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Why, is a "Les Paul" more popular than an SG???!


charlie brown

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CB, Thanks for this tread. We've got over 3 pages of opinions, discussions, and respect. None of "mine's better than your's", "you're trolling" or any junk like that . It's been great having real conversations with friends. [thumbup] I've enjoyed and learned from it.

TC

 

Well said indeed!!!

 

Gratuitous SG photo:

 

PA226109.jpg

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This was a good question CB. I'm not sure, but there have been a lot of good speculations in this thread already.

 

I was just trying to think of certain artist that I associate with an SG and could only come up with a short list:

Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Frank Marino, and Derek Trucks. I'm sure someone else could add names but that's what I came up with. None of these guys sling their axes way down low like some of the iconic LP players: Jimmy Page, Ace Frehley, Slash, Joe Perry, Mick Jones, Tom Keifer... I'm not sure what that has to do with anything, but I notice that I also used to wear my SG Classic up closer to my chest whereas my LP is down closer to the belt area...

 

So in conclusion, I don't know the answer. [blush]

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I believe that the popularity of the Les Paul "may" be partially due to it being the first electric model made so it had established a strong foothold.The Les Paul's sound and playability was also an important factor,when the SG/Les Paul first came on the market circa 1961-62 the Les Paul had enjoyed 3 or 4 stellar years due to the fabulous PAF pickups that were used in them and the "fretless wonder" models that had just previously came on the market.When people who were used to the heavier,meatier Les Paul heard the SG/Les Paul for the first time they weren't exactly enamoured with the tone which wasn't as robust and as variable as the original Les Paul had been.When the original Les Paul configuration was reintroduced circa 1969,sales immediately took off as people who had been pining for the original Les Paul for 7 or 8 years stampeded to the music stores to buy them up.These factors "may" be some of the reasons for its popularity.

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I see alot of well known players using an SG......Zappa comes to mind here as well and he played his SG just as much if not more than his LP. The SG's seem to be getting more popular in the pop country scene as well. Budget comes to mind too. Alot of people cannot afford a LP standard or custom or ever will but for 1/2 the price or less of a new LP standard, they can get a new SG standard. I would rather own a nice new SG standard than a mid range studio any day day of the week but that is me and I am not trying to hurt anyones feelings who owns a LP studio. I have a friend who has a LP studio but it is older with an ebony neck. I like it too and it plays real good. A Les Paul is of course one of the first solid body electrics and has a good tone to it but after owning a LP custom and now an SG standard I prefer the lighter weight of the SG and I have not missed any sustain that I can tell and my back definately enjoys the lighter weight. Although I do miss the LP some but I get over it when I grab my SG. Also Gibson gets more money for the LP than the SG so it goes along with marketing too. Aside from body thinkness the necks and hardware are about the same. Add some plastic binding and about 1 more board foot of mahogany or maple to the LP body and there you have it..A LP guitar they put a price of over $2400.00 comepared to the SG standards price of $1199.00......It's that simple!!! Tim

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First of all, Thanks so much, all of you, for the great thoughts, discussion, on this "iconic" guitar.

I am really enjoying this, a lot! I don't think it really matters, in the long run, "why" a LP is

more popular (IF, indeed it is???), but...as I mentioned at the first, it's always been something I just "wondered" about, you know? I (DO) Love them all...SG's, Les Paul's, ES models...Oh Hell, GUITARS! :rolleyes:[biggrin] I'm sure, with my recent purchases, it's come to the forefront, more, because of that.

 

LOL [biggrin] Carry on! [thumbup]

 

CB

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Chevy sells more Camaros but the Corvette is still their flagship.

Sorry, that's all I could come up with. [biggrin]

 

I'm sure cost and young buyers are the main reasons they sell more SGs.

 

Did someone say gratuitous SG photo? [biggrin]

 

IMG_8136.jpg

 

Gorgeous, R9...you certainly have some Awesome gutiars! [biggrin]

 

CB

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I've said it before and I will say it again;

 

The SG is the skinny, pretty girl you love to hang out with. She never judges you so you can goof without feeling self consious. She's your bestest friend. She's T-shirt and jeans.

 

The Les Paul is a very voluptuous girl. Everyone turns to look at her and she is a little intimidating. You are proud to be seen with her but don't feel as free to goof. I nearly apologize to her when I mess up. She's a red dress and heels.

 

I play my SG more often, but I am prouder of my LesPaul, though frankly, if there was a fire...I'd save the SG. She's a 1973 and my Les Paul is from 1994...but it is more than that. My SG and I have bonded. She doesn't weigh me down, and though she doesn't sound as Godly as my LP, and is really beat up, my SG has soul. She's the one I want to hold.

 

The question is why is LP more popular...I don't think it is, but f she were, I'd say because LPs are gorgeous...men stare at you when you have that hanging all over you. Also, she sounds incredible. My SG sounds great but...and I don't have the jargon you all have, it seems like while my SG screams and makes me smile, my Les Paul growls and intimidates me, "Wow, I made that awesome sound? Wow!"

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This has turned into an all-out SG porn thread.

 

What a great thread. It's the PERFECT thread. Just like sex...first we share our feelings, then we talk about it. Then we share and yak a bit...then the clothes come off.

 

It's perfect. SG pron thread with foreplay.

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I have had both (had a '73 Les Paul Deluxe, mini me humbuckers in '73) and I prefer the lighter weight of my 2012 '61 Reissue.

I also prefer the slim '60s neck, my LP had a fat one.

 

5.jpg

 

Another artist who uses an SG style guitar is Kim Thayil from Soundgarden.

He owns several of the Guild SG style guitars.

 

Kim+Thayil.jpg

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