Not playing my SG enough, what to do?

[Coxon2323]

Hi guys hope we are well.
About 4 years ago I acquired a Gibson SG Standard, and recently I don’t play it much.
So what can i do to the guitar to increase my desire to play?
I could swap out the 490’s pickups in the neck and bridge, though I think I’d rather keep things stock.
I think I’m going to take it to a tech and have them set it up, as it hasn’t been set up since at the factory.
Perhaps a tweak with the pick-up heights and action could increase the playability of the guitar.
Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[LocoTex]

Send it to me.

 

[Coxon2323]

Send it to me.

Lol

 

[gitmohair]

Can't help much if you don't explain what you consider the problem to be :/ I'm another subscriber to the "if you don't want it, send it to me" club. But I'll up the ante and offer to pay shipping

 

[efstop]

I have a 2019 SG Special with P-90s I bought new and it's been out the case maybe a half dozen times.
It's too pretty for me.

 

[Leee]

If it’s that pretty, and has a slim neck, I can help you out.

 

[BrianM]

The SG is fine, and it's you that has the problem?

 

[Brazilnut]

I have a 2019 SG Special with P-90s I bought new and it's been out the case maybe a half dozen times.
It's too pretty for me.

Well, I'm pretty ugly, I'm sure we would even out together. Sell it to me.

 

[Coxon2323]

Yeah, plus the sg has a nasty scratching sound when changing pickups with the selector switch, so a set up and minor repair is in order.

here it is btw, 2020 sg standard

Here are the pickup heights

 

[Brazilnut]

The OP needs to put a fresh set of strings on it, and play the heck out of it. Then if he still finds it lacking, he can try a new setup, rewiring with a 50s harness, changing the 490s for something a little more custom, and then play the heck out of it. Again.

 

[gitmohair]

Yeah, you might want to get the screwdriver out

 

[Coxon2323]

Yeah, you might want to get the screwdriver out

What’s wrong?

 

[Scozz]

Can you pinpoint what exactly is the issue that causes you not to reach for the guitar?

I bought a new 2004 Gibson Sg, kept it until just a few years ago, 2018. I sold it because like you, I wasn’t playing it,… l finally realized the reason I wasn’t playing it was because it had the big baseball bat fat vintage 50s neck, .96 at the first fret.

I feel kind of silly saying this but it took me years to finally come to understanding this. I don’t recall ever thinking the neck was too big all those years while I was playing it.

As soon as I understood it, I moved it on.

Not to say this applies to your situation but, maybe it’ll make you aware that it might be something right in front of you why you don’t play it more. If and when that might happen, you’ll know what the best course of action you should take.

Move the guitar on to someone else, or change the issue if possible. Best of luck going forward.

 

[01GT Eibach]

Agreed to fresh strings (I like 9-42 on SGs, personally). More importantly, If you think it may need a setup, then it very likely does need a setup. I don't think Gibson does a very good job at all with their factory setups (unlike Fender, who I think really does), especially with regards to nut cutting and the truss-rod setting. Having a well setup guitar makes all of the difference in the world. My guess is you will get back to you a properly setup guitar that will gloriously open your eyes to how great an SG can be saying, "Wow, I should have done this years ago". SGs are awesome, and please forget about new pickups -- the ones you have are great.
Side note: For the setup, get a real pro. No 19-year-olds at GC, please.

 

[Coxon2323]

Agreed to fresh strings (I like 9-42 on SGs, personally). More importantly, If you think it may need a setup, then it very likely does need a setup. I don't think Gibson does a very good job at all with their factory setups (unlike Fender, who I think really does), especially with regards to nut cutting and the truss-rod setting. Having a well setup guitar makes all of the difference in the world. My guess is you will get back to you a properly setup guitar that will gloriously open your eyes to how great an SG can be saying, "Wow, I should have done this years ago". SGs are awesome, and please forget about new pickups -- the ones you have are great.
Side note: For the setup, get a real pro. No 19-year-olds at GC, please.

Thanks man great post

 

[Coxon2323]

Yeah, you might want to get the screwdriver out

Is the bridge pickup too high?

 

[efstop]

If it’s that pretty, and has a slim neck, I can help you out.

Well, I'm pretty ugly, I'm sure we would even out together. Sell it to me.

Vintage Sparkling Burgundy. Too bloody far away on Canada's east coast to ship, esp. with our shipping costs.
This isn't one of the New Originals; it has a PCB, not hand wired pots. It was either this or a Ltd Ed 2018 Les Paul Classic Plus in Orange Sunrise for the same money, but I got $100 off the SG. The Classic had a rather coarse finish.

 

[gitmohair]

Is the bridge pickup too high?

Certainly by my standards (which may be not much to go by)... seriously, take the guitar to a decent local tech who'll have the thing playing like a dream for next to no money. Great guitar, give it a chance to let you enjoy it

 

[Coxon2323]

Certainly by my standards (which may be not much to go by)... seriously, take the guitar to a decent local tech who'll have the thing playing like a dream for next to no money. Great guitar, give it a chance to let you enjoy it

Thanks man, I will

 

[sparky2]

Yes, get the guitar set up.
New strings.

Buy a new strap for it.
Polish it nicely, strap it on, and play some new songs you have never played before.

If that doesn't recharge your love for the guitar, it's time to sell it.