SG with a chunky neck, classic pickups - 61 Reissue?

LaCathedrale_UK

I really enjoy the general vibe from Les Pauls. I've really got one 'slot' left in my arsenal which is for a classically appointed axe. I was originally thinking of a LP Traditional or similar, but I realised I started off on an old Epiphone G400 way back in the day, and it would appear that the 61 Reissues might fit the bill nicely - Classic 57's, thick neck and so on. 

The last time I played one was when I was really early in my guitar-playing odyssey - so thought might put to the combined wisdom of the forum. What's the neck dive like? Are there particular years to look for/avoid?

Cheers,

Philly_Q

Neck dive seems to vary from SG to SG, but the '61 reissues certainly don't have chunky necks!

LaCathedrale_UK

Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree! Is there a particular SG I should be looking at or is it a lost cause?

Philly_Q

You could look at SG Standards, Specials and Classics (if you like P-90s) from the '90s and '00s, before they started changing the entire range every year like they do now.

They had an "SG Rounded" neck profile which wasn't huge but certainly bigger than the "'60s" and/or "slim-taper" neck which the '61 Reissue always had, and almost all SGs have nowadays.  I'm not expert enough to comment on particular years.

For me personally, I'd have to say it may be a lost cause - I prefer a really big neck and that's virtually impossible to find on an SG.

ICBM

I would play a '61RI and see if the neck bothers you - it's not chunky, but neither is it super-skinny. I've played quite a few of them and without exception they've all been outstanding guitars - unlike any other Gibson model I can think of.

Unfortunately I don't get on with the neck being so far to the left on an SG or I'd probably own one.

stimpsonslostson

The 50s tribute SGs had a huge neck... But came with P90s. 
That said, SGs & P90s are a match made in heaven. 

Philly_Q

ICBM said:

I would play a '61RI and see if the neck bothers you - it's not chunky, but neither is it super-skinny. I've played quite a few of them and without exception they've all been outstanding guitars - unlike any other Gibson model I can think of.

Fair point, I should have said I have no complaints about them at all... other than the neck profile.

I did see a Pelham Blue, aged Custom Shop SG on the Wildwood website recently which had a '59 profile neck.  I wanted it badly, but it was $4,899 before even thinking about import costs and CITES... it's gone now.

Bucket

'60s necks are generally much skinnier. Not Ibanez size but not a tree trunk either, if that's what you're looking for. I tend to prefer '50s necks too. Not sure if there are many SGs kicking around which have them, given that the model itself only came out in 1961.

LaCathedrale_UK

Understood, clearly I've got the wrong end of the stick - I was just hoping to avoid the extra cost of an LP over an SG for my classic-goodness

Iamnobody

LaCathedrale_UK said:

Understood, clearly I've got the wrong end of the stick - I was just hoping to avoid the extra cost of an LP over an SG for my classic-goodness

If you want a classic LP sound buy a LP - if you want a classic SG get a classic with P90s. I don’t think you’d be disappointed with the neck profile on an classic. Problem solved! 

LaCathedrale_UK

I've got a stonking Edwards LP with P90's but my main Gibson has got super-hot Lace Sensors; so I was thinking that rather than breaking it up and refitting something like OX4's, I could get a classically appointed Gibson with the thick neck and PAF-style pups in one fell swoop.

I guess an LP Trad or LP Classic needs to happen, then!

p90fool

stimpsonslostson said:

The 50s tribute SGs had a huge neck... But came with P90s. 
That said, SGs & P90s are a match made in heaven. 

It is, but if you use a batwing guard you can put any pickups you like in an SG.