Fender American Strat, or Gibson SG

[Snakebit31]

I have not played in a long time. I owned an SG in the early 70's, have had a bass for the past 20 years. Now I would like to move back to an electric guitar.
I looked at both today and have read many pros and cons of each. I know it all boils down to what I like, but would like opinions of those who have played both.
I'm a commercial photographer, and I'm sure this boils down to a Canon vs. Nikon thing, only in music.

Thanks,
Rob

[David Hodgkins]

I've played several SG's and never knew one that could hold tune. I like the wider neck on the SG but the constant tuning thing is a major turn off.

The Fender gets my vote.

My favorite axe is a pre-Jackson Charvel though...

[Mike D]

Hmmmmm.....Telecaster.

[Cobra Cory]

Ummm...not for nothin' but I have a beautiful Fender American Deluxe, Flamed Maple top, Strat for sale. S-1 Switching. Noiseless pickups. Rare version of the maple flame top as it is also a quilted top. When I talked to Fender trying to get a value to it, they told me to keep it as it is considered a collectible as they did not make many with both the flame and quilt in one top like that.
It is actually at the music shop up the road for sale for $1650.00. But I'd make ya a deal as the shop gets 30%. So I'd take that off. So that is like 50% off a brand new guitar. Comes with a road case, strap, etc....Rosewood neck with gold lockable tuners on it.
Sorry not too many pictures of it here at work. You simply do not see these out of their cases they are so nice. Not a nick on it too. Super mint condition.



Here is one like it with a pick guard for over $2k....
http://www.musicstorelive.com/item/n...s/lid=30787965

Just sayin".......

[Snakebit31]

Cory,
Nice guitar! I wish I could make an offer now, but I'm about 6 months out. Just starting to make a plan.

Rob

[NiceGuyEddie]

Help me pick a guitar...

my points:

• a locking tremolo will keep away 99% of the tuning issues.
• buy a guitar that fits your hand and fingers
• unless you are doing some serious, serious, playing, and/or recording, American vs. Foreign won't matter.
• as long as the frets are not seriously worn, and as long as none of the frets buzz, a second hand one from a Pawn Shop is a viable option

i was in a Metallica cover band in the late 80's.... i played lead guitar, but i have not really played since then. bad wrists.

i miss it!

[highplainscobra]

Another vote for the Strat. I have had my '89 American Strat since new. If you are not sure on having the tremolo on the Strat you can "block" the trem (Clapton did that). It is not hard and is reversible.

Other vote would be for the Telecaster. My wife got me a J@p Tele with a Nashville set up on the pickups. Nice player, but the Strat is my number 1.

Previously I have had Les Paul Customs, Les Paul copies (good ones), Ibanez strat style, other Tele's I wish I would have kept, and a Gibson Blues Hawk Deluxe. The BLues Hawk was a really versatile guitar - it had a 7-way Varitone, P-100 Stacked humbuckers with tapped/split coils, and you could get a ton of different tones out of it. Only issue with the Blues Hawk was that it had a semi-hollow Les Paul influenced body style that was REALLY neck heavy. You had to be really careful it didn't take a nose dive onto the tuners when you let go of the neck.

[Dan Babb]

What type of music will you play? Gotta know that to give an answer.
Also, do you have an amp?

If you have to buy both, remeber this....a great guitar through a crappy amp will sound like crap...but a mid-level guitar through a good amp can sound great.

If you want a decent gutar for a killer price, check out rondo music. I have a couple of their Agile models and they are well made Korean guitars.

[Cobra Cory]

Or........you could......... BUY MINE!

You will NOT find a deal as good as mine ANYWHERE!
Think about it!

[Stinson Pilot]

Paul, I wish I had the cash just lying around, I'd be tempted to add that one to my collection.

[NiceGuyEddie]

HIGLY UNDER-RATED when selecting a guitar is:

will you often play when sitting down????

Strat-Style bodies are well suited for this.

The Gibson SG is okay, but not as comfy as a Srat-style body in your gut and under your arm.

A Gibson Les-Paul, for example, is a square-edged guitar and horribly uncomfortable to play when sitting down and cillaxing.

and don't forget, if you don't already own an amp:

GET ONE THAT GOES UP TO ELEVEN!

[Cobra Cory]

Should I even mention that I have an SRV strat and a Line6 modeling amp with the full footboard for sale too....?

[Dan Babb]

I thought you loved that SRV...why you selling all your stuff?