For guitarists craving the iconic tone and angular looks of the legendary Gibson SG without the hefty price tag, Epiphone’s SG Custom is a killer option. As someone who has gigged extensively with this guitar, I can attest that it captures the spirit of the original while adding its own unique flavors at a very accessible price point.
Design and Build Quality
The Epiphone SG Custom stays true to the iconic double-scalloped design that made the original SG so distinctive back in the ’60s. The mahogany body has a nice weight to it – substantial but not overly heavy thanks to some intelligent weight relief. The set mahogany neck has a slim ’60s D-profile that’s an absolute joy for riffing and lead work. The Indian laurel fretboard has pearloid trapezoid inlays and 24 medium-jumbo frets for effortless bending.
While the SG Custom is made in China, which typically translates to lower build quality and less attention to detail compared to instruments made in countries like the US, Japan, or South Korea, Epiphone has done an impressive job with this guitar. Chinese-made products have improved significantly in recent years, and the SG Custom is a testament to that.
One of the standout features of the SG Custom’s build quality is its LockTone ABR Tune-o-matic bridge. This fixed bridge eliminates the need for setup when changing strings, and its direct attachment to the body helps increase sustain. However, it does lack the versatility of a tremolo bridge for creating vibrato effects.
The attention to detail is also evident in the choice of nut material – an Ivory Tusq nut. This high-quality material is designed to look, feel, and sound like ivory while being made from organic polymers. It contributes to excellent tuning stability and clear tones, especially on open strings.
Another noteworthy aspect is the set neck joint. While not as mod-friendly as a bolt-on neck, the set neck joint on the SG Custom involves gluing the neck and body together, which some believe enhances sustain due to the solid connection between the two pieces.
Overall, the Epiphone SG Custom offers a well-crafted design and build quality that stays true to the iconic SG aesthetic while incorporating modern touches and attention to detail. Despite its Chinese manufacturing origin, this guitar delivers a playing experience that belies its price point.
Pickups and Electronics
The pickups and electronics are a highlight of the Epiphone SG Custom. While it doesn’t come equipped with pickups from top-tier brands, Epiphone has done an excellent job with their own Ceramic Plus humbuckers.
The guitar features an HH (humbucker-humbucker) configuration, which delivers warmer tones and more output compared to single-coil pickups. This setup is versatile, lending itself not only to high-gain genres like hard rock and heavy metal but also to styles like jazz, indie, R&B, and blues, thanks to the inherent warmth of humbuckers.
Where the SG Custom really shines is in the performance of these Ceramic Plus humbuckers. The bridge pickup has incredible bite and articulation that can cut through a mix with ease. At the same time, the neck humbucker provides a rich, warm tone that’s perfect for lead melodies and chords.
Both pickups have ample headroom, allowing you to drive an amplifier into rich harmonic overdrive while still cleaning up nicely when you roll back the volume knobs. This dynamic response is a hallmark of quality pickups and electronics.
Adding to the tonal versatility, the SG Custom features coil-splitting via push/pull tone knobs, unlocking even more tonal variations. With this feature, you can achieve single-coil-like tones from the humbuckers, expanding the guitar’s sonic palette.
While the pickups may not bear the name of a top-tier brand, Epiphone’s choice of their in-house Ceramic Plus humbuckers has paid off handsomely. These pickups provide a range of tones, from biting and articulate to warm and smooth, making the SG Custom a versatile instrument that can handle a variety of genres and playing styles with ease.
Tonal Characteristics
In my experience, the SG Custom absolutely nails that classic “SG snarl” thanks to the Ceramic Plus humbuckers. The bridge pickup has an aggressive woody midrange growl that’s phenomenal for raunchy classic rock riffs and solos. Flip over to the neck pickup and you get an excellent balance of warmth and clarity that works great for blues-infused phrasings. It’s truly one of the most versatile humbucker-equipped guitars I’ve played.
Playability and Feel
Weighing in at around 7-8 lbs, the SG Custom strikes a great balance between feeling substantial yet remaining easy on the shoulder during long gigs. The slim D-shaped neck made scorching lead lines feel so effortless under my fingers. While the setup required minor tweaking out of the box, it was easy to get this guitar’s action and intonation just where I wanted it for my playing style. The asymmetric body design also locked it solidly into my playing position.
Value Proposition
With a typical street price in the $500-600 range, the SG Custom packs incredible value as an affordable version of a true classic guitar design. It has pro-level build quality, premium hardware, and amazing sounding pickups that can handle anything from soaring leads to crunchy rhythms across genres like rock, blues, and even heavier styles. This is a serious instrument for everyone from beginners to road warriors.
Popular Modifications and Upgrades
While spectacular as-is, the SG Custom makes an amazing platform for further customizations. Higher output aftermarket pickups like Seymour Duncans or swapping in actual Gibson ‘buckers can really take it to the next level. Many players also prefer upgrading the nut, tuners, and bridge components to enhance tuning stability and tone transfer. Electronics mods are popular as well.
Performing and Recording With the SG Custom
In my experience both on stage and in the studio, the SG Custom is simply a joy to play. Its sheer tonal versatility makes it a perfect grab-and-go electric for any gig from rock covers to original blues-based projects. Plugged straight into a nice tube amp, it lets the wood and pickups really shine while retaining the SG’s trademark snarl and sustain. Legends like Angus Young and Eric Clapton have used SGs extensively, a legacy this Epiphone model proudly carries on.
Pros and Cons Summary
Pros:
Captures the legendary SG look and tone extremely well
Amazing sounding pickups with plenty of grit and versatility
Slim, comfortable neck great for intricate lead work
Incredible value for the quality you get
Cons:
Minor setup tweaks may be needed out of the box
Some players may find the asymmetric body less comfortable
Limited premium cosmetic touches compared to high-end SGs
Final Thoughts on Epiphone SG Custom Review
After years of playing the Epiphone SG Custom, I wholeheartedly recommend this guitar to any player looking to experience that legendary SG vibe in an affordable yet giggable package. Its versatile pickups, premium construction, and iconic looks more than live up to the SG Custom’s pedigree as an offshoot of the original Gibson version.
Whether you’re a beginner tours for that trademark rock tone or a working musician on a budget in need of a reliable workhorse axe, the SG Custom delivers the magic. Combined with a nice tube amp and some pedals, it’s more than capable of slaying audiences with those aggressive rhythm tones and soaring lead lines. This reimagining of a classic is simply unbeatable bang-for-your-buck.
