I have a playlist I made for Relaxing videos, I added this to it, your voice is very relaxing, you're like a Bob Ross of guitars. Thx for the demo! Subscribed also
I am an SG player. My weapon of choice is an exquisite limited edition 2006 Gibson SG Goddess in ice burst finish. A guitar initially marketed to women but as in my case bought up by the guys once we realized how awesome they were. But alas, I do not always feel comfortable taking this guitar out to open mics and other similar events so I bought a second hand Epiphone SG (faded cherry) for this kind of thing. Although it suffers somewhat when compared directly to the Gibson, it is still a great guitar. It is also an instrument I will not feel uncomfortable modifying which is not the case with the SG Goddess (not that I would want to, she is perfect). Great review. Cheers and happy pickin'.
Lovely stuff John.... just taken delivery today of my Epi SG limited edition pro.... which was a nice pick me up in these troubles! Then I stumbled over your review .... and all is well in the world so let’s chill! 🎸
I am Scottish and own a 52 tele and Epi casino. I've been looking at Epi Sg as and in between dirtier clean sound for ages. If that makes sense.. And your voice made me decide to buy John. Cheers mate.
just picked up the exact same guitar for 300 usd used, and it is indeed nice , had zero fret wear, but it was a bear to set up, had to hand file each groove on the nut, but now it's dialed in and we're back in business, thanks for the great review! keep up the nice work!
Epiphones are great guitars, I have many. I have upgraded them all. My G400 Pro was upgraded with Gidson Deluxe kluson style tuners, Bone nut , Ernie Ball 10-46 Strings, Gibson 57 Classic and 57 Plus Pups, upgraded 500k volume Pots, Russian PIO Caps, .022 bridge and .015 neck. Outstanding results.
8'30'' "It is ideal for someone who likes the high squeaky sounds although strictly speaking you really should've bought a mandolin, shouldn't you!?" Hahahahahahaha! Hilarious! Great review!
Ive just stumbled acrros this wonderful review of an Epiphone SG, from another Glaswegian musician (like myself) not only did I find it informative, VERY practical on various technicall levels , but also very enlightening and humorous at certain points, thank you a lot JC , ! more power to your elbow (as they say0
When I was a teenager I used to play my brother's Gibson SG Custom in a jazz band with .012s on it. Thing is a pretty amazing jazz guitar cleanish sounding.
I have watched several reviews on the SG and John brings up points about the guitar nobody else mentioned. This guitar has a great sound and versatility with a few minor drawbacks. He is correct about it being top heavy but that can be corrected with a strap that doesn't slide. Great review.
Nice video! SG's take some getting used to, but once dialed in, they are great! I have the Epi SG400-Pro...I was happy when I opened her up to see full size pot's and wiring just as good as my Ibanez Prestige. I will definitely buy more Epi's!
I've had an epiphone sg for quite a while and I've loved it ever since. I was planning on buying another amp soon, and was wondering if you had any suggestions on amps for it?
I've come back to this clip to say thank you. On the basis of essentially your opinion and demo [EVERYONE else thumped up the metal sounds] four months ago I bought a used, although in stunning condition, Epi SG G400 Pro from a dealer . I've only used acoustics over the years, this being my first dabble in electrics the choice was bewildering and I was clueless. I love it, why I didn't go this route years ago I simply do not know. Since this purchase I've looked at more expensive guitars but can't really justify spending £1'000 and upwards on something that essentially feels and sounds similar. This SG is simply so comfortable and easy to play..... Must be honest, a PRS guitar might be in the future though. But thank you, it does what it says on the tin and more.
I had you in the background while browsing and heard you talking about playing an SG but all I heard was a descent acoustic guitar sound. I switched back to this screen to see what you were rambling about... it's the first time I mistook an electric for an acoustic.
It is although I am semi-retired these days.Being more of an engineer than an artist I am good at the physical side of repairs, i.e. set ups and modifications. I tend to avoid resprays as I just do not have the patience. Another small limitation is... I live in Scotland!
I got my first "expensive" guitar, Gibson SG Special, in 1990. A few years later I sold it because of Oasis and bought me an Epiphone Sheraton II (obviously). Couple of years ago I bought another Gibson SG Special and it was like meeting an old friend. I still don't like to use it when recording because the signal is VERY hot (my main recording e-guitar is Fender Telecaster with humbucker in bridge), but it works more than better when playing with my band. BTW: nice sounding reverb Cheers, Jari
I liked that Close Encounters ,,that was class .. overall .it's made me rethink about getting a Epi SG ..all the other video's soley concentrate on the crunch / gainer sound typical with the SG ..
i also have that guitar ,really nice, the closets thing to a gibson sg that i can afford. the pickups i have on my sg are upgraded to alnico 2 instead of the original epiphone humbucker and i also have grover tuners, i was really suprised that they used grovers instead of the epiphone standard tuners. i got really nice guitar for that little money. the value may not be the same after a couple of years but i think the tone and the feel of the guitar is more important than the value..
Nice solid review John. I've finally figured it out. What I enjoy is people being themselves. I like watching you and Philx equally Looking to buy an Epiphone because they are inexpensive. Seems the comparable Gibsons and Epiphone SGs sound very similar. Thanks again.
If you like single coil tones, the SG G400 Pro with coil tap is a great option. When run through a clean amp is sounds pretty darn good. Best of both worlds, Humbuckers and single coil tones....and of course it is a relatively ightweight guitar (mine is 7lb 3oz).
By far one of the better reviews I've found. Being a "man of a certain age" myself, and looking to learn (or relearn, as the case may be) guitar, I've been searching for decent entry-level models and have my sights set on the SG Special (the so-called "Goth" version.) Would much of your observations hold true to the SG Special as well, and would you recommend this as a starter instrument or should I look elsewhere? Thanks very much!
Rick Yentzer As it turned out, I found a "gently pre-played" Epi G-400, along with a Peavey Vypyr 75 (also used) for about what it would have cost for a starter kit. They were reasonably local (two different Guitar Centers, both in-state) and they were in fantastic condition. I've had it for around 5 months now and love it. Steve Vai doesn't stay awake nights worrying about me by any stretch, but for an old guy (with arthritis, which is one reason I wanted to learn again, to see if it might have some therapeutic benefit for my hands) I don't do too bad. I'm now looking into the Epi Pro-1 Acoustics to see if there might be something there as well for me to consider.
Tim Ashley Thanks for the reply! I'm headed to a local guitar store this weekend to try out several electrics. I have a cheap acoustic that got me started playing again. I've only played for a little more than a year. Stopped for several then just recently picked it back up. Good luck with the acoustic search. I really like the Epi Masterbuilt guitars. They sound and play great.
Rick Yentzer Another electric to consider is the Yamaha Pacifica (the 112 series are good.) They are low-cost but very good performance for the money. It's more of a Strat-copy (whereas the SG and G-400 are Les Paul copies), and for the money you get a lot of instrument. Two single coil and one humbucker with a 5-position switch, which gives you some good coil-splitting versatility for a variety of sounds. Have fun shopping this weekend! If you happen to think of it, stop by next week and let us know what you decided on getting. :)
The guitar pre-dates the G400. When it was made there was only one Epiphone SG and not the different varieties available today. The video sound track was recorded using a Tascam DP-01fx 8 track with the 'Moody,' effect applied. Distortion comes from an Aston Tube amp simulator pedal.
Great review thanks John. About to make a purchase decision between an SG400 SG standard ( the one in this review I assume, not the PRO ) or an EPI LP Studio edition. your thoughts on the studio VS SG? Many thanks!
Bernard G If you are planning to gig standing up for 2/3 hours a night then the SG will prevent you getting round shoulders as it much lighter than the LP. If you go for the SG then do not use a nylon strap, use a real leather strap as the SG is neck heavy and will slam into the floor the moment you let go of it. The LP has a deeper sound so for jazz it would be my choice.
Thank you John - prompt reply appreciated. Will have to stew over this one a little longer. There is a mint condition Epi Black Beauty available to - slight budget stretch, but oh so nice! Keep well
John, I am thinking of buying one of these as they are very reasonably priced certainly compared to the Gibson equivalent. I like the fact that they are light and you can reach the upper register easily, however, I am aware that Epiphone have had several quality control issues and I wondered what you thought of the overall build quality?
Thank you so much for doing it clean. Most of the SG reviews are all under distortion. Its so hard to understand the true character of a guitar with overdrive. Could you please do a review of Epiphone sg vs Gibson sg? I have an Epiphone SG, which has an absolute beautiful tone. I compared it to American Pro Tele and Strat, ofcourse all 3 are completely different in their characteristic sounds, but I was so surprised how much the Epi stood up against the 2 Fender giants. I ended up returning the 2 guitars in favor of my Epi SG which has a great all round tone. To me its puzzling that there is very less tonal difference between Epi and Gibson sg, but the price hike is so unreasonable.
Hi Gman, At the moment I do not have access to either guitars but should that change... Regarding the price of Gibsons, back in the late 70s Gibson doubled their prices overnight so a lot of your cash is just paying for the name at the top.
Hi John nice review, I thought animal glue absorbs moisture and would eventually fall apart (like acoustic guitars of old), and modern guitars do not use this any more and I don't see them falling apart any time soon, Not a criticism of your review but just my own observation.
So far all of the SGs I have seen have been ok but if you watch my video on the Epiphone Les Paul Studio you will hear me complaining about a duff pick up switch which showed that the guitar had not been checked at the factory. As ever it is best to buy from your local store even if it means paying a wee bit more.
Nice video. I have seen one in a second hand shop which says Gibson on the headstock, but Epiphone on the truss rod cover. Does anybody know what is the difference between this and the one shown?
Good morning Steve, The guitar you have seen has probably just had its original logo removed and the Gibson logo added by the previous owner. This is quite common as logo transfers are available on e-bay. One should always approach second-hand Gibsons and Fenders with a degree of scepticism. The Ibanez company even have a warning on their website about fakes. Just judge the guitar on its own merits. Real Gibsons will always have a serial number stamped into the wood but a good fake will even duplicate that. John
Thanks for replying. It wasn't a fake, as it said Epiphone on the truss rod cover. It had sold when I went back anyway, and not really what I was looking for.
Good job. You know more about guitars than most reviewers. I subscribed to see what other useful info I can get from you. By the way I'm buying my first guitar and the SG Special will probably be it. I figure I can't go wrong for about $169-$179. Do you approve or do you have any other suggestions?
The SG is a good choice as it is one of the most practical designs you can find. You can also pick some nice old models such as those made by Hondo. Just make sure the frets are not too worn and the controls do not crackle.
Apart from tuning it should be playable out of the box. All guitars benefit from a set up as the makers play safe and set them for Mr Average. If you have either a lighter or heavier style than normal then it is worth while getting it done. A fresh set of strings will be needed to give the best result.
brody lockwood You are hearing the guitar through a Tascam DP-01fx 8 track portastudio. The clean sound uses an effect called Moody and the over drive is an external Aston tube simulator pedal.
In the Book of Revelation, the elders round the throne are described as having harps and angels using trumpets so I think we can assume that all manner of instruments will be there. Have a look at Psalm 150 and you will see the Lord loves his music.
Thank you and thank goodness! I believe that since guitars were not known when the good Book got drafted they were not enumerated...but now...things have changed....and there will be room for both Fenders and Gibsons!
Hazim Zamri The three Epiphones I have reviewed all had faults. An SG which lost its head in a minor fall, a travel guitar with the nut too far from the 1st fret and a Les Paul which left the factory with one pick up not connected. This should tell you something about the quality of Epiphones at the moment.Gibsons are much better made but cost more than double. I would not recommend buying an Epi over the internet but if you can try one at your local store and it checks out ok then go for it but buy the one you try and not one fresh from the storeroom.
From the Grover Tuners, I suspect it is the SG G400. Not the latest G400 Pro because John does not demonstrate a coil tap feature, also the Pro has vintage Kluson/Tulip type tuners. It does not appear to be the SG Special (that has open Humbuckers) nor the 1966 G400 (that has a larger scratchplate).
+Dan Phipps Thanks Dan, they say in the music business that if you can sell church organs, you can sell anything. I even sold one to the church in Port Stanley in the Falklands. And speaking of church...Happy Easter.
It is very difficult to tell but a serial number which is punched into the wood is harder to fake than a simple transfer stuck to the head.Some of the cheap copies that forgers use are actually just as good as the real thing so even I would be hard pressed to tell the difference. Fenders are the easiest to fake and even Ibanez had a warning up on their web site about illegal copies. I wish there was an easy answer but there is not. Just remember the old saying, 'If it looks too good to be true it probably isn't.'
Hello people! in the case of the 400 Pro, the neck is glued ...does it give any problems by change the neck or something.. which advantages or disadvantages result from this? Thank you in advance! Greetz from northern europe! :-)
In theory a glued on neck gives more sustain than a bolt on but to test this you would need two guitars that were identical in every other way. In practice this rarely happens so it could just be a myth created by a salesman desperately trying to justify the price of a Les Paul. Bolt on necks have two advantages. First they can be replaced if broken and second that the neck to body angle is easily adjusted by using a shim to tilt the neck. This makes it easier to get a low action.
thanks for your comment! btw.: im interested in the the SG 310 and the Squier Telecaster with a screwed Neck...also ive heard that the SG´s and Tele´s are good to be "easy played/well to handle"? which is better in your oppinion, whats your experience?
I find Telecasters rather thin sounding for my taste although they work well in a band with a bass player. SG's are good all rounders with the warning that you must use a leather strap as they are head heavy.
Hi thanks for the review i got the guitar but was a bit shocked when i realised it was a horns shaped, I am religious and was a bit disturbed by it. I know you go to church did it bother you ? The guitar sounds great and like you i am not in to the crunchy stuff not unless i am doing some blues licks.
Well God made bulls and bulls have horns so I am cool with that. Anyway the SG is not mine, it was just in for repair. As for the Devil, I cannot recall a biblical reference to him having horns. All that red skin, forked tail stuff is just the renaissance, 'Artists impression.' The bible does however say that he can, 'Masquerade as an angel of light,' so the next time you meet an angel be sure to ask for I.D.
He seems like quite a nice lad, but he put me to sleep! There were some times when I didn't have a clue as to what he was saying, but he is still better than watching a metal head abuse a beautiful instrument.
Although there are various models of Epiphone SG now, at the time this was made there was only one SG by Epiphone. It approximates to the 400 but lacks the push / pull pots.
@@JohnCouplandguitar Yeah, I bought one back in 2012. I upgraded it as I do with all my Epi"s, Pups Gibson 57 Classic and 57 Plus, Bone Bone Nut, Pots and PIO Caps oh, and yes, Gibson Deluxe (Kluson Style) Tuners. I guess if I just played the SG all the time, I would become adjusted to it but Yeah, that Neck is really wide for me. I still have it and play it occaisionally but its just so wide.
Hi Probe, To abide by the YT rules I must keep my channel copyright clean so I have to stick to either my own compositions or works by composers who died more than 70 years ago. So Bach and Beethoven are fine but the Beatles etc are not. Sad but there it is. I quite like some of AC/DC's work but as a Christian I have to say that particular song title is the most stupid one in the entire history of the human race. Blessings John
Once, I went in to buy some strings and there was a Dreadnought lying on the counter so in an uncharacteristic show off moment, before I said a word and without lifting the guitar I played the chimes. The youngsters behind the counter were dully impressed! Being old can be fun.
No, this guitar came into my hands for repair as the head had broken off after it fell. I cannot remember how many guitars I have had over the years. A wise man once said, 'Love one woman but love many guitars.'
I am playing through a Tascam porta studio on this video so everything is clean until I add an effect. In general however a guitar amp has an input volume and a master volume. The first may be called gain or pre and is always at the left hand side of the control panel. Set this low and the master high for a clean sound, while for a dirty sound , set the master low and the input high. Some players who never use distortion may use an acoustic amp or even a keyboard amp which are designed to never distort.
"You're going to hear an SG like you've never heard it before. Clean."Lol! That was great. And with that, you became my favorite reviewer.
Listening to this mister gives me peace..Its weird but you have such a peaceful voice..
He's like a Bob Ross of guitar
Like ASMR
that is really poor taste in your words mate, obviously your not a father
Devon Couch Wtf?? Lol.
Exactly
his voice, its so beautiful.
John, I'm a miserable soul. I get annoyed at just about every person I see. But you. You, my man: I only want good things to happen to you.
This is how a good review is done
This man deserves his own BBC show!
I have a playlist I made for Relaxing videos, I added this to it, your voice is very relaxing, you're like a Bob Ross of guitars. Thx for the demo! Subscribed also
lol! Aint that the truth :)
That’s what I was thinking.
Totally!
Thank you John, you are so down to earth, just refreshing, keep it up
I am an SG player. My weapon of choice is an exquisite limited edition 2006 Gibson SG Goddess in ice burst finish. A guitar initially marketed to women but as in my case bought up by the guys once we realized how awesome they were. But alas, I do not always feel comfortable taking this guitar out to open mics and other similar events so I bought a second hand Epiphone SG (faded cherry) for this kind of thing. Although it suffers somewhat when compared directly to the Gibson, it is still a great guitar. It is also an instrument I will not feel uncomfortable modifying which is not the case with the SG Goddess (not that I would want to, she is perfect).
Great review. Cheers and happy pickin'.
I love your reviews! They're very informative!
Lovely stuff John.... just taken delivery today of my Epi SG limited edition pro.... which was a nice pick me up in these troubles! Then I stumbled over your review .... and all is well in the world so let’s chill! 🎸
Rock on Oregieman!
I am Scottish and own a 52 tele and Epi casino. I've been looking at Epi Sg as and in between dirtier clean sound for ages. If that makes sense.. And your voice made me decide to buy John.
Cheers mate.
I love your videos... so practical and down to earth! I purchased a Epi Les Paul Studio because of your excellent review
just picked up the exact same guitar for 300 usd used, and it is indeed nice , had zero fret wear, but it was a bear to set up, had to hand file each groove on the nut, but now it's dialed in and we're back in business, thanks for the great review! keep up the nice work!
Always good reviews. Explores all sounds.
Epiphones are great guitars, I have many. I have upgraded them all. My G400 Pro was upgraded with Gidson Deluxe kluson style tuners, Bone nut , Ernie Ball 10-46 Strings, Gibson 57 Classic and 57 Plus Pups, upgraded 500k volume Pots, Russian PIO Caps, .022 bridge and .015 neck. Outstanding results.
I have had one for around 3 years now it sounds brilliant and feels amazing!
Thanks for the review - interesting, informative & humorous. Full marks!!
Informative and nicely presented John. I have subscribed.
8'30'' "It is ideal for someone who likes the high squeaky sounds although strictly speaking you really should've bought a mandolin, shouldn't you!?" Hahahahahahaha! Hilarious!
Great review!
I bet John would be a fabulous Bedtime story reader! Such a pleasant voice.
Best review for that guitar. Good job.
Love your accent! The guitar sounds awesome too.
beautiful review. This may be my first guitar... after drumming for 35 years.
What an excellent review. Thanks John.
I have one of these, it is my test bed bofore things go on to my Dot. Definate Epiphone fan here.
EXCELLENT review! Thank you!
Ive just stumbled acrros this wonderful review of an Epiphone SG,
from another Glaswegian musician (like myself) not only did I find it informative, VERY practical on various technicall levels , but also very enlightening and humorous at certain points,
thank you a lot JC , ! more power to your elbow (as they say0
Much appreciated.
This guy is great -wisdom -thank you
love the review
My god it sounds so sweet! I lovr my Les Paul Custom shop but the SG just sounds and feels so right!
When I was a teenager I used to play my brother's Gibson SG Custom in a jazz band with .012s on it. Thing is a pretty amazing jazz guitar cleanish sounding.
What a lovely chap.
finaly a clean sound!! thank you
I have watched several reviews on the SG and John brings up points about the guitar nobody else mentioned. This guitar has a great sound and versatility with a few minor drawbacks. He is correct about it being top heavy but that can be corrected with a strap that doesn't slide. Great review.
Nice video! SG's take some getting used to, but once dialed in, they are great! I have the Epi SG400-Pro...I was happy when I opened her up to see full size pot's and wiring just as good as my Ibanez Prestige. I will definitely buy more Epi's!
Great review! Thanks :)
You make such good videos ! :)
Really good review. Very informative, thankyou.
Thanks, great review.
Fellow scot giving a review on a great guitar, what i like to see :) great video!
Good point about the head heavy issue. 335 have the same issue.
Beautiful sound.
I've had an epiphone sg for quite a while and I've loved it ever since. I was planning on buying another amp soon, and was wondering if you had any suggestions on amps for it?
I've come back to this clip to say thank you.
On the basis of essentially your opinion and demo [EVERYONE else thumped up the metal sounds] four months ago I bought a used, although in stunning condition, Epi SG G400 Pro from a dealer . I've only used acoustics over the years, this being my first dabble in electrics the choice was bewildering and I was clueless. I love it, why I didn't go this route years ago I simply do not know. Since this purchase I've looked at more expensive guitars but can't really justify spending £1'000 and upwards on something that essentially feels and sounds similar. This SG is simply so comfortable and easy to play..... Must be honest, a PRS guitar might be in the future though.
But thank you, it does what it says on the tin and more.
Glad that my video helped.
Thank you. Great video.
I had you in the background while browsing and heard you talking about playing an SG but all I heard was a descent acoustic guitar sound. I switched back to this screen to see what you were rambling about... it's the first time I mistook an electric for an acoustic.
It is although I am semi-retired these days.Being more of an engineer than an artist I am good at the physical side of repairs, i.e. set ups and modifications. I tend to avoid resprays as I just do not have the patience. Another small limitation is... I live in Scotland!
hey john, i got myself an sg g400 pro 1966 in cherry red and i love it, thanks for thr help!
I got my first "expensive" guitar, Gibson SG Special, in 1990. A few years later I sold it because of Oasis and bought me an Epiphone Sheraton II (obviously). Couple of years ago I bought another Gibson SG Special and it was like meeting an old friend. I still don't like to use it when recording because the signal is VERY hot (my main recording e-guitar is Fender Telecaster with humbucker in bridge), but it works more than better when playing with my band. BTW: nice sounding reverb
Cheers,
Jari
I liked that Close Encounters ,,that was class .. overall .it's made me rethink about getting a Epi SG ..all the other video's soley concentrate on the crunch / gainer sound typical with the SG ..
i also have that guitar ,really nice, the closets thing to a gibson sg that i can afford. the pickups i have on my sg are upgraded to alnico 2 instead of the original epiphone humbucker and i also have grover tuners, i was really suprised that they used grovers instead of the epiphone standard tuners. i got really nice guitar for that little money.
the value may not be the same after a couple of years but i think the tone and the feel of the guitar is more important than the value..
"black and decker drill sounds"- I like mine more dewalt sounding. Thanks for the video!
the Jay Turser JT 50
Sg Custom matches up very well to the Gibson Standard Sg hands down
Nice solid review John. I've finally figured it out. What I enjoy is people being themselves. I like watching you and Philx equally Looking to buy an Epiphone because they are inexpensive. Seems the comparable Gibsons and Epiphone SGs sound very similar.
Thanks again.
+Shoman Blues I am not a fan of real Gibsons as I find their sound too muddy for my taste. Epi's are much better value for money.
brilliant,,,thanx 4 not thrashing it with distortion,,,,sounds really cool and jazzy feel arpegiated
very nice!
Nice to her what a clean SG can do. Thanks!
Thanks Patrick, much appreciated.
If you like single coil tones, the SG G400 Pro with coil tap is a great option. When run through a clean amp is sounds pretty darn good. Best of both worlds, Humbuckers and single coil tones....and of course it is a relatively ightweight guitar (mine is 7lb 3oz).
John Coupland --- master of clean tones played first. You deserve a medal.
By far one of the better reviews I've found. Being a "man of a certain age" myself, and looking to learn (or relearn, as the case may be) guitar, I've been searching for decent entry-level models and have my sights set on the SG Special (the so-called "Goth" version.) Would much of your observations hold true to the SG Special as well, and would you recommend this as a starter instrument or should I look elsewhere? Thanks very much!
Curious. Which guitar did you end up getting?
Rick Yentzer As it turned out, I found a "gently pre-played" Epi G-400, along with a Peavey Vypyr 75 (also used) for about what it would have cost for a starter kit. They were reasonably local (two different Guitar Centers, both in-state) and they were in fantastic condition. I've had it for around 5 months now and love it. Steve Vai doesn't stay awake nights worrying about me by any stretch, but for an old guy (with arthritis, which is one reason I wanted to learn again, to see if it might have some therapeutic benefit for my hands) I don't do too bad. I'm now looking into the Epi Pro-1 Acoustics to see if there might be something there as well for me to consider.
Tim Ashley
Thanks for the reply! I'm headed to a local guitar store this weekend to try out several electrics. I have a cheap acoustic that got me started playing again. I've only played for a little more than a year. Stopped for several then just recently picked it back up.
Good luck with the acoustic search. I really like the Epi Masterbuilt guitars. They sound and play great.
Rick Yentzer Another electric to consider is the Yamaha Pacifica (the 112 series are good.) They are low-cost but very good performance for the money. It's more of a Strat-copy (whereas the SG and G-400 are Les Paul copies), and for the money you get a lot of instrument. Two single coil and one humbucker with a 5-position switch, which gives you some good coil-splitting versatility for a variety of sounds.
Have fun shopping this weekend! If you happen to think of it, stop by next week and let us know what you decided on getting. :)
Rick Yentzer So Rick, what did you finally settle on for an electric? :)
Great review very good clean tone congratulations... which gear used in this video is a model Epiphone SG G-400?
The guitar pre-dates the G400. When it was made there was only one Epiphone SG and not the different varieties available today. The video sound track was recorded using a Tascam DP-01fx 8 track with the 'Moody,' effect applied. Distortion comes from an Aston Tube amp simulator pedal.
Good videos, cheers.
The clean sounds very much like an acoustic guitar
Great review thanks John.
About to make a purchase decision between an SG400 SG standard ( the one in this review I assume, not the PRO ) or an
EPI LP Studio edition. your thoughts on the studio VS SG?
Many thanks!
Bernard G If you are planning to gig standing up for 2/3 hours a night then the SG will prevent you getting round shoulders as it much lighter than the LP. If you go for the SG then do not use a nylon strap, use a real leather strap as the SG is neck heavy and will slam into the floor the moment you let go of it. The LP has a deeper sound so for jazz it would be my choice.
Thank you John - prompt reply appreciated.
Will have to stew over this one a little longer. There is a mint condition Epi Black Beauty available to - slight budget stretch, but oh so nice!
Keep well
John, I am thinking of buying one of these as they are very reasonably priced certainly compared to the Gibson equivalent. I like the fact that they are light and you can reach the upper register easily, however, I am aware that Epiphone have had several quality control issues and I wondered what you thought of the overall build quality?
Thank you so much for doing it clean. Most of the SG reviews are all under distortion. Its so hard to understand the true character of a guitar with overdrive.
Could you please do a review of Epiphone sg vs Gibson sg? I have an Epiphone SG, which has an absolute beautiful tone. I compared it to American Pro Tele and Strat, ofcourse all 3 are completely different in their characteristic sounds, but I was so surprised how much the Epi stood up against the 2 Fender giants. I ended up returning the 2 guitars in favor of my Epi SG which has a great all round tone. To me its puzzling that there is very less tonal difference between Epi and Gibson sg, but the price hike is so unreasonable.
Hi Gman, At the moment I do not have access to either guitars but should that change... Regarding the price of Gibsons, back in the late 70s Gibson doubled their prices overnight so a lot of your cash is just paying for the name at the top.
yeah, i think lot of it is just the prestige of belong to the "Gibson" club.
Thank you for your gentlemanly presentation !
I have a 2007 SG Custom w Seymore Duncans and Grovers. Not sure how a Gibson could be that much better for the $$.
nice tones... thanx..
Love the whole video, but 9:00 is the best part :)
Omg he sounds like Brian just not as raspy but Idk why but Australian voices are just so satisfying
Hi John nice review, I thought animal glue absorbs moisture and would eventually fall apart (like acoustic guitars of old), and modern guitars do not use this any more and I don't see them falling apart any time soon,
Not a criticism of your review but just my own observation.
So far all of the SGs I have seen have been ok but if you watch my video on the Epiphone Les Paul Studio you will hear me complaining about a duff pick up switch which showed that the guitar had not been checked at the factory. As ever it is best to buy from your local store even if it means paying a wee bit more.
Nice video.
I have seen one in a second hand shop which says Gibson on the headstock, but Epiphone on the truss rod cover.
Does anybody know what is the difference between this and the one shown?
Good morning Steve, The guitar you have seen has probably just had its original logo removed and the Gibson logo added by the previous owner. This is quite common as logo transfers are available on e-bay. One should always approach second-hand Gibsons and Fenders with a degree of scepticism. The Ibanez company even have a warning on their website about fakes. Just judge the guitar on its own merits. Real Gibsons will always have a serial number stamped into the wood but a good fake will even duplicate that.
John
Thanks for replying. It wasn't a fake, as it said Epiphone on the truss rod cover. It had sold when I went back anyway, and not really what I was looking for.
+Steve Kiley: It just means it's an older model. Mine was made in Korea in 1999 and has Gibson on the truss rod cover. The newer ones (China) say SG.
The Bob Ross of Guitar!
hey man, can i ask do you prefer this or the epiphone les paul?
hi john great video...my j
gracias..!!
you are awewsome
Thanks :)
Good job. You know more about guitars than most reviewers. I subscribed to see what other useful info I can get from you.
By the way I'm buying my first guitar and the SG Special will probably be it. I figure I can't go wrong for about $169-$179. Do you approve or do you have any other suggestions?
The SG is a good choice as it is one of the most practical designs you can find. You can also pick some nice old models such as those made by Hondo. Just make sure the frets are not too worn and the controls do not crackle.
im just curious.. is the guitar payable straight out of the box or some setup are needed?
Apart from tuning it should be playable out of the box. All guitars benefit from a set up as the makers play safe and set them for Mr Average. If you have either a lighter or heavier style than normal then it is worth while getting it done. A fresh set of strings will be needed to give the best result.
What a wonderful guitar :) What amp do you use? :)
brody lockwood You are hearing the guitar through a Tascam DP-01fx 8 track portastudio. The clean sound uses an effect called Moody and the over drive is an external Aston tube simulator pedal.
John Coupland Oh thank you :) It sounds fantastic by the way.
wonderful tone, John. Are there guitars in Heaven (serious question)? I certainly hope so.
In the Book of Revelation, the elders round the throne are described as having harps and angels using trumpets so I think we can assume that all manner of instruments will be there. Have a look at Psalm 150 and you will see the Lord loves his music.
Thank you and thank goodness! I believe that since guitars were not known when the good Book got drafted they were not enumerated...but now...things have changed....and there will be room for both Fenders and Gibsons!
is the quality of the epiphone SG the same as Gibsons and is there a price differences between the Epiphoes and gibsons SG. im considering to buy one.
Hazim Zamri The three Epiphones I have reviewed all had faults. An SG which lost its head in a minor fall, a travel guitar with the nut too far from the 1st fret and a Les Paul which left the factory with one pick up not connected. This should tell you something about the quality of Epiphones at the moment.Gibsons are much better made but cost more than double. I would not recommend buying an Epi over the internet but if you can try one at your local store and it checks out ok then go for it but buy the one you try and not one fresh from the storeroom.
thanks, great advice!
Is that the G400 Model ??
Añ SG ìs a guitar from the past . The Ĺes Paul on the other hand doesn't neck dive & can has splittable coils
Unfortunately, you didn't mention which model of the Epiphone SG range the guitar is.
From the Grover Tuners, I suspect it is the SG G400. Not the latest G400 Pro because John does not demonstrate a coil tap feature, also the Pro has vintage Kluson/Tulip type tuners. It does not appear to be the SG Special (that has open Humbuckers) nor the 1966 G400 (that has a larger scratchplate).
Its true! I could listen to you all day John - as long it was about music. I reckon you could sell sand in the Sahara.
+Dan Phipps Thanks Dan, they say in the music business that if you can sell church organs, you can sell anything. I even sold one to the church in Port Stanley in the Falklands. And speaking of church...Happy Easter.
Yes of course, Happy Easter John, and your wife - make up or not.
MR. John do you have review videos on how to detect legit les paul sg guitars im just afraid of buying at genuine price but just a copy of it tnx
It is very difficult to tell but a serial number which is punched into the wood is harder to fake than a simple transfer stuck to the head.Some of the cheap copies that forgers use are actually just as good as the real thing so even I would be hard pressed to tell the difference. Fenders are the easiest to fake and even Ibanez had a warning up on their web site about illegal copies. I wish there was an easy answer but there is not. Just remember the old saying, 'If it looks too good to be true it probably isn't.'
John Coupland thanks mr john hoping to have you in another video review of yours
Hello people! in the case of the 400 Pro, the neck is glued ...does it give any problems by change the neck or something.. which advantages or disadvantages result from this? Thank you in advance! Greetz from northern europe! :-)
In theory a glued on neck gives more sustain than a bolt on but to test this you would need two guitars that were identical in every other way. In practice this rarely happens so it could just be a myth created by a salesman desperately trying to justify the price of a Les Paul. Bolt on necks have two advantages. First they can be replaced if broken and second that the neck to body angle is easily adjusted by using a shim to tilt the neck. This makes it easier to get a low action.
thanks for your comment! btw.: im interested in the the SG 310 and the Squier Telecaster with a screwed Neck...also ive heard that the SG´s and Tele´s are good to be "easy played/well to handle"? which is better in your oppinion, whats your experience?
I find Telecasters rather thin sounding for my taste although they work well in a band with a bass player. SG's are good all rounders with the warning that you must use a leather strap as they are head heavy.
thx for your comment John :-)
Hi thanks for the review i got the guitar but was a bit shocked when i realised it was a horns shaped, I am religious and was a bit disturbed by it. I know you go to church did it bother you ? The guitar sounds great and like you i am not in to the crunchy stuff not unless i am doing some blues licks.
Well God made bulls and bulls have horns so I am cool with that. Anyway the SG is not mine, it was just in for repair. As for the Devil, I cannot recall a biblical reference to him having horns. All that red skin, forked tail stuff is just the renaissance, 'Artists impression.' The bible does however say that he can, 'Masquerade as an angel of light,' so the next time you meet an angel be sure to ask for I.D.
Oh no. It works well at Church. See! czcams.com/video/3f2g4RMfhS0/video.html
He seems like quite a nice lad, but he put me to sleep! There were some times when I didn't have a clue as to what he was saying, but he is still better than watching a metal head abuse a beautiful instrument.
What epiphone sg is that, the SG Pro 400?
Although there are various models of Epiphone SG now, at the time this was made there was only one SG by Epiphone. It approximates to the 400 but lacks the push / pull pots.
Paul McCartney is a kind man.
oh not him? well this man is still a cool guy 👍
why epiphone sg do not have bindings??? epiphone les paul standard have
The original Gibson SG was a designed as a budget version of the Les Paul so all unnecessary trimmings were left out.
John Coupland but the original gibson sg have the bindings
Romulo Gontijo Borges The 1961 anniversary SG from Epiphone (the one with P-90s) has a bound neck. But the binding is under, not over, the fret ends.
" ya should have bought a mandolin"..that was rich!!! bahahahaha 🤣
Are all SG Necks Really Wide?
I would say that they are. I cannot recall an SG with a particularly slim neck.
@@JohnCouplandguitar Yeah, I bought one back in 2012. I upgraded it as I do with all my Epi"s, Pups Gibson 57 Classic and 57 Plus, Bone Bone Nut, Pots and PIO Caps oh, and yes, Gibson Deluxe (Kluson Style) Tuners. I guess if I just played the SG all the time, I would become adjusted to it but Yeah, that Neck is really wide for me. I still have it and play it occaisionally but its just so wide.
but, hey, it sounds Great!
Dear John, please play ACDC "Hell ain`t a bad place to be".
Hi Probe, To abide by the YT rules I must keep my channel copyright clean so I have to stick to either my own compositions or works by composers who died more than 70 years ago. So Bach and Beethoven are fine but the Beatles etc are not. Sad but there it is. I quite like some of AC/DC's work but as a Christian I have to say that particular song title is the most stupid one in the entire history of the human race.
Blessings
John
thought it was just me that did the clock chimes
Once, I went in to buy some strings and there was a Dreadnought lying on the counter so in an uncharacteristic show off moment, before I said a word and without lifting the guitar I played the chimes. The youngsters behind the counter were dully impressed! Being old can be fun.
“Vegans just have to live with this” 🤣
Did you say your second electric ?
No, this guitar came into my hands for repair as the head had broken off after it fell. I cannot remember how many guitars I have had over the years. A wise man once said, 'Love one woman but love many guitars.'
how did you get it to sound so clean
I am playing through a Tascam porta studio on this video so everything is clean until I add an effect. In general however a guitar amp has an input volume and a master volume. The first may be called gain or pre and is always at the left hand side of the control panel. Set this low and the master high for a clean sound, while for a dirty sound , set the master low and the input high. Some players who never use distortion may use an acoustic amp or even a keyboard amp which are designed to never distort.
really cool thx man