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[Rockmatrix]

I've been playing for seven months and I told myself when I started I'd get a new guitar if I was still playing after a year. I'm hooked and positive I'm not going to quit. So thinking about rewarding myself a bit early.
I currently play a Scheter Omen 6 Diamond Series (about $300 new). I have my eye on the Gibson SG Special ($999 at Guitar Center.) The Question, is it worth that much more than the Epiphone G 400 SG ($349)?
For a guy like me who's 43 just starting and doesn't have any aspirations of playing in a band or anything, is there a big enough difference to justify the cost of the American made guitars? I mean I could buy an epiphone SG and Les Paul for less than the cost of one Gibson. Also if I go with the Epi 400 SG would it be a big improvement over my Scheter?
Thanks in advance for any input.

[rcole_sooner]

I've never played a Scheter, but they seem like solid economy line guitars.

Do you have a GC near, so you can go try them out?

The Specials have P-90s, AFAIK, and if that is what ya want, then cool. Most folks are probably looking for an HB loaded SG, however. (Edit: I checked and it seems some have HBs and some have P-90s).

I've never tried one, but I've heard good things about the Epi 400s, and they will have HBs.

Personally I'd looked used on CL or ebay, and get a Gibson SG Faded, for around $500 or less. For $1000 (or less), you could get a really nice used Gibson SG Standard.

For that matter, a brand new Gibson SG Faded is only around $700. I find myself playing my SG Faded a lot. It might appear on this weeks challenge video, of Jessica, if I can get the song to that point.

[Funk-n-Stein]

I've been playing for seven months and I told myself when I started I'd get a new guitar if I was still playing after a year. I'm hooked and positive I'm not going to quit. So thinking about rewarding myself a bit early.
I currently play a Scheter Omen 6 Diamond Series (about $300 new). I have my eye on the Gibson SG Special ($999 at Guitar Center.) The Question, is it worth that much more than the Epiphone G 400 SG ($349)?
For a guy like me who's 43 just starting and doesn't have any aspirations of playing in a band or anything, is there a big enough difference to justify the cost of the American made guitars? I mean I could buy an epiphone SG and Les Paul for less than the cost of one Gibson. Also if I go with the Epi 400 SG would it be a big improvement over my Scheter?
Thanks in advance for any input.

I have a Standard and I've never played a Special or G400, but have heard that the Epiphone electronics/pickups aren't as good as the Gibson counterparts (which makes sense.) I've also heard that the Epiphones are more prone to neck dive. Personally, I'd look for a Gibson Special Faded - from what I can tell, other than the finish, same specs as the special and for a couple hundred less. You can also find good condition standards in the $800 range. The differences between the standard and specials are largely cosmetic (binding/inlays) other than the hard case vs. soft case. Bottom line, go to Guitar Center, try the Standard, Special, Special Faded and G400 and see what seems to fit what you are looking for best in terms of features/sound/price and then make a decision based on that.

[Phalaris99504]

Ok. Here's my $ 0.02 worth on this. I've not played the Schecter. But it looks like a decent guitar. I have both a Gibson Les Paul Studio, and an Epiphone Les Paul Ultra 2. I love both of them, but they do sound very different on a clean amp. My Ultra 2 comes with Alnico Classic & Alnico Classic Plus, where my Gibson comes with 490R & 498T. The gibson has a thicker body, and is tons heavier. I did some looking and what Gibson SG are you looking to get? I found a TON of SG Specials on Gibson's web site. Some with Dirty Finger pickups, others with 490T & 490R. Some with P90's.

Gibson makes a great guitar. But so does Epiphone. I'm not a big fan of the SG's. But I have to say that the new SG in Iced Tea Burst is absolutely SEXY!!!! I'd say, don't make any quick decisions. Go down to your local shops, and pick up everyone that they let you. Play with them. Listen to them, and find one that speaks to you. Sometimes we don't pick our guitars. Sometimes, they pick us.

Phalaris.

[mdaas321]

I played a Gibson SG standard first and fell in love with it. Was not even looking for a new guitar. So after shopping around and trying alot of other guitars, I ended up trying several G400's and was surprised how they felt and played pretty much the same. I ended up getting a used G400 expecting to change out the pickups, but I was surprised that after a week of playing it I loved the way the Epi's pickups sounded, so I stuck with them. The G400 I got was a 2000 model, and I got it for a great price. After I changed out the pickup switch that was sticking, and cleaned it up polished it, and oiled the fretboard it plays and looks great now.

I agree with the suggestions above, if you are looking for a new guitar, play around with several and take your time. One with find you and just like a woman, you will know its the one

[etter157]

Schecter has a bunch of good, cheaper guitars. Most of them are aimed at young metal players, but they have MANY models. Check out the Schecter custom line. Set neck, Duncan pickups with coil-tap, shorter scale, ebony fretboard, mahogany body/neck, and they look classy as hell. Shops sell them new at $699.

Japan and Korea produce good guitars, it's more the manufactures quality control in the states that prevents duds from making it way to the shop.

You'll never go wrong with a gibson though.

[Rockmatrix]

Thanks for the replys.
I didn't realize the difference between p-90s and HBs. Been doing some research and learning alot!
I'm now looking at the SG Standard $1200 (490r + 490t HBs) the SG special $1000 (with either Alnico 2 or Dirty Fingers HBs) Not sure what "Dirty Fingers" are but sure sounds cool as hell
My only problem with the Faded is it's the same finish as my Schecter and I plan on keeping it. I'd like something a bit different. So basically $300 for the paint job it looks like!
There is a nice looking Epi SG 400 on CL for $300 so that's still a possibility. The Gibsons seem to hold there value and the only one I see on CL is a 2008 standard for $900.
Anyway I do have a GC near me so I will definently go try a few things out, who know's maybe I'll end up with an Ibanez! It's nice to be able to go in with a bit more knowledge though so again, I thank you all.