Posted: 10/29/2012 4:55:50 PM EDT
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About 25 years ago when I was 13 or 14 I decided I wanted to learn how to play the guitar. I made it through about 4 lessons and quit. Pretty much had a complete lack of discipline
back then. Anyway, I have been kicking around the idea of trying to learn again for the last few years. Today I grabbed my sons $25 student sized guitar and went online to look up some chords. In 30 minuets I was able to screech out a few barely recognizable tunes. Biggest problem I had is my fingers are to big for it. But that's still more progress than I made in my youth, and it was enough that it has me wanting to give this a real try this time. I think I like the sound of the Gibson SG. The guitar teacher I went to as a kid used one and I like the way it sounded. I searched online and listened to a few clips of people playing on you tube etc, it seems like a nice instrument. I searched on the major chain's websites (guitar center etc), There seems to be a very large difference in pricing on these things. The Epiphone version can be had used for just over $200 (which is nice). The Gibson's seem to go for 3 times more (this will put me in the dog house with the spousal unit). So a couple of questions. Is the Epiphone worth it or spend the coin on the Gibson. There seems to be several variations on both of them. What features should I be looking for? Is there another make or model that I should consider? Since I have pretty much zero experience, I was just gonna try to buy something that has a reputation of sounding good. I cant really play yet, so I don't know what good it would do me to try them out in person. I wouldn't know what I was trying and what made what better. I figured I would go electric over acoustic so I could just use earphones and not aggravate the rest of the household. I want to learn to play strictly for my own entertainment. I like everything from Alice in Chains to Opeth, Pink Floyd to Drive by truckers. What is the opinion of the hive? |
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Just starting out the Epi SG would be a good choice for
you if an SG is what you are looking for. The amp you choose will have a bigger impact on your sound at this point in time so buy the best one you can afford... shop around good deals on great amps new and used can be had. |
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Be aware that with Epiphone, there are several "levels" of build quality in their SG (and LP for that matter) guitars. The quality varies by model in that some are pitched as bargain basement beginner guitars, and others are almost "pro-level". They're usually priced accordingly. There is a world of difference between the $600-700 retail Epiphones and the $129 with an amp models. Be sure of what you're buying. |
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Thanks for the replies.
I noticed there seemed to be several models with both the gibson and epiphone. After reading on some of the guitar forums I might just shop around and see if I can find a used gibson cheap. Seems the epiphone can be upgraded electrically, but the wood its made of cant be. Is there any other models or brands I should be looking at? Or is picking one just gonna have to be done subjectively by sound and feel? I hate having to buy things twice so I'd like to find something I will be happy with for quite a while. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the replies. I noticed there seemed to be several models with both the gibson and epiphone. After reading on some of the guitar forums I might just shop around and see if I can find a used gibson cheap. Seems the epiphone can be upgraded electrically, but the wood its made of cant be. Is there any other models or brands I should be looking at? Or is picking one just gonna have to be done subjectively by sound and feel? I hate having to buy things twice so I'd like to find something I will be happy with for quite a while. While quality is not, sound and feel is very subjective when it comes to guitars. My wife did not understand this until I asked her why she preferred one bra over another because they all did the same thing. If you think you might want to try on other guitars feel free to do so. |
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I've owned both and Epi and a Gibson SG. You should be able to find a used Gibson SG Special for the price of a new Epi. The wood used for the Epi made it feel cheap and it was a bit neck heavy.
The build quality and feel of the Gibson will be much, much better than the Epi. If the Epi is all you can get/ find you can always upgrade electronics as needed but you'll want to upgrade to a Gibson at some point. The Gibson will be something you will want to keep for a long time so look at several because they can have rough fret edges. All that said, there are some higher end Epi SGs that are very nice. I don't think they are being produced any longer and the prices for the used ones seem to be into Gibson SG Standard territory. |
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I like my epiphones. Their Les Paul standard/SG standard type guitars are pretty good. If you don't like things that come from China, try to buy a used one from when they made them in South Korea. My experience has been the same with epiphone as it is with Mexican fenders. The wood is constructed fine. The electronics suck. I generally buy new pickups, and build a new wiring harness for both brands. It should be worth noting that, while better, stock fender and gibson pickup sets tend not stellar either unless you're buying the really expensive models. You can buy a 400 dollar epiphone, spend 100 to 200 upgrading it, and have a damned fine guitar. Even if I bought a gibson, I'd probably still spend the money on upgrading the same types of components. ETA: What I would really do is buy one for 150 on ebay and then do the rebuild stuff. Very cheap. |
| Start with something affordable that you like. No point in dropping a thousand bucks on a rig and quitting in a month. Plus if you get something like one of their starter packs, you can use it until you know you are ready for the commitment of some serious gear and then pass the starter rig down to your son. I swear by Gibson guitars and Marshall amps. Just get started with something you are comfortable with and has cool points for you. My other tips are learn to play stuff you like listening to and turn it up to 11! |
You will not be disappointed! This one is more Les Paul like. Their other EC-1000s are nice too, but more for heavy metal. This one has the same pickups Slash has used. http://www.drumcityguitarland.com/drumcitygl/stores/1/LTD-DELUXE-SERIES-EC-1000TFM-FCSB-6-String-Electric-Guitar-P3905C428.aspx |
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I have a Korean Epiphone SG, and I absolutely love it. The neck is superior to any of the Chinese Epis that I've picked up, and the electronics are pretty good.
I recently played a Gibson SG standard at Guitar center, and while the balance of it was better, I didn't care for the neck, and I honestly couldn't tell much difference in the way it sounded. I bought my SG from a guy on craigslist with a Fender amp for $150.00. Spend the money you save over buying the Gibson, and upgrade the pups, or get a nice amp, or pay for some lessons. If you decide that you want to continue to play, then buy something really nice. Just be careful. Guitars tend to reproduce like Mosins. I started with an acoustic and my SG about a year ago, and today I had to go and get another stand for my 5th guitar, and had to make room for my 3rd amp. 
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Thanks for all the help guys. I think I will keep my eye out for used stuff and see what pops up. Seems like the epiphone is
worth the risk if I can get one cheap enough. I'd of done an impulse buy on something already but I just bought a bunch more gun stuff. (Impulse buy  )
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If you look around you can find a used Gibson Faded SG in the $400-$500 range.
And like others have said Epiphones are decent guitars. I have an older Epiphone Les Paul Custom. Its a nice guitar. But the thing I don't like about the newer ones is the use of Alder in some models. Alder is a wood commonly used in Strat and Tele style guitars, that sounds good in those style guitars, but for whatever reason sounds lousy in Gibson style guitars....at least to my ears. So good luck, I hope you find a good deal! |
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Do yourself a favor and get a teacher who can show you how to read music. Lots of “musicians” will tell you they don’t need to read, but they don’t know what they’re missing. It’s like a shooter telling you, “All I want to do is shoot single-shot .22 rifles. I don’t need scopes and centerfires and shotguns and handguns.”
Why limit yourself to tabs and playing by rote? If you want to play music, learn how it works. There’s a world of great music out there. If you can’t read, you’ll miss almost all of it and the fun that goes with playing it. |