Tone difference between SG and LP.

[Jean Lafitte]

If you have similar stock humbuckers in both, could anybody compare the tones of these two guitars?

I have a stock 1979 SG. It seems like a great guitar to me, but these don't seem very collectible. Can anybody tell me why? I'd like to read your opinion.

Thanks.

[trag-o-caster]

Hey, this is my first time here! I'm a Tele-freak, but I've owned a few Gibsons along the way, including both a Les Paul Custom, and an SG. My SG was very light and resonant. It had a much darker sound than my LP. I rarely played it, but whenever I was in the mood for 'buckers I'd turn to the SG much more than the LP. Most LP's have something going on in the upper end that I don't care for. I much prefer SG's, Jr's, TV's. and Specials, especially with P90's, although the 'buckers have their place as well. Cheers!

[Paul G.]

A Les Paul has more full-frequency tone--more top, more bottom.

SGs are more midrange-y. The bridge pickup on an SG is the quintessential "Rock" tone, round and growly. The lightweight body makes an SG really ring, especially if the volume comes up a bit.

An LP is more versatile, can be bright and crisp, or it can be warm and round.

In addition the ergonomics on an SG are not "traditional". It's a love it or hate it situation.

P.

[Bob McLeod]

That about sums it up. Of the three major Gibson electric tones - LP, SG, 335 - I think the SG comes closer to the the 335 than the LP.

I differ on the ergo stuff tho. For my style and short finger* length the SG (as well as the 335) are better suited for me than the LP. First, there's the wieght issue - 'nuff said. Second, The width of both the SG and 335 neck/body joint is as much as half an inch narrower than the LP. I am able to work much farther up the neck on an SG or 335 comfortably than on a Paul.

Another point that is easily overlooked in the ergo area is the location of the upper bout strap button. Both the SG and 335 have the upper button at the bottom of the neck/body joint, at about the 17th - 18th fret. The LP has the top button on the top horn, at about the 14th - 15th fret.
The higher up the fret board the top button is located, the easier it is to reach the 21st - 22nd fret comfortably. Down side is, the nut is now located farther from the body. That's ok for me tho 'cuz I gots those monkey arms..hehehehe!

*Yeah and everything else is short too so no jokes!

Bob

[LordArgument]

Hello, all!

The SG is honkier, more mid-rangey to my ears - I think Les Pauls sound much better clean than do SG's, but I prefer the SG for rock and roll. As far as shape and playability, the SG is far more comfortable to my hands and back! Like posted earlier, I love where the strap button is located on the SG! My SG is a '99 brown-burst (whatever they call this finish!) with a great neck! I played several before I bought this one, as Gibsons can be hit or miss with me, but this thing is a player! Chunky neck like I love.

Peace

Wayne H.

[Buffalosix]

Hello all! Thanks for starting this forum! I have a '61 LP/SG Historic reissue. I got it about a year after getting rid of a '74 LP Custom.

From an ergonomics standpoint, I far prefer the SG. I thought that the LP was murder to play sitting down, the balance was all wrong, much too ass-heavy.

I'd heard some complaints about SG being off balance (neck heavy), but I haven't noticed it at all - perhaps because the Maestro balances perfectly well with the headstock.

Cheers.

[EIH]

I have a Les Paul Standard (a 2000) and an SG Gothic that both have 490R and 498T pickups, and I pretty much second the general sentiment that's already been expressed here as far as tone goes. The LP is definitely more full range and I find the clean tone to be more pleasant and the neck pickup with the tone rolled back a little is a bit more 'buttery' for lack of a better term. The LP also has a little bit better sustain at high gain and more top end shimmer. On the other hand, the SG really stands out to me sonically in a band mix in a two guitar situation (the other guitarist I play with is using one of the new Ibanez SZ520 models with fairly hot 'buckers itself) and I think it does that "supercharged blues" mid-gain sound better than my Les Paul. I also feel like it has a bit more of a percussive sound to the attack - at least with my picking technique. As far as the ergonomics go, I find both comfortable and easy to play, but the LP hurts my back after a couple hours. Could play the SG all night with no complaints.

[The Snowman]

I use SG's and Teles on gigs all the time and I hate Les Pauls...after a set or two..your all done...The SG I can play all night and I have done it...the tone is definately more Mids...but I play my 74 and the bluez just ooozes out of it....I'm about the only guy here in Philly that plays SG's fer bluez...everyone else in the Gibby lineup is doing Les Pauls....I also love my 2001 Standard...I put Burstbuckers #1 & #3 in it and it is great...best pups out there....don

[holgaguy]

I always thought that the SG sounded a lot thinner - not as much bottom or top and not as full as the Les Paul. I mean youv'e got a thin slab of mahogany vs a thick slab with a maple top. LP's have a much more versatile*tone if you don't mind a heavy guitar.

I really like my SG as a slide guitar but I used it for years as my Number One.



http://homepage.mac.com/davidniles/guitars/

[SG Johnny]

My Les Paul has more overdrive and longer sustain than my SG standard. I like the feel of my SG over the LP.
I played a Telecaster for ten years and five years of various Stratocasters before I picked up a good Gibson SG..and now it's my favorite guitar.

[Oster]

It's that maple cap that gives the LP a little more brightness. That's why they put it on there, the early LPs sounded too 'dark'.

[Gutson]

Les Paul guitars are rubbish. You can only do what Lp wants, and I hate it!