Really great review. I actually recently bought both of these same guitars, same colors too. I love them both. For some reason my SG doesn't neck dive... which is rare. Some pieces of mahogany are lighter than others... so maybe the body on mine is heavier than yours so neck dive isn't an issue? Both of mine stay in tune perfectly and have perfect intonation. I was worried about the kluson tuners in the SG because I have had other Gibsons with those in the past and had serious tuning stability issues. I don't think the machine wiring versus hand wiring makes any difference at all in tone... both sound epic. As you probably know the Gibson Les Paul modern has machine wiring and is more expensive than the standard. The coil tapping on the classic is almost worthless compared to coil tapping on all of my PRS guitars. Gibson needs to learn from PRS. I definitely love the low end thumb on my classic... which is missing on the SG... especially when palm muting the low "E"... but I love the chime on the SG... and the light weight. If I only had one and price wasn't an issue I'd take the classic because the tone is more balanced. But the SG is awesome too... and the tone fits certain playing styles better and doesn't get muddled with the bass guitar. The 61 burstbucker pickups are outstanding... very clear, warm, bright, and punchy. I prefer them to BB pros and 490's I've had on other Les Paul guitars I've owned. But pickups are definitely preference depending on playing style.
The Les Paul Modern has PCB out of necessity. It’s much easier and less possible fail ratio when shipping to different climates. Lots of different tonal options on the Modern series. The PCB doesn’t make it more expensive, it’s to save money on hand soldering. I agree with the lacklustre coil options… just sounds like an under powered humbucker to be honest. I remember my PRS Guitars had better coil options, they just lacked mojo for me. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar agree they do the machine wiring to save money... I was just pointing out that other great more expensive Les Paul models use pcb too. Since you have both the classic and the standard models with the same pickups you would be able to hear the difference more than me. I just don't really notice any tone quality difference between my SG which is handwired and my classic which isn't... but I don't have the handwired standard to compare it to like you. I have three PRS guitars core 24, CE 24, and Chris Robertson. As you know the 24's don't sound as fat as a Les Paul because they are kind of a Gibson strat hybrid. The Chris Robertson though sounds fat) thick like a Les Paul... but fatter I think. The p90 in the neck makes it interesting too. And even though it has a thick Les Paul type body the coil tapping is exceptionally good compared to my Gibson. If you haven't tried one I would highly recommend checking one out. Build quality is great and they are cheap... and metal players seem to love them... but you can only find them used since only made for one year... Thanks again for your great video and comments...
The wiring wouldn’t be the reason all for any tonal difference. The Caps yes. But even then it’s only when you aren’t playing with the guitars tone on stun. Tone is all personal preference. PCB doesn’t bother me. It’s just a misconception what it does. Cheers -Ryan
That's why I bought both lol. I would take the Les Paul over my SG because tone more balanced but both epic and sound phenomenal but slightly different...
A really true shootout of compariable guitars - thanks for doing this one :)
Awesome review, thanks for doing this comparison.
Really great review. I actually recently bought both of these same guitars, same colors too. I love them both. For some reason my SG doesn't neck dive... which is rare. Some pieces of mahogany are lighter than others... so maybe the body on mine is heavier than yours so neck dive isn't an issue? Both of mine stay in tune perfectly and have perfect intonation. I was worried about the kluson tuners in the SG because I have had other Gibsons with those in the past and had serious tuning stability issues. I don't think the machine wiring versus hand wiring makes any difference at all in tone... both sound epic. As you probably know the Gibson Les Paul modern has machine wiring and is more expensive than the standard. The coil tapping on the classic is almost worthless compared to coil tapping on all of my PRS guitars. Gibson needs to learn from PRS. I definitely love the low end thumb on my classic... which is missing on the SG... especially when palm muting the low "E"... but I love the chime on the SG... and the light weight. If I only had one and price wasn't an issue I'd take the classic because the tone is more balanced. But the SG is awesome too... and the tone fits certain playing styles better and doesn't get muddled with the bass guitar. The 61 burstbucker pickups are outstanding... very clear, warm, bright, and punchy. I prefer them to BB pros and 490's I've had on other Les Paul guitars I've owned. But pickups are definitely preference depending on playing style.
The Les Paul Modern has PCB out of necessity. It’s much easier and less possible fail ratio when shipping to different climates. Lots of different tonal options on the Modern series. The PCB doesn’t make it more expensive, it’s to save money on hand soldering. I agree with the lacklustre coil options… just sounds like an under powered humbucker to be honest. I remember my PRS Guitars had better coil options, they just lacked mojo for me. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar agree they do the machine wiring to save money... I was just pointing out that other great more expensive Les Paul models use pcb too. Since you have both the classic and the standard models with the same pickups you would be able to hear the difference more than me. I just don't really notice any tone quality difference between my SG which is handwired and my classic which isn't... but I don't have the handwired standard to compare it to like you. I have three PRS guitars core 24, CE 24, and Chris Robertson. As you know the 24's don't sound as fat as a Les Paul because they are kind of a Gibson strat hybrid. The Chris Robertson though sounds fat) thick like a Les Paul... but fatter I think. The p90 in the neck makes it interesting too. And even though it has a thick Les Paul type body the coil tapping is exceptionally good compared to my Gibson. If you haven't tried one I would highly recommend checking one out. Build quality is great and they are cheap... and metal players seem to love them... but you can only find them used since only made for one year... Thanks again for your great video and comments...
The wiring wouldn’t be the reason all for any tonal difference. The Caps yes. But even then it’s only when you aren’t playing with the guitars tone on stun. Tone is all personal preference. PCB doesn’t bother me. It’s just a misconception what it does. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar thanks for the incite!
Both are glorious Gibson gold! Price difference?
Price difference is $500... SG cheaper. I own both of these guitars... both really great... but tone slightly different...
Sg= twangy
Les paul= beefy
I'm conflicted which I like more and that's a good problem.
That's why I bought both lol. I would take the Les Paul over my SG because tone more balanced but both epic and sound phenomenal but slightly different...