How does an LP compare to an SG in terms of sound?

[dnauhei]

Never had the change to play an SG. I have a LP copy with Gibson 57 Classics HBs. All things being equal, how would this compare tonally to an SG with similar HBs?

[jmczaja]

My SG sounds a bit more mid-rangy and nasal compared to a LP.. Not as thick and muddy as a LP..

-jay

[TheLemon]

For the most part SGs sound more raw and nasty to me, while LPs sound more polite and well-rounded.

[smolder]

For what it's worth... An lp studio will be closer to an sg, also being solid mahogany, albeit thicker. A true les paul has a maple top, which hugely effects the tone. So mass, and wood type on the top, both effecting how the guitar sounds.

[tnt365]

TheLemon+Smolder are on top of it!

jmczaja- Muddy? I don't think so.

For me an SG is to a LP what a Tele is to a Strat

Except SG IMO have way less twang and lot more mid-range (so Tele and SG aren't similar much and Strat and LP aren't similar much)

I've never played an SG I thought felt right in my hand, but lots have sounded pretty nasily, throaty at times and had a good rock and roll tone (not too much sustain). My LP can give me rock but really loves to belt out (Sustain!) cleaner rounder tones even when the tube are saturated.

[dehughes]

Originally Posted by TheLemon

For the most part SGs sound more raw and nasty to me, while LPs sound more polite and well-rounded.

That's a fair summation. LP's have more snap whereas SG's have more snarl. I find LP's to be a bit quicker and "thicker" in the initial attack, whereas the lighter SG has a bit more "give" and provides more air to the tone. LP's have a high-end thing going on in the initial attack which when coupled with the "weight" of the body provides a unique feel. SG's are softer but are less "mid-scooped", all things being equal (which they never really are). Hope that helps. Get one of each.

[AaeCee]

Though they both fire the same ammunition, the SG is a great short range weapon, while a LP will hit harder and be more accurate at longer distances.

[snacker]

Originally Posted by TheLemon

For the most part SGs sound more raw and nasty to me, while LPs sound more polite and well-rounded.

my favorite is halfway in between - LP special double cut

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by AaeCee

Though they both fire the same ammunition, the SG is a great short range weapon, while a LP will hit harder and be more accurate at longer distances.

Load an SG with P90s and you have a WMD...

[Fenderkid67]

I love P90 sgs! So sweet. I feel odd play an sg. The neck seems longer....I don't know why it feels like that.

[enocaster]

Now that that's covered, why don't we throw the 335 in the mix?

[TattooedCarrot]

Les Paul



SG

[vdoochild7]

I have both.
SG-aggressive upper mids, with more treble and twang, sucked out lower mids and bass
LP-fuller range, deeper bass, more lower mids, more presence, more sustain

I don't get it when people say SGs are dark. I've played more LPs that are what I would consider "dark." SGs are bity, snappy, and aggressive. Check out the Audley Freed Clips of him playing the mustard SG. NOT a dark sound at all.

[dman72]

AB'd two very nice guitars through my friends Marshall a while back.

A 62 SG and a mid 60's Les Paul. Probably have similar if not identical pickups.

The Maple cap makes a difference. It's like adding a presence control. The Les Paul is fatter, more complex..the lows are still there but the highs glisten more, while still having that famous midrange..the SG is basically just the lows and midrange, which is pretty nice. If you play a Les paul without a maple cap it's very similar.

[andrekp]

Originally Posted by olectric

What does that even mean?

He means that while using an LP is like solving a triangle on a Darmstadt style slide rule, playing an SG is like doing so on a Post/Hemmi 255.