SG Tony Iommi
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on march 03, 2004 6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 951.6
Purchased from: Music Ground, Leeds
Features: This is a japanese made model (I am presuming at least). 24 frets and 24.75" neck, solid top, two-tone, two-volume, standard push/pull Gibson 3 way switching, passive H/H setup with two 'Iommibuckers', mahogany SG body obviously, Stop bar bridge, black finish (not matt), Grover tuners. Got a groovy chequer strap and full SG fitted hardcase for free with it. No tremolo, but I don't use it anyway, so I'm not bothered. // 8
Sound: I know what you're thinking, Iommi SG = for Black Sabbath wannabes only. Wrong. I play hardcore and standard rock, and this baby can swing with the best of them. The Iommibuckers are extremely powerful, with a great crisp edge to them, but still a full, rich sound. I use a Trace Elliot Speed Twin amp, which is not exactly a death metal amp to start with, but with this axe my sound is really beefed up, which I love. I play mainly rhythm and vocals, so the bassiness sounds great. I've had no problems with feedbacking either, strangely, as I play loud in small rooms. The only gripe I have is that, like all highpower pickups, the clean sound leaves something to be desired. Then again, I wasn't looking for any pussy-ass acoustic sounds, I wanted as much distort as I could get, and then some :P... Can you tell I like this guitar yet? // 6
Action, Fit & Finish: I haven't had any problems with it so far and haven't had to change any action or anything, it came nice and low as I like it. The black finish is nice, but I wish it had chrome hardware instead of the boring black. Oh well, it's not a big thing, and that can wait till the Gibson SG turns up... // 8
Reliability & Durability: The strap buttons are coming loose, but that could be due to my prancing around onstage. Apart from that, it's fine. I wouldnt gig it without backup, but thats cos I'm not a risk taker (bad memories of strings snapping at bad times). Apart from that, it's all good. // 8
Impression: I personally love this guitar, but I can see why other people may not like it. The clean sound in particular is quite flat and the powerful pickups knock the amp into overdrive unless you play very quietly. If it was stolen, I probably wouldn't buy another, but that's 'cos I want to move up to a higher level axe (Gibson SG Standard or a LP methinks). I've been playing about two years, so hopefully I know what I'm on about. This isn't a classic axe, and it doesn't do anything unusual, but for what it's built for (grinding overdriven stoner rock or sludge metal) it's great, and it's certainly changed my view on signature guitars. // 8
SG Tony Iommi
Reviewed by:
Spearhead, on december 15, 2006 5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 457.5
Purchased from: eBay brand new
Features: Where do I start this thing is just a beaty, combined with my metal muff, it even makes my crappy Marshall MG squeal. Anyway back on topic. It was made in Korea. It has a 24 fret rosewood fretboard. It has medium frets. This beast consists of black paint and hardware (chrome I think). It has a double cutaway body. It's got a tune o matic bridge. It has passive signature USA Iommi humbuckers. It always stays in tune for me, aint tuned it for 3 weeks, after playing 3 hours a day. Just shows you what groover tuners do. The picture above does not do it any justice, it make it look quite dull and with a mat finish compared to it's Gibson counterpart. In real life it's as glossy as the Gibson. // 10
Sound: I mainly play hard rock, and heavy metal such as sabbath. It's a dream to play. Although people say it's bad on cleans, I've played stairway to heaven and stuff, and yeah the pickups are powerful, but if your gental it's fine. All I can say anything with the slightest distortion it just owns anything else I've played. The bridge pickup gives that harsh, metal sound. But with the neck pickup with it's pup covers it can if you turn the tone knob down give a lovely mellow blues sound. I use a metal muff, for a proper Vintage metal sound, lovely and sexy sound. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: The reason I got this guitar quite cheap of eBay was because it wasn't set up. But it only cost me £20 to get set up and this thing plays like a dream compared to the G-400S and Les Pauls I played in the shop. Its neck is smooth and creamy, I also belive it's slightly thinner than other gibson/epiphone necks. But not so thin that it feels horrible. It's just the way I like them. But apart from the set up it was all very good, no sharp edges on the bridge or anything. // 10
Reliability & Durability: I don't really gig, but never had any problems in the last 6 months. I'm not a punk rocker so I don't ware my guitar at my waist and jump about. But the strap buttons seem solid. But if I gigged I would rely on it. Although me being who I am I wouldn't incase a string snapped. But that's not the fault of the guitar. The finish seems like it will last. // 10
Impression: Overall I absolute love this guitar. It's my dream. I've been playing for 4 years with a school teacher, but within the last 3 months I've had private lessons and started getting really serious. And this thing can shred, even if the Ibanez shred people said you can't shred on it, you can. I've tried, sucessfully. If this guitar was stolen, I woudl quite frankly kill the bastard Who pinched it. And would definately buy a new one. I just the vareiety in tone, from mellow creamy rich, to harsh metalish there's nothing I hate about this guitar, even the strap button is well placed, which is the floor of most other SGs, it's not as neck heavy as others. I don't like trems, especially floyd. Mainly because they distract me from my playing and seem to get in my way. Overall a very (SG) solid guitar. But I would go further than that, infact a supurb guitar. // 10
SG Tony Iommi
Reviewed by:
Jaspafari, on september 05, 2011 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Price paid: € 250
Purchased from: Friend
Features: This guitar was made in June 2006 in the Unsung plant in Korea. It has 24 frets, 2 Iommi Gibson Humbuckers, mohogany SG body, ebony black finish, rosewood fretboard with cross inlays. Locktone Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, all black chrome hardware. 2 volume controls, 2 tone controls, 3-way pickup switch. // 9
Sound: These pickups have a nice clean sound, even with a lot of distortion k which I really like, the neck pickups has a nice smooth sound for playing clean. You can get a lot of different sound with this guitar, and I dare say there is something with these pickups which makes them ideal for harmonics.
This guitar has Gibson pickups, which I guess are worth when new more than what I paid for the guitar itself, so this was really a bargain, en the pickups just sound brutal. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: In all, this guitar was set-up just fine, as it came from my friend. The only thing wrong with is, is that there is a loose contact somewhere in the electronics, I affects the pickup switch, if I want to switch between the pickups, I may have to put the switch up and down again for maybe 5 times before in actually switches, which isn't that great if you want to use both pickups at a gig. As long as only 1 pickup is used you can avoid this ofcourse. Another thing I guess is related to this, is that in th efirst year I had this guitar, occasionnaly the sound would fall away (had this maybe 8 times), but this hasn't occured for at least a year, so I guess it resolved itself. // 7
Reliability & Durability: This guitar could handle a lot of abuse, although, I would surely bring a backup on a gig, for the reason mentioned above, just in case. Overall, it is in good shape, except for a little rust on the screws. // 7
Impression: Ideal for metal or heavier stuff. I got this guitar for 2 years and I play it every day. For the price I paid, this guitar is excellent. There is the Gibson version of this guitar, but I think this is the better bargain, as this has the same Gibson pickups. In my opinion, great guitar. // 8
yes i would say that it sounds better. i own both and the iommi epiphone has lower action and less chunky fret wire and thinner 61 style neck, making it easier to play. also the pickups in the iommi sg are alot better the ones in the g-400 custom. this guitar is not necesarily only for a black sabbath fan, it can match any style of music
So the finsih on it is a gloss black, not a flat or matte black?...caus ei HATE the feel of the Goth G-400, that flat paint isnt for me...but if its a gloss black...then the Tony Iommi sig shall be mine!
checked the specs for you and they are IDENTICAL until you get to the headstock, it says epiphone instead of gibson and the shape is a little different
Guees we could survive without your biased opinions. There's alot of difference between an Epi/Gibson and Fender. I'd say that Epiphone gets you alot more for the money than a Fender or Squier. Also, their main guitars, being Les Paul/SG for Epiphone/Gibson and Strat/Telecaster for Fender/Squier, are so ****ing different there's almost nothing to compare.
It all comes down to preference in the long run.
I like Ibanez so far the best,not a big sg fan.
No offence to gibson fans and i don't agree with nick dude at all iv seen alot of guitars better at metal then esp guitars and fender isnt the only clean guitar.
I have a plan. Let's get Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, Squier, ESP, Ibanez, Jackson, and Gretch to give every UG member 1 of each of the guitars they have on their 2006 lineups. We'll be given 40 years to assess the quality of the instruments, and report back afterwards. We'll keep the guitars, and all have realized that preferance is preferance.
^ Exactly. Wow, this Ibanez has a really thin neck which I love! Well, many don't like their thin necks, some prefer the fatter necks of a Les Paul or something. So it's a matter of personal opinions
I have a plan. Let's get Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, Squier, ESP, Ibanez, Jackson, and Gretch to give every UG member 1 of each of the guitars they have on their 2006 lineups. We'll be given 40 years to assess the quality of the instruments, and report back afterwards. We'll keep the guitars, and all have realized that preferance is preferance.
^ The whole point of epiphone is to make more affordable versions of gibson guitars.....
Yep, but they're not as good because they're made in crappy countries, so the woods and electronics aren't as high quality. You get that with alot of guitar brands. Cheap Jacksons and LTD/ESPs are made in Indonesia and countries like that, whereas the more expensive ones are made in Japan and Korea. My jackosn was made in Japan =D
^ So they're not as good as the guitars that are three times as expensive? Of course not. What would Gibson get out of something like that? Anyway, just because they're not as top notch as the pricey guitars that no people can afford doesn't make them bad either.
^ The whole point of epiphone is to make more affordable versions of gibson guitars.....
Yep, but they're not as good because they're made in crappy countries, so the woods and electronics aren't as high quality. You get that with alot of guitar brands. Cheap Jacksons and LTD/ESPs are made in Indonesia and countries like that, whereas the more expensive ones are made in Japan and Korea. My jackosn was made in Japan =D
^ The whole point of epiphone is to make more affordable versions of gibson guitars.....
Yep, but they're not as good because they're made in crappy countries, so the woods and electronics aren't as high quality. You get that with alot of guitar brands. Cheap Jacksons and LTD/ESPs are made in Indonesia and countries like that, whereas the more expensive ones are made in Japan and Korea. My jackosn was made in Japan =D
heres where your wrong the parts are made in crappy places but they get shipped to NASVILLE to be assembled and wired epiphone is gibson with epiphone written on it
All the way with you there mate. EVERYONE LISTEN TO WAT THIS GUY HAS TO SAY AND PUT EVERYTHING TO REST!!!!
Lilldjuret wrote:
Guees we could survive without your biased opinions. There's alot of difference between an Epi/Gibson and Fender. I'd say that Epiphone gets you alot more for the money than a Fender or Squier. Also, their main guitars, being Les Paul/SG for Epiphone/Gibson and Strat/Telecaster for Fender/Squier, are so ****ing different there's almost nothing to compare.
It all comes down to preference in the long run.
that guy is right guitars are about preference if everyone wanted there guitar made in the same place out of the same wood in the same shap with the same pickups and hardwhere all guitars would be the same and that would be horrible i say let people chosse what type of guitar they want and you dont like something about that guitar ont buy it
I am seriosly considering buying a new guitar right now i am using a radio shack one and my guitar teacher wont let me use it. i have decided i wanted an SG and this is one that is affordable and has all the advantages of the real SG (gibson pickups)
Agreed on that price! I saw an Elitist SG (somewhat rare) at Long & McQuades here in Calgary for around $1000.00 which would be better quality than the Korean Epi. The recent issues of Guitar Player are showing the TI SG and I must say it's a good looking guitar anyway!
im thinkin abt buying this guitar over the summer.
so, yeah, i hope its as good as the reviews say it is. but i wouldn't doubt it bcuz Epiphone truly is only Gibson with Epiphone written on it.
TELECASTERS ARE FOR GAY COUNTRY GUITARISTS, HAVE THE WORST PLAYABLITY, LOOK HORRIBLE AND HAVE NO ADVANTAGE,(ACTUALLY HAVE MANY DISADVANTAGES) TO MOST OTHER GUITAR!!!!!
21 FRETS IS GAY UNLESS ITS A FENDER AND YOUR PLAYING BLUESY STUFF ON IT, OTHERWISE 24 FRETS FOREVER 4 GREAT PLAYABILITY AND ACCESS TO HIGHER FRETS. Sorry if i sound biased but i am only writing logically and what i write is the truth. Like, what would make you like a telecaster better than a les paul? I mean, they both have the same playablity as each other but les pauls sound good.
Jimmy Page did fine using Telecasters as did many good guitar players. A lot of good lead playing happens outside of frets 22-24! I think a lot of poeple play up there because the frets are closer together and they don't need to stretch much to reach other notes. Sounds kinda boring after awhile though in my opinion.
I've got one of these. Bought it back in 06'. So far I've managed to keep it from getting too dinged up, I've got one little dent on top of the top horn because my friend's G400 vintage fell onto it, and the lacquer around the input jack got cracked a little, so I put a black washer around it and now it's hard to tell.
The action's great, no problems with buzzing or the neck at all. I'd still take this guitar over one of Epiphones new Prophecies, just because I'm confident my cleans are a hell of a lot better, and I still get to keep the 24 frets. The Iommibuckers are great. The bridge pickup is a little quieter, but when you put some distortion on top of it, it gives you a lot of crunch. The neck pickup is a bit louder, but the sound is a lot more smooth and better for solos and such.
Jimmy Page did fine using Telecasters as did many good guitar players. A lot of good lead playing happens outside of frets 22-24! I think a lot of poeple play up there because the frets are closer together and they don't need to stretch much to reach other notes. Sounds kinda boring after awhile though in my opinion.
Man its not about playing in between the 22nd and 24th frets, its about the fact that its much easier to play in between the 12th to the 22nd fret on a 24 fret guitar because the person who designs the guitar makes sure that you can reach the 24th fret on the guitar as well as you could reach the 22nd fret on a 22 fret guitar which makes it alot easier to reach the 22nd fret ( if you want to use it or not, personally id rather have the option of 24 frets even if i never played anything on the 24th fret but why limit yourself?) and anything below it.
I am fortunate enough to have picked up one of these when they first came to winnipeg and am extremely happy with it. I switched the pickups to EMG 81/85 combo and this guitar is an absolute dream. The neck is very VERY FAST,comfortable and has remained true since day one. I play through several diffent amps and am blown away by the versatility of this guitar. I own several much more expensive guitars including a high end Jackson, a vintage Les Paul, a very rare fender and the list goes on and I like playing my Iommi best, not just because of the tone I am able to get out of it but because of its amazing playability.
This guitar easily compares to others that cost 2-3 times (or more) as much.
I also wanted to add that this guitar compares very favorably with my jackson dinky, particulary since I changed the pickups. The stock pickups are very good, don't get me wrong, but I liked the feel of this guitar so much that I wanted the emg pickups and saw it as a worthwhile investment.
I tried one of these at a music store and it sounded really bad, way worse than a stock G-400. Maybe the one I tried was defective or the strings were bad...
can anyone tell me details about the tone of the pickups? i don't play any black sabbath but i was thinking this would be a good hard rock guitar but only if the pickups don't "scoop" the mids too much.
DO NOT BUY THIS THING ITS A PIECE OF SHIT. THE NECK IS HEAVIER THAN THE BODY SO IT JUST FALLS DOWN THE WHOLE FUCKIN TIME. PLAYED THIS GAY THING FOR ONE YEAR, BOUGHT A DEAN WHICH ELIMINATED THE FAGGOT THING THAT CANT STAY BALANCED AND ITS 10,000 TIMES BETTER THAN THIS PIECE. SERIOUSLY, YOU'LL BE VERY DISSAPOINTED.
Any axe with the strap peg placed at the cut away is going to tip.
It's not the construction of the guitar.
It's the off balancing due to strap peg placement.
All ya gotta do is take it out and put it closer to where the neck is attached, sort of like how some bolt-on axes have the peg placed on the neck plate to keep proper balance.
Due your homework before yappin off like a know it all.
Despise me, but I just scored an epiommi for a hundred bucks it was craigslisted generically as an epiphone SG. It was like finding four hundred dollars on the ground on the way to the guitar shop...
As much as I like black guitars - I have about six of them - the total lack of chrome seems boring, which means the ONLY contrast is the Tony Iommi signature in white on the trussrod cover, and the cross inlays. The signature looks awesome - thank you Tony for a lifetime of inspiration and awesome riffage - but the crosses are too small.
Playing it back and forth between my epi vintage mahogany, the biggest difference is the gloss vs. satin neck. And the pickups of course, which sound alot like ozzy's voice and remind me of why sabbath was never equaled after the iommi/ozzy split.
But at $500 going rate for exc. used vs. $300 new for an epi worn, i'd save the deuce, unless pickups and iommi collectability are your main motivations.
Jimmy Page did fine using Telecasters as did many good guitar players. A lot of good lead playing happens outside of frets 22-24! I think a lot of poeple play up there because the frets are closer together and they don't need to stretch much to reach other notes. Sounds kinda boring after awhile though in my opinion.
Man its not about playing in between the 22nd and 24th frets, its about the fact that its much easier to play in between the 12th to the 22nd fret on a 24 fret guitar because the person who designs the guitar makes sure that you can reach the 24th fret on the guitar as well as you could reach the 22nd fret on a 22 fret guitar which makes it alot easier to reach the 22nd fret ( if you want to use it or not, personally id rather have the option of 24 frets even if i never played anything on the 24th fret but why limit yourself?) and anything below it.
You sound like a rambling idiot! It's about playing between the 22nd-24th fret? So it's about playing the 23rd fret constantly? Wow, that sounds really shit! Also, of course it's easier to reach the 22nd fret on a 24 fret guitar....but that isn't WHY they make 24 fret guitars. The make 24 fret guitars so you can have 24 ****ing frets and climb 2 octaves up the fretboard. I'm sure you meant something other then how it came across in your post and I'm just reading it wrong but that is what it seems like you meant and it seems rather stupid if it is.
Picked one of these up at the Gibson guitar factory in Nashville, TN this past summer. This thing is amazing fast neck, pickups that are as close to active as passives can be. Only complaint is that on some amps the cleans can get muddy. Well built, I've played Gibson Les Pauls that cost quadruple this that didn't have as nice construction. 24 Frets of awesomeness, inlays are supurb, utterly flawless. My only complaint is that the pickups have this sort of off color black chrome color that seems to oxidize and have a sort of rainbow color to them, weird but it seems to wear off with playing. This is Tony's Sound I've played artist series guitars that were not the artists sound, ie the numerous low level Dean artist series, rule of thumb if the pickups are standard don't buy it. Finally This guitar looks cool, aside from dumbass comments, like "are you some super christian?" to which i respond you clearly don't know who tony iommi & black sabbath are. My friend had a great idea if only they sold this in a left handed model. buy that and restring it righty. Inverted Crosses FTW.
Anyway, just because they're not as top notch as the pricey guitars that no people can afford doesn't make them bad either.