narc999 Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I am trying to learn how to play guitar and I am looking at different guitars at my local shop. I wanted to get everyone's opinion on which guitar is the most comfortable for playing. I have narrowed it down to a couple choices: 1) Epi Les Paul = My LP custom is a bit heavy and the I feel that the frets are a bit farther apart. Love the design and my humbuckers are great! 2) Epi Casino/ John lennon = I tried this and it ultra light. Same fret issue. THey are a bit further apart. I love this design above all else. 3) Epi G-400 = Dont like the double cut out design(sorry just my personal preference), but it is ultra light, and the frets are a bit closer together for my power cords and my blues shuffle. Let me know what you feel are the pros and cons of each. Thanks, Narco! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperAvenger Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Having only played 2 out of those 3. I'd say the G-400 would be the most comfortable. But overall I would rather have the Les Paul Custom. I had one myself but sold it... BIG MISTAKE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordy01 Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Comfort and fit in a guitar is a very personal thing. What feels good in my hand may not be the same for you. I know that when you are first learning, it seems as though the frets are a long way apart, but your hand will get used to stretching as you learn. It gets easier with practice. The LP is actually a short, (24.75) or at least shorter scale than a Fender Strat, or Tele. (25.5) There are guitars that have even a shorter scale (24) or even (22). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 And one thing to keep in mind is that a guitar that is comfortable to you will be of great value in the learning process. When I started playing long ago I first had a junk acoustic on which I learned absolutely nothing. It was a obstacle to my learning. Then I got some kind of cheap Telecaster copy, it was better but still was a chore to play. When I bought my first REAL guitar, a 1965 Gibson SG Special, I fell in love with it and was a pleasure to play it. Needless to say I started learning faster and easier. So if you find an axe that feels good in your hands and plays well get it. You'll learn quicker and be more into the learning experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjael Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Completely subjective, for me the most comfortable guitar shape I've ever played is the Explorer, but I know a lot of people who hate it. Out of your choices though, it's the LP Custom all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 As has been said, comfort is a very individual thing. I personally think comfort is more akin to shape and ergonomics than it is to things like weight and fret access. Fret access is more of a playability thing. I personally find a Les Paul to be a very comfortable guitar to play. The curved body feels very natural, smooth, flowing, and accomodating to me. It's probably one of the lesser ergonomically designed guitars, having no tummy cut in the back, and being adapted from a big ol' archtop, but that doesn't bother me one bit. They are a little heavy, yes, but I like a more substantial guitar. Fret access isn't totally there, but that doesn't bother me either. I'd never noticed it before, but when I picked up my Strat after playing the Les Paul, I was immediately stabbed in the ribs by the upper horn, which was weird. In terms of ergonomics, the Strat is good in that it has a large tummy cut in the back. Upper fret access is excellent. In terms of being a coherant aesthetic design, the Strat has pretty much everything beat. Playing an SG is a bit like playing thin air, or a board. Very thin, very light, and like it's not really there. It also feels very small to me. Like a hand grenade. Small, but it'll blow your leg off. Small and intense. Upper fret access is brilliant, they're renowned for it. Quite a 'smoke and mirrors' guitar in that they have a ballsy sound and sustain that is normally only achievable with guitars made of acres of wood. The Casino is indeed very light. It is hollow after all! Upper fret access is about as existent as polar bears in Hawaii! Not really there! Very big, and a bit awkward to play. Sort of feels like it's trying to put deodorant on you all the time. But I love it! Of course, these are all the guitars I own, and I've gotten used to all their nuances, and can work with them. A perfect guitar is, in my mind, a falsity. It doesn't exist. There are just lots of different guitars that challenge you in a different way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 As has been said' date=' comfort is a very individual thing. I personally think comfort is more akin to shape and ergonomics than it is to things like weight and fret access. Fret access is more of a playability thing. I personally find a Les Paul to be a very comfortable guitar to play. The curved body feels very natural, smooth, flowing, and accomodating to me. It's probably one of the lesser ergonomically designed guitars, having no tummy cut in the back, and being adapted from a big ol' archtop, but that doesn't bother me one bit. They are a little heavy, yes, but I like a more substantial guitar. Fret access isn't totally there, but that doesn't bother me either. I'd never noticed it before, but when I picked up my Strat after playing the Les Paul, I was immediately stabbed in the ribs by the upper horn, which was weird. In terms of ergonomics, the Strat is good in that it has a large tummy cut in the back. Upper fret access is excellent. In terms of being a coherant aesthetic design, the Strat has pretty much everything beat. Playing an SG is a bit like playing thin air, or a board. Very thin, very light, and like it's not really there. It also feels very small to me. Like a hand grenade. Small, but it'll blow your leg off. Small and intense. Upper fret access is brilliant, they're renowned for it. Quite a 'smoke and mirrors' guitar in that they have a ballsy sound and sustain that is normally only achievable with guitars made of acres of wood. The Casino is indeed very light. It is hollow after all! Upper fret access is about as existent as polar bears in Hawaii! Not really there! Very big, and a bit awkward to play. Sort of feels like it's trying to put deodorant on you all the time. But I love it! Of course, these are all the guitars I own, and I've gotten used to all their nuances, and can work with them. A perfect guitar is, in my mind, a falsity. It doesn't exist. There are just lots of different guitars that challenge you in a different way. [/quote'] Well said! Swoop....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narc999 Posted December 27, 2009 Author Share Posted December 27, 2009 THanks for your feedback everyone! Great info... Upper fret access is important to me. THe SG has things locked in that department. I might pick up an SG just for fret access. My ultimate guitar I would like to add is the Casino. eventually when I get enough dough! -NARCO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Out of YOUR choices...to Me, it would (definitely) be the SG (G-400)! Light, uninhibited access to the upper frets, Great looking, and "tone to the bone!" The other's are Great guitars, no doubt about it. But, the SG has always been a comfortable guitar, to play...IMHO. As long as you get one, that's truly "balanced" and not "neck heavy!" They're out there... Second choice (for me) would be the Casino. Totally different vibe, and tone. NO upper fret access, comparatively, but it's not really that type of guitar. LP being last (although I love Les Pauls, too)... heavier, less (easy) upper fret access, etc. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Les Paul Ultra. Most comfy thing youll ever cradle. The G400's in my opinion are tough to fret the closer you get to the nut cause of how long the neck seems.... I really cant play a G400 for more than a couple of songs. I dont feel comfy with one. ::::ducks::::::) A SG310, with a neck set further in would be my ideal SG. My SG Jr and old SG special II have the G310 neck profile that is set in further in on the neck. I say try a G400 and if the neck is awkward for you like it is for me, do yourself a favor and try a Les Paul Ultra. LIGHT as a feather.:- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 An SG and LP have the same scale length, therefor, the fret layout is the same on both guitars. And they are both "short" scale compared to fender. But compared to each other, the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangbang Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I am thinking about trading or selling my SG 400 Tony Iommi because it is not comfy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Actually, to me, the most "comfortable" guitar(s) I own, is/are my "Strat(s)!" CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwalin Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Actually' date=' to me, the most "comfortable" guitar(s) I own, is/are my "Strat(s)!" CB[/quote'] Yep, the Fender Stratocaster is tops for comfort to me also..... But, out of the choices, I am with the SG. I've had a LP and a Sheraton, and always find the SG more comfortable... Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I own or have owned a fair number of guitars from fat jazz boxes to teles, and I like them all for their looks, feels, and genre-appropriate sounds. But, if I were a working musician again, and had to choose only one guitar, it would be a strat. Lightweight, indestructible, easy to maintain, a variety of tones suitable for almost any style, and comfortable enough to play for days on end. Leo got it right, and you just can't beat 'em. But of the choices above, I'd say the SG. My understanding was that it was brought out by Gibson specifically to compete with Fender, and it does have many of the same features - lightweight, double cutaway, body contours, and tonal versatility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I learned on a small steel-string acoustic, so solid body guitars do not feel particularly "natural" to me in a sitting position. In a standing position, you will have a strap holding it however you want. That said, the most comfortable electric guitar sitting or standing is still a hollowbody, as it Dot, Sheraton, Riviera, or Casino. Les Pauls are heavy for their size, and SG's can be neck-heavy, but not to the point that it bothers me. If you like the Les Pauls, an Ultra might be a good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narc999 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 Great info! Strats are great... That guitar just does not do anything for me. SG's, Casinos, and LP's just make me want to touch them and in turn play them till my fingers bleed! Sounds like SG's are the way to go for comfortability. In addition, they seem to have great sustain with their humbucker pickups... SHould I save up for my IBJL Casino or just bite the bullet on an SG-400? THanks everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Great info! Strats are great... That guitar just does not do anything for me. SG's' date=' Casinos, and LP's just make me want to touch them and in turn play them till my fingers bleed! Sounds like SG's are the way to go for comfortability. In addition, they seem to have great sustain with their humbucker pickups... [b']SHould I save up for my IBJL Casino or just bite the bullet on an SG-400?[/b] THanks everyone! Well, that's something only YOU can answer! IBJL Casino's are great!!! Just depends on what you need, or would use, most...I guess? Good Luck! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Yea narc, you're comparing apples and oranges. For me an SG is almost too small to be comfortable, but I play the **** outta my Gibson faded SG so what do I know? Just go to a store and play em all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Should I save up for my IBJL Casino or just bite the bullet on an SG-400? Get the SG now, and keep saving for the Casino. One's not really a replacement for the other... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I have a Les Paul, SG, Crestwood, explorer shaped guitars. But my Casino is the most comfortable to play up to the 18th fret. The SG's are great for upper fret access, but the fretboard is a bit wide for my complete liking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 a wilshire may work for him... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanbeastie Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 The sg, my owm favorite, but you could try a flying v as well nicely balanced Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpiphonePlayer Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I would have to say the Casino because it's more balanced than the sg, and it weighs a lot less than the lp. The reason I don't like SG's is because the neck is heavier than the body and you have to struggle to keep it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 The reason I don't like SG's is because the neck is heavier than the body and you have to struggle to keep it up. I don't struggle one bit. I have a wide leather strap and my G400 hangs just fine. I can even let go of the neck completely and it won't move a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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