Brand new Gibson!

[kent]

I just got a brand new Gibson SG Standard in ebony. I love it and will hopefully have it forever. My favorite guitar is still my Les Paul Custom but I am glad to have the SG and I can't wait to record with it. Having said that, here's my take on Gibson at this point.

When I first got the guitar I hated it. It is the first guitar I've ever bought sight unseen and I figured I'd just send it back if I didn't like it. But it was not set up at all and it had really light strings so I new it could be improved with the right amount of attention. I immediately took it to my local guitar wizard (Ron Pace, Houston, TX, 713-339-9000) and had it set up properly with the strings I use. I couldn't believe the difference. I've been playing guitar a long time and it still amazes me the difference a great set-up can make. Anyhow, here's a list of what he did:

-Refiled the slots in the nut
-Made a slight truss rod adjustment
-Removed the bridge and actually turned some of the saddles around to get the intonation perfect

My question is: Why can't Gibson set up a guitar better before it leaves the factory? It's not really that big a deal to me because it's pretty easy for me to run over to Ron's and have him do these things or I could even do some of them myself if I wanted to take the time. But what happens when a guitar is sent to someone who doesn't know the first thing about setting the intonation and truss rod adjustments to allow for heavier string gauges and doesn't have a guitar tech in their area? I guess the retailer bears some responsibility, but I think it's more of a Gibson issue. I mean, how hard can it be? It took Ron about 10 minutes after he changed the strings to turn this thing into a completely different instrument.

Anyway, I am thrilled with the thing now.

On a side note: Six different people have played this guitar since I got it on Monday and they all have played an AC/DC song on it. My wife just started playing guitar and even she made me show her how to play "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap." Angus should be proud.

[Rich]

I hope you have the E and A saddles spun around on the Les Paul, I think I was about 23 when I figured out it would do that and spun my LP saddles around

If Ron swapped saddles and filed the nut in 10 minites that boy's got some skills! A factory setup is only as good as the tech that did it and every manufacturer has good ones, and new hires, and ones that care, and ones that are watching the clock. And even after he sets it up it may sit for a year before the next person, sometimes the buyer, picks it up. Of course that's why I won't touch one till the day before I ship. I've noticed that if you sit on a fresh setup for 1 month you have to restretch the strings or everything is instantly going flat. Not fully stretch in cause they were already, but you gotta give each string one nice yankin'. I would so love to sell more hardtails!!

[BrianH]

I believe you use the phrase 'tail' in all your posts.. must be due to the lack thereof!

[DoctorCrunch]

I love SG's, man! I had a '61 RI for 2 days, and I loved it. Had to return it, though, because it was a REALLY hasty, impulsive, credit card purchase. I almost cried.

[cusplaya]

Originally Posted by Rich

I hope you have the E and A saddles spun around on the Les Paul, I think I was about 23 when I figured out it would do that and spun my LP saddles around

Tanx for the tip!! I was 38 when I figured that out, 2 mins. ago

[weserman]

i have an SG! i know what you mean about everyone playing ACDC on them. All the guy in the guitar shop played was ACDC on it, then when i got it in my next lesson with my guitar teacher he showed me 'Back in Black'.

[Gabe Nickelson]

Hey Kent! Congrats on the new guitar. Have you gigged with it yet? How's the tone?

Gabe

[kent]

I love the guitar. The neck is very similiar to my LP but the frets taper off a little far from the edge of the fret board for my tastes. If my LP hadn't been refretted they would probably be even more alike. But as far as the actual neck shape, I have to say I like the thicker necks on both of them over any slim taper neck I've ever played. Every Gibson with a slim taper neck I've tried (granted they have all been LP Classics) seemed to have a somewhat muddy low end, which is already a problem with shorter scale guitars. (BTW- No one hates the low end mud more than Bob O). But the fatter Gibson necks seem to have a little tighter sound. My smaller hands can get used to the fatter neck if it sounds good. Overall I'm thrilled with the way it plays.

Can't say what I'm going to do about the pickups yet. If I didn't have EMGs in every other guitar I would probably leave the stocks in there. But there is a notable gain loss and frequency peaking with the stocks that I'm not sure I can live with at this point. Accoustically the guitar is very alive and has great sustain so I'm sure I will be happy however I decide to electronically mutilate this fine instrument.


After all of the years I've played and all of the guitars I've owned, I have to say there is definately a Gibson vibe that I love. I know they can make some dogs, but nothing beats a really great Gibson.

[Dino]

Who wants to play AC/DC on my SG?

[Kontalonis]

Originally Posted by Dino

Who wants to play AC/DC on my SG?

Hmmmmmmmmm I LIKE IT, very unique!

Also, grats on the SG man! Yeah you'd think paying that much for a guitar you'd get a half decent factory setup.

[mfergel]

Well, it's not just Gibson. For example, myself and others on the board have commented about how the nut on the RGA121 has a few sticky slots, primarily the G and B strings. Now, if it were one person, that's understandable, but several folks having the same problem with the same string(s). That too me would indicate they probably have the specs screwed up somewhere and are grabbing the wrong tools.

[elcid]

Congrats man, I've been dying for a 61RI lately but I don't want to sell my faded and I just dropped a bunch of money I don't have on a Custom Shop LP so it has to wait until I start making more money again.

[Dee]

Originally Posted by Dino

Who wants to play AC/DC on my SG?

It's a Zachary! How does it play? Been chatting to Alex via email recently -- nice guy. I'm about to try his optimum gauge string sets. I REALLY want a Zach Z2T. Badly.

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by Dino

That's one weird looking headstock Anyway still nice!

[Dino]

Originally Posted by Deeswift

It's a Zachary! How does it play? Been chatting to Alex via email recently -- nice guy. I'm about to try his optimum gauge string sets. I REALLY want a Zach Z2T. Badly.

I have two Zach's, this one and a Z2. They both are incredible guitars. No one would believe how good until they play one. Not just the design of the guitars but the setup as well. Alex is a genius.