P90 Gibson SG vs Weirder Axes

[ztikmaen]

I would not care if it is made in China, when the woodselection and the workmanship is happening. I've got a Korean-made all mahagony (veneer maple top) Saint Blues Mississippi Bluesmaster (yes assembled in Memphis Tennessee blabla..) with Mules in it and I think it is at least on par with the Tribute, maybe even better.

That's the problem! It's my stupid head that always thinks that things have to be made in more expensive labour countries to be great :/ I mean if my guitar was cr@p but made in England, Id not have a big problem with it :/
BUT ANYWAYYY a few people have said instead of getting a cheaper New Gibson, I should get a secondhand Standard Gibson... But then again I want P90's and none of the more expensive SG with gloss finishes have P90's... And I don't really want to get Humbucker sized P90s because it would feel like the guitar was intended to live with buckers

[BigB]

That's the problem! It's my stupid head that always thinks that things have to be made in more expensive labour countries to be great :/

Know the difference between a US and a MiM strat ? One is built by underpayed mexican guys working in the US, the other is built by underpayed mexican guys living just across the border.

I can't help but remember the days back in the 80s when everything japan had that bad reputation - couldn't be anything but cr@p, could it ? Now the very same guitars are worth their weight in gold, or almost. MiM, MiK and MiC guitars are nowadays 80s MiJ stuff. Do they compete with the best of the late 50s / early 60s gear or with the best of the CS ? possibly not, but that's not the point. Chinese and korean guys do knwo how to build more than decent guitars, if that's what you ask (and pay) for (and you have a good QC), and if I judge on resp. the Reverend Flatroc and the two 60s tributes, I'd rather get me a Sensei.
 

BUT ANYWAYYY a few people have said instead of getting a cheaper New Gibson, I should get a secondhand Standard Gibson... But then again I want P90's and none of the more expensive SG with gloss finishes have P90's... And I don't really want to get Humbucker sized P90s because it would feel like the guitar was intended to live with buckers

Who cares ?-)

(Yeah I know : you do.)

[Philly Q]

Know the difference between a US and a MiM strat ? One is built by underpayed mexican guys working in the US, the other is built by underpayed mexican guys living just across the border.

There's a lot of truth in that!  If you dismantle a US Fender and look at the stamps on the neck heel, the names of the guys who did the work, inspections etc are nearly all Spanish-sounding.

There's really not much difference at all, at least in terms of workmanship.  The MIMs do have lesser-quality hardware and pickups.

[ztikmaen]

Well do you see where I'm coming from though? I understand that it is no measure of quality but the marketing is what gets me everytime... So would you not rather have a BMW than a super top model Toyota?
I kinda want to say: "I have a 'proper' Fender and a 'proper' Gibson" and I know how stupid it sounds -___-
Can somebody please explain to me the difference between an SG Special and SG Standard? Apart from Bindings, inlays, logo, and bridge pickup?

[Philly Q]

Can somebody please explain to me the difference between an SG Special and SG Standard? Apart from Bindings, inlays, logo, and bridge pickup?

Those are the only differences!

They might select "better" wood for the Standards, but they might not... and in any case they'd never admit it if they did!

I'm not sure when they introduced the SG Special as a simpler version of the SG Standard, but it was well over 20 years ago.  Historically, the SG Special was the model with two P-90s (that's now the SG Classic - or was until they introduced the SG Special '60s Tribute).   

[ztikmaen]

Can somebody please explain to me the difference between an SG Special and SG Standard? Apart from Bindings, inlays, logo, and bridge pickup?

Those are the only differences!

They might select "better" wood for the Standards, but they might not... and in any case they'd never admit it if they did!

I'm not sure when they introduced the SG Special as a simpler version of the SG Standard, but it was well over 20 years ago.  Historically, the SG Special was the model with two P-90s (that's now the SG Classic - or was until they introduced the SG Special '60s Tribute).   

Wow, that's pretty complicated :O Well ideally Id have a cream or dark cherry close finish with P90s... I at least wish the SG Special had more colour variations... :/

[Telerocker]

I don't know if you checked out the G&L Asat Tribute tele with P90's. I quite like them and they offer good quality for the price. You won't break the bank. It's a different guitar then a Gibson SG of course. If you've set you mind on that one, consider this not written.  :)

[ztikmaen]

I don't know if you checked out the G&L Asat Tribute tele with P90's. I quite like them and they offer good quality for the price. You won't break the bank. It's a different guitar then a Gibson SG of course. If you've set you mind on that one, consider this not written.  :)

In fact that is EXACTLY what I was considering before, I love them! But apparently the pickups aren't actually P90's but a different modified single coil... And actually since you reminded me of that I have really bad gas for one now :( Right now my list is probably like •(Some) Gibson SG •G&L Asat Special No Top •Eastwood Tuxedo

[Telerocker]

The MFD-pickups are not really P90's, but related to them. They sound less midrangy, more hifi, glassy and muscular at the same time. I would say more like a fat telebridge on steroids. They have quite a wide range and clean up great.

[BigB]

So would you not rather have a BMW than a super top model Toyota?

As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather have a car that do the job, suits my needs and don't let me down - I just don't give a f... about the brand, make, model, and whatnot.

wrt/ guitars, my #1, all-times fav is my good old Vox Custom 24. Hey, wait, it's a "proper" Vox, isn't it ? Well, not quite - it's a early 80s japanese (matsumoku) built guitar, nothing vintage in it - maple neck-thru, lot of switches, and that obvious "80s japan" look. I also have a "proper" SG - oh wait, it's a '80 one, Norlin period, three pieces neck, heck, cork-sniffers will mock me again... But anyway, it happens to be a darn good SG (*way* better than the 60s tributes I tried IMHO), and... the point is : it's not "better" than the Vox. Different (mahogany vs maple, mainly), but not "better".

[Philly Q]

wrt/ guitars, my #1, all-times fav is my good old Vox Custom 24. Hey, wait, it's a "proper" Vox, isn't it ? Well, not quite - it's a early 80s japanese (matsumoku) built guitar, nothing vintage in it - maple neck-thru, lot of switches, and that obvious "80s japan" look.

I really like those "80s Japan" guitars - old Arias, Washburns, pre-RG Ibanez models.  All those neck-thrus, fancy timbers and unique hardware.  I don't like all the switches, but you can always disconnect them....

It would be quite cool if that kind of guitar came back into fashion (maybe using some lighter weight timbers!)

[Telerocker]

I really like those "80s Japan" guitars - old Arias, Washburns, pre-RG Ibanez models.  All those neck-thrus, fancy timbers and unique hardware.  I don't like all the switches, but you can always disconnect them....

It would be quite cool if that kind of guitar came back into fashion (maybe using some lighter weight timbers!)

I liked the Washburn Falcons and the Ibanez Artists in those days. But I left the shop with a Yamaha SG700, which I thought was the dogs bollocks and a heavy horse in one. Great sound, weighs a ton.

[BigB]

I really like those "80s Japan" guitars - old Arias, Washburns, pre-RG Ibanez models.  All those neck-thrus, fancy timbers and unique hardware.  I don't like all the switches, but you can always disconnect them....

It would be quite cool if that kind of guitar came back into fashion (maybe using some lighter weight timbers!)

Well, they actually kind of "come back into fashion" - now that MiJ is officially kewl and the youngsters are young enough to think an early 80 axe is "vintage".