Many people play the SG through aggressive overdriven Marshall style amps, but they also have a beautiful sweet tone when played through a clean fender style amp. Very versatile guitar.
Yes. Even if you play overdrive all the time, don’t you want to know how the GUITAR sounds (in video DEMOS especially)? It’s not an amp or a pedal demo.
You don't hear many people say this - but - SGs are my favorite guitar. I love the tones, the play-ability, the look, the history - everything. Currently i own 8 - all Lefties.
@@voxpathfinder15r which pots are you referring to? link? it's already hand wired with orange capacitors so your suggestion is assuming the pots you're talking about are better than what's in there now?
Although Yes, today I think of Derek Trucks and his SG, in earlier times an SG meant to me Pete Townsend, Carlos Santana, Micky Jones (Man), Frank Zappa. Not forgeting Tony Iommi, Steve Hillage ... the list goes on.
I dont really see the SG as an alternative to the les paul. If you think about it, any guitar with humbuckers and a mahagony body is an alternative, even a telecaster because Jimmy Page used one on Led Zeppelin one
SG or LP? 🤷♂️ Let me know! I put a link to my previous SG Standard Review in the description so you can compare the differences. Timestamps: 0:00 - Jam Track 2:09 - Guitar Overview 3:49 - Guitar Tones 8:04 - Review ► Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/rV3zd ► Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A ► Sky Music - alnk.to/90tachT (affiliate links)
I've been an LP guy for most of my life but fell for the SG just a few years ago. I currently have an epi 339 and a gib SG and I don't feel like I'm lacking in any tones, but an LP is still on my want list (as opposed to needs list).
I prefer the SG feel to that of the LP. They both sound good in their own ways and different enough to justify having both. The physical feel is very different though. Both pickups with the neck backed off slightly is my tone of choice on my SG, and with twin humbuckers generally.
Great Review, Thank You. Interesting information about the pickups in this SG. The '61 burstbucker pickups in the '61 RI SG (and other guitars) are alnico V versions of the '59 Tribute pickups. They are 'reverse' Burstbuckers. That is one coil is slightly overwound compared to the other. In Burstbuckers the mismatched could give a great single-coil type of sound. It's just a smidge of single coil sound though. It's not suddenly sounding like a Strat. The '61s have the opposite coil as the overwound one. This, with the alnico V magnet, make a more balanced tone and sound. They're less 'single coil' sounding compared to the Burstbuckers, but have a bit more too end crunch and sizzle compared to Classic 57s.
Great review . I love SG's . The simplicity , light weight and sound versatility is awesome . Its also a thing of beauty . I'll take an SG over an LP any day . Beautiful guitar .
Don’t forget the self-breaking neck at or near where the nut is! It’s only a matter of time. My 2 favorite guitars are the cherry red SG with teardrop pick guard or no pick guard and the Firebird.
@@ricklewis5804 I have Satan's Guitars all the way from early 1970s with ebony fretboards and none of their necks have broken, and I've accidently dropped them more times than I can count. The wood is totally dry and they play and sound marvelous.
Purchased mine in black 10 years ago. At some point I’ve sold every piece of music I got around but the SG! It was also the guitar I’ve learned to play music which brought me a lot of joy. I just downloaded the new AC/DC’s Power Up album and been jamming on some good old Hard Rock again just like the old days! Couldn’t believe how good Brian Johnson’s voice in it.
I wanted to buy one of these Gibson SG Standard '61 Maestro Vibrola in Vintage Cherry for a while. After watching your video on this guitar i was totally discouraged from making my purchase due to you not being able to keep it in tune. But I went down to my local Guitar center here in Las Vegas and they had one in stock. I held it, the neck is outstanding the fret work is wonderful, the wood grain and color were so beautiful. I tuned it up and played a few cords and check the tuning, for sure it was out of tune. I fooled around trying to keep it in tune for three hours and became totally discouraged because this guitar was beautiful. So I did the only reasonable thing, I said to the salesman I am going to flip this Guitar Center pick, "blank side it stays here written side I buy it". It landed on written side so home with me it went, and boy am I glad it did. The next day I set out to find out why it wouldn't stay in tune and I discovered why, (fixed it) and now it's hard to knock it out of tune. First the tuning keys were lose and the screws holding the tuners on were striped from the factory, so i fixed that. Second the angle on the Vibrola is wrong from the factory, you need to tweak the angle and shim the Vibrola slightly, the E-string should not be touching the trem bar while in the resting position. Now polish the frets and do a complete set up. This guitar now when using the Vibrola as intended will stay in tune wonderfully. This guitar is a great guitar and if you take the time and put in the work to set it up properly, YOU WILL LOVE THIS GUITAR! I think that from the factory they just assemble the parts and are done, not realizing or having the time that it needs to make this fine guitar function together as a whole instrument. Glad I took the time and made the purchase. Please let your viewers know this is an amazing Gibson Guitar after the corrections are made. I Have no connection with Gibson and I am not a professional Luthier, so if i can fix it this guitar is fixable. Thank you
I have this guitar and I can say it’s fantastic. I saved up for a Gibson for years and I’m glad I could cross paths with it just in time to buy it. The pickups are clear and articulate even with heavy distortion like I run through my Orange rocker 32 combo. The neck also feels fast and comfortable. I would highly recommend it to people looking for an SG, it’s definitely worth the slight bump in price over a standard.
I used to hate the SG. I always thought it looked like some pubescent boy's concept of a cool devil-rock guitar from the late '70s. I have to admit, it's starting to grow on me...
I've been mulling this SG over all week. I already have a Pelham Blue Standard with 57s but I love these 61 pickups. They have some killer bite to them.
Ok, this is now #3.... I bought a 50s original tele...and within a few weeks, you had one. Went in to my local shop looking for a Les Paul special, an he says still on order- I come to see you review your special. Stop in last week to see if the special was in yet, and end up coming home with a 61’ SG special....now this video.
My 61 will be here today when I wake up. Won’t replace my LPs but It’ll definitely be in rotation. Can’t wait to hear it through my valvetrain trenton pro.. Talk about tone. My goodness.
I’ve got the Marshall DSL40CR arriving next week, and I’m selling a bunch of guitars in order to buy a Gibson SG (never owned a real Gibson!). Thanks for this demo, as I’m still deciding between the ‘61 or the Standard.
I bought two different dsl 40crs I’ve only ever had digital amps and I honestly hated the way the DSLs sounded maybe I was playing them too quiet but there was so much buzzing and I could never get the sound dialed in.
Great review Shane! For the utility of it, I always choose an SG over a Les Paul. I find myself frequently venturing to the upper reaches of the instrument whether it be for slide or conventional work, including rhythm. However, I'll always love the growl of a quality Les Paul!
Awesome guitar!! Sure, an SG looks, feels and sounds so different from the LP, but that is why they can be a great instrument to have in your collection; kind of filling the gap between a Strat and a Les Paul. Yeah, neck dive can be a bit bothersome on those, but nothing that a good strap and a shirt or jacket with some “grippy” texture to it can’t fix. This guitar really seems at home in your hands and great playing as always, Shane.
Just bought one. I sold Gibson in the early 2000's. We sold a lot of the SG Standard which was a great guitar for the value. I have and always will be a Les Paul guy, but when my buddy said he was thinking of selling his 61 SG (with the vibrola) he told me to take it home and try it for a couple of days. Man I LOVE THIS THING!! I am usually not a thin taper fan I prefer a beefy neck. But there is absolutely nothing that I dislike about it.
I'm a lefty too and love some of the SGs. Bought a righty '68 Standard (think Angus) new back then, flipped the tunomatic bridge and added a lefty nut. Wound up not appreciating the narrow, chunky neck. Found a '64 era righty Standard, mint condition with the wider, thinner neck, a year later, loved it. I know why the originals are priced out of sight these days. Wanted to do a thorough lefty conversion on the '64 including moving the electronics and pick guard over but just didn't have the heart to butcher a fine specimen. Traded it away for something else. Bought the righties because Gibson just wasn't turning out lefties back then. Fast forward to 2011, came across a real lefty SG Junior near new with Lollar P90 and aftermarket wrap-around bridge with b-string compensation and beautiful mahogany like what you see in this vid. Still have it, love it, plays and sounds well, stays in tune, won't trade. BUT still have my eye out for a lefty's holy grail SG Standard. I keep thinking about that '64.
Never owned a LP, but have held and played one. I own an Epiphone SG with the slim tapered neck. For me it comes down to what you prefer feel wise....heavy or light weight, balance (SGs can have neck dive) and where you like the selector switch. Sound wise, I think you can find something you like with either.✌🏻🎸🎶
Shane, I’ve been digging the last few reviews. I’m honestly thinking that collectively they are a great demonstration of what the Marshall DSL40 can do. I’m seriously considering picking one up along with a Captor X.
You won't regret it. This amplifier is one of the best I have ever owned. It's the most versatile amp ever and if you find it too bright throw a Texas Heat speaker in there and you're laughing :)
One possible reason for the woolier sounding neck pickup is that the neck pickup is closer to the bridge and isn't under the 24th fret harmonic. Most Gibson's have the neck pickup right against the fretboard but the SG's design doesn't allow that and a pickups placement does have an effect on it's tone.
I think one thing that’s highly interesting abt the sg is that it has this devil horn look. It fit into to the 60s well bc it suited psychedelia. But its style if cutaway is actually a dual florentine cut which is a highly stylized cutaway in traditional italian instrument making. I think it was meant to emulate the barney kessle model bc after all it was meant to be a new lp which was a jazz guitar hence why gibson would make this choice. Personally i think its a beautiful design and it does have elegance when you know what youre looking at. And everybody used them in the 60s bc well they rly didnt have a choice. Guitar production was limited back then it was hard to find strats let alone lps. Sgs werent easy to get a hold of either which is y guitarists wouldve used them. They were used by buddy guy sister rosetta george harrison on revolver and sgt pepper hendrix santana clapton theres even shots of beck w a bjg guard model. Robbie krieger big brother and the holding company and many many more before angus. In many ways the sg shaped the sound if the 60s which is arguably the golden era of rock music although lps and strats get more of a nod. Thats not to say all music was made with them a large percentage was made on all sorts of guitars. But the sg is an immensly underrated instrument which was utilized immensly throughout the decade. I think the guitar boom powered by the demand for the lp after clapton played one on beano is what hurt the sg. But even clapton himself stopped using lps in the day and used the sg for the period in his life that really defined his career with cream.
Its a great guitar my wife bought me the same guitar SG 61 last year for my birthday along with friedman jj junior plays well upper frets very reachable sounds awesome . My birthday is coming up in 2 weeks again and now I'm getting exited as to what my wife has in store for me this year hope its not a stick with a fuzzy thing at the end of it :)
I played a Gibson Les Paul Jr. as I had to be the singer and the keyboard player lent me his. Wow- it was great. Just finished building a L P Jr. single cut same colour - cherry red. Like your vids Shane. Where can I get a lefty for my son? It was a 1961 and I think it was better than an SG. JMHO.
You seem to be using slide a little more lately. Sounds great! *tells self “I will NOT buy a new SG” “I will NOT buy a new SG” “I will NOT buy a new SG”
Beautiful axe! I bought the Aged Cherry model from zZounds about three months ago and it is truly a wonderful work of art in every way imaginable. It's playability is like the guitar's playing itself, matter of fact it plays and sounds just as good as any custom shop SG. The words "custom shop" adds about four thousand more dollars to a guitar's price. Not because it's better but because most buyers are stupid. Believe me, the new '61 RI is a beast. I have custom everything and have always had custom guitars and amps. Believe me, only difference between this guitar and a $6,000 custom shop is that the custom shop will charge you an extra 4k just to scratch it up for you. This is a good playing guitar, as good or better than any custom shop axe, only difference is it just isn't all scratched up. Personally, if I put out that kind of money, that instrument better not even have a fingerprint on it - let alone a scratch.
Definitely got Mojo - replace the Graphtec Tusq nut which is just a synthetic nut with a pretentious name (fake bone) with real bone nut and you have a winner. Did it with my Les Paul special as many guitarists do!
I know exactly what you mean! I always say if I had to have just 2 guitars they would be an SG and a Tele, so different and yet so ‘similar’. Now if I had to trim down to just one guitar (I physically shuddered as I wrote that!), then it would be very difficult to choose between them
I have one that's an '11. The bridge was garbage. Replacing that brought it to life, but the pups bite way too hard for my family room. Very ice picky IMO. Replaced them with P90s. Much nicer sound, but the neck is skinnier than I like and the little E string is too close to the edge and rolls off too easily. Those little fret nubs don't help the situation. The best part is it is light. Great guitar to noodle on while sitting on the couch watching TV.
@@intheblues I’m here for ya 😎 some great blues tones in the SG (neck heavy has always been my bug) I’ll find one one day that works. Stay safe and thanks for the quality work you put in. Go easy
OK as someone who loves 335’s and all the glorious curves they have (and the same with the Les Paul or a strat for that matter) - i will admit that i had always really written off the SG as the less attractive sibling... the pointyness of the cutaway/horns and to me the controls just look all crammed in there on an SG... but i think i am finally starting to soften my stance on them... nice job Shane.
Your guitars are awesome ! In my country these equipments are pretty expensive and I can’t afford to buy them. Even if I do it’s not easy to find lefty ones.
I had an SG and got rid of it. I always regretted it and have talked about it for a long while now. My wife just bought me this one in aged red. Can't wait to get it and cherish it.
I think i would love to see the SG get a bit of a face lift and reconfiguration. One the headstock needs to change. It needs to be lighter and smaller to counter the balance issue. Second the price is not right. It needs to sit in the just under 1k space. 2300.00 is way way way too much money for such a simple small slab of wood. CRAZY PRICE. I want to see more color options and Lastly i would love to see way more pick up combos. How bout some single coil options. It could really compete with the strat with some thought. But nah where talking Gibson here there just too stupid in my opinion, always have been always will.
Dude im having same problem…not diggin the 61 BB’s in my 60’s LP standard, i like my 490r/498t in my SG (id take them from my SG if it didnt work so well together lol). I really dislike the un-even sounding 61 bbs..they low strings/notes are very booming/bass’y & the bridge is kinda dull and just has an ‘airy’ senesitive quality that just sounds unblanced/uneven and nothing special at all abour the bridge imo. I wish i could have got the Gibson BB 1&2’s they put in 50s model (but i like 60 slim neck & the unburst finish most). Need helping finding a good set of true les paul pups, as i said i love the tone from my 490r/498t in my SG, looking for something kinda similar but maybe a little “warmer”/“fuller” any suggestions would help. Been looking at the slash 2.0 symour duncans & other SD’s..but something like a pearly gate sounds like its all high ends/upper mids (all grit), and ive heard the Antiquities & Seth lovers both sound very similar to the 61’ BB’s…really dont want that chimmey / airy thing going on, kinda looking for a warm/full sound that still handles gain pretty clear without turning to mudd. Any help would be appriecated!
As far as how the pickups sound, that's all a matter of taste and what equipment you use (like he just said). My question is, if given the choice between that guitar and the one with the SG Maestro Vibrola, which one would you purchase?
I had a '77 SG Standard that was a great sounding ax, but I never liked the neck - it was a "slim taper" and I disliked it because the fretboard width at the nut was too narrow, narrower than an LP. Maybe it was just mine, but I've played SGs since that have a width similar to an LP...
not diggin the 61 BB’s in my 60’s LP standard, i like my 490r/498t in my SG (id take them from my SG if it didnt work so well together lol). I really dislike the un-even sounding 61 bbs..they low strings/notes are very booming/bass’y & the bridge is kinda dull and just has an ‘airy’ senesitive quality that just sounds unblanced/uneven and nothing special at all abour the bridge imo. I wish i could have got the Gibson BB 1&2’s they put in 50s model (but i like 60 slim neck & the unburst finish most). Need helping finding a good set of true les paul pups, as i said i love the tone from my 490r/498t in my SG, looking for something kinda similar but maybe a little “warmer”/“fuller” any suggestions would help. Been looking at the slash 2.0 symour duncans & other SD’s..but something like a pearly gate sounds like its all high ends/upper mids (all grit), and ive heard the Antiquities & Seth lovers both sound very similar to the 61’ BB’s…really dont want that chimmey / airy thing going on, kinda looking for a warm/full sound that still handles gain pretty clear without turning to mudd. Any help would be appriecated!
Yeah, Les Paul double cut but Les Paul didn’t like it, wanted his name disassociated with it so in its infinite wisdom Gibson named it the SG which stood simply for Solid Guitar
I'm assuming you would highly recommend this guitar versus the one with the Maestro Vibrola. Most reviews of the one with the Vibrola include instructions on how to replace the bridge (because Gibson didn't put an adequate Bridge on the one with the vibrola). Also the one with the trem, it's really a piece of garbage trem according to most reviews. But if I have to go through all that, maybe I'm better off with a 🛑 tail piece. I know there's other ways of getting a warble effect--I just have to practice them.
Got a Gibson LP standard 60s (love the slim taper neck & finish “Unburst”), that being said, not a fan of the 61’ Burstbuckers that came stock (sound very air’y…uneven/unbalanced *the low strings/notes are very boomy & the bridge is kinda bland*, i have an SG standard 2004 with 490r/498t set & sound great with that guitar, sounds much better then the 61 BB’s to me. Looking to replace the Les Paul’s 61’s BB’s & wondering what to go with…looking for “that les paul sound” (as much as i love my sg 490/498t, it does basically every style well, really does the AC/DC and even Sabbath tones well), with the Les Paul im looking for something a Little different then my SG, i do want a pretty even sounding set of pups, kinda like a hotter bridge, but looking for that full/open sound but still with some bite/grit. Symour Duncan has odd demo’s ..i was leaning towards the slash 2.0 pups until i realized they sounded almost like Burstbucker 2’s..now in lookin into either wizz PAF humbuckers or Monty’s PAF hunbuckers, this will be my 1st time swapping pups & hard to get a true feel thru youtube demo’s..i like mostly playing overdriven on a marshall dsl 20, but obvs i enjoy i nice clean tone. I mostly keep my guitars in stardard tuning & like playing classic rock tunes from 60s-70s..mid 80s, i guess its a toss up between the SD Slash 2.0, Wizz PAF, or Monty PAF (almost got the SD antiquties..until i read people saying they sound pretty similar to 61 BB’s…which also turned me off from the SD Seth Lovers, since the ant’s & seths sound very similar thru all youtube demos and specs). Any input on suggestions would really help…not sure if the SD slash 2.0 alnico II pro’s are for me since theyre wax potted, but they seem less dynamic then the wizz or monty PAF’s…any help would be great!
@@ricklewis5804 And they don't look as good, play as well or sound as good. Overall they're good budget guitars but there's a reason the actual Gibson versions cost over a grand more.
@@ricklewis5804 That's why I laugh when people say they put Gibson pickups into an epiphone then act like what they have is a Gibson, true the sound will be close but there are so many things that make them significantly better guitars.
I've always loved SGs and everything about them. I finally gave up on them because of the strap button location. It never felt right. It always felt like I was holding the guitar without a strap.
I've done that with a cheap Epiphone. It works I see frames does that and a couple other companies. I don't think Gibson wants to do that because it looks a little odd. The SG Junior has always been one of my favorite guitars but I don't want to drill a hole in an expensive one. I always stand when I play so it's important to have balance. Actually I don't like any guitar with the button in the heel. So now I just look at them.
Funny when you reviewed the Gibson Les Paul classic with the 61 pickups you said that the pickups were some of your favorite and because they were super clear... which pickups are the same on this sg 61 I believe which you say sound wooly or not clear? Very odd... same pickups different guitar. I have the 61 pickups in my Les Paul classic and they are the clearest humbuckers I've ever tried...
I had that problem with mine, I moved the strap button to the back of the body, it cured the neck dive - just get it low enough that it doesn't interfere when you play way up into the neck...
I bought an Epiphone '61 SG. The look and sound is beautiful. It ain't tough enough. I should have saved another year and got the real thing. Weak frets.Like a cowboy takin' a shave. What is the weak metal composite they use that flattens the frets so easily? More money, players. There is an obvious difference in the quality of fret endurance. Don't look to the guitar store for the answer. I won't either. Somebody will be incredibly wealthy when they find the secret that stops our frets from looking like burnt out pavement
Many people play the SG through aggressive overdriven Marshall style amps, but they also have a beautiful sweet tone when played through a clean fender style amp. Very versatile guitar.
Yes. Even if you play overdrive all the time, don’t you want to know how the GUITAR sounds (in video DEMOS especially)? It’s not an amp or a pedal demo.
You don't hear many people say this - but - SGs are my favorite guitar. I love the tones, the play-ability, the look, the history - everything. Currently i own 8 - all Lefties.
Nothing is more playable than an SG....and I don't even know why. They're amazing. Love my 2004 Std with the 490's.
Put a couple of those Gibson historic volume 500k pots into it - and you will love it even more!
@@voxpathfinder15r which pots are you referring to? link? it's already hand wired with orange capacitors so your suggestion is assuming the pots you're talking about are better than what's in there now?
@musicequalslife most sg's come with 500k pots. they have used 300k in some.
@@voxpathfinder15r 550k pots.🙂
The SG is a guitar that reminds me of Derek Trucks and The Doors. It’s a cool Les Paul alternative that has its own vibe and personality.
it reminds me more of Angus young.
I always think Cream era Clapton and Duane Allman
Although Yes, today I think of Derek Trucks and his SG, in earlier times an SG meant to me Pete Townsend, Carlos Santana, Micky Jones (Man), Frank Zappa.
Not forgeting Tony Iommi, Steve Hillage ... the list goes on.
I dont really see the SG as an alternative to the les paul. If you think about it, any guitar with humbuckers and a mahagony body is an alternative, even a telecaster because Jimmy Page used one on Led Zeppelin one
Agreed sir. Blues On....💙
SG or LP? 🤷♂️ Let me know! I put a link to my previous SG Standard Review in the description so you can compare the differences.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Jam Track
2:09 - Guitar Overview
3:49 - Guitar Tones
8:04 - Review
► Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/rV3zd
► Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A
► Sky Music - alnk.to/90tachT
(affiliate links)
I've been an LP guy for most of my life but fell for the SG just a few years ago. I currently have an epi 339 and a gib SG and I don't feel like I'm lacking in any tones, but an LP is still on my want list (as opposed to needs list).
I prefer the SG feel to that of the LP.
They both sound good in their own ways and different enough to justify having both.
The physical feel is very different though.
Both pickups with the neck backed off slightly is my tone of choice on my SG, and with twin humbuckers generally.
I’ve owned both - never really connected with my Les Paul. I’m attached at the hip to this SG. It’s a rock/blues monster.
Great Review, Thank You.
Interesting information about the pickups in this SG.
The '61 burstbucker pickups in the '61 RI SG (and other guitars) are alnico V versions of the '59 Tribute pickups.
They are 'reverse' Burstbuckers. That is one coil is slightly overwound compared to the other. In Burstbuckers the mismatched could give a great single-coil type of sound. It's just a smidge of single coil sound though. It's not suddenly sounding like a Strat.
The '61s have the opposite coil as the overwound one. This, with the alnico V magnet, make a more balanced tone and sound. They're less 'single coil' sounding compared to the Burstbuckers, but have a bit more too end crunch and sizzle compared to Classic 57s.
Both, foo.
Great review . I love SG's . The simplicity , light weight and sound versatility is awesome . Its also a thing of beauty . I'll take an SG over an LP any day . Beautiful guitar .
Don’t forget the self-breaking neck at or near where the nut is! It’s only a matter of time.
My 2 favorite guitars are the cherry red SG with teardrop pick guard or no pick guard and the Firebird.
I agree 100%
Just ordered my 61 sg standard can’t wait!!!
I have a cool 80s LP custom but would much more prefer a SG. Les Pauls are too friggen heavy and hard to get a bright clean sound
@@ricklewis5804 I have Satan's Guitars all the way from early 1970s with ebony fretboards and none of their necks have broken, and I've accidently dropped them more times than I can count. The wood is totally dry and they play and sound marvelous.
Purchased mine in black 10 years ago. At some point I’ve sold every piece of music I got around but the SG! It was also the guitar I’ve learned to play music which brought me a lot of joy. I just downloaded the new AC/DC’s Power Up album and been jamming on some good old Hard Rock again just like the old days! Couldn’t believe how good Brian Johnson’s voice in it.
I saw Tedeschi Trucks over the weekend. And, well, you know. Why else would I be watching RUclipss on the 61 SG. Another great video. Thx!
I wanted to buy one of these Gibson SG Standard '61 Maestro Vibrola in Vintage Cherry for a while. After watching your video on this guitar i was totally discouraged from making my purchase due to you not being able to keep it in tune. But I went down to my local Guitar center here in Las Vegas and they had one in stock. I held it, the neck is outstanding the fret work is wonderful, the wood grain and color were so beautiful. I tuned it up and played a few cords and check the tuning, for sure it was out of tune. I fooled around trying to keep it in tune for three hours and became totally discouraged because this guitar was beautiful. So I did the only reasonable thing, I said to the salesman I am going to flip this Guitar Center pick, "blank side it stays here written side I buy it". It landed on written side so home with me it went, and boy am I glad it did. The next day I set out to find out why it wouldn't stay in tune and I discovered why, (fixed it) and now it's hard to knock it out of tune. First the tuning keys were lose and the screws holding the tuners on were striped from the factory, so i fixed that. Second the angle on the Vibrola is wrong from the factory, you need to tweak the angle and shim the Vibrola slightly, the E-string should not be touching the trem bar while in the resting position. Now polish the frets and do a complete set up. This guitar now when using the Vibrola as intended will stay in tune wonderfully. This guitar is a great guitar and if you take the time and put in the work to set it up properly, YOU WILL LOVE THIS GUITAR! I think that from the factory they just assemble the parts and are done, not realizing or having the time that it needs to make this fine guitar function together as a whole instrument. Glad I took the time and made the purchase. Please let your viewers know this is an amazing Gibson Guitar after the corrections are made. I Have no connection with Gibson and I am not a professional Luthier, so if i can fix it this guitar is fixable.
Thank you
I have this guitar and I can say it’s fantastic. I saved up for a Gibson for years and I’m glad I could cross paths with it just in time to buy it. The pickups are clear and articulate even with heavy distortion like I run through my Orange rocker 32 combo. The neck also feels fast and comfortable. I would highly recommend it to people looking for an SG, it’s definitely worth the slight bump in price over a standard.
I used to hate the SG. I always thought it looked like some pubescent boy's concept of a cool devil-rock guitar from the late '70s. I have to admit, it's starting to grow on me...
I share your statement here. Saving up for this too.
I've loved it ever since I saw Jack Black playing it in School of Rock lol
i felt the same way until literally today when i played a 61 reissue at guitar center today. now i’m trying to decide if i have 1600 to drop on it.
it does look like that, and that's why it's awesome.
Was so looking forward to what you thought of this one. I couldn’t agree more about the sweet spot - middle position with the neck rolled off a bit.
I've been mulling this SG over all week. I already have a Pelham Blue Standard with 57s but I love these 61 pickups. They have some killer bite to them.
A Pelham Blue SG, truly a thing of beauty :)
Like both, but I slightly lean towards the SG. I prefer keeping both pickups on and adjusting volume and tone controls. Very dynamic.
Ok, this is now #3.... I bought a 50s original tele...and within a few weeks, you had one. Went in to my local shop looking for a Les Paul special, an he says still on order- I come to see you review your special.
Stop in last week to see if the special was in yet, and end up coming home with a 61’ SG special....now this video.
My 61 will be here today when I wake up. Won’t replace my LPs but It’ll definitely be in rotation. Can’t wait to hear it through my valvetrain trenton pro.. Talk about tone. My goodness.
In my youth I preferred the large pick guard (Angus, School of Rock) but I think the small pick guard SG's are the way to go! Gorgeous fiddle Shane 🤘
Large pick guard frequently referred to as the batwing guard.
I’ve got the Marshall DSL40CR arriving next week, and I’m selling a bunch of guitars in order to buy a Gibson SG (never owned a real Gibson!). Thanks for this demo, as I’m still deciding between the ‘61 or the Standard.
I bought two different dsl 40crs I’ve only ever had digital amps and I honestly hated the way the DSLs sounded maybe I was playing them too quiet but there was so much buzzing and I could never get the sound dialed in.
Wow - that Guitar has a wide range of possible tones.
Great review Shane! For the utility of it, I always choose an SG over a Les Paul. I find myself frequently venturing to the upper reaches of the instrument whether it be for slide or conventional work, including rhythm. However, I'll always love the growl of a quality Les Paul!
Awesome guitar!! Sure, an SG looks, feels and sounds so different from the LP, but that is why they can be a great instrument to have in your collection; kind of filling the gap between a Strat and a Les Paul. Yeah, neck dive can be a bit bothersome on those, but nothing that a good strap and a shirt or jacket with some “grippy” texture to it can’t fix. This guitar really seems at home in your hands and great playing as always, Shane.
Just bought one. I sold Gibson in the early 2000's. We sold a lot of the SG Standard which was a great guitar for the value. I have and always will be a Les Paul guy, but when my buddy said he was thinking of selling his 61 SG (with the vibrola) he told me to take it home and try it for a couple of days. Man I LOVE THIS THING!! I am usually not a thin taper fan I prefer a beefy neck. But there is absolutely nothing that I dislike about it.
I'm a lefty too and love some of the SGs. Bought a righty '68 Standard (think Angus) new back then, flipped the tunomatic bridge and added a lefty nut. Wound up not appreciating the narrow, chunky neck. Found a '64 era righty Standard, mint condition with the wider, thinner neck, a year later, loved it. I know why the originals are priced out of sight these days. Wanted to do a thorough lefty conversion on the '64 including moving the electronics and pick guard over but just didn't have the heart to butcher a fine specimen. Traded it away for something else. Bought the righties because Gibson just wasn't turning out lefties back then. Fast forward to 2011, came across a real lefty SG Junior near new with Lollar P90 and aftermarket wrap-around bridge with b-string compensation and beautiful mahogany like what you see in this vid. Still have it, love it, plays and sounds well, stays in tune, won't trade. BUT still have my eye out for a lefty's holy grail SG Standard. I keep thinking about that '64.
Never owned a LP, but have held and played one. I own an Epiphone SG with the slim tapered neck. For me it comes down to what you prefer feel wise....heavy or light weight, balance (SGs can have neck dive) and where you like the selector switch. Sound wise, I think you can find something you like with either.✌🏻🎸🎶
I have a Japanese lawsuit SG from the 70s. It has a bigsby on it! It was my Dad’s
Shane, I’ve been digging the last few reviews. I’m honestly thinking that collectively they are a great demonstration of what the Marshall DSL40 can do. I’m seriously considering picking one up along with a Captor X.
You won't regret it. This amplifier is one of the best I have ever owned. It's the most versatile amp ever and if you find it too bright throw a Texas Heat speaker in there and you're laughing :)
I have recently got into SG’s and I have this exact same guitar, plus a Pelham Blue P90 equipped Special - both lefties.
The Gibson SG is my number one go to guitar for playing everyday . I have les Paul’s strats music man and Ibanez but I love the SG the most.
One possible reason for the woolier sounding neck pickup is that the neck pickup is closer to the bridge and isn't under the 24th fret harmonic. Most Gibson's have the neck pickup right against the fretboard but the SG's design doesn't allow that and a pickups placement does have an effect on it's tone.
Awesome review, Shane! I ordered this exact guitar. Can’t wait for it to get here.
I think one thing that’s highly interesting abt the sg is that it has this devil horn look. It fit into to the 60s well bc it suited psychedelia. But its style if cutaway is actually a dual florentine cut which is a highly stylized cutaway in traditional italian instrument making. I think it was meant to emulate the barney kessle model bc after all it was meant to be a new lp which was a jazz guitar hence why gibson would make this choice. Personally i think its a beautiful design and it does have elegance when you know what youre looking at. And everybody used them in the 60s bc well they rly didnt have a choice. Guitar production was limited back then it was hard to find strats let alone lps. Sgs werent easy to get a hold of either which is y guitarists wouldve used them. They were used by buddy guy sister rosetta george harrison on revolver and sgt pepper hendrix santana clapton theres even shots of beck w a bjg guard model. Robbie krieger big brother and the holding company and many many more before angus. In many ways the sg shaped the sound if the 60s which is arguably the golden era of rock music although lps and strats get more of a nod. Thats not to say all music was made with them a large percentage was made on all sorts of guitars. But the sg is an immensly underrated instrument which was utilized immensly throughout the decade. I think the guitar boom powered by the demand for the lp after clapton played one on beano is what hurt the sg. But even clapton himself stopped using lps in the day and used the sg for the period in his life that really defined his career with cream.
I’ve got one and a new SG Junior, omg Gibson is making fine instruments now. As good as anything they’ve ever built.
Its a great guitar my wife bought me the same guitar SG 61 last year for my birthday along with friedman jj junior plays well upper frets very reachable sounds awesome . My birthday is coming up in 2 weeks again and now I'm getting exited as to what my wife has in store for me this year hope its not a stick with a fuzzy thing at the end of it :)
How are you liking that Friedman double J ?
Awesome sounding amp.
At least on video.
THAT was a nice intro mashup of The Who & Janes Addiction! \m/
Nice to hear some major key stuff on the intro rather than the usual blues licks. 👍
Love your playing Shane. I am a builder in Adelaide and want my sick son to have a lefty guitar- he's a lefty.
Thanks for always making great real genuine content brother. Really appreciate your channel and insight 🙏🤘
2:30, "Check out the grain on Brett!"
He he.
I love Pulp Fiction hahaha "Damn right, it's because of the metric system!"
@@andreduarte7549Royale with cheese.
I played a Gibson Les Paul Jr. as I had to be the singer and the keyboard player lent me his. Wow- it was great. Just finished building a L P Jr. single cut same colour - cherry red. Like your vids Shane. Where can I get a lefty for my son? It was a 1961 and I think it was better than an SG. JMHO.
You seem to be using slide a little more lately. Sounds great! *tells self “I will NOT buy a new SG” “I will NOT buy a new SG” “I will NOT buy a new SG”
I have a 2013 SG standard and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever used the neck pickup to this day. I didn’t know you could do that on an SG.
Beautiful axe! I bought the Aged Cherry model from zZounds about three months ago and it is truly a wonderful work of art in every way imaginable. It's playability is like the guitar's playing itself, matter of fact it plays and sounds just as good as any custom shop SG. The words "custom shop" adds about four thousand more dollars to a guitar's price. Not because it's better but because most buyers are stupid. Believe me, the new '61 RI is a beast. I have custom everything and have always had custom guitars and amps. Believe me, only difference between this guitar and a $6,000 custom shop is that the custom shop will charge you an extra 4k just to scratch it up for you.
This is a good playing guitar, as good or better than any custom shop axe, only difference is it just isn't all scratched up. Personally, if I put out that kind of money, that instrument better not even have a fingerprint on it - let alone a scratch.
And I said Jane ........ Sweet Jane... Good job mate, really nice playing.
Definitely got Mojo - replace the Graphtec Tusq nut which is just a synthetic nut with a pretentious name (fake bone) with real bone nut and you have a winner. Did it with my Les Paul special as many guitarists do!
Hi Shane,would you be kind enough to tell me your preference...SG STANDARD or SG STANDARD 61.Great reviews on both of them as usual my friend.
Just got one of these last month! Loving it
The SG reminds me of Telecaster, even though neither of the two share any cosmetic looks. But they’re both so versatile
I know exactly what you mean! I always say if I had to have just 2 guitars they would be an SG and a Tele, so different and yet so ‘similar’. Now if I had to trim down to just one guitar (I physically shuddered as I wrote that!), then it would be very difficult to choose between them
I have one that's an '11. The bridge was garbage. Replacing that brought it to life, but the pups bite way too hard for my family room. Very ice picky IMO. Replaced them with P90s. Much nicer sound, but the neck is skinnier than I like and the little E string is too close to the edge and rolls off too easily. Those little fret nubs don't help the situation.
The best part is it is light. Great guitar to noodle on while sitting on the couch watching TV.
Sounds great! It fits your playing perfectly.
Defiantly got Mojo - replace the Graphtec nit (synthetic crap which lets down the standard of the instrument) with a bone nut and it's a winner!
Thanks for the vid Shane. Love my SG. Opted for "Iommi" black for un-heavenly inspiration:)
Needs a roller bridge and a Bigsby to help combat that neck dive. Sounds great!
Rubberized tire balancing weights in the control cavity will nullify any dive as well and will keep the aesthetic if that’s what people are into
Great playing Shane 🤩
Sounds fantastic and looks fantastic. Think you need to add an SG to the Collection mate 😉
Thanks for the encouragement. 🤣
@@intheblues I’m here for ya 😎 some great blues tones in the SG (neck heavy has always been my bug) I’ll find one one day that works. Stay safe and thanks for the quality work you put in. Go easy
If you can't hear how wonderful that thing sounds, I feel sorry for you.
This is the best of the 2020 core line up. Had to buy one.
OK as someone who loves 335’s and all the glorious curves they have (and the same with the Les Paul or a strat for that matter) - i will admit that i had always really written off the SG as the less attractive sibling... the pointyness of the cutaway/horns and to me the controls just look all crammed in there on an SG... but i think i am finally starting to soften my stance on them... nice job Shane.
A good sg is all you need, so versatile ❤
I have this exact guitar. I swapped out the pickups for a Duncan Phat Cat in the neck and a Duncan SH-5 in the bridge. Sounds incredible.
Man I love watching your videos, good jams bro
The guitar spoke.
“Bye man” appeared in the subtitles in the initial solo.
what a beautiful guitar! I've wanted one with the tremolo system on it for a while!
Hey Shane great review as usual. Do you prefer the 61 Re-issue or the Standard SG for classic rock tone?
I like it, even though there were no hardtail SGs back in the 60s.
Sounding great Shane, are the burstbucker pickups also in your Flying V? Never really liked the SG shape but it really sounds good. Great review.
Your guitars are awesome ! In my country these equipments are pretty expensive and I can’t afford to buy them. Even if I do it’s not easy to find lefty ones.
NOT cheap here EITHER bro!
How is the neck dive? Still present? Would you say the neck is as slim as an explorer neck?
I had an SG and got rid of it. I always regretted it and have talked about it for a long while now. My wife just bought me this one in aged red. Can't wait to get it and cherish it.
If your playing slide, I prefer the SG. Overall I prefer a heavy LP with my classic 57's.
I love the tone of the SG on the crunch channel. The ultra gain channel is a bit too much
Great review. Lots of effort went into that.
I think i would love to see the SG get a bit of a face lift and reconfiguration. One the headstock needs to change. It needs to be lighter and smaller to counter the balance issue. Second the price is not right. It needs to sit in the just under 1k space. 2300.00 is way way way too much money for such a simple small slab of wood. CRAZY PRICE. I want to see more color options and Lastly i would love to see way more pick up combos. How bout some single coil options. It could really compete with the strat with some thought. But nah where talking Gibson here there just too stupid in my opinion, always have been always will.
Lol if you want it cheaper get an Epiphone 😂
And if its just a small slab of wood I'm sure you can make it then. 😐
@@robertemerson1087 you really have no clue but thanks anyway.
The 61R and 61T are not my favorite pickups for the SG. However, they sound incredible in a Les Paul!!’
Thanks for another great video Shane! 😎👍🏼😎
Dude im having same problem…not diggin the 61 BB’s in my 60’s LP standard, i like my 490r/498t in my SG (id take them from my SG if it didnt work so well together lol). I really dislike the un-even sounding 61 bbs..they low strings/notes are very booming/bass’y & the bridge is kinda dull and just has an ‘airy’ senesitive quality that just sounds unblanced/uneven and nothing special at all abour the bridge imo. I wish i could have got the Gibson BB 1&2’s they put in 50s model (but i like 60 slim neck & the unburst finish most). Need helping finding a good set of true les paul pups, as i said i love the tone from my 490r/498t in my SG, looking for something kinda similar but maybe a little “warmer”/“fuller” any suggestions would help. Been looking at the slash 2.0 symour duncans & other SD’s..but something like a pearly gate sounds like its all high ends/upper mids (all grit), and ive heard the Antiquities & Seth lovers both sound very similar to the 61’ BB’s…really dont want that chimmey / airy thing going on, kinda looking for a warm/full sound that still handles gain pretty clear without turning to mudd. Any help would be appriecated!
As far as how the pickups sound, that's all a matter of taste and what equipment you use (like he just said). My question is, if given the choice between that guitar and the one with the SG Maestro Vibrola, which one would you purchase?
I had a '77 SG Standard that was a great sounding ax, but I never liked the neck - it was a "slim taper" and I disliked it because the fretboard width at the nut was too narrow, narrower than an LP. Maybe it was just mine, but I've played SGs since that have a width similar to an LP...
lovely playing
Skip straight to 7:13 in the video. It is the ultimate tone! Like goosebumps good.
Fantastic playing Sean!!!!
Am really enjoying your playing...
That guitar looks accadaccalicious!
😂😂😂
She's got a whole lotta Rosie!
SG's are great, especially if you find one that isn't neck heavy. ; )
not diggin the 61 BB’s in my 60’s LP standard, i like my 490r/498t in my SG (id take them from my SG if it didnt work so well together lol). I really dislike the un-even sounding 61 bbs..they low strings/notes are very booming/bass’y & the bridge is kinda dull and just has an ‘airy’ senesitive quality that just sounds unblanced/uneven and nothing special at all abour the bridge imo. I wish i could have got the Gibson BB 1&2’s they put in 50s model (but i like 60 slim neck & the unburst finish most). Need helping finding a good set of true les paul pups, as i said i love the tone from my 490r/498t in my SG, looking for something kinda similar but maybe a little “warmer”/“fuller” any suggestions would help. Been looking at the slash 2.0 symour duncans & other SD’s..but something like a pearly gate sounds like its all high ends/upper mids (all grit), and ive heard the Antiquities & Seth lovers both sound very similar to the 61’ BB’s…really dont want that chimmey / airy thing going on, kinda looking for a warm/full sound that still handles gain pretty clear without turning to mudd. Any help would be appriecated!
You sound great on an SG! I think this axe is for you!
I thought that in 61 these were called Les Pauls? The SG name came later?
Yeah, Les Paul double cut but Les Paul didn’t like it, wanted his name disassociated with it so in its infinite wisdom Gibson named it the SG which stood simply for Solid Guitar
@@ricklewis5804 thanks
Do you swap the strings every time you borrow a guitar? It seems like all guitars come with 9s now and they are way too light for me.
How does this compare to the standard you reviewed recently? I'm torn between the two.
I'm assuming you would highly recommend this guitar versus the one with the Maestro Vibrola. Most reviews of the one with the Vibrola include instructions on how to replace the bridge (because Gibson didn't put an adequate Bridge on the one with the vibrola). Also the one with the trem, it's really a piece of garbage trem according to most reviews. But if I have to go through all that, maybe I'm better off with a 🛑 tail piece. I know there's other ways of getting a warble effect--I just have to practice them.
I never liked the SG look, but I played the 61 about 20 years ago, bought it and still play it often. Always sounds great and plays really well.
I always respect what you have to say, plus we have similar playing styles
Nice tones Shane. Peace Bro.
Got a Gibson LP standard 60s (love the slim taper neck & finish “Unburst”), that being said, not a fan of the 61’ Burstbuckers that came stock (sound very air’y…uneven/unbalanced *the low strings/notes are very boomy & the bridge is kinda bland*, i have an SG standard 2004 with 490r/498t set & sound great with that guitar, sounds much better then the 61 BB’s to me.
Looking to replace the Les Paul’s 61’s BB’s & wondering what to go with…looking for “that les paul sound” (as much as i love my sg 490/498t, it does basically every style well, really does the AC/DC and even Sabbath tones well), with the Les Paul im looking for something a Little different then my SG, i do want a pretty even sounding set of pups, kinda like a hotter bridge, but looking for that full/open sound but still with some bite/grit. Symour Duncan has odd demo’s ..i was leaning towards the slash 2.0 pups until i realized they sounded almost like Burstbucker 2’s..now in lookin into either wizz PAF humbuckers or Monty’s PAF hunbuckers, this will be my 1st time swapping pups & hard to get a true feel thru youtube demo’s..i like mostly playing overdriven on a marshall dsl 20, but obvs i enjoy i nice clean tone. I mostly keep my guitars in stardard tuning & like playing classic rock tunes from 60s-70s..mid 80s, i guess its a toss up between the SD Slash 2.0, Wizz PAF, or Monty PAF (almost got the SD antiquties..until i read people saying they sound pretty similar to 61 BB’s…which also turned me off from the SD Seth Lovers, since the ant’s & seths sound very similar thru all youtube demos and specs). Any input on suggestions would really help…not sure if the SD slash 2.0 alnico II pro’s are for me since theyre wax potted, but they seem less dynamic then the wizz or monty PAF’s…any help would be great!
You can make anything sound good!!!
Got one, love it!
Great axe, great player
I’d be curious to get your opinion on some of the Epiphone “SG’s”?
I owned one years ago but I'll see if I can get a loaner for a follow up video :)
They usually have cheaper parts such as the tuners, pickup selector switch and volume and tone pots and even the output jack.
@@ricklewis5804 And they don't look as good, play as well or sound as good. Overall they're good budget guitars but there's a reason the actual Gibson versions cost over a grand more.
@@robertemerson1087
All true
@@ricklewis5804 That's why I laugh when people say they put Gibson pickups into an epiphone then act like what they have is a Gibson, true the sound will be close but there are so many things that make them significantly better guitars.
I've always loved SGs and everything about them. I finally gave up on them because of the strap button location. It never felt right. It always felt like I was holding the guitar without a strap.
You know that you can have someone put the button on the horn.
I've done that with a cheap Epiphone. It works I see frames does that and a couple other companies. I don't think Gibson wants to do that because it looks a little odd. The SG Junior has always been one of my favorite guitars but I don't want to drill a hole in an expensive one. I always stand when I play so it's important to have balance. Actually I don't like any guitar with the button in the heel. So now I just look at them.
Funny when you reviewed the Gibson Les Paul classic with the 61 pickups you said that the pickups were some of your favorite and because they were super clear... which pickups are the same on this sg 61 I believe which you say sound wooly or not clear? Very odd... same pickups different guitar. I have the 61 pickups in my Les Paul classic and they are the clearest humbuckers I've ever tried...
You left out the Neck Dives when you have the guitar strapped over your shoulder and you let go of the neck. How do you solve that?
I had that problem with mine, I moved the strap button to the back of the body, it cured the neck dive - just get it low enough that it doesn't interfere when you play way up into the neck...
I bought an Epiphone '61 SG. The look and sound is beautiful. It ain't tough enough. I should have saved another year and got the real thing. Weak frets.Like a cowboy takin' a shave. What is the weak metal composite they use that flattens the frets so easily? More money, players. There is an obvious difference in the quality of fret endurance. Don't look to the guitar store for the answer. I won't either. Somebody will be incredibly wealthy when they find the secret that stops our frets from looking like burnt out pavement
What about the dreaded neck dive?
Beautiful - but I still prefer a Tele :-)