Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar Ebony

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

My bass player bought this guitar for grins and giggles.
I played it for an entire rehearsal today, about 2 1/2 hours or so. It was simply great. It plays like a dream. That said, he did take to get setup locally. All he did was add some Hybrid Slinky's and a Strap Lock system.
Great sound from clean Blues to crunchy Metal.
Plays like a much, much more expensive guitar.
I own, and have access to, some really great playing guitars, US Charvel So-Cal, Ibanez RG3550 etc.. this plays as well, if not better than any of them.
Beautifully built. As far as the tuning, it stays in tune fine for a hard tail, non locking system.
Had to tune maybe twice in a couple of hours.
If you aren't familiar with the SG charm it is the 12th fret being 6 or 7 frets left of the cut outs.
For a guy like me that struggles past the 12th, chubby fingers, it is awesome. (This is true with any SG).

For the money, you cannot find a better deal on a really great sounding, playing, and built hard tail Axe than this.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

Just came in way ahead of schedule so im very pleased with their service. The guitar itself came all wrapped up safe and secure, no dings or scratches. Its neck heavy like all SG's are but a simple strap will cure that. Factory strings are pretty generic and il have to adjust the action but thats all normal for a brand new guitar. Only reason its 4 stars is because i wish they would would put SG on the truss rod cover, but im going to replace it anyway with a custom anyway.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

I'm a Fender fan, but sometimes you just want something different. After hunting months for a Gibson-type guitar, I found this and thought it was awesome. Then I got it home and noticed the negatives. I put a strap on it and stood up. Playing was comfortable, but as soon as I took my hands off the guitar, the neck went south. So, you have to hold this guitar up while playing it. Then I noticed it wouldn't stay in tune. The neck moves a lot, especially in temperature changes. The tuners are fine and hold well, but the neck, being a thin "D" shape, bows every ten minutes hampering tuning and throwing the action off. I usually play an 11-50 string set, but there's no way this guitar could take them.
As for the tone... well, it's super good. Solid P90 tone that's almost as good as Gibson or boutique pups. They have great bark and stay clear through almost every amp and pedal combo. I love this tone. The electronics are great too. The volume and tone knobs work well with each other, and the switching is solid. The bridge does its job, just not as adjustable as other models. But this guitar is basically a plank, so it doesn't need to do much.
Fit and finish are excellent, especially at this price. I didn't notice any flaws in the paint, binding, nut, or frets.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

The P90 pick ups on this thing really wail and it can get a great loud, rocking sound. I use a lot of distortion and this guitar is perfect for that warm fuzzed sound.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

The only other Epiphone electric I've ever had was when Epiphones were made in the USA. Yes, that long ago. This red one out-of the-box needed every kind of set-up you can imagine. Luckily I can do that myself. The fingerboard imparts a dark black grunge on the fingertips that's hard to stop. I rubbed down the neck with Dunlop 02 fingerboard conditioner and it helped. Toweling down the fingerboard after every session should eventually get rid of this entirely. Whatever Epiphone is doing to the fretboard they need to re-think. Intonation and tuning stability improved greatly after a string change. Perhaps I can live with the fixed bridge. Time will tell. The frets are very rough and scratchy to play but it gets better the more you work them. I used 0000 steel wool which did the trick. BTW, these are 9-42s that Epiphone is putting on. Very strange bright silver strings, like there isn't an ounce of nickel in them. I'm still not done filing the nut grooves on the bass side to my satisfaction but that's about it for set-up.

OK, now for the tone--unfreaking-believable! I had a Gibson Les Paul Double Cut with P90s several years ago but we never bonded and I sold it soon after. All I remember about it is a tacky sticky neck that wouldn't quit. But I love this tone, really loud with amazing cut. You can get all sorts of in-between tones in the center position by using the volumes. Full neck and a little less bridge produces a thick lead tone that's loads of fun to play. I hear tones that remind me of all sorts of single coil sounds, even those of other guitars. Beatles stuff just jumps out, both John's Rickenbacker tones and George's Gretsch (try the middle position). Early swampy Fogerty tones sound very authentic too. I really dig the first string tone, not thin and piercing like usual but with all sorts of authority and thick presence. The pickups can overdrive a pre-amp pretty quick but dialing the volume down a bit cleans it up nicely.

I've always struggled with getting the compromise right between a too bassy neck and a too trebly bridge. This is just right out-of-the-box! The frets look a little broader and lower than is the modern Gibson norm and the fretboard feels a little wider than my Gibson SG Faded. Not sure it is though. The fretboard binding and the flatter neck radius could be throwing me off. They flattened the back going around the radius. I like it. The fingerboard binding is a nice touch at this price point. I can recommend the Epiphone SG 61 Anniversary model without reservation. Be prepared to get some basic set-up work done though.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

Simply put, if Epiphone put this kind of detail (bound neck, improved 60's style contours/bevels) on their G-400 model, and added the optional Maestro Vibrolas, you'd be asking "Gibson who?" I know a lot of people will rant and rave about their high-end Custom Shop / Historic SG's and Les Pauls, and in some instances they're decent quality. KALAMAZOO quality or aesthetic beauty? NOPE. Till they reach that level of QC and artisan detail (look at the body/cutaway beveling on the original 60's SG's, along with the tapered horn tips and mirror-smooth finish), I can't justify paying 8 times the cost of this Epiphone for a guitar that comes 75%-80% close to the "real deal". Seriously, I'm debating slapping an AllParts short vibrola (repro of the '63-'71 short Maestro on the originals), because that's the ONLY thing this baby lacks. Great guitar, cannot be beat for the price, or even for 4 times the price. If you like SG's, like P-90's and want something you can't put down, try one out. Through a Marshall or VOX of course.
I rated this a "9" on features because even though by "modern standards" it's pretty traditional and simple, it's everything you need! OK, one thing's missing: the short Maestro vibrola option!!! Seriously, add an optional short vibrola tailpiece (and maybe a Pelham Blue finish as an option), and maybe SLIGHTLY more "vintage spec" beveling (which let's face it, they aren't even doing right on the most expensive "Historic" series models) and you have all you could ever ask for that mistress that is the P-90 equipped SG.
Say what you will about Chinese-made guitars, but there is no denying that they have TOTALLY stepped-it-up on these. Really with almost ALL the current Epiphone models coming out right now, they're back on par with the coveted Korean models (the models which, if most of you recall, some snobs STILL poo-pooed back in the day because they weren't USA Gibsons). Awesome fretwork (which you cannot find on a lower priced Gibson anymore), high-quality parts and electronics (not "boutique" but who cares???), great fit and finish and classic design. Mine sees stage AND studio use, and I am proud because it puts a colleague's "60's Tribute" Gibson model to shame at less than half the price.
As I've already said, this has been up against one of the half-cocked Gibson USA "60's Tribute" faded models, and this one blew that away! The pickups, while a little more "bitey" and less warm than the Gibson's, were not "different enough to make you mad", and the feel of the Epi far surpassed the unbound neck with pitiful fretwork. Great gigbag included too, better than the devolved cheapo ones Gibson's offering on their lower-end models.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

Did it for me
Personally I don't like the jack on the top of the guitar by the controls, but that's my own hang-up, and I guess it is the vintage way for SGs and 335's. The wraparound bridge is not (very) adjustable, but intonation was not bad. Tone pots give a huge range of roll-off. 0 is a usable tone even without overdriving it, and there is plenty of treble to dial down from, even on the neck pu. Tuners look fragile but are solid.
Needed adjustment on action, truss rod and pickup height. Truss rod was baffling - seems to be a dual action, but counterclockwise lowers relief. Eventually I got it nice and low and comfortable. Nice retro look, mine is black on black, looks and feels great. Tried the epi 60 les paul but I couldnt get the neck to work, and the tone pots were not nearly as responsive as on this one. Incredible range of tones from the pickups. I got it for the slightly dirty bluesy sound, but you can also get a great acoustic folky sound with a little edge. Even with more gain (which as as close as the volume knob) you can hear each string in a chord.
Good deal for P90 tone. Brilliant, versatile pickups, slim, easily playable neck. Are the electronics good enough to play in a stadium? I don't know, but they're good enough for me. Gig bag is a nice gesture, I guess, but who is going to be backpacking a solid body guitar to a campsite?

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

I purchase this guitar after doing some homework, reading many reviews and trying it out against comparable guitars as mentioned above. My very first Guitar was an Epiphone ET-270 of which I still own (Japan Made) I have a nice collection of Gibson's USA Fenders and Two Epiphone Elitist LP's and a Masterbilt AJ500R.
As I mentioned above the fit and finish is flawless as was on my two Elitist Lp's. My Gibson Custom shop ES 335 in Beal Street Blue needed $395 worth of warranty work before I even played it. Frets at varying heights,Nut was cut wrong needed to be replaced, body cavity was full of saw dust, F hole edges only partially blacked out had to be done again. My Luthier send in the request for warranty work and Gibson took care of it. I am droping this guitar off for a set up this week and I am sure this guitar will not require any warranty work as was the case with my Elitists
Not much to say here other than it is what I had expected. Epiphone really took the extra effort to replicate a 1961 Vintage SG. They are spot on with every detail.Very satisfied with the attention to detail and workmanship.
Its amazing to me that Epiphone can sell these guitars for the price that they do. Aside fron the attention to detail wich is fantastic, the fit and finish is flawless.I am getting it set-up by my Luthier this week and I am sure there will be no surprises...lol
See my above post...lol
I just dont know how they can sell these for the price range they are in with the spec's that they are providing. I had tried one of the Gibson SG'standards with p-90s and then tried one of these and have to say the Epiphone felt better and had a better fit and finish. No laquer runs on the back of the neck or orange peel. I feel that the Epiphone was a better quality guitar for the price.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

The only complaint I had was the bridge, but again that's a personal thing and it is a 1961 reissue. Guitars like this never came stock with moveable saddles.
I bought this guitar after christmas this year. Now, I was never ever an SG fan, but boy did this guitar change my mind. I love the sound a P90, and I didn't see any other guitars in price range with P90s, so I thought, why not? I plugged it in, tuned it up, and just started jamming and this guitar sounded amazing. After I got mine, I did change the bridge to an adjustable wraparound so I could intonate it better, this guitar doesn't NEED anything else. Any mods you make are strictly wants. It's light weight, sounds good, and can play just about anything you want. I play in a pop-punk band and it's perfect for it. GO BUY IT!
Quality=amazing. The wilkinson vintage tuners are a nice touch too.
10/10 hands down. This guitar is worth way more than the price paid, it's a steal.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1961 SG Special Outfit Electric Guitar:

The sound of the pup's is great. Threw a set of d'addario nanos on it to replace the stock strings, and the action is tight and plays fluently. I run it thru a Fender Mustang I amp and just having loads of fun!
A very beautiful guitar. I purchased the Cherry Red finish and just love it. I've seen other reviews about this finish denigrating the dark lines that show thru the poly, but I think that it adds character to the overall look. Only thing that I changed was the goofy orange/yellow pup switch knob. It kinda looked liked a huge zit on a pretty girls face........now it's black and fits with the color scheme of the pup's and pick guard
For the price, this guitar was well worth the money. I've always liked this body style, the action and sound fits my style of play, and would recommend this axe to anyone from novice to expert.