Author Topic: SG Difference (Read 6587 times)

donovan.x · « **on:** October 30, 2005, 05:33:38 PM »

I am going to ask a really silly question now...What is the difference between a SG standard and a SG special? I could do with a really indepth , sensible answer here guys

Cheers.

Ratrod · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2005, 05:46:05 PM »

Basicly, the special has no binding on the neck, has open coil ceramic humbuckers and solid colors, except for the faded specials.

donovan.x · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2005, 06:28:17 PM »

Is the build of any lesser quality? How much difference does the lack of binding on the neck make? And are the basic materials all the same as a standard?eg wood, machine heads?

Ratrod · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2005, 09:21:48 PM »

Everything else is the same. The lack of binding has no influence on the sound. In theory the quality should be the same but you never can tell with Gibson. I tried an SG special once that was horrible. Not a single screw was straight, the pickups weren't put in straight and the ribbon around the pickup had a twist in it. It did play and sound well though.

PhilKing · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2005, 10:14:32 PM »

In the original Gibson days, the Special had P-90's and dots (but did have a bound fingerboard), and the Standard had humbuckers and trapezoidal inlays. The Junior was the only one with an unbound neck.

Skybone · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2005, 10:41:55 PM »

The Standard has "Trapezoid" inlays a la LP, the Special has dots and an unbound neck. It comes in a gig bag. That's it as far as I can see.

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2005, 12:25:35 AM »

The SG specials that are in production at the moment all seem the same as the standards bar the less flashy cosmetics.

Tellboy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 31, 2005, 01:49:40 PM »

Gibson seem to have brought out several models over the years which are not accurate to the originals. (Les Pauls etc)
As Phil stated above the original '60s Specials had two P90 pickups and a dot inlay fretboard. There were 3 other models - the top of the range Custom with 3 humbuckers (Usually gold plated) with a different headstock inlay and ebony fretboard with block inlays, the Standard (see my avatar) with 2 humbuckers, bound fretboard and trapezoidal inlays and the Junior with a single P90 and a dot inlay unbound fretboard.
The present Specials seem to be a bar-stewardised version of the original Special and the Standard. If you are not particularly worried about having a bound fretboard etc. then you could save yourself some money which I would advise you to spend on BKPs - I have a set of RiffRaffs in my '61 SG Reissue which are superb.
Gibson quality can vary - whatever you go for I would recommend you try before you buy.

donovan.x · « **Reply #8 on:** October 31, 2005, 07:16:55 PM »

I own an SG standard and in my time have had more than one. I was thinking about picking up a bargain and pimping it and wanted to know how bigger drop in quality 9If any) I should expect from the special.
Thanks for all your answers.

indysmith · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2005, 11:29:29 PM »

The build quality is the exact same on both models. As far as i could tell so was the sound quality - although i do prefer the looks and feel of the standard. not worth the extra few hundred quid though at all!

how on earth are you planning to pimp an SG?

lulusg · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2005, 08:20:12 AM »

Main difference...cosmetics. As for pimping it, that should give you the best possible tone, if done properly and professionally. :)

donovan.x · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2005, 09:11:37 PM »

how on earth are you planning to pimp an SG?[/quote]

lulusg · « **Reply #12 on:** November 02, 2005, 10:57:46 AM »

There is a perceived difference after changing: the plastic nut for a bone nut, bridge piece and stop tailbar pieces for the tonepro II, Gibson generic pots and capacitors for high quality ones(rsguitarworks electronic upgrade kit), and most important BKP pickups

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2005, 11:24:20 AM »

Ah yeah, it makes you wonder why Gibson don't do it as standard as aside from the BKPs it's all pretty cheap, they must be run by a right bunch of penny pinching bar stewards. The little changes like that might cost a few bucks more, but they could easily make the difference between a sale and the loss of a customer too. I guess the common sense fairy never blessed Gibson's current CEOs.