EpiNova95 Posted January 6, 2013 Posted January 6, 2013 Despite having always preferred the look of a small pickguard SG, my playing style has restricted me to larger profile necks, and I have an unusual liking for the 490/498 pickups. So the SG Standard was the logical choice for me when I went SG shopping. The "look" was the one thing I felt I was settling on. Now that Gibson has switched back to the old look (and suffering an apparent pickguard material shortage :P) I find myself very glad to own a batwing guard SG. The tone and playability were always there, but now I've actually come to prefer the look of my 2012 Standard. The new Standard and Original are a great move for Gibson, but it's weird how the once omnipresent bat wing SG Standard, so easy to come by, so easy to take for granted, has become my aesthetic preference. Who's with me?
SGgypsyboy Posted January 6, 2013 Posted January 6, 2013 I'm with you all the way! My 2012 Standard Limited has a nice big AND wide neck which I actually prefer for good note separation and the feel of an archtop neck yet the ability to pull off fleet fingered leads anywhere on the neck. I too like the look of the small pickguard but I have grown to love the batwing format. I've had three other Gibson SG's... a 1999 Natural burst limited, a 2007 HC Standard, and a 1960's special tribute and I must say this is the best of all 4 so far and by far! The 1999 natburst had problems due to the abr-1 bridge being unstable and bent posts, the 2007 was nice but not as wide a neck, and the 2011 60's tribute had too small a neck for my taste. This is my keeper. The action came out of the box extremely low and completely buzz fee which I've never encountered. Just rings forever!
JM2112 Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 I actually have no preference for either style of pickguard. I like them both. If I were to pickup a new SG today I would have to go with a new Standard Limited in the vintage sunburst. Glad to see some new finishes and I love the 490R/498T pickup combo on the SG, and the torrefied maple fret boards are awesome to play.
JM2112 Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 I'm with you all the way! My 2012 Standard Limited has a nice big AND wide neck which I actually prefer for good note separation and the feel of an archtop neck yet the ability to pull off fleet fingered leads anywhere on the neck. I too like the look of the small pickguard but I have grown to love the batwing format. I've had three other Gibson SG's... a 1999 Natural burst limited, a 2007 HC Standard, and a 1960's special tribute and I must say this is the best of all 4 so far and by far! The 1999 natburst had problems due to the abr-1 bridge being unstable and bent posts, the 2007 was nice but not as wide a neck, and the 2011 60's tribute had too small a neck for my taste. This is my keeper. The action came out of the box extremely low and completely buzz fee which I've never encountered. Just rings forever! Awesome looking SG!!!
charlie brown Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 I have never "minded/opposed" the "batwing" pickguard, itself...or, even that "look!" BUT, what I did "mind," was the ever increasingly shallow/narrow beveling, that started with the '68 versions. The actual '68's, weren't that bad, YET...but, after that they got ridiculous..IMHO. Some of the "Norlin" era, early 70's had NO beveling in the horn areas, at all, and precious little overall! That's just NOT an SG, to me! When they did come back with "better" beveling, it was still nowhere close, to the originals...save the '61 reissues. Even the more recent 2012, and previous, had no horn tapering, as the originals did. That too, made it impossible for me to even consider purchasing one. NOW, that they've gone back, to horn tapering, and the wider, deeper beveling, of the original '61's... on "The Original," and the new 2013 Standard, I'm a very happy SG lover, again. IF..Gibson decides to reintroduce, at some future point, the "batwing" version and continue, with the newer/original beveling, I'd seriously consider one of those, as well. I've always loved SG's in their original form, up to, and including '68. After that...Sorry! ;>b But, again...that's just ME! ;>) The closest, to the original "batwing" style, beveling, horn tapering and all, was the Robby Krieger version. But, the affordable version of that, had that '50th Anniversary' logo, on the front of the headstock. WHY?! They could have put that, on the back of the headstock, and still kept the standard "crown" or "hollyhead" inlay. Of course, Gibson never listens to Me! ;>) LOL..... Cheers, CB
DiamondJig Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 The only thing I don't like about the full face pick guards is the way the pickups line up with the strings, mostly the bridge pu, the angle is just way off, I don't really know if it effects the sound, some times I play with the angle and think yes it does and other time I can't tell. I just don't like the look of it. I've put a pu ring on the bridge pu which helps a little. Otherwise they do have a great look about them. And I too like the 498T, a great all around pu, roll back the vol to clean it up and full on to drive it home.
Jeff-7 Posted January 8, 2013 Posted January 8, 2013 I like both. An SG with no pick guard looks terrible though IMO, so as long as it has one of the 2 styles everything is gravy.
bigtim Posted January 9, 2013 Posted January 9, 2013 Here is mine. I have always liked the large guard SG and I could not be happier with how this one plays. It is a 2006 model and after alot of tweaking, leveling frets and alot of swearing it has finally seemed to have come together and plays like a dream. It is one of my favorite guitars I have owned. It is good to see a few naturalburst too. Good thread!!! I am too glad to see the large guard fans speaking up. They get alot flack from guys who like the small guards for some reason. I also like the 490 series pick ups. I myself prefer the slight more bite also.Tim
bigtim Posted January 9, 2013 Posted January 9, 2013 I like both. An SG with no pick guard looks terrible though IMO, so as long as it has one of the 2 styles everything is gravy. I agree...........they just seem to be missing something. I am not a fan of the Derek Trucks model. The supremes do not have a guard either but they are generally highly figured but they seem like they are still missing something. Tim
DiamondJig Posted January 9, 2013 Posted January 9, 2013 I like both. An SG with no pick guard looks terrible though IMO, so as long as it has one of the 2 styles everything is gravy. I like these better than the supremes, non pick guard SG Diablo Premium Plus in Ice Tea, looks even better in person
Rabs Posted January 9, 2013 Posted January 9, 2013 So what do you guys reckon on the new one then? :) http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Gibson-USA/SG-Original.aspx
EpiNova95 Posted January 10, 2013 Author Posted January 10, 2013 Love those natural bursts! Also gotta second what DiamondJig said about pickup positioning with the full face pickguard...my one gripe, but it was easy to resolve with some foam under the pickups.
bigtim Posted January 10, 2013 Posted January 10, 2013 Love those natural bursts! Also gotta second what DiamondJig said about pickup positioning with the full face pickguard...my one gripe, but it was easy to resolve with some foam under the pickups. I thought the pick ups being a little uneven under the strings would be a noticable difference in overall sound but after fiddling with it for a while I cannot tell any difference and like you I would just cram in some insulation or foam too if it ever becomes an issue. I do know that mine being a regular hardwired version sounds different than my friends 2012 model that has the circuit board through an amp with the same settings. Tim
bigtim Posted January 10, 2013 Posted January 10, 2013 So what do you guys reckon on the new one then? :) http://www2.gibson.c...G-Original.aspx I think it is a good looking guitar but I am for the large guard. Maybe Gibson will consider reintroducing a large guard SG custom. I think that would be awesome, Tim
Bender 4 Life Posted January 10, 2013 Posted January 10, 2013 beautiful SGs folks !! i'm also a lucky cat that had my (then)new 2010 Standard come out of the box set up perfectly and it STILL hasn't needed a neck adjustment. gotta love Sweetwater!!
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