SG or Les Paul ?

[saipan]

i was in the same boat when i started. As you have posted...go to a guitar store and feel each one. i prefer an sg not for the weight but for its sound. better mids and a little brighter than the LP. also i like the looks of it. i got the 66 epiphone pro 400 and really like it. the thing that bugs is sometimes the input nut falls off. i wish it had the input on the side not the front.

 

[Fred Huelsbeck]

Hi everyone, I’m a beginner looking to buy my first electric guitar and I’ve narrowed it down to the SG or the Les Paul, both with coil tapping.
My question is why choose one over the other ?

Truth be told, as a beginner you're defining your preferences now. Think more about what fits you and your music taste. If you have small hands go with a slim neck. If your a small person look for a lighter guitar. I personally like my Dot more than my strat, but only because it has humbucker. If you can find a good used guitar, go that route. That way, when you do know the difference between a C neck vs a U neck, or 22 vs 24 frets you'll have a little more cash to buy what you really want.

 

[Biddlin]

sometimes the input nut falls off

or

 

[Raiyn]

the thing that bugs is sometimes the input nut falls off

Two things: Make sure it's got an internal tooth lock washer

These tend to go missing.
( 3/8" is what I use on inch spec, but it should be fine or find the metric equivalent )
Second: This is where someone's going to have an issue... a drop of BLUE Loctite will keep the nut from coming loose.

 

[CaptRedbeard]

Avast me hearty! Captn' Redbeard here. Well now. Reading your post I had a sense of Deja Vue. A couple of years ago I decided I wanted to add an electric guitar to my modest (5) collection and went on the same search as you are now taking. My last electric was sold over 50 years ago as I was moving around the world for a while. Anyway, I went to a couple of local music stores, played many electrics, including a white Gretch, which was very nice. I bought the Sheraton in black, and have never regretted it. It is a bit large and has some weight to it. I liked those two attributes, on top of the easy playability, as I normally play an acoustic so the size was similar and I'm not slinging my self around on stage. The weight was not an issue. The Beatles and many others including Roy Orbison play them or a similar style so I figured I was in good company. The "Les Paul" is a staple in the rock guitar world and lots of lead guitarists use them. Designed by the man himself it is as popular as the Fender Strats. Being a strummer/singer, it wasn't my thing. Good luck in your search and I hope you find the one that's just right for you.

 

[rjwilson37]

I don't like the neck dive you get with an SG, since the body is so light. Sure I like the way they sound, but to me there is nothing like an LP, very comfortable to play and they come pretty light now with the weight relief. I say to go with the Epiphone LP Standard or Custom, I really like the Custom Pro which are a nice step up from the Standard.

Good Luck and let us know what you get?

 

[Johnnyrock]

Both the LP and SG are great guitars IMHO. As far a weight goes the SG is lighter BUT, there are LP's that are weight relieved which basically means they have some chambers in the body that help take some of the weight off the guitar. I don't currently own an SG but I do own an epiphone Les Paul custom classic pro which isn't as heavy as a Gibson, but does have Gibson pups in it. The thing that's great about the SG is the access to the upper frets. Even though both guitars have 22 frets it's way easier to reach the 22nd fret on an SG which is great especially if you aspire to be a shredder or riffer.
Like was said by another. Go to your local music store and play both and do it standing up to see which one feels best to you. Good luck and welcome to this forum.

 

[Raiyn]

I don't like the neck dive you get with an SG, since the body is so light.

LP guys tend to whine about SG's having neck dive, yet so many famous players have zero issues with it.

 

[Biddlin]

Two things: Make sure it's got an internal tooth lock washer

These tend to go missing.
( 3/8" is what I use on inch spec, but it should be fine or find the metric equivalent )
Second: This is where someone's going to have an issue... a drop of BLUE Loctite will keep the nut from coming loose.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Biddlin]

LP guys tend to whine...

Point out the whiners, please? lol.

 

[Cozmik Cowboy]

Point out the whiners, please? lol.

Well, actually Zappa almost always played an SG.

But no matter how many famous players decided that either an SG or a LP worked for them (and I could make very long lists for both), it means nothing; the only question in what works for Lee. Which, of course, means, Lee, you need to get his hands on some guitars. As a beginner, the only 2 things you should be concerned with are 1) (and most important) Does it feel right to you? And 2) Do you like the way it looks? As you learn more & experience more guitars, you will a better idea of what you sound more like you on - but that won't happen until you've played some - and you won't play it if it doesn't fit you.

All told (barring your taking my advise and going with a Sheraton - or maybe a Casino) I see only one way out of your dilemma (especially when taking your question about coil-splitting into account); you either have to buy a LP with 'buckers and an SG with P-90s, or vice-versa.

 

[Biddlin]

and I could make very long lists for both

A list as long or longer would be of those who happily play both and many other types without whine.

 

[Jim McPherson]

I've had both. I like the LP, sold the SG. I didn't like the head stock dive from the SG.

My favorite is a Dot.

 

[yelemusic]

Hi everyone, I’m a beginner looking to buy my first electric guitar and I’ve narrowed it down to the SG or the Les Paul, both with coil tapping.
My question is why choose one over the other ?

My standard answer would be: get both
But since we're talking about a first electric guitar, this answer might not be appropriate.
My gut feeling is to get a LesPaul first, as I think it is easier to handle as a first electric guitar. You'll buy a SG later anyway
Both are great
Unless you particularly like the devilish look of the SG, in which case by all means get one

 

[BGood]

Best of both worlds for you, could be an Epiphone LP Ultra (models I, II, III or Pro, depending on year of production).

The I and the Pro have the standard 2 humbucker configuration.

The Ultra II & III have the same, plus the Shadow™ NanoMag™ pickup system that captures the subtle body acoustics and string harmonics. With stereo, mono, and USB outputs, plus a chromatic tuner and individual gain and tone controls for each pickup system.

It also has a heavily chambered body, that brings it right in the SG weight territory. 2 ounce difference with my SG's.

​

And to top it all off and make it comfortable to wear, it has a nice belly cut.

​

 

[BGood]

... but to me there is nothing like an LP, very comfortable to play and they come pretty light now with the weight relief.

Apart from the Ultra, no Epiphone LP has weight relief.

 

[talentless_hack]

I'd make the decision based on comfort and playability. Some people prefer the SG for the lighter weight and improved access to the last few frets; others prefer the LP for the neck-body balanced and reduced stretch to reach the first several frets.

Why playability and not tone? Well, assuming identical pickups/electronics etc., the difference in tone between a Les Paul and an SG is there, but it's subtle. I'd say the LP-SG contrast is more mild than Strat-vs-Tele. With an LP or an SG, you're still going to get a strong, mid-rich drive tone, and under-rated cleans.

 

[Dan G]

Hi everyone, I’m a beginner looking to buy my first electric guitar and I’ve narrowed it down to the SG or the Les Paul, both with coil tapping.
My question is why choose one over the other ?

Get one of each. I have '95 LP MIK (made in Korea) which I've gutted the Korean electronics and installed a ToneMan prewired kit with switch and '59 Alnico classic pups from GuitarFetish and it is sweet! I also have '99 Korina SG (also MIK) which I've left totally stock. It is a glorious growly beast with a sweet side to her personality. I love both, but they are different critters. It'll all end up being personal preference. Welcome to the club and remember, rock what you got then start the upgrade when you get more comfortable.

 

[Dan G]

thanks for the advice, I did wonder if the coil tapping was a bit of a gimmick. To be honest I watched a couple of YouTube reviews and real didn’t notice much difference in sound when people switched them ?
Anyway, I think I need to pick up both the SG and the LP and see which feels more at home.
However, I have just noticed the DOT so it now looks like I need to try the three of them out

+1 Coil Tapping overrated. If you want a single coil sound, get a single coil guitar.

 

[anthony flynn]

Hi everyone, I’m a beginner looking to buy my first electric guitar and I’ve narrowed it down to the SG or the Les Paul, both with coil tapping.
My question is why choose one over the other ?

thats why gibson made the 61 s.g. its a lespaul s.g.--it works trust me