Epiphone SG "Les Paul Custom" - Gibson Burstbuckers

I found the time to work on my old SG.

Here it is before:

Not much of a change looks wise but the Gibson pickups make it sound a lot better in my opinion.

I always enjoyed three humbucker guitars.
The option to blend in the middle pickup offers interesting tonal variations.

Neck to bridge - Gibson Burstbucker 1, 2 and 3.

Epiphone ZV Custom - Zakk Wylde Signature SG

Concerning guitar construction I have one favourite design and that's the SG shape.

My very first electric guitar was a Les Paul - type (still have that one) but in terms of playability I immediately fell in love with my second guitar, which was of course an Epiphone SG.

The number of SG-type guitars I own has grown quite a bit over the years and I have to say that I think of the Zakk Wylde Signature as the final keystone of my collection - at least for now...

And what a misshappen keystone it is!
First of all the instrument is huge and since I lack the impressive physique of Zakk Wylde, I almost disappear behind it.

The split tail design seems to make some people feel sick - like staring at a M.C. Escher drawing for too long - is it a Flying V or an SG? Just so malformed it looks outright wrong.

Still - I love that monster.

The controls are way off but at least the output jack is positioned quite conveniently.

The toggle switch has gone where no man has gone before - placed on the upper wing, one has to reach far back to change pickups.

It comes with EMG Hz pickups, an important fact to keep in mind when looking at the back of the guitar:

Lovely neck by the way but a closeup of the body shows my biggest personal gripe with the instrument:

The control cavity is extremely small and narrow. It's fine for the passive EMG Hz pickups but there is no way to fit the controls of active EMG's in there.
Which is funny because Mr. Wylde and EMG actually have a signature pickup set on offer that would go with his guitar quite nicely, I think.
Since I am unwilling to rout out a bigger hole I will have to look into the problem further, maybe i could manage to cram the old soldered system into it...

Now - after all those hard facts I feel inclined to offer my personal OPINION as well:

As it is, the instrument plays well and sounds great.
Some design choices make it impractical to use, at least for me, others might be happy to have all controls positioned far away from the strings so they won't interfere while playing.

One might find the shape of the guitar appalling - I think it looks superb, even though I look ridiculous when strapped on to it.

The only remaining question is - do I tinker with the pickups and control setup or should I keep it in stock condition?

Epiphone G-400 '65 Reissue w/Maestro Vibrola - An Update

I got this a while ago, a Gibson Angus Young signature pickup had already been installed.
I found a nice Gibson Classic 57 Plus pickup for the neck position - I quite like that combination now.

Korean - made, back in the year 2005.

Tuning is standard but a half step down with quite thin strings for the short scale length.

Epiphone G-310

I had three old Fenix pickups and no place to put them into...

Then I found this Epiphone SG in Antique Ivory for close to no money.

Not a remarkable instrument in any way but it looks nice and plays well enough.

Epiphone G-400 Tony Iommi Signature

Since Black Sabbath are on their farewell tour apparently and Epiphone came out with a new Iommi signature model in 2015, I take this as an opportune moment to talk about my G-400.

I got it a few years back by sheer luck and I have been quite happy with it ever since.

I must confess I did not try the new model yet, so I can't provide a comparison.

The most important argument for me has always been Gibson's Tony Iommi signature pickups and both models have those built in, so for once I don't have to tinker with the guitar and swap stuff out.

Would I get the new model too? Probably, if the deal is right.
Do I feel the need to replace the old model with the new one?
As I said - pickups are the same so I see no need to do that.

Will the guitar provide automatic Iommi tone?
Does the guitar turn every player into an instant Doom Metal God?
Unsurprisingly no, Witchcraft is not included, it's still just a plank of wood with the benefit of two nice sounding Gibson pickups readily installed.

Epiphone 1966 G-400 PRO - The Pelham Blue Buccaneer

All Skulls and Crossbones on this one.
The finish is called "Pelham Blue" and it is very sparkling.
It instantly evoked ideas of glittering ocean waves so I was inspired to try an appropriate theme with it.

Now I can wave my guitar like a pirate flag and board the drum kit like an enemy vessel.

It is set up for slide playing, giving you that special "Caribbean mood".

I was lucky enough to find some hilarious pirate knobs which look great on the blue body.

Epiphone SG G-310 - Black and Metal

Built 1999 by Samick in Korea, this is quite a Homecoming for me.
Thanks to Uncle Rege for giving me the opportunity to meet her again.

Lots of history behind this one and very fond memories.

I did a complete overhaul and now she's got new life injected into her.

Two Dean Michael Amott "Tyrant" Signature pickups make her scream and moan.

Lovely.

Ten Horned Beasts - SG Group Pic

They are starting to gang up on me...

Cimar Double Cut

Back in the 70's Cimar was somehow connected to the Ibanez brand - if you believed in the interweb's information that is out there.
I for my part don't care much about the guitar's past - still sounds great in present days.

Epiphone SG Overhaul - Finally Finished

It's evolution, baby... or are we actually moving backwards?

A bunch of pictures from the current status down to starting point of the overhaul.

I think I'm finally happy with the instrument now.

EMG pickups have been removed for good - I put some nice Epiphone pups in and wired them in a "vintage 50's Les Paul" scheme, which means that the tone control is wired after the volume control.

It is tuned in Dropped - D.

Epiphone Les Paul Custom - Smell My Kadavar

Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Ivory.
Used for the latest Bart Bowles Band recordings.

My name is Nobody

Asian noname SG - copy, age unknown but looks darn old to me.

Vintage Shadow pickups and a neck as FAT as a baseball bat.

The sustain of this stranger is incredible. Notes just won't stop ringing.
Sound is good, wouldn't change a thing on this one.
Kind of a one trick pony but strike a chord and do your waltz.

A horse with no name, wich is fine by me.
None of the renowned brands out there would build a "Drone - Guitar" anyway.

Epiphone EB-0 : Rock solid

One of Erik Ain-Elohim's bass guitars.

Nothing fancy here, Epiphone EB-0 Short Scale.

Erik likes it for it's damped tone, "sounds like you mumbling into your beard, Bart", he says.

Can be heard on "Dancing with Daniela" by Bart Bowles Band.

Epiphone SG Maestro - Whole lotta Rosie...

Epihpone SG with Maestro Tremolo.
Angus Young Signature Pickup by Gibson is at the bridge position.

Got it only a few days ago and I'm already in love.
I salute you.

Epiphone SG EMG - "Here come the horns"

My other Epiphone SG.
This time with active EMG pickups and Sperzel locking tuners.

It's downtuned by a whole step.
The EMG's might have to go sooner or later if I'll find some pickups that suit this rocker better.

Suggestions anyone?