A Tale of Three Guitars:

Which Sounds Better Overall

  • Gibson SG 2016 (490T Pickups)

    Votes: 5 50.0%

  • Schecter 2005 (EMG 81)

    Votes: 3 30.0%

  • Squire 1987 (GFS Double Slug)

    Votes: 2 20.0%
  • Total voters
    10
Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
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A shootout between my 3 current guitars on the bridge pickups....

1987 Fender Squire - GFS Double Slug Humbucker 13.9k - Volume and Tone Full

2005 Schechter Hellraiser - EMG 81/85 Totally stock - Volume and Tone Full

2016 Gibson SG Traditional - Gibson 490T - Volume and Tone Full

Amp - Marshall DSL40C - Gain 1/2 - Bass Full - Treble 1/2 - Mids 1/2 - Presence Full - Resonance 1/2

Effects Used - BOSS CS-3 Compressor - Boss GE-7 EQ - Boss DD-3 Delay

Same strings on all three - Ernie Ball Hydrid -009-.046

Same Pic - Dunlop Tortex .088mm

Same cables - One Spot powering the effects

Which one sounds better and why???

Any observances are welcome....



 
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DonP said:
No preference here - they all sound very similar. I think what we are hearing is 95% the stomp boxes.
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I hear such a profound difference between them. I can hear the intonation is off on the Fenders' 'G' string now that I am listening to it....
 
Robert Herndon said:
I hear such a profound difference between them. I can hear the intonation is off on the Fenders' 'G' string now that I am listening to it....
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I wasn't listening for stuff like that - just the tone. I'm not saying they sound identical, because they clearly don't. But none of them was shouting "ME, ME". They were all giving a good tone, consistent with what I would expect from the effects lineup. Probably in a cleaner scenario the differences would be far more apparent. And even then, it isn't a case of which is better, but which suits the tune better.
 
frankblade said:
To me me the schecter wasn't in it . It was between Gibson and Fender.
And I gotta say fender . That's just my opinion what did you like and feel better and thought sounded best matters
more than what I think.
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The Schecter drives the amp much harder. Notice how you really hear the delay behind the Schecter??? The settings were never changed and I'm running all the effects with a One Spot.

The Hellraiser is physically the easiest to play....The Gibson is easier to bend due to its shorter scale length. The Fender's intonation is off....
 
DonP said:
I wasn't listening for stuff like that - just the tone. I'm not saying they sound identical, because they clearly don't. But none of them was shouting "ME, ME". They were all giving a good tone, consistent with what I would expect from the effects lineup. Probably in a cleaner scenario the differences would be far more apparent. And even then, it isn't a case of which is better, but which suits the tune better.
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Good observation...which suits the tune better???
 
I would like to hear them clean, as well. (Do Marshalls have that setting?)That said, the SG had a very aggressive bite, the Strat had more deep growl and the Shecter seemed to lisp. For Toto, I'd prefer the Strat's slightly bassier tone, but I can get that from my SG special with different EQ.
 
Biddlin said:
I would like to hear them clean, as well. (Do Marshalls have that setting?)That said, the SG had a very aggressive bite, the Strat had more deep growl and the Shecter seemed to lisp. For Toto, I'd prefer the Strat's slightly bassier tone, but I can get that from my SG special with different EQ.
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Maybe I will do a clean video later if I have time....My Marshall has a clean channel that has never been used!!! LOL
 
What I gather from this is everyone hears things differently...I like the Schecter the best followed closely by the Strat. I thought the SG was way to shrill and it was not pleasant to my ears...it's just a matter of what each individual likes as much as the guitar...
 
Ok,

By request, played through the clean channel on my all-tube Marshall DSL40C all settings in the 1/2 position. No compressor, No EQ, just the DD-3 and reverb...Interestingly, the Fender's 13.9k GFS Double Slug was the most shrill and bright without effects!!!!



 
I liked the SG the best----the Fender next and the Schecter last----- for THAT song. No ----for a different song --- or with different settings on each--- perhaps a Fender Tweed amp -----I might totally change my opinion......on the first set of dirty tones.

Clean I liked the Schecter----hauntingly lilting tone and added to the song-----this particular song-----the Fender then SG....

The REAL question:
Which one makes YOU happiest to play-----which one with all three sitting on stands beside your amp---- when yoou have 15 minutes to kill before you leave the house----WHICH ONE DO YOU GRAB and noodle with ......... because THAT is the one ---"THE ONE" .....see

Our opinions dont matter we all hear things different ---- what makes YOU happy --- thats what matters

SEND ME THE SG ----- problem solved.......
 
eSGEe said:
I liked the SG the best----the Fender next and the Schecter last----- for THAT song. No ----for a different song --- or with different settings on each--- perhaps a Fender Tweed amp -----I might totally change my opinion......on the first set of dirty tones.

Clean I liked the Schecter----hauntingly lilting tone and added to the song-----this particular song-----the Fender then SG....

The REAL question:
Which one makes YOU happiest to play-----which one with all three sitting on stands beside your amp---- when yoou have 15 minutes to kill before you leave the house----WHICH ONE DO YOU GRAB and noodle with ......... because THAT is the one ---"THE ONE" .....see

Our opinions dont matter we all hear things different ---- what makes YOU happy --- thats what matters

SEND ME THE SG ----- problem solved.......
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Hey, Man!!! I appreciate the input!!! I'm planning a "Kenny G" style guitar instrumental CD and I'm trying to pick the one with the best overall tone...

You might like this...the SG's 490T bridge pickup with the tone rolled about halfway off...all effect and amp settings same as the first three "dirty" videos....

 
Robert Herndon said:
Hey, Man!!! I appreciate the input!!! I'm planning a "Kenny G" style guitar instrumental CD and I'm trying to pick the one with the best overall tone...

You might like this...the SG's 490T bridge pickup with the tone rolled about halfway off...all effect and amp settings same as the first three "dirty" videos....

Click to expand...
I like that----Id like it better if you send me the SG. ;)
 
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