Visit to the Gibson Garage London yesterday / SG and Les Paul Specials

[Highway 49]

I started where I belong, with the Epiphones: they didn’t have one of the new ES-355 Customs in store but I tried one of the new Les Paul Customs. Big neck. Heavy. I should know by now that these things are not for me. That it was white with gold hardware helped make the point.
But I liked the Epiphone Les Paul and SG Specials very much - they felt good to play and nicely put together.
And the Gibsons: the Les Paul Special I tried was really nice, and sounded great - somehow the neck was not too chunky (are they less hefty than Juniors?); the SG Standard (no Special in store) was great too.
Yesterday was the first time I’ve played any SG. The neck being ‘over to the left’ didn’t bother me - I actually quite liked it - and I really liked the weight, and I really like P90s… I’ve been thinking about Epiphone/Gibson electrics for a while now but the SG is the first time I’ve picked one up and thought I could really do something with this. I liked the Les Paul Special too. These things are so simple and stripped down. Just great .

 

[John C]

I started where I belong, with the Epiphones: they didn’t have one of the new ES-355 Customs in store but I tried one of the new Les Paul Customs. Big neck. Heavy. I should know by now that these things are not for me. That it was white with gold hardware helped make the point.
But I liked the Epiphone Les Paul and SG Specials very much - they felt good to play and nicely put together.
And the Gibsons: the Les Paul Special I tried was really nice, and sounded great - somehow the neck was not too chunky (are they less hefty than Juniors?); the SG Standard (no Special in store) was great too.
Yesterday was the first time I’ve played any SG. The neck being ‘over to the left’ didn’t bother me - I actually quite liked it - and I really liked the weight, and I really like P90s… I’ve been thinking about Epiphone/Gibson electrics for a while now but the SG is the first time I’ve picked one up and thought I could really do something with this. I liked the Les Paul Special too. These things are so simple and stripped down. Just great .

Sounds like a really cool place; I haven't been to Nashville since long before they opened the first Gibson Garage there so I haven't been able to check it out in person.

At any rate the LP Specials seem to vary a bit more than the LP Jrs - I've played a few Specials and the necks vary a bit more than the Jrs. which are almost always big. Most of the Specials are pretty big also, but occasionally you'll turn up one with more of a '59 LP Standard-ish neck. Sounds like you found one with a neck on the smaller side for that model.

 

[Mekhem]

I started where I belong, with the Epiphones: they didn’t have one of the new ES-355 Customs in store but I tried one of the new Les Paul Customs. Big neck. Heavy. I should know by now that these things are not for me. That it was white with gold hardware helped make the point.
But I liked the Epiphone Les Paul and SG Specials very much - they felt good to play and nicely put together.

Did you play the Epiphone 63 SG? Was that the Big neck and heavy?

 

[Buzzgrowl]

Visited last March. Cool store no doubt.

My idea was to try a Firebird. Way too neck heavy and dives immediately. Very wierd ergonomics. Shame, I loved the look.

Played an Explorer Korina. Great balance and upper fret access. 100% stage gigging guitar! If I had the $ ...

People tending the shop where ok nice considering very few visitors buy anything.

 

[Highway 49]

Sounds like a really cool place; I haven't been to Nashville since long before they opened the first Gibson Garage there so I haven't been able to check it out in person.

At any rate the LP Specials seem to vary a bit more than the LP Jrs - I've played a few Specials and the necks vary a bit more than the Jrs. which are almost always big. Most of the Specials are pretty big also, but occasionally you'll turn up one with more of a '59 LP Standard-ish neck. Sounds like you found one with a neck on the smaller side for that model.

Thanks, that’s helpful info.

 

[Highway 49]

Did you play the Epiphone 63 SG? Was that the Big neck and heavy?

No, it was the basic Epiphone SG Special, which had a nice neck and was lightweight.
The Epiphone Les Paul Custom was the hefty neck and heavy one, although probably within usual Les Paul range - it was more the comparison with the SG from a personal first impressions perspective I was making .

 

[Highway 49]

People tending the shop where ok nice considering very few visitors buy anything.

Yes, they were very friendly. I was treating it as a showroom really so I was a bit surprised when the guy suggested that I might be buying both an SG and a Les Paul Special that day (I mean, keep it plausible, mate).
I also liked that they offered headphones plugged into the Mesa Boogie - what a great idea - I’d have felt really self-conscious playing in there otherwise

 

[Bruxist]

they didn’t have one of the new ES-355 Customs in store but I tried one of the new Les Paul Customs. Big neck. Heavy. I should know by now that these things are not for me. That it was white with gold hardware helped make the point.

Ooh, not a fan of heavy but I like a fuller Gibson neck. Hope to check one of those out, but it is kinda BS that so many of those go the Custombuckers and the LPC got the 490/498 combo.

Would love it if they eventually did an ES-345, especially if it had a varitone.

 

[bendercaster]

I started where I belong, with the Epiphones: they didn’t have one of the new ES-355 Customs in store but I tried one of the new Les Paul Customs. Big neck. Heavy. I should know by now that these things are not for me. That it was white with gold hardware helped make the point.
But I liked the Epiphone Les Paul and SG Specials very much - they felt good to play and nicely put together.
And the Gibsons: the Les Paul Special I tried was really nice, and sounded great - somehow the neck was not too chunky (are they less hefty than Juniors?); the SG Standard (no Special in store) was great too.
Yesterday was the first time I’ve played any SG. The neck being ‘over to the left’ didn’t bother me - I actually quite liked it - and I really liked the weight, and I really like P90s… I’ve been thinking about Epiphone/Gibson electrics for a while now but the SG is the first time I’ve picked one up and thought I could really do something with this. I liked the Les Paul Special too. These things are so simple and stripped down. Just great .

The Junior has long been my favorite Gibson. There is just something magical about that slab body with a dog ear P90 and wrap around bridge. But I recently stumbled opon a used 61 Reissue SG in a second hand store. The neck is fat enough that it doesn't flex and go out of tune, but that thinner, lighter body and the vintage voiced Humbuckers sound amazing--almost P90ish but without the hum. Anyway, I liked it so much that I got rid of my 9.5 lb LP Deluxe and will probably soon sell my 9.5 lb Junior. I think a P90 SG or Sg Jr. could be in my future though.

I'll be in London around Christmas time this year. I had not heard of this before, but I'll have to check it out.

 

[gridlock]

I have a Special and I really like the guitar. Maybe the best neck on these Special’s over any other guitar that I’ve owned. This is actually the second one that I’ve owned, used the first one in a trade and replaced it about a year later with another.

Coincidentally, I bought my first Special shortly after visiting “The Gibson Garage” in Nashville and trying the Custom Shop version.

I do prefer Humbuckers over P90’s but this guitar adds some more variety to my tone.

 

[FenderAndLester]

I have a Special and I really like the guitar. Maybe the best neck on these Special’s over any other guitar that I’ve owned. This is actually the second one that I’ve owned, used the first one in a trade and replaced it about a year later with another.

Coincidentally, I bought my first Special shortly after visiting “The Gibson Garage” in Nashville and trying the Custom Shop version.

I do prefer Humbuckers over P90’s but this guitar adds some more variety to my tone.

View attachment 1241873

I just picked up one in Cherry. Absolute monster guitar. But I love P-90s through a cranked up amp. Raw, unadulterated rock and roll.

 

[David PNW]

I started where I belong, with the Epiphones: they didn’t have one of the new ES-355 Customs in store but I tried one of the new Les Paul Customs. Big neck. Heavy. I should know by now that these things are not for me. That it was white with gold hardware helped make the point.
But I liked the Epiphone Les Paul and SG Specials very much - they felt good to play and nicely put together.
And the Gibsons: the Les Paul Special I tried was really nice, and sounded great - somehow the neck was not too chunky (are they less hefty than Juniors?); the SG Standard (no Special in store) was great too.
Yesterday was the first time I’ve played any SG. The neck being ‘over to the left’ didn’t bother me - I actually quite liked it - and I really liked the weight, and I really like P90s… I’ve been thinking about Epiphone/Gibson electrics for a while now but the SG is the first time I’ve picked one up and thought I could really do something with this. I liked the Les Paul Special too. These things are so simple and stripped down. Just great .

Here are 2 LP a Junior and a special that I own. The weight is about the same, very easy on the back, not like a round top Les Paul which can come in a up to 10 lbs (US weight) The Special with 2 P90's can get the same tone as the Junior, but gives you the option of the second neck pickup. Also the middle position using both, has hum canceling if that is a concern ever in a venue or home.

 

[fender4life]

I started where I belong, with the Epiphones: they didn’t have one of the new ES-355 Customs in store but I tried one of the new Les Paul Customs. Big neck. Heavy. I should know by now that these things are not for me. That it was white with gold hardware helped make the point.
But I liked the Epiphone Les Paul and SG Specials very much - they felt good to play and nicely put together.
And the Gibsons: the Les Paul Special I tried was really nice, and sounded great - somehow the neck was not too chunky (are they less hefty than Juniors?); the SG Standard (no Special in store) was great too.
Yesterday was the first time I’ve played any SG. The neck being ‘over to the left’ didn’t bother me - I actually quite liked it - and I really liked the weight, and I really like P90s… I’ve been thinking about Epiphone/Gibson electrics for a while now but the SG is the first time I’ve picked one up and thought I could really do something with this. I liked the Les Paul Special too. These things are so simple and stripped down. Just great .

I have the epi special. I bought it when the IBG line debuted in 2020 and i love the thing. It's literally one of the best if not THE best guitars have ever owned including higher end fenders gibsons and even a coupe andersons. It's hard to describe other then to say the tone and playabiity are in a very high league of the best of the best. And while they are dirt cheap today, when i got mine they were less plus with a substantial discount i paid $370 out the door! If you want my recommendation, go back and buy that thing asap ! You will never wanna let it go. I also have a IBG epi standard and while not immediately great till i modded it, it's a very good standard that hangs with gibsons i have had. But the special.....well, it's aptly named ! Not to mention no mods needed. In fact, i have one of the higher end production gibson specials before it and i like the epi much better. The way it feels and plays is exceptional and the tone is just stupid good. Just buy one !

 

[fender4life]

By the way, if you are considering the Jr vs special you may wanna watch this. In fact, watch it either way, as it really goes a long ways to show just how incredible the Epi special is.

 

[Zepfan]

I bought a SG Special because it was on sale(200), Pelham Blue and hot pickups(ceramic 8).
Then this LP Special was on sale(150).
My waiting worked out, SG Special, set neck, P90's and Pelham Blue for 400.

 

[Zepfan]

Also got this set neck Korina Explorer.