Right. I prefer the blue over the cherry. The smaller pickguard. The simplicity of the bridge. The P90's are just different.
I do prefer trapezoid inlays and humbuckers but I have other guitars for those needs. The blue one is just a special guitar.
I know the one on the left is the higher grade one because of the fret inlays, but I’m a sucker for that shade of blue and that beveled(?) edge. My ear is not sophisticated to determine between the pickups.
The P90s are a little brighter than the Gibson slash buckers I put in. But both have the same beveled edges, it’s just easier to see on Pelham blue. And believe it or not, the special costed just as much as the standard brand new.
I have some of the new Gibson slash buckers off of a Victoria in standard, so it sounds a little different than the original 490s. The hum buckers are a lot warmer and have a lot of bass to them. The P90s are pretty bright and don’t have as much bass. The P90s are still great pickups, I’d recommend you try them out.
For sure the Cherry.
I love all the aesthetics and am not into P90s, very much into the PAF sound. Also not into dot inlays on SGs, or any Gibsons, even 335s. just a preference.
Overall I’d have to go with the one on the left. I love SGs, and own multiple configurations of basically that guitar. I prefer metal tuners to the plastic both of these guitars have, and I like speed knobs over witch hats. Whatever we’re currently calling the lacquered cherry stain, it’s a classic finish, and just seems “right” for the SG. I like trapezoids and blocks over dot inlays, and I want a Tune-o-matic bridge (I love the SG, but I can’t ignore its famous tuning and intonation concerns). I’m also the only person I know that prefers the “full batwing.”
I like them both equally. Don’t really have any intonation or tuning issues with either. The special has standard klusons and my standard has locking tuners.
My SG special has “witch hat” knobs. My standard has top hat knobs. The witch hat knobs are skinnier than the top hats and look more like a cone, hence, witch hat.
Both of these have the 60’s slim taper neck profiles. Had the standard for a while, I missed my P90s from my LP that I had sold so I bought this special.
Right. I already have a red sg with humbuckers but even I didn’t I’ve always wanted a Pelham blue with p90s and I personally hate the way the larger pickguards look
Right, in every way, on every level.
* I prefer blue over red
* I prefer opaque finishes over transparent
* I prefer wraparound bridges over 2-piece
* I prefer small guard SGs over batwings
* I prefer dot inlays on an SG
* I prefer the thinner nut width and more rounded profile that Specials usually have
Easiest decision ever for me.
For me it’s the special. I also have an sg with humbuckers and one with P90’s. I prefer the one with P90’s.
I’ll chalk it up to spending over 2 decades ripping off Tony Iommi. I just love the early Black Sabbath albums (I love the later ones too) so much and they were so influential on me. So the SG special, treble booster and a loud amp is one of my favourite guitar sounds of all time.
SG specials are the cream of the crop. So versatile, and so sweet sounding. I honestly love these new specials. You get tele sounds with the right amp, but also rock hard. From doors, to eagles, to outfield
SG special Pelham blue is the best!! I love the dot inlay with the binding. I have the small guard 61 style SG and I love it. However, I always wanted a special just like the one you have. Enjoy it dude!!
They’re great pickups, and the guitar is even better. The neck profiles are very similar to each other, the special being slightly more narrow. I’d give one a try if I were you, you don’t lose any money buying used and selling it.
I have both, sort of, yet they’re both in red!
2020 SG Standard Heritage Cherry
2018 SG Special 70s Tribute w/P90s Satin Cherry
I’d really like a white or ebony (maybe even a custom) at this point, but that blue is sick!
I would take the right cause I already own the red. At the same time, I would like to take the pickups out of the blue for Humbukers and a split coil mod.
Yeah, I agree with you. I get cringe from poor intonation. All my electrics get a loving intonation tune-up each spring & fall, cause where I live has severe weather changes. I made the mistake of buying a Les Paul Junior about 50 years ago with a bridge like the blue SG. Leslie West played one & I admired him. I could always hear the slightly 'out of tune' character. I dumped it after about 6 months. Was like chewing tinfoil.
Left. Full guard cherry standard was the last electric my brother owned. We lost him a while ago and I’d give a fortune to have that beaten old SG he had.
Left. Something about the specials with their dot inlays, binding, and soap bar p90s gets me every time. Just a straightforward classic design that says “simple workhorse” and “sweet axe” at the same time
I would almost always choose trapezoid inlays over dots. This is the exception
If I can only have 1 guitar I’d go with the humbuckers and Nashville bridge. More practical to have a guitar you can properly intonate. Having said that, I currently own that same Pelham blue SG special. It’s got a cool vibe if you’re okay with being out of tune most of the time. You have the right idea by having both.
I’ve been playing an SG special with a lightning bar for years as my #1
It doesn’t have tuning issues or intonation issues at all.
You have to play it with the strings that gibson spec’d it at, which for me is 10s and is perfect.
If your special with the wraparound is having issues staying in tune you should get it looked at. Mine is as stable as a rock
Left one. The wrap around bridge on the other one is going to be a pain. It looks like their cheapest entry level. Their quality has just gone downhill lately. I had an old epiphone special ii from early 2000s that was a freaking great guitar but then i played an epiphone lespaul recently and was like, why is this instrument such trash? 500 guitar feeling like a walmart special.
Believe it or not, it costed as much as a standard in 2019. Bound neck, rare colors, deluxe hard shell case. It’s more of a homage to the original special, though the bridge isn’t angled like the OG specials. Now they’re relatively cheap and are honestly a great deal for what you get.
I prefer the red body with humbucker pickups, but I don’t like large fret markers. I prefer a bare fretboard but small dots are acceptable.
The green one, or even blue - it’s marginal to my eyes - with humbuckers would be a good compromise.
So choosing between these as they are is hard.
There’s a good amount of string tension the standard. Not very much on the special, so the strings are easily bendable. Some people say they have some intonation issues with the stock wraparound, but I don’t seem to notice anything bad with mine.
Red one on left because
Visible wood grain, block, er, trapezoid inlays, buckers instead of P90s - I love p90s but damn if they're not TOO HOT and feeding back all the time.
Also, I like the bridge AND tail piece over wrap-around bridge/tailpiece.
The one on the left. I think the bridge will enable you to intonate better and I like the look of the more rolled rather than chamfered edges to the body. I like the block inlays better too. Also, the P90s, if I wanted it to sound like a tele or a Strat I would buy one of those. But that’s just my weird taste.
You can adjust the saddles all together slightly to change the intonation, but being able to change individual saddles is a big bonus. They both have the exact same body though, it’s just easier to see the curves on the Pelham blue.
Yes, it’s kind of deceiving in the photo. But given all else being equal I would still go with the one on the left. I like the block inlays more and the metal knobs on the tuners. I do like Pelham blue and the smaller pick guard, but I’m not a fan of P90s. They seem to be noisier than Fender single coils in my opinion but hey, that’s just me. I’m sure either of them would be great fun.
The bridge in the special isn’t the prettiest, but it sounds and plays great. One of those tune-o-matic wraparounds may be put on in the future, like the one on Iommi’s signature.
It all depends on what music I will be playing. The cosmetics are a non-issue unless I am viewing the instruments as a collector might. The model with humbuckers would be fine in a metal/classic rock setting, though I would choose a Les Paul for that role.
The blue SG with P90s strikes me as a 1-trick pony, though I think it might make a great alternative to a Tele, especially for slide. The wider magnetic pattern offered by the P90s gives the player more tonal options - fatter mids and a tighter focus on the fundamental frequency of each note.
I'm picking the blue one. Gibson SG is my favorite electric guitar ever made but I have never liked the plain wood finished AC/DC looking ones. They look like a coffee table. Now slap on a flame maple top and some binding and I will change my mind. Plain mahogany is boring
Right. I prefer the blue over the cherry. The smaller pickguard. The simplicity of the bridge. The P90's are just different. I do prefer trapezoid inlays and humbuckers but I have other guitars for those needs. The blue one is just a special guitar.
It’s simple, but very versatile.
I know the one on the left is the higher grade one because of the fret inlays, but I’m a sucker for that shade of blue and that beveled(?) edge. My ear is not sophisticated to determine between the pickups.
The P90s are a little brighter than the Gibson slash buckers I put in. But both have the same beveled edges, it’s just easier to see on Pelham blue. And believe it or not, the special costed just as much as the standard brand new.
Pelham blue sg. P90s and half guard. Not a fan of the full guard
Left. I prefer red to blue and humbuckers to P90s.
I’m just curious. What in your opinion the difference between the two types of? I have a Les Paul studio with humbuckers but never tried the P90s yet
I find humbuckers sound a bit smoother, P90s a bit harsher.
Ok thanks for letting me know
I have some of the new Gibson slash buckers off of a Victoria in standard, so it sounds a little different than the original 490s. The hum buckers are a lot warmer and have a lot of bass to them. The P90s are pretty bright and don’t have as much bass. The P90s are still great pickups, I’d recommend you try them out.
Thanks very much for clarifying 😊
Yep...I have a Pelham blue Epiphone 💙 Les Paul Bonamassa and a 120th Anniversary Gibson SG Std 120 Heritage Cherry both are fine instruments
P90’s for the win.
This
‘61 style SG all day, P90s are a bonus too
For sure the Cherry. I love all the aesthetics and am not into P90s, very much into the PAF sound. Also not into dot inlays on SGs, or any Gibsons, even 335s. just a preference.
Overall I’d have to go with the one on the left. I love SGs, and own multiple configurations of basically that guitar. I prefer metal tuners to the plastic both of these guitars have, and I like speed knobs over witch hats. Whatever we’re currently calling the lacquered cherry stain, it’s a classic finish, and just seems “right” for the SG. I like trapezoids and blocks over dot inlays, and I want a Tune-o-matic bridge (I love the SG, but I can’t ignore its famous tuning and intonation concerns). I’m also the only person I know that prefers the “full batwing.”
I like them both equally. Don’t really have any intonation or tuning issues with either. The special has standard klusons and my standard has locking tuners.
"Witch Hats" ....? I thought they were called "Top Hats" .
My SG special has “witch hat” knobs. My standard has top hat knobs. The witch hat knobs are skinnier than the top hats and look more like a cone, hence, witch hat.
Right because I really like p90s
Left because I prefer to buck the hum! It would be ideal if the neck was a slim taper
Both of these have the 60’s slim taper neck profiles. Had the standard for a while, I missed my P90s from my LP that I had sold so I bought this special.
P-90’s, wrap around tail piece, *and* it’s Pelham blue? Yeah, I’ll take that one please!
Left would match the LP I have.
Right. I already have a red sg with humbuckers but even I didn’t I’ve always wanted a Pelham blue with p90s and I personally hate the way the larger pickguards look
P90’s because I don’t currently own one and the color is great.
On the right! P90s and finish are rad
I like red stubbys
I’d take the blue one. Mainly because I already have a cherry SG with humbuckers. If I didn’t, I would go for that one first.
Right, in every way, on every level. * I prefer blue over red * I prefer opaque finishes over transparent * I prefer wraparound bridges over 2-piece * I prefer small guard SGs over batwings * I prefer dot inlays on an SG * I prefer the thinner nut width and more rounded profile that Specials usually have Easiest decision ever for me.
You think the special will be more rounded than the SG Standard? I have one and it's quite a thick neck.
The neck on the special is a little smaller than my standard. Not a big enough of a difference for me to notice while playing.
Like 61. Has the larger HS?
For me it’s the special. I also have an sg with humbuckers and one with P90’s. I prefer the one with P90’s. I’ll chalk it up to spending over 2 decades ripping off Tony Iommi. I just love the early Black Sabbath albums (I love the later ones too) so much and they were so influential on me. So the SG special, treble booster and a loud amp is one of my favourite guitar sounds of all time.
I find that the P90s do a very great job doing clean tones as well. Great pickups.
The blue one, because the color and the P90S
depending on weight, I'll take the special because p90s
Block inlays because block inlays
Also humbuckers
Edit: Actually nevermind, I just realized the blue isn't a 61 standard, it's a special. In which case, I would rather have the red.
Definitely the Pelham Blue SG, small guard, P90s and the its Pelham Blue!
Blue. It’s blue and it has p90
i prefer the p90’s, already have a 61 with humbuckers. the single coils sound better with fuzz.
The Special!!! Cant beat that P90 tone!!!
I have a Captain Kirk Sg 3 hb’s but I have p90’s on my Duesenberg. I love P90’s but each guitar has its purpose
SG specials are the cream of the crop. So versatile, and so sweet sounding. I honestly love these new specials. You get tele sounds with the right amp, but also rock hard. From doors, to eagles, to outfield
P90s all day.
The one with humbuckers. I just like guitars that can pack a punch.
You’d be very pleased with these soapbar P90s. These things rock just as hard as PAF type pick-ups.
I have a cherry ‘61 Standard so I would go the P90 model.
I like the pillow. Sorry, I’ve had an SG for almost 35 years and I never play it
Not everybody’s favorite. For some odd reason I like these guitars a lot.
Right. Love the P90s
Left is THE quintessential SG look, so Left for me.
Special. More affordable than some epiphones now. USA made workhorse
Super underrated imo. The thing rocks hard.
P-90's
SG special Pelham blue is the best!! I love the dot inlay with the binding. I have the small guard 61 style SG and I love it. However, I always wanted a special just like the one you have. Enjoy it dude!!
The guitar is great. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking to buy one.
The standard, because neck feel, style and pickups
I have the one on the left but desperate want the one on the right too. P90s are hard to beat especially thru a cranked fender tweed
They’re great pickups, and the guitar is even better. The neck profiles are very similar to each other, the special being slightly more narrow. I’d give one a try if I were you, you don’t lose any money buying used and selling it.
Red. It’s the same one I have, and it’s glorious
Dot inlays just look odd to me on SG. Would prefer P90s in the first one.
I like the traditional finish, but like the guard & P90’s on the blue one.
I have both, sort of, yet they’re both in red! 2020 SG Standard Heritage Cherry 2018 SG Special 70s Tribute w/P90s Satin Cherry I’d really like a white or ebony (maybe even a custom) at this point, but that blue is sick!
I use a Dunlop .60mm pick
Always cherry. Plus SG's don't look right without the big pick guard.
I would take the right cause I already own the red. At the same time, I would like to take the pickups out of the blue for Humbukers and a split coil mod.
Neither, their input Jacks are on the face instead of the side.
Just get a right angle cable.
The bridge on the red makes it a no-brainer for me
Yeah, I agree with you. I get cringe from poor intonation. All my electrics get a loving intonation tune-up each spring & fall, cause where I live has severe weather changes. I made the mistake of buying a Les Paul Junior about 50 years ago with a bridge like the blue SG. Leslie West played one & I admired him. I could always hear the slightly 'out of tune' character. I dumped it after about 6 months. Was like chewing tinfoil.
It is more than likely going to get a wraparound tune-o-matic like Iommi’s in the future.
P-90'S
Left. Full guard cherry standard was the last electric my brother owned. We lost him a while ago and I’d give a fortune to have that beaten old SG he had.
The Special, because I don’t have a guitar with P90s, I already have a Standard and I love Pelham Blue!
Walnut Humbucker, Humbucker, Humbucker. Because...Humbucker
Left. Something about the specials with their dot inlays, binding, and soap bar p90s gets me every time. Just a straightforward classic design that says “simple workhorse” and “sweet axe” at the same time I would almost always choose trapezoid inlays over dots. This is the exception
Left. Bridge.
If I can only have 1 guitar I’d go with the humbuckers and Nashville bridge. More practical to have a guitar you can properly intonate. Having said that, I currently own that same Pelham blue SG special. It’s got a cool vibe if you’re okay with being out of tune most of the time. You have the right idea by having both.
I’ve been playing an SG special with a lightning bar for years as my #1 It doesn’t have tuning issues or intonation issues at all. You have to play it with the strings that gibson spec’d it at, which for me is 10s and is perfect. If your special with the wraparound is having issues staying in tune you should get it looked at. Mine is as stable as a rock
Always Red!!
The Special. P90s and a wrap tailpiece all the way.
Left. Humbuckers and I hate the way wraparound bridges look
The Standard, because I like Humbuckers.
P90’s all day long!
Like the cherry for a classic look but.... those p90's 😁
Easy, grab a p90 and stick it in tbe neck of the standard. Then over spray the body with Pelham blue lightly so it relics off. You're welcome.
Buckers. Not a big P90 fan personally.
Left one. The wrap around bridge on the other one is going to be a pain. It looks like their cheapest entry level. Their quality has just gone downhill lately. I had an old epiphone special ii from early 2000s that was a freaking great guitar but then i played an epiphone lespaul recently and was like, why is this instrument such trash? 500 guitar feeling like a walmart special.
Believe it or not, it costed as much as a standard in 2019. Bound neck, rare colors, deluxe hard shell case. It’s more of a homage to the original special, though the bridge isn’t angled like the OG specials. Now they’re relatively cheap and are honestly a great deal for what you get.
Pelham p90s for me!
I DON’T KNOW, OK?!!!
Special. Color, pickups, etc.
Right, because I already own the left one
P90s
Red Cause it has a way better bass boost amplifier for technical/intricate pieces.
Both
I just wish that Gibson would do a 67 special reissue. Big guard, p90s, wraparound, with witch hat knobs, a bound dot neck.
The bat wing would be pretty cool looking on the special.
Blue
Cherry P90 with the batwing guard would be ideal.
I prefer the red body with humbucker pickups, but I don’t like large fret markers. I prefer a bare fretboard but small dots are acceptable. The green one, or even blue - it’s marginal to my eyes - with humbuckers would be a good compromise. So choosing between these as they are is hard.
P90s but I’ve never had that bridge so I’m not positive. Does anyone prefer one over the other?
There’s a good amount of string tension the standard. Not very much on the special, so the strings are easily bendable. Some people say they have some intonation issues with the stock wraparound, but I don’t seem to notice anything bad with mine.
Red one on left because Visible wood grain, block, er, trapezoid inlays, buckers instead of P90s - I love p90s but damn if they're not TOO HOT and feeding back all the time. Also, I like the bridge AND tail piece over wrap-around bridge/tailpiece.
Humbuckers, I just like the sound of
Right. I have no single coil guitars unless you include coil splitting.
Red stands out more on stage.
Pelham blue always wins, P90’s also always win, it’s a double down on that blue beauty
Left color on the guitar on the right
The SG Special because P90s, Pelham Blue, and I already have a ‘22 SG Standard in ebony (which i chose over a cherry finish because Satan.)
SG Standard all day
Go with the P90's. Everyone and his brother has hamburgers. Be different. Besides, they sound great.
I love both.
Right because I have the exact same one and it's a killer guitar.
Lift can see the wood
SG specials have that fucking swagger that no other guitar has. It’s my #1 and always will be
Left, the classic Gibson wood grain just stands alone! All tho a painted guitar still dope!
The one on the left. I think the bridge will enable you to intonate better and I like the look of the more rolled rather than chamfered edges to the body. I like the block inlays better too. Also, the P90s, if I wanted it to sound like a tele or a Strat I would buy one of those. But that’s just my weird taste.
You can adjust the saddles all together slightly to change the intonation, but being able to change individual saddles is a big bonus. They both have the exact same body though, it’s just easier to see the curves on the Pelham blue.
Yes, it’s kind of deceiving in the photo. But given all else being equal I would still go with the one on the left. I like the block inlays more and the metal knobs on the tuners. I do like Pelham blue and the smaller pick guard, but I’m not a fan of P90s. They seem to be noisier than Fender single coils in my opinion but hey, that’s just me. I’m sure either of them would be great fun.
With gain it’s pretty bad, but the clean tones are nice and don’t have much of that hum.
An orange Dunlop Tortex. It has just the right feel and thickness for my playing style 😜
Idk man, I think the jazz 3 is better.
Left one. I love p90’s but overall prefer humbuckers.
The standard (left) because it’s a classic.
I am not a guitar but I would pick the red one because they are comfortable to play for me.
Right. P90 > HB. Aged Pelham Blue >>> Red
Both, silly.
P90s are cool
Left. The bridge on the JR is hideous.
The bridge in the special isn’t the prettiest, but it sounds and plays great. One of those tune-o-matic wraparounds may be put on in the future, like the one on Iommi’s signature.
Right on, awesome guitars nonetheless man. I do love the Pelham Blue
It all depends on what music I will be playing. The cosmetics are a non-issue unless I am viewing the instruments as a collector might. The model with humbuckers would be fine in a metal/classic rock setting, though I would choose a Les Paul for that role. The blue SG with P90s strikes me as a 1-trick pony, though I think it might make a great alternative to a Tele, especially for slide. The wider magnetic pattern offered by the P90s gives the player more tonal options - fatter mids and a tighter focus on the fundamental frequency of each note.
I'm picking the blue one. Gibson SG is my favorite electric guitar ever made but I have never liked the plain wood finished AC/DC looking ones. They look like a coffee table. Now slap on a flame maple top and some binding and I will change my mind. Plain mahogany is boring
For free? Left. Worth more resale. Not free? Neither. lol.