I don't get SG's

[Kam]

I never used to like SGs either.

Then I played one.

Now they're one of my absolute favourite guitar designs of all time.

I love the sound. Raunchy, angry and pissed off. They're like the little skinny bastard in the fight who takes out a guy twice his size just because he fights to the bitter end, he's got that attitude, that desperation and desire to win. That's what an SG sounds like to me. Yeah, the Les Paul has more bulk and weight behind it but an SG just sounds like it'll tear it to shreds.

The cool thing is that that's not all it does. Some of the best clean tones I've ever had came from a '59n in an SG. Some of the fattest, smoothest bridge lead tones I've ever had came from a Custom 8 in an SG.

The fret access is unparalleled. Get one with a neck shape you like and there's literally NOTHING holding you back.

Neck heaviness isn't really a big issue for me. Spent 30 minutes playing it and you'll learn to deal with it. It's really not as big an inconvenience as so many people like to make out. I've played some seriously neck-heavy Telecasters too. So, neck-heaviness isn't restricted to SGs and, most importantly, NOT all SGs are neck-heavy to begin with.

I'll agree that the strap button on the back sucks. I moved mine to the upper horn and it handles much better and much more comfortably. Really helped with the neck-heaviness too.

At the end of the day, if you don't get them then you don't get them. That's cool. Doesn't really mean anything other than that not everyone on the planet is the same.

Me?

I ****ing love them.

[drew_half_empty]

I like them in theory just never gelled with them

to each their own

[Diego]

As far as looks go, I've never been attracted to them at all. I didn't grow with AC/DC or Black Sabbath, maybe that's why.

However, I've tried SGs of all sorts, from Epi G-400s to a '68 Gibson SG, and I've loved them, always.
The Epi was terrific and the Gibson was insanely good. They are so ergonomic and easy to play.
I'm a bit afraid to how thin they are though, I wasn't expecting that.

[xntrick]

i luv the look of them and the upper fret access but even with a suede strap i find it pulling on my shirt, and as you can see even Tony has moved the strap button to the upper horn which i might just have to do as well:


but after playing for the past few months i will say i miss the tummy cut and forearm contour of a Strat shape...

[MetalManiac]

You buttwipes are putting yourselves before the design..the history. Blow me. Whining Beyotches! Bow to the immortal SG. It has no shortcomings( well, maybe a set of Duncans). YOU are the blowhards with the shortcomings.

[sgstrat]

Neck heavy? Not with a Bigsby!

[UberMetalDood]

You buttwipes are putting yourselves before the design..the history. Blow me. Whining Beyotches! Bow to the immortal SG. It has no shortcomings( well, maybe a set of Duncans). You are the blowhards with the shortcomings.

My Ibanez ate your SG for a morning snack!

[AlexR]

I've got a '99 SG....I don't know if that era is different to all others but the body extends further down the fretboard at the back, meaning that the strap button is closer to the headstock and there's no massive imbalance - the Epi SG on the other hand - that was a drag (heavy-ass grover tuners didn't help.
The neck I find to be pretty chunky. My epi dot is about the same....and its wider and fatter by far than a Fender strat.
Sound-wise I like the ringing tone that you get. A les paul is thick and fat (and a somewhat cliche'd sound), but the SG has extra 'glang'.....like the ringing power chords in Jumping Jack Flash. I've also got antiquities in mine - so the tone is as good as you'll get.

[sgstrat]

I've also got antiquities in mine - so the tone is as good as you'll get.

I know what you're talking about; my sweet 'n nasty '66 has Antiquities.

[Edgecrusher]

I can hold onto my SG by the neck strap button and the guitar will rotate so that the headstock points at the sky.

Just sayin'....

Out of curiosity i just tried this with my 61 reissue and it did the same. Its never felt neck heavy to me... but thats me

[FuseG4]

I hated the SG shape back when I started playing in '03. Maybe in 2009 I finally accepted that white ones have a certain appeal, but never thought of owning one. When looking for a guitar last december I decided to do some research and see what the fuss was about. After seeing a couple of frettedamericana.com SG demos I was convinced that I'd like to try a couple.

What I liked most was the light weight and generally "woody" tone.

I've had mine for 3 months and haven't sold it yet, so we'll see if this is a long term thing. I think I just need to find the right pickups.

[Andrew Lamprecht]

I love this forum a lot..the problem with it though is people in general haven't heard with their own ears a early 60's Sg through a original Fender tweed, for instance.

Ha! Perfect combo, check out my sig!

Neck heavy? Not with a Bigsby!

That's a very nice little set up you got man!



I mostly have come to like Les Paul players but I just don't like them as much. If I could I would play an LP but I feel more comfortable with the SG, and with P90s I can get the sound I want. I think it cuts through a mix better than an LP at least IME.

This thread is somewhat pointless though, if you don't like the guitar then don't play the guitar. I love Les Paul (the guy) and I love the tones people get with LPs but they just aren't for me and if the SG isn't for you, then it isn't for you.

[sosomething]

I've loved SGs since before I knew how to play.

My SG Classic is perfectly balanced... but I have owned other SGs that were neck-heavy, so it's not like it's a myth or anything.. It's just one of those things that when you do find a perfectly-balanced SG, you should probably hang onto it.

I think they really shine the most with P-90s. Something about the way the wide, thin, all-mahogany body gets to resonating like a soundboard and translates into some big open P-90 tone really gets me grinning...

[Andrew Lamprecht]

I've loved SGs since before I knew how to play.

My SG Classic is perfectly balanced... but I have owned other SGs that were neck-heavy, so it's not like it's a myth or anything.. It's just one of those things that when you do find a perfectly-balanced SG, you should probably hang onto it.

I think they really shine the most with P-90s. Something about the way the wide, thin, all-mahogany body gets to resonating like a soundboard and translates into some big open P-90 tone really gets me grinning...

Yeah, my Classic is balances perfectly too. They are really great guitars for the money.

[TattooedCarrot]

I love SG's - hate away.

[everdrone]

I love my SGs. I recorded all my songs with them. I dont really care if a guitar or bass is neck heavy. its not like its gonna just instantly sag to the ground if I let go of it. my epiphone thunderbird bass is neckheavy even though the body is heavy, and its a non-issue.

Iommi and sabbath are awesome! SGs say fly away and bite off a bat's head to me! evil design, very aggressive and pointy for teh riffagezzz!!!!

[tc]

LOL. If you think SGs look homemade, I don't want to hear what you think about Fenders in general.

Drama is the lifeblood of a forum. We live for drama.

Maybe for you that's the case, but for me, what drives this forum is a collective desire to get b****in' guitar tones. You can keep the soap opera brother.

[jalguitarman]

I very much dislike the body shape. Don't like V shapes either.

[Nagash]

I agree with the OP... they sure sound great, but I hate the shape. Some necks are really comfy, some are horrible, some are neck heavy, some are not... It's a matter of luck as far as I have seen.

Then again, I let SG lovers use SGs as much as they want, everyone needs his own piece of crap (mine are Vs), I don't want to troll around.


PS : If an SG, then P90s please. Let's keep correct.

[Hagbard Celine]

You're entitled to your opinion. I don't "get" at least 90% of all the popular **** out there in the zeitgeist.

But I love my SG.