alnico Vs and Graphtech saddles, and the third I modded with BL500R&XL w/Jimmy Page wiring and a Bowen Handle. I'll probably sell all of them except the Iommi G-400. The Iommi pickups sound better than the EMG 81/85, the BL500s, and standard pickups. In some ways a tie with the Alnico Vs, but you can't beat the 24 frets and horn mounted strap button. The balance, light weight, neck, and tone of the Iommi are perfect.

Posted

I had an SG (bass) back when the SG guitars were still referred to as "Les Paul" guitars. I can see why Les Paul insisted that his name be taken off as they are very much different guitars. <...>.

 

I read somewhere that getting the "Les Paul" name off the SG guitar was due to his divorce with Mary Ford and had nothing to do with the design of the guitar. Dunno if that is true or not, perhaps someone else on this forum knows for sure.

 

I've never wanted a Les Paul. A 10 pound guitar isn't my idea of comfort. I played a Fender Precision Bass for a couple of years, and that cured me of wanting a heavy guitar on my shoulder.

 

I do have some serious SG GAS though.

 

Notes

Posted

 

I read somewhere that getting the "Les Paul" name off the SG guitar was due to his divorce with Mary Ford and had nothing to do with the design of the guitar. Dunno if that is true or not' date=' perhaps someone else on this forum knows for sure.

 

I've never wanted a Les Paul. A 10 pound guitar isn't my idea of comfort. I played a Fender Precision Bass for a couple of years, and that cured me of wanting a heavy guitar on my shoulder.

 

I do have some serious SG GAS though.

 

Notes[/quote']

I don't remember where I read it, but they didn't mention the wife connection. It does seem odd that a musician would NOT want to have his name associated with a Gibson guitar, though. I grew up knowing the SG as the Les Paul as it was listed as such in the first Gibson catalog I owned (and looked at 10,000 times). To be honest, I was surprised to hear that there was another, older Les Paul model (other than "the log").

Posted

 

I read somewhere that getting the "Les Paul" name off the SG guitar was due to his divorce with Mary Ford and had nothing to do with the design of the guitar. Dunno if that is true or not' date=' perhaps someone else on this forum knows for sure.

 

I've never wanted a Les Paul. A 10 pound guitar isn't my idea of comfort. I played a Fender Precision Bass for a couple of years, and that cured me of wanting a heavy guitar on my shoulder.

 

I do have some serious SG GAS though.

 

Notes[/quote']

 

According to "The Les Paul Book" (Tony Bacon/Paul Day) the MAIN reason, was the impending divorce

at that time, with Mary Ford. He and Gibson agreed not to renew his contract, until after the divorce

was completed. He (Les) also didn't like the SG style, but it was the divorce that was the initiating factor,

as so stated. He was seen, in later ads, with the SG "Les Pauls," however. But, he was never a fan of

the SG.

 

CB

Posted

i'm quite confuse about buying an sg g400 or a lespaul custom. if more people like the sg how come a lespaul cost almost twice the price of an sg?

Posted
Why did you end up getting both? Is it because both are iconic? Are both really different enough to where both provide variety? Did you get both because you're working to collect as many Epiphones or Gibsons as possible?

 

I have an LP and I'm looking at a G-400 because it's a good visual complement to the Les Paul' date=' but is it really different enough to justify the investment?

 

Share your story.[/quote']

 

I'm left handed.

In general, if and when you find an LH guitar, it will most likely be black.

 

When I started looking for my 1st guitar, the only LH guitar I could find was the Iommi G400.

I was told the Cherry G400s were on 12week+ back order. (Coupled with a rumor they may be discontinued)

But we do have this Iommi in stock...It was way more than I really wanted to spend, but it was all I could find.

 

Earlier this year, I found a LH LP+ on craigslist. For 250$ And it wasn't black. (cherry sunburst.)

Sold.

 

So...in no particular order, I have both because, GAS, availability, price, and color variety.

 

 

The Iommi sounds better, the LP is easier to play.

 

 

 

Biggest problem I have is switching between the two - the Iommi is 24 fret, the LP is 22, so for a few minutes after the switch, I'm off a fret.

 

 

 

Edit: Oh, and I did recently find w wine/gold Gibson LP Studio LH. Serious GAS there. That would be color and affordability, as the only other LH Gibsons are 3k+. And it's not black.

 

Tempered by I played both the Epi and the Studio (alternating between the two, same amp, same song),

and really couldn't pick off much of a difference.

Neck shape, weight, thickness, etc were nearly identical.

Oddly enough, so was the sound. Although, the Gibson was a bit less shrill in the 14-20 fret range.

I'm guessing Epis "alinico classics" are very similar to the 490/498s, since both a modeled after the 57 classic.

 

As someone put it in the Gibson LP forum: you want a fully loaded Toyota, or a bare bones Lexus?

Posted

Well, besides obvious differences in weight, wood, fret access and styling...the biggest difference I've noticed,

is the SG seems a bit more "mid-range" in tone preference. The LP seems a bit darker in the neck pickup, and

brighter at the bridge. But, that may be due more to the pickups, themselves...than the guitars??? Both are nice

 

 

CB

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