'61 Epi Reissues and unplugged resonance?

[Les’s Nemisis]

Looking for subjective opinions from people who own a '61 Epi Reissue SG on the "acoustic" resonance of their guitar.

I have a 2011 50th Anniversary set-neck Epi SG. I'm a big fan of the physical layout: Super thin neck, very lightweight, no neck dive, easy to play for me. But it doesn't have much in the way of acoustic resonance. Playing it unplugged, which I do for most of my practice, is not exciting. Just doesn't "ring".

I have a very cheap bolt-on Epi LP that resonates much better. I have a set-neck LP that resonates much better. I have a 2011 (same year) G400 set-neck SG that has the full '66 style pickguard with a thicker neck (although they still used the early heel) and that's more resonant too although it doesn't match my other guitars that are best at that.

I'm wondering if this is a trait of all Epi '61 reissues due to the very thin neck? Perhaps it's just the 2011 50th Anniversary with the uber thin neck? Maybe mine is just one that is below par?

Got a '61 reissue? How's yours unplugged?

Last point - I'm not looking to debate the benefits of resonation or whether it affects the guitar when plugged in. I just want to know, if you own a '61 reissue, how well it resonates.

 

[Gary Gretsch]

If I practice unplugged I usually pick up my Starcaster or Casino. Both are very loud unplugged. I know you are not debating plugged or unplugged sound but to be fair they are made to be plugged in. And my quieter unplugged guitars sound as good as the most resonate when plugged in. I know the SG just feels so right.

 

[DrBGood]

You could probably have two identical 2011 50th Anniversary G400 and one would resonate loudly, the other not at all. Wood density does it on a solid body. Wide grain vs tight grain is the thing.

I had these two Epiphone Vintage G400, a 2003 and a 2005. One super resonant, the other dead. I don't believe in tone wood, but they did sound very different plugged in with same electronics. To make sure, I even switched all electronics from one to the other, same results. tight grain loud and clear, wide grain quiet and muffled.

 

[Maguchi]

Looking for subjective opinions from people who own a '61 Epi Reissue SG on the "acoustic" resonance of their guitar.

I have a 2011 50th Anniversary set-neck Epi SG. I'm a big fan of the physical layout: Super thin neck, very lightweight, no neck dive, easy to play for me. But it doesn't have much in the way of acoustic resonance. Playing it unplugged, which I do for most of my practice, is not exciting. Just doesn't "ring".

I have a very cheap bolt-on Epi LP that resonates much better. I have a set-neck LP that resonates much better. I have a 2011 (same year) G400 set-neck SG that has the full '66 style pickguard with a thicker neck (although they still used the early heel) and that's more resonant too although it doesn't match my other guitars that are best at that.

I'm wondering if this is a trait of all Epi '61 reissues due to the very thin neck? Perhaps it's just the 2011 50th Anniversary with the uber thin neck? Maybe mine is just one that is below par?

Got a '61 reissue? How's yours unplugged?

Last point - I'm not looking to debate the benefits of resonation or whether it affects the guitar when plugged in. I just want to know, if you own a '61 reissue, how well it resonates.

I got a 2020 Gibson version of the '61 SG Standard and it is pretty resonant. I believe the Gibby and Epi versions are built structurally similar except for finish and maybe electronics. Both the neck and body on mine vibrate fairly strongly and the guitar can be heard pretty well if played unplugged.

BTW: Not what you asked, but since you brought it up, I had to stop playing electric guitars unplugged because I was falling into bad habits and getting sloppy. Probly because I couldn't hear the detail, some instances of notes separated and not connected and sympathetic strings ringing when I played unplugged etc.

 

[Gary Gretsch]

BTW: Not what you asked, but since you brought it up, I had to stop playing electric guitars unplugged because I was falling into bad habits and getting sloppy. Probly because I couldn't hear the detail, some instances of notes separated and not connected and sympathetic strings ringing when I played unplugged etc.

So true I have had the same problem. Could not hear my sloppiness.

 

[DrBGood]

So true I have had the same problem. Could not hear my sloppiness.

When in doubt, add some gain

 

[Les’s Nemisis]

...

BTW: Not what you asked, but since you brought it up, I had to stop playing electric guitars unplugged because I was falling into bad habits and getting sloppy. Probly because I couldn't hear the detail, some instances of notes separated and not connected and sympathetic strings ringing when I played unplugged etc.

So true I have had the same problem. Could not hear my sloppiness.

No worries, @Maguchi , I don't mind the thread split.

I both agree and disagree. I find that playing unplugged forces me to pay a lot more attention to note quality. I can hear every nuance of every note. I discover things I can do to make new sounds and really bring out the sounds of the instrument.

OTOH, I also find that when I do plug in, I (re)discover the additional sounds that I can make with sustain and gain at my disposal as well as just a difference between digging in a bit or not.

But, the things I learn "acoustically" definitely are the basis for what I do "electrically". I find both very useful in terms of expanding my skills.

 

[Les’s Nemisis]

You could probably have two identical 2011 50th Anniversary G400 and one would resonate loudly, the other not at all. Wood density does it on a solid body. Wide grain vs tight grain is the thing.

I had these two Epiphone Vintage G400, a 2003 and a 2005. One super resonant, the other dead. I don't believe in tone wood, but they did sound very different plugged in with same electronics. To make sure, I even switched all electronics from one to the other, same results. tight grain loud and clear, wide grain quiet and muffled.

View attachment 50601

Interesting comparison.

I ran into another guy that owned two Gibson SG's that were identical except for the clear difference in grain: Once fabulously swoopy and attractive wave patterns and the other just kind of plain straight, tight grain like your example on the right.

One was bright and cheery. The other dark and dull. So he swapped the (identical) electronics from one to the other. They still retained their original character.

That's sort of where my '61 RI is: Just dull and it doesn't ring out, even plugged in.

But, I think you confirmed that the '61 Reissue doesn't have an inherent quality of "non-resonant" due to the minimalist neck attachment. Looks like I need to test some more out on the road.

 

[Kneedtospeed]

My Epi 61-RI LP SG rings out Loud unplugged, and sustains forever.
So did the other ones in the store, that I tried first, to compare.
All felt great, and eerily similar.
I’d recommend a good Test drive first, it’s priceless when buying.

 

[papagayo]

What is an Epiphone SG '61 RI ??? Epiphone never made an SG.

My Gibson SG '61 Reissue is one of my favorite, a great Gibson SG

 

[Kneedtospeed]

You Really need a friend, papa gay o .

Apparently, Everyone on here but You, knows.
Look it up

 

[Huntroll]

Although it may be only subliminal . . .

I do contend that adding a FULL FACE PICKGUARD makes them SOUND BETTER !

Brighter, louder unplugged etc.

Not to mention more musically inspirational due to the enhanced styling characteristics .

Like a Cadillac compared to a Ford.

Try one, you'll see .

 

[Les’s Nemisis]

What is an Epiphone SG '61 RI ??? Epiphone never made an SG.

My Gibson SG '61 Reissue is one of my favorite, a great Gibson SG

You should probably visit the "Explore the SG" page at Epiphone and become enlightened: https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Collection/sg

 

[Les’s Nemisis]

My Epi 61-RI LP SG rings out Loud unplugged, and sustains forever.
So did the other ones in the store, that I tried first, to compare.
All felt great, and eerily similar.
I’d recommend a good Test drive first, it’s priceless when buying.

In this case it was an unstrung guitar missing the bridge. So playing before buying wasn't happening.

Most people likely wouldn't even notice, but most of us here aren't most-people.

 

[Decadent Dan]

My Epi 61-RI LP SG rings out Loud unplugged, and sustains forever.
So did the other ones in the store, that I tried first, to compare.
All felt great, and eerily similar.
I’d recommend a good Test drive first, it’s priceless when buying.

You can go have a bite and you’d still be hearing that

 

[papagayo]

You should probably visit the "Explore the SG" page at Epiphone and become enlightened: https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Collection/sg

And ?...

 

[Les’s Nemisis]

And ?...

You'd learn that Epiphone does indeed sell SG's.

 

[Kneedtospeed]

And ?...

Gibson owns Epi . Both sell SGs.
Both sell ‘61 RI’s, without your permission.
Paying many times more the price does not make you sound better, but practice will.
If you do your Job, the tone is in your Hand.
I would think a handjob like yourself would already know this.

 

[dub-setter]

don´t feed the troll...

 

[dub-setter]

and on topic..
my epi custom resonates quite well when played dry..

( although of that mysterious "thick poly" finish..:)

its one of the reasons i picked it up (bought that beauty)