Anyone got an Epi SG?

[Modular1]

Whats the quality of em like? how do you rate them? i was thinking of getting one of the vintage faded ones and sticking some riff raffs in it. would this be a worthwhile endeavor?

[Spitfire]

a lot like them.. (especially on the harmony central forums) but i really dont.. id use the cash on something different, for an epi SG arn't you asking about £300?? and the BK set £200... for £500 id go for a jap fender strat for that price, then you have an awsome guitar and not just some awsome pickups.

Maybe or This, just 2 suggestions.

[Twinfan]

Not very helpful Mr Spitfire - the man clearly wants an SG!  :)

I gig an Epi.  It's been pimped up quite heavily, in fact almost completely!  As standard they're OK, but with a bit of work they're very good indeed.  Mine has Riff Raffs and it's very "Angus", which is OK because that's what I was after  ;)

A used faded model, with a set of Riff Raffs, would make a good value for money choice.  A slightly more expensive option would be to get a Japanese Tokai SG, which you may prefer.  You should try a few different brands/models out and see what you think.

[Spitfire]

Not very helpful Mr Spitfire - the man clearly wants an SG!  :)

I gig an Epi.  It's been pimped up quite heavily, in fact almost completely!  As standard they're OK, but with a bit of work they're very good indeed.  Mine has Riff Raffs and it's very "Angus", which is OK because that's what I was after  ;)

A used faded model, with a set of Riff Raffs, would make a good value for money choice.  A slightly more expensive option would be to get a Japanese Tokai SG, which you may prefer.  You should try a few different brands/models out and see what you think.

yea i play a tokai sg... but my point was to get something good instead of a low down epi.. which in my opinion is a waste of money

[Twinfan]

Harsh words fella.  Nowt wrong with a good Epi.

[Spitfire]

ive had a few epis... i know a fair few ppl use them, i just cant see it.. not enjoyed playing one ever... so cant recommend them to anyone

[Spitfire]

Ok, i can admit one epi tempts me, but i know NOTHING about bass's so maybe its an unwise choice..

[_tom_]

Harsh words fella.  Nowt wrong with a good Epi.

+1, mine is great. I think I prefer the Pearl to it now though, but it's not a bad guitar and still sounds better (probably just prefering humbuckers to p90s at the minute).

I have played some godawful ones though, but then again they've been badly treated and have never been set up so its clearly down to the owner and how they treat their guitars..

[Doog]

I've had my epi sg for nearly 6 years now.  it's got a pair of cold sweat in now but I only put them in about a year ago, whereas my other two humbucking guitars got bkps far sooner.  if you get a decent one and have it set up properly then you'll have absolutely no problems with it whatsoever, and tbh paying £300 for the guitar and £200 for a pair of riff raffs is still much better value than paying ~£900 for a gibson which still might leave you wanting a set of bkps

[Dixie_Crap]

I used to have an epi sg korina, it looked cool and played quiet nicely but the build quiality wasn't great especially when you can get a decent ibanez for that kind of money

[WezV]

I am in with the Epi love as well, My lp is great - although it has been completely pimped

[martinw]

I had a vintage faded brown Epi SG. It was OK, but a bit "fake" if you get my meaning. The front and back were veneers, and it was neck heavy (unlike any of the many Gibson SG's I've had). The fretboard had been dyed.

The playability was ok, but there was a fair amount of buzzing, and it's likely it would have benefitted from fret dress. The pickups were actually very good.

All in all I felt a bit disappointed, and sold it. It was not as good in terms of feel as either of the 2 Epi LPs I've had, and nowhere near as good as TF's Epi SG.

It seemed good value, but in the same position again, I'd put the £180 (ish) towards something else. Maybe a Tokai SG?

[AndyR]

I have an old Epi SG that I used to gig with. It's got Riff Raffs in now, funnily enough. It does the job, but it needs some attention due to old age and overwork over the years.

However, if I was serious about playing an SG, like others I'd probably look at a Japanese Tokai to replace it instead. For me this is based on my Japanese Tokai Love Rock that has completely eclipsed my Epi LP, which was a better player than my Epi SG anyway...

[Jonesy76]

With you guys on the Epi love.

Get a decent secondhand one and then pimp it would be my opinion if you don't want to spend the extra dough on a Tokai (the Tokais are actually very good, but a bit more pricey).  I still have my exceedingly old Epi SG although it is now completely in bits in the garage as part of a new project.

The worst thing in my experience with Epis are the electrics.  The humbuckers are usually shocking (Gibson designed.........of course they are......Gibson created the original Humbucker.  Doesn't mean the went anywhere near the Epi ones though) and the on board electrics are a liability. 

Get a good secondhand Epi SG, stick in some 'Riff Raffs', rip out the wiring, and replace with CTS pots and a Switchcraft 3-way toggle and you'll have a gutiar that will last you for a number of years without giving you any grief.

[badgermark]

Plus the tokais are made of nato/agathis/basswood. Think the lower priced sgs are alder, and the g400s are mahogany.