Which SG and why?

[SG_ROCKER]

So I just bought a 60s SG with the Maestro Vibrola but I’m thinking of picking up another SG and I’m trying to decide which one. I can’t afford both or that would be my option. The 61 SG Les Paul or the Tony Iommmi SG Special. They both look great but I’m sure the sound is completely different since one has Burstbuckers and the other has P90s. I like mostly blues rock or straight up blues with some gain. Of course you can tell by my avatar that I’m a big Angus Young fan. I like the older AC/DC stuff with Bon Scott best but I like it all. Which of these two guitars would you choose and why?

 

[smitty_p]

So I just bought a 60s SG with the Maestro Vibrola but I’m thinking of picking up another SG and I’m trying to decide which one. I can’t afford both or that would be my option. The 61 SG Les Paul or the Tony Iommmi SG Special. They both look great but I’m sure the sound is completely different since one has Burstbuckers and the other has P90s. I like mostly blues rock or straight up blues with some gain. Of course you can tell by my avatar that I’m a big Angus Young fan. I like the older AC/DC stuff with Bon Scott best but I like it all. Which of these two guitars would you choose and why?

If blues is your thing, I think I'd gravitate toward the P-90s.

Here is my thought process:

Many (certainly not all!) blues numbers have been performed with a Strat, which has single coils. Of course, I KNOW that P-90s do not sound like Strat type single coils, but they are in roughly that same type of territory. You may find it easier to get that blues sound with the P-90s.

I do realize that other blues greats, like BB King, used ES-style guitars with humbuckers. But, the P-90s will give a little more of that bite. I suppose it all depends on the blues sound that is in your head.

Of course, being single coils, there is the noise issue with P-90s that you don't have with humbuckers.

In the end, it's your decision and I'm sure you'll do great with whatever you pick!

 

[smitty_p]

This gentleman seems to do well with P-90 pick-‘em-ups!

 

[Colnago]

P90 version as it’s more different than what you have.

 

[plankton]

Since you already have one with humbuckers I'd go with P90s. An SG with P90s is a glorious thing.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

If blues is your thing, I think I'd gravitate toward the P-90s.

Here is my thought process:

Many (certainly not all!) blues numbers have been performed with a Strat, which has single coils. Of course, I KNOW that P-90s do not sound like Strat type single coils, but they are in roughly that same type of territory. You may find it easier to get that blues sound with the P-90s.

I do realize that other blues greats, like BB King, used ES-style guitars with humbuckers. But, the P-90s will give a little more of that bite. I suppose it all depends on the blues sound that is in your head.

Of course, being single coils, there is the noise issue with P-90s that you don't have with humbuckers.

In the end, it's your decision and I'm sure you'll do great with whatever you pick!

Here is another guy who plays mean blues on a bucket equipped geetar.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Google Image Result for https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8MJcKjBC2aVJ5KZM2y3bk8.jpg

Mike Bloomfield

 

[Gary Gretsch]

I will be watching this thread because I like the Tony Iommi and the Standard

 

[DrBGood]

No brainer, you already have humbuckers. If you went that way you'd just replicate what you have now. Could you rent a P90 SG to see if it talks to you ?

Have you considered the Classic or the Special ? Less than half the price, for I'd say exactly the same tone.

 

[Bad Penguin]

Once again, whichever one plays better. But me, myself and I, would go for the P90s.

 

[An Abiding Dude]

I'm sounding like a bit of a broken record here, but if you're going for a P90 equipped SG and you're on a budget, I always suggest shopping for a used SG Classic on Reverb. I own an Iommi and it's a great guitar, but it's pricey for what it is. Classics have the fat, bound neck and the P90s along with a TOM bridge, kind of the best of both worlds between a Standard and a Special. The current listings on Reverb have ones sitting around the $1300+ range, but you can probably haggle it down to at least $1200, if not $1100 as opposed to a new Iommi ($2400) or even a used one (which seem to sit around the $2000+ range). Good luck on your quest.

 

[Les’s Nemisis]

You have 'buckers... P90 is the only sensible choice! P90's are great for blues. Not BB King kind of Blues, but some dirty blues. Santana Blues. Throrgood Blues. Most all the old-school Blues guys played P90's at one point or another.

You can get an Epi Classic with P90's for about $500 but it's got "the other" neck. You may or may not like that. There's an Epi with P90's in the Burgandy Sparkle with the early neck like you already have for under $500. I don't see any real advantage to the Iommi option.

 

[Gary Gretsch]

You have 'buckers... P90 is the only sensible choice! P90's are great for blues. Not BB King kind of Blues, but some dirty blues. Santana Blues. Throrgood Blues. Most all the old-school Blues guys played P90's at one point or another.

You can get an Epi Classic with P90's for about $500 but it's got "the other" neck. You may or may not like that. There's an Epi with P90's in the Burgandy Sparkle with the early neck like you already have for under $500. I don't see any real advantage to the Iommi option.

The Iommi advantage is the bigger neck with the P90's. Hard case vs standard soft case.

 

[Les’s Nemisis]

The Iommi advantage is the bigger neck with the P90's. Hard case vs standard soft case.

I wasn't aware of the neck, so that can be a feature. But it's a mighty pricey feature considering the value of the hard case.