SG experts, point me in the right direction

[joesnewmatch]

Hey guys, I'm getting SG gas, again, and need some help.

I've owend only one SG, which is long gone -- a '61RI. It was a real problem child. Probably a lemon. Even after repeated trips to different luthiers the uneven board and neck just couldn't be fixed to my liking, and playability was terrible.

I play blues, rock, alternative, alt. country. Don't need a metal guitar. Usually I prefer thinner necks, but as long as they're not huge, I don't mind much. Also, I really liked the 57 Classics in the 61.

What do you guys recommend? Any particular models? Years? When did the pleking thing start? Appreciate any help you can give me...

[Actinic]

Angus SG for the Angus sound, Iommi SG for Iommi (new reissue coming soon, according to the rumor mill), and SG Les Paul custom 3-pickup model for smooth and cream 57 classic pickup tones anywhere and everywhere. I saw a '61 RI SG go on ebay for a little more than a grand. It had a pickup mod.

If you can afford vintage SG's (1960's), buy it now before the prices go up. At 10 grand a pop, you will have to do some careful shopping as nobody I know of can afford a $10,000 mistake.

[Ace1432]

go for a 70's SG with T-Top/shaw pickups.

those pickups are a little softer than modern pickups and are great for blues/rock stuff.

[NeoConMan]

A better SG 61.

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by NeoConMan

A better SG 61.

+1, they can be hit or miss sadly, but they are the only regular model with the 57 pickups and slim neck. Standards, Specials, Fadeds (and Classics) are all nice, and you could swap in some 57s and save money overall.

[ScottP]

Guitar Center has a standard with 60's neck. Looks pretty sweet. You would have to swap out the pickups, but compared to the price of a 61RI, you could and have money left over:

http://platinum.guitarcenter.com/sea...fm?prodId=9026

[joesnewmatch]

Thanks for the responses. I went to GC over the weekend and tried a bunch. Didn't have enough time to do it right, but made some observations. Played the faded, a classic, a 60's tribute, a GC standard (push/pull), and a 61 RI. Thoughts:

The 60's tribute is very nice for the money, and sounded great, but not in the market for P-90s (have that covered).

The Classic was very well made, but not as crazy about the thick neck and not looking for P-90s.

The faded played great, but not crazy about the pups, at least for my thing. I would want to change those out.

The best neck and tone of the bunch came from the 61RI. Only negative was the somewhat sticky neck. I have a lot of nitro guitars, and am well aware that some suffer from this, but not all. Might not have dried long enough, might be due to the FL humidity, or maybe just needs polishing. Don't know. I agree that a BETTER 61RI is probably the ticket.

[joesnewmatch]

Forgot, the Standard with the thin neck was really nice, a natural/brown color. Not crazy about the binding color, and the fretboard looked kind of like a fake formica, but otherwise, it was a great guitar. The push pull coil taps didn't do anything for me, but, again, not much time to try them all out.

Oh, I was running them through an Egnator Tweaker.

[KRaZeE]

Originally Posted by joesnewmatch

The best neck and tone of the bunch came from the 61RI. Only negative was the somewhat sticky neck. I have a lot of nitro guitars, and am well aware that some suffer from this, but not all. Might not have dried long enough, might be due to the FL humidity, or maybe just needs polishing. Don't know.

Or the masses of pimply faced teenagers molesting her with their filthy hands while riffing on some bastardized incarnation of the latest poppy emo wish-it-was-metal crap through a POS Line 6 combo. But...it could be the humidity as well.

And +1 on a better 61 reish.

[SGTransBlackSupreme]

I have found every guitar and that includes 7 SGs needed to be setup and a couple of guitars needed particular frets sanded down to avoid fret buzz. You just need someone that knows what they are doing do the work. Very rarely will Gibson send one out the door setup perfect. You have to set the intonation first thing. I just use a Korg Rack Mount tuner and a little screw driver. Its actually easy once you get used to it.

A 61 SG is the way to go but if you are concerned about safety and gigging and keeping your axe in good shape go with a SG standard Black. Thats what i do. I can live with a ding or two on that one you know. its sounds and plays great. its all in a good setup. Out of 12 Gibsons none are lemons and they all play great.
Hope that helps you. OH and play the guitar before buying if at all possible at all times. I cant relate to the new variations of the SGs and LPs now im strictly a traditional design guy and I HATE how they lighten the LPs now with holes in the body. I wouldn't want that. Good Luck.

[H.E.L.Shane]

I'm currently looking for good deal on a worn brown faded..

As you found out... those things actually are very nice guitars...

Personally i like the looks of the worn brown, i do not like any of the other "faded" offerings...

however.. as you found out. .the pickups suck..

Switching the stock pup out of a 57 classic makes a world of difference.

[KRaZeE]

Originally Posted by H.E.L.Shane

I'm currently looking for good deal on a worn brown faded..

As you found out... those things actually are very nice guitars...

Personally i like the looks of the worn brown, i do not like any of the other "faded" offerings...

however.. as you found out. .the pickups suck..

Switching the stock pup out of a 57 classic makes a world of difference.

I wonder if a magnet swap would do any good on the Faded pups...