written by dazzypig on 23/06/2009
Sound quality: My Gibson SG Standard has the 57's in it so naturally it's got a great bit of classic beef. Very well defined/dynamic through a valve amp and a great cutting tone.
Good and Bad Points: Due to it's very cleanly set-neck and sharp cutaways, access to the higher frets is very easy indeed. As I said the tone is pure classic rock, but it can also be toned down for cleaner jazz tones too. The neck feels very quick and (being a Strat player) is a bit easier for chording at the bottom of the neck due to it's shorter scale length, don't be expecting to play too many chords above the 12-15 frets though. It's also very light, especially in comparison to a Les Paul or a Strat with a steel block tremolo. One bad point I have is sort of a compromise you have to live with for the sound, fret access and lightweight, it can lose it's tuning very easily. The answer to this problem is simple; play it like an SG not your strat, if you're a little lighter in the feel of your left hand then tuning shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Overall: Great looking players guitar with a great feel and very comfortable use for gigging etc. Slight problems with tuning won't be an issue to many people so long as you play a bit lighter with your left hand. Why not try one of these out, you might be surprised, and it might be a little bit different from what your friends have too.
written by crossrob on 17/10/2008
A great guitar, 10x better then my strat. Brilliant sound from both pickups clean or dirty. I had to wait two years to get this guitar. I loved SG's from the moment i saw one being played by Pete Townshend and i love this one even more. An amazing guitar well worth the wait.
written by on 27/09/2008
My Gibson SG Standard is very nice to play and very light. It is very good, I love it.
written by on 06/09/2008
The Gibson SG standard is brilliant, it plays amazingly and looks awesome.
written by on 04/08/2008
The Gibson SG standard has an amazing clean sound and looks great. A brilliant all round guitar.
written by on 03/07/2008
The best guitar there is.
LP offcourse stays good.
Light, cutaway horns (easy access to the highest frets), real nice sound
written by on 16/06/2008
Good guitar, nice sound but very expensive, I can't afford one :(
written by on 29/05/2008
Sits nicely, with great access to 12-15th frets if you like to play around there, however as I mentioned in the "bad points section", I personally find it difficult to play some cords up there. On the other hand, I find big stretch cords at the 2-6th positions easier to play on this guitar, compared to my tele or my strat.
Because there is no spring, you wont get a bouncy surf sound like a strat can make. Doesn't sound a sweet playing open cords as a telecaster.
However, I am after a smoother, jazz sound with control over the brightness - this guitar gives me that.
At the end of the day however it has six strings and a pickup - if you work hard on the sound, you can probably get as close as you need to on any guitar, and for any sound.
written by on 24/05/2008
The look and texture on the Gibson SG Standard is amazing and it is a widely used electric guitar. This is one great guitar.
written by on 24/02/2008
Excellent guitar but not as good as the double neck SG
written by on 02/02/2008
Sound, feel, neck, shape, weight, everything... This guitar is sexy! Cant wait to get another one!
written by fallenchief123 on 09/01/2008
It looks amazing and plays really well giving a good sound... it was played by, in my view, the best guitarist ever... ANGUS YOUNG! I'm getting one myself in a month and I cant wait...
written by rockshot on 24/12/2007
This is a great guitar easy to chuck around, awesome sound kranked up really easy to play with great build quality you dont need to pluck this baby in to enjoy it!
I recommend it to any rocking musician
written by charliegolf on 27/05/2006
I've been playing strat style guitars for 25 years, I went and bought this Gibson SG Standard on a whim as I was getting bored with the guitars I have (A '62 reissue Squire Strat and and Ibanez RG550), I walked in and said show me a Gibson for under £1,000, there were 2, both SG's a Special and a Standard. Blown away is is an understatement, I have quite small hands and this thing plays itself, it feels faster than the wafer thin Ibanaez neck even though it's quite thick, my accuaracy improved itself with the shape of the neck, I am kicking myself for steering clear of Gibsons for so long (I blame Hendrix). I tried a Special first and liked it, then tried the Standard, I thought the extra £300 meant it was a no go but got my credit card out 10 minutes later. Love it, buy one.
written by murg on 08/03/2006
The Gibson SG Standard is one of the best electric guitars in the world! It is great value for money for a true classic.
written by Vinnyguitarman on 23/06/2005
Hi! I'm Vinny The Guitarman, I've been playing and performing for over 30 years and love to share my thoughts and experiences of the Gibson SG Standard. The SG is a powerful little guitar. Moderately priced for a Gibson and light in weight for those long gigs ...this guitar is a true winner. I find that it has a bright sharp sound and that is easy to control on stage. In the studio the guitar records better than the Les Paul ...which sound I do like better but is a killer to get right when recording, the SG is easier to get right. My only knock is that it is a small guitar with a narrow neck, for me very narrow (I'm a large person with big hands) I find that the neck is a little cramped and I have trouble sometimes with stretching strings ...still getting used to that. All in all a great Gibson for the money. I recommend it highly.
Written on: 03/07/2008
I found this review helpful because he is a great guy who knows what he's talking about.
Written on: 01/07/2008
Ed , thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I am not familiar with West London , I live in NYC. I saw your Youtube video .That is certainly a unique looking SG ( looks like an SG special with ceramic humbuckers), nice playing too!
<br/> New strings and the right set up is key , look at local music shop reviews online to get a good Luthier. Please let me know if I could be of anymore help. VGM
Written on: 25/06/2008
Hello,
<br/>I too found your comments very helpful.
<br/>Do you know anywhere in West London where getting one set up isn't too expensive but, at the same time, good value?
<br/>How much should this service cost?
<br/>I put a short video called The Lost Gibson on youtube
<br/>www.youtube.com/edotoole
<br/>about an old one that had been neglected for years. It plays but getting it right would be ideal. Thanks again.
<br/>Ed O'Toole
Written on: 15/02/2006
hey Casey ! Nice choice ! I use ErnieBall Super Slinky strings. For the SG I find the gauge starting with 9 on the high E string is best ( 9,11,16,24,32,42). I have large hands and need a heavier string gauge , but friends of mine with smaller hands and fingers also use 8's ( 8 ,10 ,15,22,30,38 ). This guitar is "hot" !! The Alnico v 490 and 498s are super ...keep in mind that these are the same pickups that are on the Les Paul Supreme,unbelievable but true. Dont change them , focus on getting the right sound out of a good amp. Also , make sure the pick up height is correct . If you're a new comer you may want to invest on getting a professional set up.Enjoy !!
written by SG rocks on 14/05/2005
I love this guitar. I looked around at many guitars before I picked up an SG.
Written on: 21/01/2006
The SG is a Beast of a guitar with top quality sound. It is lightweight and can perform amazingly. For you guitarests that love rock like ACDC and Metallica I would advise you to bye this guitar immediately. good luck.
written by Gibson SG Standard on 01/01/2005
Gibson SG Standard - I bought my 1999 Gibson SG Standard for about $2000 Canadian and I couldn't be happier with what I got for my money.
Written on: 11/01/2011
<br/>Hi!
<br/>I'm gonna buy a used 1999 Gibson SG Standard 1999 too!!!
<br/>Do you think that the 1999 SG Standard is better than current ones?
<br/>Some people says that in the current ones the neck is thicker (i have small hands) and Gibson puts the Nasville bridge on it instead of ABR-1 bridge
<br/>I would greatly appreciate your response
<br/>Thanks for your time
<br/>Best regards, David
written by GuitarSlinger on 09/09/2004
Gibson SG Standard - Bought the guitar for £849.
Action - really nice low action - set up perfectly - no buzzing, or fretting out.
Sound - I'm a big SG Fan - and this guitar lives up to everything you would expect. A bit thinner sounding than a Les Paul as you would expect, but the added brightness is something I like. Top quality pick ups allow you to achieve a pro sound and will either highlight or show up your amp for what it really is capable of.
Case - awesome, grey, plush-lined guitar case of top order! Solidly built....and has a great "new guitar smell" to it. The guitar has more than lived up to my expectations as it just sounds wicked!
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225609_Raziel2356's Response to Vinnyguitarman's Review
Written on: 17/01/2006
Hey Vinny, my name is Casey and I just purchased a Gibson SG special. I love it but I was wondering if you could give me some recommendations on what kind of strings I should use or if I should change out the humbuckers? Your input is great appreciated.