Epiphone SG Custom - Ebony

I've had the guitar for almost a month now & decided to do the review after I had it for a while.Quality control on this guitar was not very good. There was a chip by the 22nd fret near the upper horn that was overlooked because it has the final coating sprayed over it. There is also a scratch on the headstock at the G string tuner, it looks like someone overtightened the nut & scrated the headstock with a nut driver. Plus there is some black paint that ran into the binding on the top part of the headstock. Also there is a nick/scratch on the pickguard right below the neck pickup.The guitar plays well, and it looks good except for the imperfections I expalined earlier. I took pictures of what I complained in case someone at AMS would like to see them. I'm not ... MoreI've had the guitar for almost a month now & decided to do the review after I had it for a while.Quality control on this guitar was not very good. There was a chip by the 22nd fret near the upper horn that was overlooked because it has the final coating sprayed over it. There is also a scratch on the headstock at the G string tuner, it looks like someone overtightened the nut & scrated the headstock with a nut driver. Plus there is some black paint that ran into the binding on the top part of the headstock. Also there is a nick/scratch on the pickguard right below the neck pickup.The guitar plays well, and it looks good except for the imperfections I expalined earlier. I took pictures of what I complained in case someone at AMS would like to see them. I'm not sure of the return policy for guitars or if this could be returned for another guitar of the same kind I have.In the end the playability has met expectations but the quality control was far below expectations. If a representative has any questions about my review or if they want to see the pics I took, please let me know.

The good: Absolutely beautiful. The gold and black are classic colors and the old school headstock really set this thing apart from older model Epiphones. The tuners work great and the graphtech nut was cut perfectly. Frets were perfectly rounded with no sharp spots or high/low frets.The bad: Good lord was the fretboard dry. Took three coats of lemon oil before I was through. The set up out of the box left a lot to be desired. I know it wasn’t touched since it was packed in China and it showed.The ugly: Pickups are terrible. Not sure what was loaded in the other reviewers guitars but the pickups in mine had to go immediately. Sounded like a wet blanket had been thrown over my AC30. I’d gladly pay a few hundred bucks extra for some better stock pickups.Overall ... MoreThe good: Absolutely beautiful. The gold and black are classic colors and the old school headstock really set this thing apart from older model Epiphones. The tuners work great and the graphtech nut was cut perfectly. Frets were perfectly rounded with no sharp spots or high/low frets.The bad: Good lord was the fretboard dry. Took three coats of lemon oil before I was through. The set up out of the box left a lot to be desired. I know it wasn’t touched since it was packed in China and it showed.The ugly: Pickups are terrible. Not sure what was loaded in the other reviewers guitars but the pickups in mine had to go immediately. Sounded like a wet blanket had been thrown over my AC30. I’d gladly pay a few hundred bucks extra for some better stock pickups.Overall it’s a good guitar and with a new set of pickups (Seymour Duncan SNSs) and a complete setup it really came alive. Would recommend.

Awesome SG

Was backordered when I ordered so had to wait about a month. But man was it worth it! Love the new headstock, and mine came in flawless condition outta the box. Lowered the action and replaced the strings, and I was extremely impressed. The ACP's pickups sound pretty PAF too me, and aren't wound too hot. The quality is just off the charts on this one. I bought a new Gibson SG a while back from MF too, it needed hours of work before it was acceptably playable. It needed the fretboard oiled badly too. I love my Gibson SG, but I play my Epi Custom way more.What a great guitar, the neck carve is just perfect Imo. Why don't all guitars have ebony fingerboards? Except for the maple board guitars of course. 10/10

Epiphone has definitely improved

Overall:I have been weary for years to buy another Epiphone. I’ve stuck to Gibson. Recently I sold my Gibson SG and one of my Les Paul standards. I needed a second guitar to my LP. In the past, every time I got an Epiphone, it had issues. I also hated how thick the finish was. They always sounded muffled to me. Not bad, but not resonant or articulate, no matter what pickups I used. This SG is probably the best playing Epiphone I’ve ever played. The finish looks quite thin, and the guitar is super resonant despite being a 3-piece guitar. (In certain lighting you can find the seams). I’m wondering if they’re using a new finish. It’s smooth and buttery like nitro. Slick. The neck is a more like a thin U shape. At first it threw me off, but the super rolled edges just ... MoreOverall:I have been weary for years to buy another Epiphone. I’ve stuck to Gibson. Recently I sold my Gibson SG and one of my Les Paul standards. I needed a second guitar to my LP. In the past, every time I got an Epiphone, it had issues. I also hated how thick the finish was. They always sounded muffled to me. Not bad, but not resonant or articulate, no matter what pickups I used. This SG is probably the best playing Epiphone I’ve ever played. The finish looks quite thin, and the guitar is super resonant despite being a 3-piece guitar. (In certain lighting you can find the seams). I’m wondering if they’re using a new finish. It’s smooth and buttery like nitro. Slick. The neck is a more like a thin U shape. At first it threw me off, but the super rolled edges just make it a joy to play. The only thing I didn’t like at all, is the neck pickup. Very muddy and bass heavy. The bridge is decent. Overall, if you love SGs and can’t afford or looking to spend $1600-$2000.. this comes really close, if not very similar.

Find a different company to buy from..

I've been playing for 14 years or so. I've gigged, I've played solo, and with a band. I do maintenance and repairs on electric and acoustic guitars. This guitar is solid. The tone is great due to the choices of wood and pickups, which are a step up from what you'd find in say a G400 SG. The ebony fretboard looks beautiful once cleaned and conditioned. It will leave black stains on your fingertips until you play it for a day or two. Tuning stability is good.. it does get out of tune every once in awhile but it's still a fresh guitar and I haven't restrung it yet.. so I'll check back in once I do. The inlays are gorgeous along with the binding down the sides of the neck and along the edge of the headstock. The gold hardware really pulls this thing together though when ... MoreI've been playing for 14 years or so. I've gigged, I've played solo, and with a band. I do maintenance and repairs on electric and acoustic guitars. This guitar is solid. The tone is great due to the choices of wood and pickups, which are a step up from what you'd find in say a G400 SG. The ebony fretboard looks beautiful once cleaned and conditioned. It will leave black stains on your fingertips until you play it for a day or two. Tuning stability is good.. it does get out of tune every once in awhile but it's still a fresh guitar and I haven't restrung it yet.. so I'll check back in once I do. The inlays are gorgeous along with the binding down the sides of the neck and along the edge of the headstock. The gold hardware really pulls this thing together though when it comes to aesthetic. I'd also like to add.. this guitar does not come setup or ran thru a 55 point insp. I owned my first SG for 12 years and it plays like a charm to this day. Happy to add a 2nd. I ordered this guitar with a hard shell case.. which I would've liked the guitar to be shipped in instead on just cardboard.. especially at this price range. Other companies will do this for you but Musicians Friend claims that they can't.. don't know why but it's something they should get on board with because it would keep your customers happy and help prevent their equipment arriving in good shape. The paint on the edges of the body on my guitar were scratched to the point of being hazy.. I'm assuming because of the method of shipping. It came in a cardboard box. No gig bag or anything. Not the websites fault for the lack of bag.. but it could have been prevented. Don't know if this is covered under warranty or not but after spending $800 I would hope the company would be more than willing to find a solution.. I'll shop other places before coming here again.. which is unfortunate because you guys are where I purchased my first guitar from 14 years ago. I like to remain a loyal customer

Good guitar for the price

Overall:Hi all. Last time I had an SG was in 1970. My cousin gave me his 1963 Gibson SG. It was to big and heavy for me at the time, wish I had it now. Present day, as a novice player I saw this guitar and had to have it. It came packed well, paint and finish has no flaws. All hardware in perfect condition. Weight balance as expected, not an easy instrument to hold without a strap. Ebony fingerboard with pearloid inlays look great. Frets nicely done, no sharp edges. Nice action, no fret buzz or adjustments right out of the box. The slim taper neck works well for me since I have smaller hands. The headstock really stands out with the split diamond. Tuner buttons look kind of cheap but are solid and work well. Pickups sound good, you can definitely hear a sound ... MoreOverall:Hi all. Last time I had an SG was in 1970. My cousin gave me his 1963 Gibson SG. It was to big and heavy for me at the time, wish I had it now. Present day, as a novice player I saw this guitar and had to have it. It came packed well, paint and finish has no flaws. All hardware in perfect condition. Weight balance as expected, not an easy instrument to hold without a strap. Ebony fingerboard with pearloid inlays look great. Frets nicely done, no sharp edges. Nice action, no fret buzz or adjustments right out of the box. The slim taper neck works well for me since I have smaller hands. The headstock really stands out with the split diamond. Tuner buttons look kind of cheap but are solid and work well. Pickups sound good, you can definitely hear a sound difference in the 3 way toggle selections. Has a nice tone playing thru clean amp, and plenty of raunchy sound for metal players. No, it doesn't sound as good as a Gibson USA SG. But it's close and for less than half the price of one your getting a great guitar for the value. Check out some YouTube comparison videos, I'm sure it will help with your decision.

Looks nice - but feels cheap

Overall:Terrible setup - but there’s a reason - high frets and a super cheap feeling fat but strangely flexible neck. Sounds all clanky and feels like a very low end department store guitar. Maybe I got a dog - I saw all these great reviews, then suddenly it’s back in stock! Excited, I ordered it. Maybe that first run was good - but this is difficult to play and feels so cheap.I was wondering if there was actually a guitar in the box - it weighs next to nothing. Not even close to a Gibson. A blindfold test with a real SG and what I received in the mail would be comical. I can’t imagine actually playing a show with this. It’s not just the bad action - it’s the fact that you can just feel low quality loosely vibrating through the guitar when you play it. What a shame ... MoreOverall:Terrible setup - but there’s a reason - high frets and a super cheap feeling fat but strangely flexible neck. Sounds all clanky and feels like a very low end department store guitar. Maybe I got a dog - I saw all these great reviews, then suddenly it’s back in stock! Excited, I ordered it. Maybe that first run was good - but this is difficult to play and feels so cheap.I was wondering if there was actually a guitar in the box - it weighs next to nothing. Not even close to a Gibson. A blindfold test with a real SG and what I received in the mail would be comical. I can’t imagine actually playing a show with this. It’s not just the bad action - it’s the fact that you can just feel low quality loosely vibrating through the guitar when you play it. What a shame . I will say - it looks fantastic!

The Best SG That You Can Buy New, Period.

I have hated every Gibson SG guitar that I've ever handled since the late 1960s. The ever increasing neck heel and huge batwing pickguards made the SG ugly and harder to play compared to the original versions. I'd been interested in the 2020 Epiphone 1961 SG Custom after seeing a number of very good reviews, but I wasn't going to buy one without putting my hands on one first. There none in my area, so I called Sam Ash and drove 100 miles to their store in Sarasota to see a SG Standard 1961. I absolutely loved it, but I also wanted the Custom. I had previously owned a genuine original Les Paul Custom 1961 SG for 35 years, and the neck is very similar. I've always felt that the 1961 was the best playing guitar I'd ever touched. My SA salesperson found me a Custom in ... MoreI have hated every Gibson SG guitar that I've ever handled since the late 1960s. The ever increasing neck heel and huge batwing pickguards made the SG ugly and harder to play compared to the original versions. I'd been interested in the 2020 Epiphone 1961 SG Custom after seeing a number of very good reviews, but I wasn't going to buy one without putting my hands on one first. There none in my area, so I called Sam Ash and drove 100 miles to their store in Sarasota to see a SG Standard 1961. I absolutely loved it, but I also wanted the Custom. I had previously owned a genuine original Les Paul Custom 1961 SG for 35 years, and the neck is very similar. I've always felt that the 1961 was the best playing guitar I'd ever touched. My SA salesperson found me a Custom in minutes and had it shipped that same day. It arrived two days later in perfect shape and, after adding just a bit of neck relief, new strings, and a quick bridge and intonation setup, it plays like a dream. The ebony fretboard and fretwork is flawless. Can you tell that it was built to a budget? Yes, of course you can. But those are very minor details. It plays better than any SG that I have touched since I sold mine 15 years ago. You could buy 50 of these for what an original 1961 Les Paul SG Custom could cost you today.

Very Impressed!

Overall:I am very pleased with this Epiphone “inspired by Gibson” SG.....so much so I’ve pre-ordered the same in the Les Paul Custom version in black. In the past I felt every Epiphone very hit and miss and almost every SG was a miss feeling like it was made out of light, cheap wood. Not the case here! Weight is right about what a USA version should be, very impressed with the ebony fretboard, which for some odd reason seems to be less likely on a USA Les Paul custom when that was standard. After a simple set up (basically truss rod had no tension) lowered the bridge etc. the guitar plays smooth and I’m very into super low action same from the first fret to the 12th fret. I’m 54 and my first guitar was a 1981 Gibson SG firebrand series and later I had a 1978 Gibson ... MoreOverall:I am very pleased with this Epiphone “inspired by Gibson” SG.....so much so I’ve pre-ordered the same in the Les Paul Custom version in black. In the past I felt every Epiphone very hit and miss and almost every SG was a miss feeling like it was made out of light, cheap wood. Not the case here! Weight is right about what a USA version should be, very impressed with the ebony fretboard, which for some odd reason seems to be less likely on a USA Les Paul custom when that was standard. After a simple set up (basically truss rod had no tension) lowered the bridge etc. the guitar plays smooth and I’m very into super low action same from the first fret to the 12th fret. I’m 54 and my first guitar was a 1981 Gibson SG firebrand series and later I had a 1978 Gibson SG standard. Sometime back I had one of their US I believe it was called an elite? Anyway that had an ebony board with custom split inlays and was very impressive. My point being I’m no stranger to high-end Gibsons and while I won’t say this is 100% that for the price you can’t complain. The frets are nicely done you don’t have that sharp edged thing going on as you rub your hand up and down the edges of the fretboard The pick ups and electronics all sound very nice and there you have it. I will weigh in on the Les Paul version when they come in stock and I receive it. Hopefully it won’t be chambered or any of that cheap stuff or I’ll be sending it back

yes it's real

Overall:This is my fourth SG. The first three were Gibsons. The first one was a baritone I didn't need. I traded it for a 1980s special with an ebony fingerboard. Later I bought a 20-teens Pelham blue special with a fatal flaw. The neck was out of alignment. It’s looking like this is a common problem with SGs. It pissed me off. The only way I could gig with the guitar was to load it with 11s, so the high E wouldn’t slip off the fingerboard. But I dug it, because I hit hard in a live situation and the 11s were a kick. A couple weeks ago, I decided to take a chance on the Epiphone. Pros and cons. The main con is that it’s so shiny. I figure I’ll play this for 20 years if I live so long, and it will always be too shiny. Maybe I’ll mess with that. The only other con is ... MoreOverall:This is my fourth SG. The first three were Gibsons. The first one was a baritone I didn't need. I traded it for a 1980s special with an ebony fingerboard. Later I bought a 20-teens Pelham blue special with a fatal flaw. The neck was out of alignment. It’s looking like this is a common problem with SGs. It pissed me off. The only way I could gig with the guitar was to load it with 11s, so the high E wouldn’t slip off the fingerboard. But I dug it, because I hit hard in a live situation and the 11s were a kick. A couple weeks ago, I decided to take a chance on the Epiphone. Pros and cons. The main con is that it’s so shiny. I figure I’ll play this for 20 years if I live so long, and it will always be too shiny. Maybe I’ll mess with that. The only other con is that the tone pots go from highs to lows in half a turn. This is a minor thing. The first pro is the carpentry or joinery. The fingerboard is perfectly aligned. I could put 9s on this thing and be OK. 10s work great. The tuners seem good, though I will have to blow for a few hours in a sweaty dive to be sure about the tuning stability. The pickups seem fine, but again, you don’t know until you blow.Overall, wow.Thanks to zZounds.