Gibson electric for a Telecaster player

[arlum]

I've loved the Gibson SGs of my past but would warn the op that when it comes to playing while standing you will definitely lose the weight balance of the Telecaster. If your SGs on a strap you'll be holding up it's neck. You can't let go or the neck will drop down. Every instrument has it's pluses and minuses. Neck drop is the most pronounced minus of the SG. I own two Gibson Les Pauls. Tonally they are on a level all their own. The best sustain of any of my guitars. Far better balance on a strap than the SG. The LPs biggest minus, (not in my opinion but for most folks), is it's overall weight. I personally own two that have zero weight relief of any type. Both 100% solid mahogany backed with full maple tops. My old LP studio weighs in between nine and ten pounds while my LP Traditional from it's last year of production just misses eleven pounds. If either of these factors are deal breakers for you then your remaining choice would be a Gibson ES-335 / 345 / 355. My true order of recommendation would be, (Gibson), Les Paul, ES-335, and then SG. In the past I've owned Epiphone versions of the Les Paul and 335 but never bought one considering it to be a keeper. I had a need and couldn't afford Gibson so settled for an Epiphone until the bread was available for what I really wanted. I think many, if not most, Gibson owners go through this stage. Epiphone guitars often have beautiful looking tops that can really impress the audience but, from the players perspective, they're one to three steps down from the Gibson model they're based on. If you want a Gibson model with a gloss top but need to stay below $1599.00 you have to go with Epiphone. Good luck with your search.

 

[Highway 49]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. I am quite traditional when it comes to guitar models/shapes, and probably ES-335 and LP Junior/Special would be my favourite.
Weight too is a consideration - even though predominantly for home, sitting on the porch playing, it’s striking how often people choose the lighter guitar rather than the full weight Les Paul, and striking too how often (in various threads and videos) people say they pick up their Epiphone over their Gibson - maybe because it’s less precious people feel a little more comfortable).
SGs come up over and again- I think when people play softer and jazzier/bluesier, SGs sound amazing (obvs. see an SG on YouTube and most of the time it’s straight into massive power chords, tons of gain, and guitar faces, so it’s really interesting when people don’t do that).
So, I think I’ll try out some 335s, Specials and Juniors, and SGs (which is pretty well where my list started). The Epiphone Casino is the other option - on the face of it, it would seem to be perfect - so I’m not quite sure why I’m not so drawn to it.
Thanks again

 

[NoTeleBob]

I've loved the Gibson SGs of my past but would warn the op that when it comes to playing while standing you will definitely lose the weight balance of the Telecaster. If your SGs on a strap you'll be holding up it's neck. You can't let go or the neck will drop down. Every instrument has it's pluses and minuses. Neck drop is the most pronounced minus of the SG. I own two Gibson Les Pauls. Tonally they are on a level all their own. The best sustain of any of my guitars. Far better balance on a strap than the SG. The LPs biggest minus, (not in my opinion but for most folks), is it's overall weight. I personally own two that have zero weight relief of any type. Both 100% solid mahogany backed with full maple tops. My old LP studio weighs in between nine and ten pounds while my LP Traditional from it's last year of production just misses eleven pounds. If either of these factors are deal breakers for you then your remaining choice would be a Gibson ES-335 / 345 / 355. My true order of recommendation would be, (Gibson), Les Paul, ES-335, and then SG. In the past I've owned Epiphone versions of the Les Paul and 335 but never bought one considering it to be a keeper. I had a need and couldn't afford Gibson so settled for an Epiphone until the bread was available for what I really wanted. I think many, if not most, Gibson owners go through this stage. Epiphone guitars often have beautiful looking tops that can really impress the audience but, from the players perspective, they're one to three steps down from the Gibson model they're based on. If you want a Gibson model with a gloss top but need to stay below $1599.00 you have to go with Epiphone. Good luck with your search.

The SG neck dive while standing is the result of them being so darn light in the body. A feature, and a flaw. But not all of them have it.

There are a couple solutions. One is to add a small amount of weight to the body itself inside the cavity. The other is to use a strap that has a rough backside. Either one solves the problem.

 

[NoTeleBob]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. I am quite traditional when it comes to guitar models/shapes, and probably ES-335 and LP Junior/Special would be my favourite.
Weight too is a consideration - even though predominantly for home, sitting on the porch playing, it’s striking how often people choose the lighter guitar rather than the full weight Les Paul, and striking too how often (in various threads and videos) people say they pick up their Epiphone over their Gibson - maybe because it’s less precious people feel a little more comfortable).
SGs come up over and again- I think when people play softer and jazzier/bluesier, SGs sound amazing (obvs. see an SG on YouTube and most of the time it’s straight into massive power chords, tons of gain, and guitar faces, so it’s really interesting when people don’t do that).
So, I think I’ll try out some 335s, Specials and Juniors, and SGs (which is pretty well where my list started). The Epiphone Casino is the other option - on the face of it, it would seem to be perfect - so I’m not quite sure why I’m not so drawn to it.
Thanks again

One more thing that no one seems to have mentioned here is the neck carve. The necks come in a variety of carves including standard (thick) 50s, slim taper 50s, slim taper 60s, thicker of some sort, and baseball bats. Often they vary a fair amount even if they have the same name; particularly when they span multiple years. When Gibson produces a modern guitar with, for example, a "slim 60s" neck, they can vary a lot because all the necks up through least the 70s were hand finished. Depending on which particular neck from which particular neck carver they model, the neck will come out differently.

Epiphone's will vary less. But they will have equally ambiguous names used. You'll find the same name used over decades having slightly different shapes.

If you find a particular shape you'd like but you are not happy with the neck then ask some questions. Someone here or in one of the Gibson forums can help you figure out what neck you might want for that guitar.

 

[bobio]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. I am quite traditional when it comes to guitar models/shapes, and probably ES-335 and LP Junior/Special would be my favourite.
Weight too is a consideration - even though predominantly for home, sitting on the porch playing, it’s striking how often people choose the lighter guitar rather than the full weight Les Paul, and striking too how often (in various threads and videos) people say they pick up their Epiphone over their Gibson - maybe because it’s less precious people feel a little more comfortable).
SGs come up over and again- I think when people play softer and jazzier/bluesier, SGs sound amazing (obvs. see an SG on YouTube and most of the time it’s straight into massive power chords, tons of gain, and guitar faces, so it’s really interesting when people don’t do that).
So, I think I’ll try out some 335s, Specials and Juniors, and SGs (which is pretty well where my list started). The Epiphone Casino is the other option - on the face of it, it would seem to be perfect - so I’m not quite sure why I’m not so drawn to it.
Thanks again

Weight was an issue for me as well. That is one of the reasons it took me soo long to find the right Les Paul for me. The Studio has a chambered (Gibson's "Ulta Modern Weight Relief") body and my Les Paul weighs in at 8lbs 4oz. Not sure if you would consider that heavy. I tend to prefer my guitars close to 8lbs, give or take a few ounces. That, and the push/pull coil tapping were the two primary reasons I chose the Studio.

 

[TwangerWannabe]

I've loved the Gibson SGs of my past but would warn the op that when it comes to playing while standing you will definitely lose the weight balance of the Telecaster. If your SGs on a strap you'll be holding up it's neck. You can't let go or the neck will drop down. Every instrument has it's pluses and minuses. Neck drop is the most pronounced minus of the SG. I own two Gibson Les Pauls. Tonally they are on a level all their own. The best sustain of any of my guitars. Far better balance on a strap than the SG. The LPs biggest minus, (not in my opinion but for most folks), is it's overall weight. I personally own two that have zero weight relief of any type. Both 100% solid mahogany backed with full maple tops. My old LP studio weighs in between nine and ten pounds while my LP Traditional from it's last year of production just misses eleven pounds. If either of these factors are deal breakers for you then your remaining choice would be a Gibson ES-335 / 345 / 355. My true order of recommendation would be, (Gibson), Les Paul, ES-335, and then SG. In the past I've owned Epiphone versions of the Les Paul and 335 but never bought one considering it to be a keeper. I had a need and couldn't afford Gibson so settled for an Epiphone until the bread was available for what I really wanted. I think many, if not most, Gibson owners go through this stage. Epiphone guitars often have beautiful looking tops that can really impress the audience but, from the players perspective, they're one to three steps down from the Gibson model they're based on. If you want a Gibson model with a gloss top but need to stay below $1599.00 you have to go with Epiphone. Good luck with your search.

Another internet myth that is GREATLY blown out of proportion...SG neck dive!

Does it happen? Probably. Is every single SG plagued with it? No. Is it overblown on the internet forums? Yes.

I've owned SG Standards and an had a few SG Classics w/ P90's. Never had a problem playing SG's live. It's not like it's going to crash to the floor or do anything crazy if you leave go of the neck. Will the neck possibly slide down a little? Maybe, but it's not going to do a complete 180 on you. You make it sound like it's going to behave like a wild animal if you left go of your death grip on it.

 

[Telecaster88]

SGs come up over and again- I think when people play softer and jazzier/bluesier, SGs sound amazing (obvs. see an SG on YouTube and most of the time it’s straight into massive power chords, tons of gain, and guitar faces, so it’s really interesting when people don’t do that).

I'm a lifelong Tele player, and when I went to the dark side a few years ago it was for a 2018 SG Special that I found so cheap and so mint I couldn't resist. It's a wonderful guitar.

That one came with Gibson mini humbuckers, which are like a cross between a PAF and a single coil... Bright and chimey, but a little thicker than your standard Fender single coil. The trick is to roll back the guitar's volume knobs, and that results in one of the most beautiful, warm but sparkly, woody tones I've ever heard.

I avoided SGs for years because they were "AC/DC" guitars (AC/DC is fine, but worlds away from the chimey folk-country-rock I play)... But truthfully I get a kick from playing my kind of lilting, melodic music on one. They're so much more versatile than their reputation would have you believe.

Going from a Tele to an SG does take a bit of an adjustment... They are way more delicate than a Tele and, in my experience, require a different playing approach. Mine is kind of wiggly, but once I adjust, that's one of the things I like about it. It focuses me on my playing. They also sit different and famously you'll feel like you're playing a few frets off on the neck at first. But yeah, you adapt to all that quickly.

 

[Controller]

I had a Gibson SG for many years. It sounded awesome but was like a beautiful suit that didn't fit right. It was never comfortable to play. I didn't struggle with the neck dive but the neck was like rubber, couldn't tune or intonate it to save my life. All this to say that an SG may be perfect for you but I would do a trial if possible. Good luck!

 

[John C]

Another internet myth that is GREATLY blown out of proportion...SG neck dive!

Does it happen? Probably. Is every single SG plagued with it? No. Is it overblown on the internet forums? Yes.

I've owned SG Standards and an had a few SG Classics w/ P90's. Never had a problem playing SG's live. It's not like it's going to crash to the floor or do anything crazy if you leave go of the neck. Will the neck possibly slide down a little? Maybe, but it's not going to do a complete 180 on you. You make it sound like it's going to behave like a wild animal if you left go of your death grip on it.

I think that on some models Gibson kind of exacerbates the neck dive tendency by putting heavier tuners (Grovers, locking Grovers) on them. With the keystone tuners it's not much of an issue.

For me I love the idea of SGs but just don't like the ergonomics of them - the neck is too far to the left for me. I've only owned one - a 2019 "SG Standard Tribute" - the short-lived version from September 2018-April 2019, but I think they only changed the name to "SG Tribute" in April 2019 and didn't change any specs other than the strings going from 9-46 to 10-46. I played it a lot but just never adapted to it and am more comfortable with the single cut shape. It had the keystone tuners and I never had any neck dive on it; admittedly I was using a suede-backed strap with it.

 

[TwangerWannabe]

I think that on some models Gibson kind of exacerbates the neck dive tendency by putting heavier tuners (Grovers, locking Grovers) on them. With the keystone tuners it's not much of an issue.

For me I love the idea of SGs but just don't like the ergonomics of them - the neck is too far to the left for me. I've only owned one - a 2019 "SG Standard Tribute" - the short-lived version from September 2018-April 2019, but I think they only changed the name to "SG Tribute" in April 2019 and didn't change any specs other than the strings going from 9-46 to 10-46. I played it a lot but just never adapted to it and am more comfortable with the single cut shape. It had the keystone tuners and I never had any neck dive on it; admittedly I was using a suede-backed strap with it.

The way the neck feels longer is legit, especially coming from a Tele.

 

[Golden Strat]

I got lucky with a Les Paul Tribute, easy player, nice and light (weight-relieved), very lively to play -- for me, the maple cap makes all the difference. I asked the guy at Wildwood, where I bought it, if it was enough of a Les Paul to let me figure out whether I liked Les Pauls or not and he said it certainly was. Much more alive-feeling than the 335 I had that was 3x the price.

Moral of the story is that it's better to play 'em first & see what feels good to your hands.

The tribute guitars can be real sleepers, I have a goldtop LP Tribute that came with P-90's. I swapped them out with some Gibson Mini-Buckers and now I have a light weight 70's Deluxe LP style guitar I'm not afraid to bring out to bars and knock around. I actually prefer it over a 1990 Les Paul Custom I own, so very much lighter and feels so alive. You know really vibrates and rings out so I can feel it when playing.

This guitar gets a lot more attention than most of my more expensive guitars.

 

[rze99]

Sg with P90s

 

[gridlock]

I often switch between Les Pauls and my Telecaster on the same types of music / songs.

 

[Wallaby]

I've read and re-read the OP and the thread and I am still conflicted about what Gibson electric would be good for a Tele player - or what being a Tele player actually has to do with it.

I have multiple Gibsons, Fenders and one lonely Epiphone in my collection, FWIW, and I'm solidly an at-home, non-pro couch player.

The body styles, construction, neck carves and scale-length pretty much guarantee a feel that's different than a Tele IMO.

After that it comes down to electronics basically. Want sounds MOST similar to a Tele? Choose pickups with the least amount of mid-range emphasis, and visa-versa.

Getting proficient adjusting pickups and with using the volume and tone controls on a Gibson open up a lot of possibilities, a Les Paul or an ES with humbuckers can sound a lot like a Tele IMO.

Hopefully OP isn't looking for a Gibson that will just reproduce the sound and experience of playing a Tele, that would be boring! Why bother?

For porch duties, lately I'd go with an Epi Rivera. I can't stop playing that thing!

 

[Telecaster88]

I didn't struggle with the neck dive but the neck was like rubber, couldn't tune or intonate it to save my life.

For sure. Some SGs seemingly don't have this issue, but mine does. It just takes me a bit to adjust. I can't manhandle my SG the way I can a Tele. Once I warm up to the SG though it becomes less of an issue. But it is an issue.

I've read and re-read the OP and the thread and I am still conflicted about what Gibson electric would be good for a Tele player - or what being a Tele player actually has to do with it.

I wondered too. To me an SG is close enough to a Tele (two pickups, slab body, bare bones) to be familiar, but different enough to be different.

 

[scelestus]

The way the neck feels longer is legit, especially coming from a Tele.

I agree but LPs feel to me to be the opposite, at least when sitting down. I suppose we go with whatever is most comfortable, unless we can have both!

 

[bottlenecker]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. I am quite traditional when it comes to guitar models/shapes, and probably ES-335 and LP Junior/Special would be my favourite.
Weight too is a consideration - even though predominantly for home, sitting on the porch playing, it’s striking how often people choose the lighter guitar rather than the full weight Les Paul, and striking too how often (in various threads and videos) people say they pick up their Epiphone over their Gibson - maybe because it’s less precious people feel a little more comfortable).
SGs come up over and again- I think when people play softer and jazzier/bluesier, SGs sound amazing (obvs. see an SG on YouTube and most of the time it’s straight into massive power chords, tons of gain, and guitar faces, so it’s really interesting when people don’t do that).
So, I think I’ll try out some 335s, Specials and Juniors, and SGs (which is pretty well where my list started). The Epiphone Casino is the other option - on the face of it, it would seem to be perfect - so I’m not quite sure why I’m not so drawn to it.
Thanks again

Every time I see a gibson ad that tempts me, I add a grand to my expectation before I click, and then it's always another grand above that. Or more.

Except for this thing. They keep pushing me this, and I keep clicking. I think it's too much like my telecaster, but it appeals to me a lot. If the price is a grand today in 2022, were they just giving them away 3 years ago?

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90 - Worn White Satin

Solidbldy Electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and 2 Single-coil Pickups - Worn White

www.sweetwater.com

 

[Highway 49]

I've read and re-read the OP and the thread and I am still conflicted about what Gibson electric would be good for a Tele player - or what being a Tele player actually has to do with it.

I have multiple Gibsons, Fenders and one lonely Epiphone in my collection, FWIW, and I'm solidly an at-home, non-pro couch player.

The body styles, construction, neck carves and scale-length pretty much guarantee a feel that's different than a Tele IMO.

After that it comes down to electronics basically. Want sounds MOST similar to a Tele? Choose pickups with the least amount of mid-range emphasis, and visa-versa.

Getting proficient adjusting pickups and with using the volume and tone controls on a Gibson open up a lot of possibilities, a Les Paul or an ES with humbuckers can sound a lot like a Tele IMO.

Hopefully OP isn't looking for a Gibson that will just reproduce the sound and experience of playing a Tele, that would be boring! Why bother?

For porch duties, lately I'd go with an Epi Rivera. I can't stop playing that thing!

Thanks for taking the time to read my post so carefully. I switch very happily between my Tele and my Strat - one is growlier, one sweeter - they each have a natural ‘voice’, which can then be altered, exaggerated, diminished by use of EQ, pedals, amps, playing approach. I guess in looking for a Gibson, I’m looking for something that has as its starting point, a naturally fatter, deeper, softer tone - apols. for inadequate words but I hope that makes a little more sense?

 

[adjason]

If you try some Gibsons and find you can't get along with them, there is always a blacktop tele- swap out those pickups for a nice Gibson set and you are good to go

 

[John C]

Every time I see a gibson ad that tempts me, I add a grand to my expectation before I click, and then it's always another grand above that. Or more.

Except for this thing. They keep pushing me this, and I keep clicking. I think it's too much like my telecaster, but it appeals to me a lot. If the price is a grand today in 2022, were they just giving them away 3 years ago?

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90 - Worn White Satin

Solidbldy Electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and 2 Single-coil Pickups - Worn White

www.sweetwater.com

These have been $999 since Gibson brought them out in 2020. When Gibson had their price increase earlier this year they kept the price of the LP Special Tributes (there is also a version with humbuckers) steady. For example the "regular" LP Tribute (with the carved top) went up $100 earlier this year, going from $1,199 to $1,299.