Gone are the days when playing the electric guitar meant a choice between breaking the bank or settling for a second rate instrument. With all the most popular brands now offering cheaper alternatives to their most famous models, it’s easier than ever for the guitarist on a budget to break into music. The Epiphone SG Special is Gibson’s answer to just this problem.
Although the exact prices vary between model and seller, you can reliably expect a brand new Gibson SG to set you back by over a grand, while the Epiphone will fall solidly into the lower end of triple digits. That all sounds pretty great, but what are you getting for that money?
With a mahogany body, rosewood fretboard, 24.75 scale, 700T Humbuckers and the famous double horned design the Epiphone SG Special guitar not only looks fantastic but has a lot to offer on paper. This lightweight guitar has clearly been designed with both style and playability in mind so players can jam all day, and look great on stage.
But can this guitar live up to all that hype?
Of course, this is the most important question with any large purchase. Although the Epiphone SG Special is certainly a lot more budget-friendly than just about anything from Gibson‘s mainline brand, this is still going to be a significant price for most buyers. With that in mind, are you getting your money’s worth?
Well, the short answer is yes. While it’s true that Epiphone’s guitars are intended to be far more accessible, price-wise, than their Gibson counterparts, that doesn’t mean they’ve sacrificed on quality where it counts. The SG Special feels great to play, sounds fantastic to an audience, and still has that awesome SG look we all know and love.
Manufacturer | Epiphone |
Series | SG |
Made In | China |
GTIN 14 | 00711106260273, 00711106701127, 00711106701134, 00711106701158, 00711106701165, 00711106701141 |
Manufacturer Part Number | EP-ESGSCHCH1, ESGSCHCH1, EGSVCHVCH1, EGSVEBVCH1, EGSVVSVCH1, EGSVWLVCH1, EGSVHSVCH1 |
Colour | Black |
Left/Right Handed | Left Handed, Right Handed |
Body Type | Chambered |
Body Shape Family | Other |
Top Material Family | Ash |
Body Material Family | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene |
Fretboard Material Family | Brownwood |
Neck Material Family | Birch |
String Number | 6 |
Number of Frets | 17 |
Pickup Configuration | H |
Pickup Brand | Aguilar |
Pickup Active/Passive | Active, Passive |
Tremolo | Yes, No |
Tremolo Brand | Aria |
Left-Friendly? | Yes, No |