So....what is the verdict on the Tweedy SG?

[elterrell]

Title says it all. I seem to have liking for the look. I am definitely an LP guy, so this would be a bit of a venture. How do they stack up compared to other SGs? (like the '61 reissue).

 

[schlookness]

Seems like it's basically a '61 reissue with hotter pickups and a useless but good looking vibrato..
Wouldn't know how Burstbuckers sound in an SG but I imagine it could be problematic with those overwound pickups in such a thin body.. If i was to buy a newly built SG it would definately have classic '57 pups if not p90s.. But this is just my suspicion, maybe Burstbuckers sound great in an SG, they surely do in my Les Paul

 

[BlackZeppelin]

I have only played one (briefly)....the neck was way too thin for my liking (seemed thinner than most 61RI's that I have owned/played), the pickups sounded good, the tremolo threw it out of tune with even minor use (which is probably just a nut/bridge lubrication issue that can be fixed with a good setup). I did not like the finish on the neck.

Not a bad guitar over all, but not my cup of tea.

 

[Jon C]

Seems like it's basically a '61 reissue with hotter pickups and a useless but good looking vibrato..
Wouldn't know how Burstbuckers sound in an SG but I imagine it could be problematic with those overwound pickups in such a thin body.. If i was to buy a newly built SG it would definately have classic '57 pups if not p90s.. But this is just my suspicion, maybe Burstbuckers sound great in an SG, they surely do in my Les Paul

I'm curious, it sounds like you haven't actually played one ("Wouldn't know how Burstbuckers sound in an SG [...]"). Is that right?

I'm not sure about "hotter" pickups, they don't sound any hotter to me than Classic 57s. They are not "problematic" to my ears, they sound a bit more open than Classic 57s that I've had and liked in several other guits (LPs, 175, 335, 355). They actually sound very good to my ears.

The vibrato is not my favorite but I wouldn't call it "useless." Stays in tune fairly well, the neck is not large, but larger than I remember my LP Classic, for ex.

Quality appears variable (it's Gibson) given the horrible example we saw here a while back. The one I'm familiar with is very playable with a nice rosewood board w/ some light & dark streaking, very well put together.

I would not say it's a guit that everyone will love, but SGs are like that.

These opinions based on quite a few hours playing one. And yours? ...

 

[schlookness]

I've never played that type of vibrato without getting it out of tune in a split second though, I talked to a guitar-tech about putting one on my SG but after looking closely at how it functions he dismissed it as outdated and said there's a reason you don't see them very often..
It's the most reputable guitarshop where I live so I take his word for it even if I don't really know a damn thing myself..

On a side-note my "ex-SG" was a '61 reissue but I gave it up because I like beefy '50s necks, only to find an SG custom a couple months later with an even thinner neck but a tone and pricetag I just couldn't resist..
Haven't seen the Tweedy before today but it reminds me a bit of my yellow custom, looks more retro to me then the usual SG-pure evil..

I belive 70's SGs or moderns standards is what you should look for if you want a thicker neck, though I've also tried an odd 80's and 60's one with very solid necks and joints..

 

[Jon C]

I've never played that type of vibrato without getting it out of tune in a split second though, I talked to a guitar-tech about putting one on my SG but after looking closely at how it functions he dismissed it as outdated and said there's a reason you don't see them very often..
It's the most reputable guitarshop where I live so I take his word for it even if I don't really know a damn thing myself..

[..]

I agree it's not the most stable but after seeing your note I just picked one up and whanged it around a bit and it stayed in very good tune. So, not perfect, not even a great vibrato compared to others but there does seem to be some variability in stability from guitar to guitar. It wouldn't be my whammy of choice.

 

[schlookness]

Jon C - I have never played noor seen a Tweedy SG in real life, never made it out as such either as you yourself pointed out in your message..
I took a look at the specs and shared my suspicions based on my experience with alot of other SGs and Gibsons in general..

I myself have never tried a vibrato of that kind that was even the slightest bit reliable, and I have always taken any chance to "test drive" them cause I've always fancied the way they look..
As I said I like Burstbuckers in a Les Paul but I could "imagine" it being problematic in a guitar with an extremely thin body made exclusively of mahogany, and yes to my ears Burstbuckers are definately hotter then '57 classic though I admit I have never actually measured either one..

 

[Bob Pollock]

The Maestro Vibrola, like any other tremolo system, requires properly detailed nut slots and bridge saddles to operate well. When set up correctly they work fine for their intended purpose. I gigged one on an ES-355 for years.

 

[Jon C]

Jon C - I have never played noor seen a Tweedy SG in real life, never made it out as such either as you yourself pointed out in your message..
I took a look at the specs and shared my suspicions based on my experience with alot of other SGs and Gibsons in general..

I myself have never tried a vibrato of that kind that was even the slightest bit reliable, and I have always taken any chance to "test drive" them cause I've always fancied the way they look..
As I said I like Burstbuckers in a Les Paul but I could "imagine" it being problematic in a guitar with an extremely thin body made exclusively of mahogany, and yes to my ears Burstbuckers are definately hotter then '57 classic though I admit I have never actually measured either one..

I haven't measured these BB1s but to my ears they def. do not sound hotter than the Classic 57s I've used a lot (which are nice pickups IMO, very close to Florance Voodoo 59s in an LP or 2 I've compared with each). The numbers don't always tell the tale, a set of Joe Bardens (pretty hot) will measure around 5k or so IIRC... so it's a mix of factors not just resistance that gives the sound.

BTW I forgot to mention one byproduct of the Lyre vibrato is that unlike many SGs, the Tweedy is not a neck-diver and is fairly well balanced (I don't like the neck dive of a lot of SGs).

As Bob Pollock mentions, this one is very well set up --- the vibrato on this one is more than acceptable for tuning stability though it wouldn't be my first or even 2nd choice. But they didn't have a Tweedy with a Bigsby so the Lyre is it.

With all that said, I think it's a guitar that will appeal to some and not to others, maybe even many.

 

[salsage]

The Maestro Vibrola, like any other tremolo system, requires properly detailed nut slots and bridge saddles to operate well. When set up correctly they work fine for their intended purpose. I gigged one on an ES-355 for years.

Agreed.
I gig regularly with a modded SG w a Maestro. Stays in tune very well.
I would love check out a Tweedy SG if I could find one.

 

[Progman]

My Maestro equipped SG stays in tune if you wrap the strings this certain way haha. But yeah I would get it, put locking tuners on it, get new pickups, and a new graphtec nut.

 

[schlookness]

I haven't measured these BB1s but to my ears they def. do not sound hotter than the Classic 57s I've used a lot (which are nice pickups IMO, very close to Florance Voodoo 59s in an LP or 2 I've compared with each). The numbers don't always tell the tale, a set of Joe Bardens (pretty hot) will measure around 5k or so IIRC... so it's a mix of factors not just resistance that gives the sound. .....

You didn't catch the sarcasm, eh?? I was not the least bit serious about measuring the pickups, it was solely a reflection on how strange I found it to recieve a reply from you repeatedly criticizing the fact that I haven't tried the guitar in question, a fact which I made no attempt at hiding in my original message..

I'll continue to disagree on the Burstbuckers, to me they sound remarkably hotter then Classic '57.. At the risk of being questioned on my expertice I repeat, I have never played Burstbuckers in an SG, I like the sound of BBs in a Lester but I question whether they'll translate as well when put in a thin mahogany body..
Again, this is a question raised by me, not in any way is it intended to be considered as fact by anyone..

 

[Jon C]

You didn't catch the sarcasm, eh?? I was not the least bit serious about measuring the pickups, it was solely a reflection on how strange I found it to recieve a reply from you repeatedly criticizing the fact that I haven't tried the guitar in question, a fact which I made no attempt at hiding in my original message..

I'll continue to disagree on the Burstbuckers, to me they sound remarkably hotter then Classic '57.. At the risk of being questioned on my expertice I repeat, I have never played Burstbuckers in an SG, I like the sound of BBs in a Lester but I question whether they'll translate as well when put in a thin mahogany body..
Again, this is a question raised by me, not in any way is it intended to be considered as fact by anyone..

You're right, I missed the sarcasm, sorry.

I was mystified that you presented a catalog of criticisms of a guitar that you've never played. That wasn't criticism of you, just an observation that might have some relation to your own criticism. The question is "what's the verdict on the Tweedy SG?" I'd figure that's best answered by people who have actually played one.

That observation (that you haven't played one) isn't a criticism of you: it relates to my specific comparison of BB1s in the Tweedy v. 57s in other guitars. I'm comparing your generalized impression with actual playing experience (just as I consistently find 57s to work better in hollows & semis (175, 335, 355) than LPs (though they don't sound bad in them either)).

Based on that I can only say "try it (BB1 in an SG), you might like it" (or might not). I agree that neither the BBs nor the 57s in an SG will sound the same as they would in an LP.

Cheers....

 

[mikemac]

I've got one and am really impressed. Needed a set-up with nut and saddle work but I have no issues with the Maestro. It is a thinner neck but i love the finish, of course that's chocolate and vanilla. As far as the Burstbuckers, they are the BB1 version and I believe they may be Gibson's lowest output bucker. Not to be confused with the 2's & 3's. If anything, in my opinion, the pups give it a much more indie rock to clean blues sound. These are NOT Angus's pups.
Overall, a keeper for me. Very good play-ability, great sound and one of the best looking guitars out there right now (In my opinion of course).

 

[schlookness]

John C -

If you take a message containing the words and phrases "seems", "wouldn't know", "imagine" and "just my suspicion"(and it was a quite short message) and make it out to be a "catalog of criticism" as you choose to put it there is clearly a big difference in how we use the english language, I guess the swedish school system that tought it to me must not be as well informed as yours..

I would not have posted my (apparently) outrageous reply if a well informed discussion was already going on, but this thread was dead silent so I figured why not share my "generalized impression" in the lack of comments with actual substance..

My original post was not so much criticism as a series of questions asked nor was it requesting credability in any way, something I tried to be as clear about as I possibly could, which is why I consider your wise-ass reply childish at best..



EDIT: Sorry about hijacking this thread for a petty argument!

 

[salsage]

Gentlemen, Please

I am very interested in hearing more about the Tweedy SG

 

[Jon C]

John C -

If you take a message containing the words and phrases "seems", "wouldn't know", "imagine" and "just my suspicion"(and it was a quite short message) and make it out to be a "catalog of criticism" as you choose to put it there is clearly a big difference in how we use the english language, I guess the swedish school system that tought it to me must not be as well informed as yours..

I would not have posted my (apparently) outrageous reply if a well informed discussion was already going on, but this thread was dead silent so I figured why not share my "generalized impression" in the lack of comments with actual substance..

My original post was not so much criticism as a series of questions asked nor was it requesting credability in any way, something I tried to be as clear about as I possibly could, which is why I consider your wise-ass reply childish at best..



EDIT: Sorry about hijacking this thread for a petty argument!

Perhaps I should have called it a "catalog of speculation" instead?

It's not fruitful to engage with someone who is so argumentative after 23 posts, so I will move on, though I don't think you were anywhere close to outrageous - hardly.

Your personal attacks, however, are uncalled for and have no relationship to the original question or any constructive attempt to answer it, nor are you contributing to a constructive discussion (and that has nothing to do with the quality of Swedish education, which I'm sure is solid). Ironic, too, that I gave you a good natured response and you, who admit you started out with sarcasm where I focused on actual playing experience, now throw the "wiseass" label at me.

Many of us here have learned that it's often more productive to just pass on opining on pieces of gear we have never played.

I hope my sharing the actual experience of playing the guitar in question is helpful to some.

 

[salsage]

I hope my sharing the actual experience of playing the guitar in question is helpful to some.

YES and I Thank You

 

[Jon C]

all is well, schlookness & I are cool ... Twang on!

 

[74vibrolux]

I'm loving mine. The neck is really nice ... feels quite a bit like my Duo Jet, perhaps a bit wider. I think the pickups have some nice clarity to them and dirty up so nicely. I love the maestro, personally. The thing to remember is it isn't a Floyd Rose. It's there to add a bit of wiggle, not dive bomb. And it looks sooooooo good. Damn it's a fun guitar.