Age old question: SG vs S-100

[Thunderface]

One retails for $1,899. The other might cost you that much or more if you could find one in this kind of shape.

Both are beautiful guitars, but we all know which one is better. :wink:

 

[fronobulax]

I've always liked the slight asymmetry of the Guild's "horns".

 

[adorshki]

Is it just me or does the headstock on that SG look a little crooked?
I'm tellin ya, the workmanship just ain't what it usedta be!
:lol:

 

[Thunderface]

I agree with both of you. 8) And looking at that Gibson, I am reminded that one of us already possesses a more comparative (i.e. non-Guildsby equipped and closer in overall condition) guitar to the SG show above, an S-100 for which he paid much less than $1,899 for. Once again, well done, Mr. Qvart.

 

[Russian Guy]

To me, even when I didn't know about Guilds (shame on me), SG always looked too horny (pun intended). And if you look closer at the body contours on both it is obvious that SG is more like a very available woman with all her goods on the table and there is nothing left to explore. She presented all her "advantages" this first time and there is nothing left to crave for. You have no reason to "go on the 2nd date" so to speak.

Whereas S-100 seems to have more mystery about her. She's an enigma and you find something new and good about her every time you're with her.

If you compare the "waists" on both SG is more of a fitness nut. S-100 doesn't have as thin a waist as SG does but she looks more real and natural.

I hope the metaphor worked and didn't sound creepy. Again I was comparing the two only by the looks not the sound and feel because unfortunately I haven't been able to (paraphrasing Jimmy Page) "caress either of them like a woman".

P.S. Every time I see Qvart's 'burst 77 S-100 I begin to drool uncontrollably. Well done, indeed!

 

[Zelja]

I've always liked the slight asymmetry of the Guild's "horns".

Apart from aesthetics I reckon the more forward placement of the upper horn on the S-100 allows for a sturdier neck joint which probably has a number of benefits - tone wise, structural - as well as being more ergonomic. SGs tend to be rubbernecked & can suffer from neck dive when playing them - I doubt that S-100s have quite the same issue (at least to the same extent).

 

[Qvart]

And another pic...the Walter Broes tribute.

 

[fronobulax]

I like the faux poster but the pseudo (?) action shot is even better. That's the shot that makes me want to spend some quality time with my JS.

 

[mad dog]

Different enought instruments, despite the similar looks. The old Guild feels much stiffer, no bendy neck. And the strings behind the bridge makes for a different feel. Plus the unusual HB1 humbuckers. If I had to choose one, it'd be the Guild. SGs, if you can find one that stays in tune, have their own sound, can be cool too.
MD

 

[Thunderface]

Let's take the Guild out of the equation for a second. Which of these two high-gloss nitrocellulose finishes on the SG Standard Ltd. do you prefer? I'm not looking to buy one, I'm just throwing it out there for conversation purposes. I'm partial to the vintage sunburst myself.

 

[fronobulax]

Vintage. Make me think of a patina on wood furniture.

 

[fearless]

I love them both. Since my SG not a Standard, I'm veering slightly from the original question - these two guitars are not really apples and apples. With p-90s, I'd have to say the SG is more versatile than either a Std or an S-100. The blues/rock credentials of the S-100 are undeniable. If I had to keep just one, it would definitely be the S-100 - I have a Strat to cover other bases when I want to and in fact the SG is for sale.
I find the SG is a bit easier to tune correctly - that may just be that the S-100 intonation needs a bit of tweaking. The S-100 has a looser feel when bending notes - all that extra string length behind the bridge. Note the little piece of grey foam to dampen ghost notes.
Acoustically, the S-100 is brighter - keeping in mind that this SG model has a fat neck which may darken the tone a bit. The S-100 is a slightly lighter and better balanced than the SG which is definitely a little neck heavy. That said - with a suede strap I've never had the SG "neck-dive" on me.
For overall coolness, mojo, individuality, character (or whatever you want to call it) the S-100 wins hands-down!

 

[Thunderface]

An SG Classic with P90s! :shock: Sweet. If I got an SG, I'd want one with P90s. That photo really highlights the different in the horns, symmetrical vs. asymmetrical.

 

[fearless]

I think these all have the slim neck, small pickguard and current tuners, as opposed to the Classic which has a chunky neck, the big pickguard and vintage tuners.

SG Special P-90 limited run:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri ... ibute.aspx
or another $900 essentially for binding on the Pete Townshend Special!
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri ... nd-SG.aspx
or another $1800 for binding and a wrap-around bridge:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri ... e-VOS.aspx
Enjoy!

To be pedantic, the SG horns are not symmetric, but the asymmetry is not pronounced. I love the s-100 shape too, almost a hybrid between an SG and a Strat.

 

[fronobulax]

To be pedantic, the SG horns are not symmetric, but the asymmetry is not pronounced.

You're right.

 

[Thunderface]

Whenever I think of an SG with P90s, I think of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwLa2IhhxyM

Fearless, you don't have white coveralls, do you?

 

[fearless]

If I did, they'd have to be a few sizes bigger!

Robby Krieger has similar styling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDN9y2vTdUs