Other guitars that feel like an SG?

[N_I_B]

Might seem like a bit of an odd question but bear with me :) I've borrowed a few guitars recently to try some other stuff out, but nothing feels as good on a strap to me. Strats and teles in particular feel so weird, they're way too horizontal and the nut/lower frets feel like they're miles away. I did a gig with my strat last night and was wishing I brought the SG the whole time haha, my left hand was noticeably more fatigued and cramped up a few times. With my SG, it sort of sits on my hip with the neck angled up and everything is right where I want it. I think it's the combination of a smaller body with the strap button on the back of the heel that lets it rotate and hold the neck upwards.

I'd quite like a P90 guitar and whilst the obvious choice is an SG Special, I kind of want a bit of variety and something less pointy looking than the SG. Maybe a doublecut special, do they feel similar? Do the ones with a strap button in the horn rather than the heel hang a similar way? Anything else to look at? I know the only way to know is try one out but it'd help to narrow my choices before getting to a shop.

 

[Norton]

depends on what "feel" means to you.

For me.... the only guitars that feel like SG's also LOOK like Sg's. The overall vibe of the SG is very connected to the neck/body joint and the body size/thickenss/shape.

So to that end... the ESP viper can come close.

 

[N_I_B]

depends on what "feel" means to you.

For me.... the only guitars that feel like SG's also LOOK like Sg's. The overall vibe of the SG is very connected to the neck/body joint and the body size/thickenss/shape.

So to that end... the ESP viper can come close.

When I say the feel I mostly mean how it feels hanging on a strap - most guitars feel fine sat down but I need it to be comfortable to gig with as well. With things like strats/teles/PRS etc I find they naturally go to a more horizontal/flat position whereas with my SG it seems to tilt the neck up into a really comfy position for my hands. I don't have the dreaded neck dive most people associate with them.

 

[DrBGood]

When I say the feel I mostly mean how it feels hanging on a strap - most guitars feel fine sat down but I need it to be comfortable to gig with as well. With things like strats/teles/PRS etc I find they naturally go to a more horizontal/flat position whereas with my SG it seems to tilt the neck up into a really comfy position for my hands. I don't have the dreaded neck dive most people associate with them.

If you are not afraid of less expensive guitars and bolt necks, I strongly suggest you try the Epiphone LP Special 1 with a wraparound bridge. That to me is the closest you'll get to an SG feel, weight included, and they are tone monster. By far the best tone/fun/money ratio out there.

And ... IF you don't like it, you won't lose a ton of money selling it. But you won't sell it.

https://www.premierguitar.com/pro-advice/will-ray-s-bottom-feeder/epiphone-les-paul-special

 

[Bad Penguin]

If a longer scale doesn't bother you, check out the Ibanez S Series. Mahogany, paper thin, melts against the body, and plays great. P90's might be an issue, but you can always go for the hum sized ones.

 

[Maguchi]

Might seem like a bit of an odd question but bear with me :) I've borrowed a few guitars recently to try some other stuff out, but nothing feels as good on a strap to me. Strats and teles in particular feel so weird, they're way too horizontal and the nut/lower frets feel like they're miles away. I did a gig with my strat last night and was wishing I brought the SG the whole time haha, my left hand was noticeably more fatigued and cramped up a few times. With my SG, it sort of sits on my hip with the neck angled up and everything is right where I want it. I think it's the combination of a smaller body with the strap button on the back of the heel that lets it rotate and hold the neck upwards.

I'd quite like a P90 guitar and whilst the obvious choice is an SG Special, I kind of want a bit of variety and something less pointy looking than the SG. Maybe a doublecut special, do they feel similar? Do the ones with a strap button in the horn rather than the heel hang a similar way? Anything else to look at? I know the only way to know is try one out but it'd help to narrow my choices before getting to a shop.

Hmm, a Gibson LP Special DC (2019-20) might do the trick. Not sure if they'll hang the same. The strap button is on the upper horn, but due to the rubbery neoprene "Comfort Strapp" I use, they hang just fine. But they're a comfortable guitar with good upper fret access. Try one out in a store to see if the ergonomics of playing it standing suit you. Love the P90 sound!

I also got a 2018 Gibson Firebird Studio with the strap button on the back of the neck joint. It hangs really similar to my SG.

 

[MR D]

Might seem like a bit of an odd question but bear with me :) I've borrowed a few guitars recently to try some other stuff out, but nothing feels as good on a strap to me. Strats and teles in particular feel so weird, they're way too horizontal and the nut/lower frets feel like they're miles away. I did a gig with my strat last night and was wishing I brought the SG the whole time haha, my left hand was noticeably more fatigued and cramped up a few times. With my SG, it sort of sits on my hip with the neck angled up and everything is right where I want it. I think it's the combination of a smaller body with the strap button on the back of the heel that lets it rotate and hold the neck upwards.

I'd quite like a P90 guitar and whilst the obvious choice is an SG Special, I kind of want a bit of variety and something less pointy looking than the SG. Maybe a doublecut special, do they feel similar? Do the ones with a strap button in the horn rather than the heel hang a similar way? Anything else to look at? I know the only way to know is try one out but it'd help to narrow my choices before getting to a shop.

THE 2022 LES PAUL SPECIAL IN TV YELLOW, might fit the bill...7 lbs....sits right,P-90'S HUM THOUGH !

 

[devnulljp]

How about a Melody Maker? I used to have this 61 -- it was light and resonant like an SG. The body was even a little thinner than the SG Jr I also had at the time. Or a Les Paul Jr?






Or alternatively, always wanted a Guild S100

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

One of my other babies, and it has 24 frets plus a trem.

 

[Gary Gretsch]

The only alternative Crestwood.

 

[Decadent Dan]

The Firebird top body cutout/curve/contour (?) dips down near the bridge and bridge pickup like an SG. Most everything else is further towards the neck like a LP/Strat/Tele.

 

[Maguchi]

THE 2022 LES PAUL SPECIAL IN TV YELLOW, might fit the bill...7 lbs....sits right,P-90'S HUM THOUGH !

I second that. Got one recently. The neck and frets are excellent, weighs 7.24 lbs, balances perfectly. But more than anything it's the sound and feel of this guitar.

 

[MR D]

I second that. Got one recently. The neck and frets are excellent, weighs 7.24 lbs, balances perfectly. But more than anything it's the sound and feel of this guitar.

Right, mine weighs in at 7 lbs. on the dot. AND IMMA Tryin to get rid of the P-90 Hum...... it is pretty bad. The CUSTOM shop version has a better 'TV Yellow' colour, its almost beige.I bought mine for to have the bound dotted neck and to have one guitar with P-90's......its pretty BAD-A$$$ I MUST SAY !

 

[Maguchi]

Right, mine weighs in at 7 lbs. on the dot. AND IMMA Tryin to get rid of the P-90 Hum...... it is pretty bad. The CUSTOM shop version has a better 'TV Yellow' colour, its almost beige.I bought mine for to have the bound dotted neck and to have one guitar with P-90's......its pretty BAD-A$$$ I MUST SAY !

Yeah P90s do hum if you play with a good amount of gain. I play at edge of breakup and a little beyond straight into amp (Marshall), no pedals, and the hum isn’t loud enough to annoy me. When playing live, I just turn the volume knob down on the guitar between songs. If the hum is too much, a $50 noise gate pedal works well for eliminating the hum.

 

[papagayo]

The Les Paul Junior feel like an SG, may be because both are Gibson...
The PRS SE Santana is a very good candidat, I' m agree with chilipeppermaniac

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

My other favorite that is similar to SG but different.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

 

[Norton]

gary Gretsch is spot on. the Crestwood and Wilshire's DO feel very much like Sg's. light, thin similar neck joint.

double and single cut jr's and specials don't feel much like SG's to me.

killer guitars, to be sure.

 

[Westernrider]

The Les Paul Junior feel like an SG, may be because both are Gibson...
The PRS SE Santana is a very good candidat, I' m agree with chilipeppermaniac

The new PRS Santana's are fantastic instruments.
However, if one prefers a 12 inch radius, the 2022 and later Santana's have a 10 inch radius, which is almost completely uniform across the PRS lines.


Currently, I am the original owner of an older Santana SE with a neck radius of 11 inches. And I found this guitar very
comfortable to hold and play.

For me, the 12 inch radius is very essential due to finger and hand injuries over the years, and the missing inch did not bother me.

However, I tried a new Santana SE this week, and found that this model is now being made with a 10 inch radius and very difficult for me to play. For many of you, this might not be a problem; however, it is worth mentioning.