Best SG Style guitar for about €600

topcatcbr

I am looking to purchase a new axe. I am thinking of the ESP LTD viper 300.

I would like some opinions before I purchase tho. Maybe some alternatives. It's hard enough to find a comprehensive review in this guitar but have heard good things about ESP LTDs and I like the SG shape. Thanks

topcatcbr

I'd also like to know if thomann do a jan sale or have discount codes.

Ravelleman

I'd get an SG Standard in Waltons for €708!

topcatcbr

Ravelleman wrote: »

I'd get an SG Standard in Waltons for €708!

Budget doesn't stretch quite that far. I'm also a bit of a non conformist. Eg I don't like fender guitars as they are too common.

However I would like a good guitar. I am pretty average at acoustic guitar and an novice lead guitarist. Starting to learn scales but appreciate a well made guitar all the same. I did look at the Gibson and am tempted. That price in waltons is good about €100 cheaper than thomann. But how much are you paying for the Gibson name.

Squidgy Black

Sg's are a bit weird when it comes to copies, there's not too many decent alternatives out there. I had an Esp Ltd les paul style, an ec401 and it was a great guitar, but I've also owned a Gibson SG3 with the single coils and it blew the LTD out of the water. I think the majority of complaints people have with Gibson tends to be about the Les Pauls and their huge price tag, I've rarely heard someone moan about an SG Standard.

As for the name, if you find it too 'common', you could always stick a bit of black tape on the head stock or even sand it off.

topcatcbr

Its not that the name is common. I am just a little wary of paying for something because it has a "brand name". eg i have a Yamaha FG730 Acoustic which i bought instead of a similar priced takamine. I have played both side by side and my Yamaha is a superior product.

I would be afraid of the same with buying a Gibson.

Either one will be the most expensive guitar i ever buy so i want to get it right..
I appreciate all advice.

topcatcbr

Is the Gibson worth €150 more than the Viper 300.

Id love an experienced guitarist to compare the specs of both and see.

I have read elsewhare of people replacing the standard Gibson pickups for the EMG 81/85 which come as standard on the LTD Viper. some complain the gibson set up sounds "muddy" not a term i know about.

I dont know enough about either to give a comparison myself.

Squidgy Black

topcatcbr wrote: »

Is the Gibson worth €150 more than the Viper 300.

Id love an experienced guitarist to compare the specs of both and see.

I have read elsewhare of people replacing the standard Gibson pickups for the EMG 81/85 which come as standard on the LTD Viper. some complain the gibson set up sounds "muddy" not a term i know about.

I dont know enough about either to give a comparison myself.

Genuinely it's worth the extra few quid, and this is coming from someone who isn't even a big Gibson fan, all my axes are Fender's.

The Viper's more comparable to a high end Epiphone than a Gibson. A better comparison would be the Viper 1000 which is supposed to be closer to a Gibson in spec and quality.

As for the pickups, well it's completely down to your own taste. The stock 498 and 490T pickups are decent enough. EMG's tend to be for metal more than anything, personally I hate them, even for metal, as they sound harsh and they're too crisp and not warm, Seymour Duncan blackouts are much better.

If you're playing metal, then yeah go for the Viper or get EMG's in the Gibson, but otherwise I'd recommend avoiding EMG's.

topcatcbr

Thanks for that. It has cleared that up for me. Now if i could get a little advise on a Practice Amp.

I have about €100 to spend

I was going to get the http://www.thomann.de/ie/vox_vt20.htm with the viper
But waltons dont do them.

What would you recomend. Id like to get both from same supplier.

i was thinking this http://waltons.ie/Product/View.aspx?id=29918&cid=36

or this http://waltons.ie/Product/View.aspx?id=29146&cid=36

Id like some built in effects. Save on pedals.

Thanks

Squidgy Black

I'd suggest a Roland Cube, decent little practice amp with some nice enough effects.

topcatcbr

Placed order for SG standard. I will get the Amp separately

Thanks for the advise.

Ravelleman

Excellent choice. I reckon you'll like it. I have a Robby Krieger SG and it's fantastic.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

topcatcbr wrote: »

Budget doesn't stretch quite that far. I'm also a bit of a non conformist. Eg I don't like fender guitars as they are too common.

However I would like a good guitar

Thats one of the reasons they are so common! I felt the same way about strats when I was a lot younger, now my main 2 guitars are strats.

SGs are nice to play, very nice neck and amazing fret coverage. good choice

topcatcbr

Damari Unkempt Thermometer wrote: »

Thats one of the reasons they are so common! I felt the same way about strats when I was a lot younger, now my main 2 guitars are strats.

SGs are nice to play, very nice neck and amazing fret coverage. good choice

Thanks. I played a few strats before.

I just prefer the humbucker sound. I have a Strat copy. I know not the same thing but i wanted a SG style guitar as the strat copy is good enough for its purpose.

MrECameraman

Good call on going for the gibson. Tokai btw are another brand that make great guitars, but they're nearly as expensive as Gibsons.

For practice amps, IMO, it's all about the music you play. What sort of bands are you looking to emulate? Also, fwiw, I'd avoid the MG15 - they sound like a bee in a jam jar

coadyd

http://www.adverts.ie/electric-guitars/yamaha-sg300-electric-guitar/2485978

this guitar may be worth a try . i have played a couple of them and they are excellent.

topcatcbr

coadyd wrote: »

http://www.adverts.ie/electric-guitars/yamaha-sg300-electric-guitar/2485978

this guitar may be worth a try . i have played a couple of them and they are excellent.

I had one of those years ago. It was stolen from my house. It was my first guitar and thought it was very good.

I have bought now. Thanks.

coadyd

best of luck with your new guitar . noting like the smell of a new guitar.

topcatcbr

MrECameraman wrote: »

Good call on going for the gibson. Tokai btw are another brand that make great guitars, but they're nearly as expensive as Gibsons.

For practice amps, IMO, it's all about the music you play. What sort of bands are you looking to emulate? Also, fwiw, I'd avoid the MG15 - they sound like a bee in a jam jar

I ordered the vox valvetronic 40+ with the optional footpedal. I like the idea that it can model other known amps and is getting great reviews.

I have been playing acoustic mostly over the last few years so its been mostly damien rice, Ed Sheeren type stuff but im also partial to Led Zep, Metalica, AC/DC, and anything i think up along the way. so the more versitile the set up the better.

I want to concentrate on scales lead guitar for a while so i can become more competent on this side of things.

MrECameraman

Happy playing dude!