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Gibson Sg question

present_tensepresent_tense Posts: 121
edited December 2005 in Musicians and Gearheads
ok, whats the difference between the classic, the 61, and the special? Do they all produce that guteral growl, or are one of them a bit more pussy like due to the cheaper cost?
the oceans made me, but who came up with love?
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 23,303
    i have a blue teal flip sg special and it growls its ass off. i have not played the other ones you listed though. i would go to a guitar store and plug each one in and see what they sound like. i would imagine they are pretty similar since its the same construction and similar humbuckers in them.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

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  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,217
    The classic - uses p-90 single coil pickups, i have never played although i would die to because i want to hear the famous sound of p-90s in an SG, its supposed to sound 60s/70s i believe...its what pete townshead used...and Ed used during the 2003 tour, he had 2 SG guitars with p-90s

    special - i have the special, its a great guitar...uses 490 pickups which are good but arent as good as the 57 humbuckers....the reason i got the special was because i found it in the teal color that i liked, and the sound to me is awsome...i like having it as a guitar with 2 humbuckers and then i have my strat which is all single coil....i love this guitar to death it just fucking owns!!

    61 - the 61 is a reissue...the neck is supposed to be not as fat (which is nice) i believe the pick ups are '57 humbuckers which is awsome

    my recommendation would be to go for the classic

    the 61 reissue is fucking awsome but its almost double the price as the classic
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    I was debating buying a Teal SG Special like HailHail's off of eBay, so I went to my local GC and played the crap out of all their SG's (Special, Standard and 61), and didn't dig the Special or Standard as much as the 61. It had a much thinner neck than the others and I just liked the sound of the pickups, 57 classics, better.
  • MilestoneMilestone Posts: 1,140
    I have the run of the mill SG, and even it kicks serious ass!
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    11-29-2013 Portland. 10-16-2014 Detroit. 8-8-2018 Seattle. 8-10-2018 Seattle. 8-13-2018 Missoula.  5-10-2024 Portland.  5-30-2024 Seattle.
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,217
    moster78 wrote:
    I was debating buying a Teal SG Special like HailHail's off of eBay, so I went to my local GC and played the crap out of all their SG's (Special, Standard and 61), and didn't dig the Special or Standard as much as the 61. It had a much thinner neck than the others and I just liked the sound of the pickups, 57 classics, better.

    yes the 61 is probably the best one thats out there right now but again its like 1600$...most of us cant afford that, lol....i could get 2 SG teals for that, ha

    i was actually thinking of switching the pickups by next june from the 490s to '57 Classics
    then i was thinking of changing my pickups in my strat to the 57/62 reissue strat pickups
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    HailHailVitalogy wrote:
    yes the 61 is probably the best one thats out there right now but again its like 1600$...most of us cant afford that, lol....i could get 2 SG teals for that, ha

    Its totally out of my price range right now too! As much as I'd love it. Thats more than I paid for my Strat and my amp.
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,217
    moster78 wrote:
    Its totally out of my price range right now too! As much as I'd love it. Thats more than I paid for my Strat and my amp.

    Teal SG - 700$
    Fender Fat Strat - 350$
    Traynor amp - 450$
    pedals (as of now)- 350$

    total: 1850$

    only 250$ more than that 1 guitar...lol

    i mean yeah we would all love a Gibson Les Paul or a high quality Gretsch...but the truth is, is it really worth all that money?
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    HailHailVitalogy wrote:
    i mean yeah we would all love a Gibson Les Paul or a high quality Gretsch...but the truth is, is it really worth all that money?

    I totally agree with you. As much as I love my Strat, and trust me, its a lot, I think my next guitar (at least a year or more down the road) has gotta be a Gibson, either a 61 SG or a Goldtop Les Paul. Need some chunk to contrast the Strat.
  • dont_go_on_medont_go_on_me Posts: 877
    Personally i prefer the SG Standard over the Special. It looks better, definitely sounds better...and by far plays better IMO.

    My roommate has the Special...and while it is a pretty solid guitar, it feels and looks subpar next to my Standard.



    I've never played the 61, but it looks like a damn nice guitar...and the 57 pups are great.
    "I'll do whatever the song dictates - if it doesn't need a real lead, then I won't do one. But if it does, then I'll fuckin' go off." - Mike

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  • present_tensepresent_tense Posts: 121
    ok, well, im still a bit confused lol....but i have it narrowed down to the classic or the special...61 reissue is a bit much, so is the standard. So, classic or special.....what do u say folks
    the oceans made me, but who came up with love?
  • moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    present_tense wrote:
    ok, well, im still a bit confused lol....but i have it narrowed down to the classic or the special...61 reissue is a bit much, so is the standard. So, classic or special.....what do u say folks

    Depends if you want something with humbuckers or single coil P-90's, which I'm sure would give you two totally different types of tone.
  • present_tensepresent_tense Posts: 121
    god damn it. i dont know. The store in our city that sells gibson had a shitty selection last time i went. Blah.
    the oceans made me, but who came up with love?
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,217
    those are two totally different guitars

    plus

    the Classic only comes in Red...lol
    but i would go with the classic, i think thats because i have the special

    what you can always do, which i am thinking about
    is changing the pickups to '57 humbuckers like the '61 reissue
    but the special still sounds pretty sweet

    but again they are two totally different sounds...try them out
    tomorrow i think im going to a few guitar shops and if i see a classic ill try it out and let you know whether i like my special better or the classic :)
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • present_tensepresent_tense Posts: 121
    Cool, let me know if u do!! choices.....so many choices!!
    the oceans made me, but who came up with love?
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,217
    present_tense wrote:
    Cool, let me know if u do!! choices.....so many choices!!

    let me just add though

    that if you want a more "PJ" sound, then you are looking at the classic
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • present_tensepresent_tense Posts: 121
    In all honesty, the sound of ed's guitar on the dvd doesnt really impress me that much...then again, he doesnt run it thru a lot of distortion...maybe ill have to watch it again, i never really payed that much attention to it back then.
    the oceans made me, but who came up with love?
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,217
    present_tense wrote:
    In all honesty, the sound of ed's guitar on the dvd doesnt really impress me that much...then again, he doesnt run it thru a lot of distortion...maybe ill have to watch it again, i never really payed that much attention to it back then.

    well mikes guitar for Spin The Black Circle is Ed's SG Jr. with a P-90 pickup so you get an idea of what a p-90 sounds like

    its fucking sweet

    but p-90s give u some hum and feedback
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • present_tensepresent_tense Posts: 121
    wow u know your shit. thanks man
    the oceans made me, but who came up with love?
  • WESWES Posts: 168
    i'm pretty sure mike has been playing Ed's Sg Jr. for the past little while as well...maybe Ed just gave it to him ....i wouldn't blame him i would be quite content with that '63 tele with the P90 in the neck...
  • MikeyyyyMikeyyyy Posts: 6
    i've been playin a strat for years and bought a 2002 sg standard about 2 months ago.. its a good step up.. it has a bit of the crunch of a les paul yet can still scream like a strat... awesome guitar all around
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,217
    i wont be able to get out today to those guitar shops

    maybe tomorrow

    personally right now im saving up for a Epiphone Elitist Les Paul Standard and an Ibanez Artcore Hollowbody
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • present_tensepresent_tense Posts: 121
    ok, so it basically comes down to p90 vs humbucker. Which one is gonna sound more dirty and bad ass. Anyone heard of grady? he plays an SG, and the sound he has on the song "hammer in my hand" is definately what turns me on about this guitar.
    the oceans made me, but who came up with love?
  • Spook FishSpook Fish Posts: 241
    present_tense wrote:
    ok, so it basically comes down to p90 vs humbucker. Which one is gonna sound more dirty and bad ass. Anyone heard of grady? he plays an SG, and the sound he has on the song "hammer in my hand" is definately what turns me on about this guitar.


    I'm saving for an SG 61 reissue which i was fortunate enough to try out at the weekend in London against the standard and the Special.

    the 61 reissue is without a doubt the coolest guitar i've ever layed my hands on. its perfect for my amp and set up, which is a vintage Carlsbro 60w tube amp with no gain pot. (very clean)

    i would love to check out the one with P90's in it though, looks and sounds cool.

    if you can save & wait (v Hard!) get the 61 as it will give you an advantage over the others with sound and quality. or as someone suggested, get a cheaper SG Standard / Classic and get the 57 pups and your in tone heaven.
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  • moster78moster78 Posts: 1,591
    Spook Fish wrote:
    if you can save & wait (v Hard!) get the 61 as it will give you an advantage over the others with sound and quality. or as someone suggested, get a cheaper SG Standard / Classic and get the 57 pups and your in tone heaven.

    True, but one of the things I loved about the 61 is the thinner neck, most standards and specials, I've found, have a thicker neck that I just didn't like.
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    You can always keep one hum in one of the pup positions and then swap another out for a hum sized p90 like the Z90 from Harmonic Design.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
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