Gibson Alternative?

rgjmce

ok here is the thing, i am gonna be saving up pretty soon for a better guitar (bout €1000 mark), i had thought about an gibson sg standard, it's the best guitar that i have played that suits the sound i am looking for and feels great but i am starting to lose faith in gibson since they don't seem reliable/duriable enough. I want something that will stay in tune well but i want something with a set neck/neck through design but i also don't want a floyd rose locking nut/tremolo set up cause i have a guitar with that set up and it can annoying to keep having to take the nut off everytime i want to tune the guitar and i know i could use the fine tuners but that would put the bridge off balance but anyways does anyone have a suggestion of a guitar that would suit me, i have thought about a jackson king v/rhoads as a possible contender.

feylya

Seeing as you like SG's, what about something like this: http://www.thomann.de/ie/esp_ltd_viper_1000fm_stbk.htm

If you don't mind second hand, you should check out Ishibashi's UBox for some great deals.

spoonbadger

rgjmce wrote: »

ok here is the thing, i am gonna be saving up pretty soon for a better guitar (bout €1000 mark), i had thought about an gibson sg standard, it's the best guitar that i have played that suits the sound i am looking for and feels great but i am starting to lose faith in gibson since they don't seem reliable/duriable enough. I want something that will stay in tune well but i want something with a set neck/neck through design but i also don't want a floyd rose locking nut/tremolo set up cause i have a guitar with that set up and it can annoying to keep having to take the nut off everytime i want to tune the guitar and i know i could use the fine tuners but that would put the bridge off balance but anyways does anyone have a suggestion of a guitar that would suit me, i have thought about a jackson king v/rhoads as a possible contender.

That was a long sentence.....


Yano, a jackson V is gonna be a good bit different from an SG. Might wanna make your mind up on that.

If your looking for an alternative-to-gibson brand SG then go for edwards or bacchus. But i dont know if you want a different brand of SG or a different guitar suggestion entirely .

rgjmce

well i like the sg cause of the sound and feel (sound mostly) and i have thought about the esp viper but i don't like the sound of emgs. I just want a rock guitar but i tempted by the jackson cause i heard they feel great and i like the sound from them (w/seymour duncans)

the reason i don't like sgs, well more gibsons more specifically is that they have a lot of faults, i was at one point thinking of a fender strat but i don't like the sound and the bolt on neck , even though everything else is great

Doctor J

You're picking loads of very different kinds of guitar. What I'd suggest is picking the style of guitar you want, looks like you like the SG most of all, and pick whoever makes the best SG.

As ever, if it were me I'd have no hesitation in going for Bacchus, here's an interesting maple bodied SG which should have a bit of bite to it and I'd be stunned if it didn't run rings around your average Gibson

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Rare-Bacchus-Japan-BSG-61-SG-MIJ-All-Maple-Guitar_W0QQitemZ370092040164QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item370092040164&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A2|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A24

Hishashi's a gent too.

Quattroste

IF you have €1000 and you like the Gibson SG then I'd say go for it. The SG is the one guitar I think I would have an issue with going for any other brand (except maybe Bacchus). I have also played a Gibson SG Standard recently in XMusic and it was fantastic. I'd be surprised if you had tuning issues with Standard model. The other good side is that I have been looking at the second hand market for a Gibson SG and they seem to hold their value quite well. Try it. Buy it. Take a picture of it. Post it. Simple really

darrenw5094

Just another model, maybe above your price range....PRS McCarty model.

I got mine for about €1300 second hand. Most PRS are kept in top condition because they are muppet free.

Made in honour of Ted McCarty, former chairman with Gibson, now of PRS.
It does the Gibson thing better than Gibson.

Ravelleman

darrenw5094 wrote: »

Most PRS are kept in top condition because they are muppet free.

Exhibit A.

Dord

darrenw5094 wrote: »

Most PRS are kept in top condition because their owners don't play them.

FYP. :pac:

rgjmce, check this out. It's a nice Japanese Tokai SG. Including shipping I'd say it'd be about 650euro. It's within the EU so no customs fees.

Morf

Dord wrote: »

FYP. :pac:

rgjmce, check this out. It's a nice Japanese Tokai SG. Including shipping I'd say it'd be about 650euro. It's within the EU so no customs fees.

Switzerland isn't in the EU. Customs will apply, as far as i know.

Doctor J

darrenw5094 wrote: »

Made in honour of Ted McCarty, former chairman with Gibson, now of PRS.

Ted died about 8 years ago.

Dord

Morf wrote: »

Switzerland isn't in the EU. Customs will apply, as far as i know.

You sure? Technically it's not in the EU, but I believe there is a trade agreement with them. Don't quote me on that though...

Doctor J

A mate of mine bought a Duke goldtop from him recently, I believe he was taxed on arrival.

Dord

Ah right, well that solves that question.

rgjmce

well it was kinda pointless talking about it though cause i don't want to order something off ebay, i want to play it first before i buy

Dord

If that's the case then check out Adverts.ie

Mac Masters

Well I've always been of the opinion of go for the guitar that feels like it is the best match for you! If it feels right go for it, don't let anybody tell you otherwise! Like choosing a wife only you have to pay for it, unless that's what your into!

Pretty much, if you want an SG go for it, don't get a crappy alternative because somebody said it's 'just as good as'! I've been down that road! :P

Ravelleman

I don't think Switzerland are part of our glorious customs union...

Quattroste

Mac Masters wrote: »

Like choosing a wife only you have to pay for it, unless that's what your into!

Pretty much, if you want an SG go for it, don't get a crappy alternative because somebody said it's 'just as good as'! I've been down that road! :P

Two issues here Mac. Firstly, you may have to pay for a guitar but that is a once off payment. The wife is originally free(in most cases) but you pay for it for the rest of your life

No one has suggested a "crappy" alternative to my mind. With the last comment from the OP on trying before you buy I would also suggest the Gibson SG but there are equal alternatives.

rgjmce

thanks mac, i know that probably will use my heart to decide which guitar i choose rather than head, if i was using my head i would buy a fender strat nice and reliable and practically indestructable

Mac Masters

The funny thing is my current guitar is a white fender strat! lol

CianRyan

Buy a Tele if you want it for ever.
Those things are mental.

Didn't Keith Richards beat some guy over the head with it cause they went for Mick Jagger, then start playing it again?

rgjmce

CianRyan wrote: »

Buy a Tele if you want it for ever.
Those things are mental.

Didn't Keith Richards beat some guy over the head with it cause they went for Mick Jagger, then start playing it again?

well i play metal/rock, don't think a tele will cut it, well except that one song metallica use a tele for ha ha.

CianRyan

You could get one and replace the pups with rail pickups, Duncan Hot rails or DeMarzio Choppers, or both. Like me... :cool: Only mine's a strat.

The neck on a tele wouldn't be ideal for metal though.
If metal what you're after, those vipers are amazing. You can get them with passive humbuckers too.
Edit: Also, http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-ie:IE-Address&rlz=1I7SKPB_en&ei=srYJSq_dA5OfsgaE8LWpCQ&resnum=1&q=Jim+Root+Fender+Telecaster+for+sale&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=tbYJSr-1LMiQ_QaYr5WRCw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

rgjmce

CianRyan wrote: »

You could get one and replace the pups with rail pickups, Duncan Hot rails or DeMarzio Choppers, or both. Like me... :cool: Only mine's a strat.

The neck on a tele wouldn't be ideal for metal though.
If metal what you're after, those vipers are amazing. You can get them with passive humbuckers too.
Edit: Also, http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-ie:IE-Address&rlz=1I7SKPB_en&ei=srYJSq_dA5OfsgaE8LWpCQ&resnum=1&q=Jim+Root+Fender+Telecaster+for+sale&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=tbYJSr-1LMiQ_QaYr5WRCw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

Yeah don't think i'll go for a tele/strat, they just don't suit me but i might look into the viper with passive pickups (hopefully a pair of seymour's) that would be nice

JimiTime

Doctor J wrote: »

As ever, if it were me I'd have no hesitation in going for Bacchus, here's an interesting maple bodied SG which should have a bit of bite to it and I'd be stunned if it didn't run rings around your average Gibson

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Rare-Bacchus-Japan-BSG-61-SG-MIJ-All-Maple-Guitar_W0QQitemZ370092040164QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item370092040164&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A2|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A24

Hishashi's a gent too.

That is one tasty specimen!! never heard of Bacchus before, but if their build quality is as good as their aesthetic, then that guitar is a Gem! Is it really on a par with an SG for sound and build?

spoonbadger

JimiTime wrote: »

Is it really on a par with an SG for sound and build?

Better .

rgjmce

spoonbadger wrote: »

Better .

some will say that but since i haven't played one i can't decide

boycey

Their build quality matches the look jimitime, Doc & Quattroste have switched a few of us on to Bacchus now and they are extremely good guitars. Easily the equivalent and often the better of their big name production line brethren from Gibson & Fender, at a better price.
My only reservation with that particular guitar would be the all maple body. I reckon that thing would rattle your fillings with treble. Bacchus pick-ups tend to be bright & articulate (and very good!) so in conjunction with an all maple body its hard to tell would it be a touch too much? They do make regular mahogany body SG's too though.
To the OP- have a look around for some other SG's too if thats your thing- those Vipers are very good , Guild do a cool SG too, you'll also see plenty of older Gibson SG's knocking around Ireland , there's a nice black Standard on adverts for €750.

Quattroste

boycey wrote: »

My only reservation with that particular guitar would be the all maple body. I reckon that thing would rattle your fillings with treble. Bacchus pick-ups tend to be bright & articulate (and very good!) so in conjunction with an all maple body its hard to tell would it be a touch too much? They do make regular mahogany body SG's too though.

You know, that is the only reason that SG is still for sale and some bastard bought the Mahogany one before I got to it.

Johnny Storm

FWIW I think there's something wrong with a maple SG too