Two guitars. Endless riffs. When you think of the Gibson Les Paul and the Gibson SG, you’re thinking of pure rock ‘n’ roll history. There’s no doubt both guitars have some serious pedigrees, and they each sound phenomenal. But despite sharing some common DNA, they actually offer very different playing experiences.
In this guide, we’ll pit Gibson Les Paul vs Gibson SG, breaking down where each guitar came from and what makes them so unique. Whether you’re chasing thick, sustaining tones or something lighter and decidedly sharper, by the end of this guide, we’ll help you figure out whether you’re Team Les Paul or Team SG!
The Gibson Les Paul can trace its origins all the way back to 1952, when factory manager John Huis developed the instrument in collaboration with legendary jazz guitarist and recording pioneer Lester William Polsfuss – better known as Les Paul himself! The guitar originally featured a pair of P-90 pickups, which were swapped out in favour of dual humbuckers in 1957. But in 1961, after a spell of poor sales, Gibson gave the Les Paul a facelift – including a brand-new look that we’re pretty familiar with today!
By the early ‘60s, Gibson was looking to breathe new life into the Les Paul design, and in 1961, they introduced a radical redesign of the guitar, featuring a thinner, double-cutaway body and sharper contours. The new axe was still marketed under the Les Paul banner, but by all accounts, the man himself wasn’t a big fan of the LP 2.0’s look and asked Gibson to remove his name from the model. Thus, the SG – short for ‘Solid Guitar’ – was born.
Though originally intended as a replacement, the SG’s snappy tone, lighter feel, and edgy looks quickly built up a dedicated following, carving a legacy all its own.
In 1968, the original Les Paul design made its long-awaited comeback. Despite the now-booming popularity of the SG, demand from musicians and dealers prompted Gibson to reintroduce the original Les Paul, complete with its now iconic single-cutaway body. This marked the beginning of a new era for both the Les Paul and the SG, cementing their places as two of the most legendary electric guitars of all time.
Amazing specs and unforgettable aesthetics are one thing, but the real legacy of a guitar is shaped by the legends who wield it. And in the case of the Les Paul and SG, the list of players who have relied on them is truly a who’s who of rock royalty.
Once Gibson reintroduced the Les Paul in the late ‘60s, it didn’t take long for heavy-hitting guitarists to put it to good use. Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top were early adopters, while ’70s rock heavyweights like Marc Bolan and Ace Frehley of KISS also made the Les Paul their weapon of choice.
In the ‘80s, icons like Slash of Guns N’ Roses brought the Les Paul roaring back into the rock spotlight, and Gary Moore wielded it with unmatched expression and power. But don’t think the Les Paul is a guitar only for years gone by – it’s certainly still relevant today. Adam Jones of Tool harnesses its weighty tone for his intricate alt-metal soundscapes, while Zakk Wylde’s hypnotic-patterned Les Paul is as recognisable a part of his persona as his impressively Viking beard!
Few players are as closely linked to the SG as Angus Young of AC/DC. Young’s unmistakable schoolboy stage presence and searing solos were a huge part of hard rock in the ‘70s – and beyond. But going in an undeniably darker direction was Tony Iommi. As guitarist of the genre-defining Black Sabbath, Iommi took the SG and literally used it to invent heavy metal, complete with down-tuned riffs and sinister tones.
But the SG is so much more than heavy riffs and searing leads. Frank Zappa used his SG as a vehicle for avant-garde virtuosity (and eccentricity!), while Derek Trucks channels its smooth sustain into slide guitar mastery with the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Thom Yorke of Radiohead has also frequently been spotted wielding an SG for his angular, atmospheric songwriting, and System of a Down’s Daron Malakian used one to craft some of nu-metal’s most chaotic yet memorable riffs.
Now that we’ve explored the history and heritage of both guitars, it’s time to compare the current line-ups side by side. From vintage vibes to modern playability, entry-level price tags to high-end luxury, there’s a Les Paul or SG out there with your name on it!
If you’re looking for those classic Gibson tones and traditional aesthetics, then this is where your search ends. Think “Gibson” and, chances are, these are the guitars you’re thinking about.
The Les Paul Standard comes in two flavours: the ‘50s model, which has a chunkier neck and vintage-style ‘Burstbucker’ pickups, and the ‘60s model, with a slim taper neck and brighter tone. Both models have that classic carved maple top on a solid mahogany body for the signature Les Paul weight and sustain.
The SG Standard, on the other hand, offers a much lighter playing experience. The regular SG Standard has a rounded neck profile and 490R/498T pickups, while the SG Standard ’61 features a slimmer neck and those classic Burstbuckers for some extra bite. Tonally, the SG tends to be more aggressive and mid-forward, making it a firm favourite for riff-heavy rock and metal aficionados.
If it’s vintage tone and a stripped-back look that you’re aiming for, then the Gibson Special models could be just the thing. One of the key differences here is the inclusion of P-90 pickups in both the Les Paul Special and SG Special. These sit somewhere between humbuckers and more traditional single-coil pickups, packing plenty of punch, clarity, and a healthy dose of mid-range grit, for a raw yet dynamic sound that’s just perfect for blues, punk, and garage rock players.
The Les Paul Special typically features a slab mahogany body, with a wraparound bridge and a pair of soapbar-style P-90s. It’s an absolute workhorse of a guitar, one that offers thick, growly tones with plenty of bite. Over in the other corner, the SG Special keeps that same lightweight, double-cutaway design of the SG Standard, but it also swaps in those P-90s for a snappier, more aggressive edge.
If you’re thinking that Gibsons are a relic of the past that just can’t meet the demands of today’s player, then the Gibson Modern line begs to differ! Blending classic tone with cutting-edge features, these guitars excel in both tradition and innovation. The Les Paul Modern and SG Modern are each designed with contemporary players in mind, featuring upgrades to comfort, playability, and tonal versatility.
The Les Paul Modern comes with that same classic combo of a mahogany body and a maple top, only this time the body is weight relieved. There’s also an asymmetrical slim taper neck and an ebony fingerboard. It’s packed with features like coil-splitting, phase switching, and a fast-access heel, making it plenty versatile for modern genres.
Then there’s the SG Modern, which packs a lightweight mahogany body, contoured heel joint, and a compound radius ebony fingerboard. Its Burstbucker Pro pickups deliver searing tone with clarity and punch in spades, and the slim neck is an absolute dream to play at any tempo.
Of course, you couldn’t name a guitar ‘Modern’ without also offering some contemporary styles, and Gibson doesn’t disappoint here. You can pick both models up in a range of striking finishes, including satin finishes, translucent paint jobs, and deep and vibrant bursts that really push the boundaries of what a Gibson can look like.
When only the very best will do, there’s the Gibson Supreme models. These premium instruments offer unmatched performance and simply stunning visual flair. Whether you go for the Les Paul Supreme or the SG Supreme, you’re going to get a guitar that’s crafted with professional players and collectors in mind, blending high-end features with a bold sound.
The Les Paul Supreme has a stunning carved maple top with AAA flame figuring, a mahogany body with weight relief for improved comfort, and a neck-through-body that has sustain for days. Decked out with Burstbucker Pro pickups and push-pull coil tapping, the guitar can handle both vintage warmth and modern flexibility, and high-end finishes in the form of gold hardware and split block mother-of-pearl inlays only sweeten the deal.
The SG Supreme shares much of this high-end DNA, also rocking the contoured AAA flame maple top, neck-through-body construction, and a rich mahogany back. Like the Les Paul, it features Burstbucker Pro pups, split block inlays, gold hardware, and an ebony fretboard, but it still brings that undeniably SG snappy tone and lighter feel to the table.
Of course, not every guitarist needs to splash out on a top-tier axe to experience that legendary tone and feel. If you’re jonesing for the Gibson vibe without the premium price tag, you’re in luck: there’s plenty of excellent options out there to explore.
The Les Paul Studio and SG Studio models strip things back to the bare essentials, giving that same iconic build and rich tone, but with more streamlined looks and fewer bells and whistles. You’ll still get top-quality tonewoods, powerful humbuckers, and solid craftsmanship, just without a few of the pricier cosmetic features.
Then there’s Epiphone, Gibson’s trusted sibling brand. Epiphone Les Paul and SG models take direct inspiration from their Gibson counterparts. They might not be made in the same Nashville factory, but they’re still perfectly capable of delivering remarkable tone and excellent playability for a fraction of the cost.
The main differences are in the weight, body shape, and tone of each guitar. The Les Paul is heavier with a thicker sound and more sustain, while the SG is lighter and has a sharper, more aggressive tone.
With their cutaway designs, both guitars have great playability, although the lighter body weight of the SG could be a little more beginner-friendly. That said, plenty of players, including some beginners, do prefer the Les Paul’s solid feel.
Not always. Most models do feature humbuckers, but the specific pickup types can vary. Some Les Pauls and SGs use Burstbuckers, while others come with 490R/498T sets. Some even still use the original P-90s – it all depends on the model in question.
Generally speaking, the Les Paul’s warmth and sustain are perfect for blues, classic rock, and heavy rock. On the other hand, thanks to its cutting tone and fast neck, many hard rock and metal players favour the SG. That said, you can (and will!) see plenty of Les Pauls in metal, and SGs in rock and blues. It all comes down to your personal preferences.
The SG has a thinner, flat mahogany body, a double cutaway shape (as opposed to the Les Paul’s single cutaway), and generally doesn’t come with a carved maple top. Add that all up, and you’re left with a significant reduction in weight compared to the chunkier Les Paul.
It’s not unheard of. That lighter body weight is great for extended playing sessions, but, together with the position of the strap buttons, it can leave things a little unbalanced. It doesn’t need to be a serious issue though – a good quality guitar strap with grip, or even repositioning the strap button, can help.
Definitely – both guitars are widely used in metal! The Les Paul’s thick tones and incredible sustain make them a joy for cranking out riffs, while the bite of the SG delivers a raw, cutting tone that’s just perfect for more aggressive styles.
So, does the bold heft and smooth sustain of a Les Paul sound good? Or maybe you’re leaning towards the lean bite and speed of an SG. Truth be told, there’s no wrong answer here – only the right choice for your playing style.
The Les Paul, with its heavier build and warm, singing tone, is always a great choice for classic rock, blues, and metal. But if a lighter body, snarling mids, and a punchier, aggressive style is more your bag, then it could be worth checking out the SG.
Whichever way you’re leaning, and whether you want to splash out on a Supreme or ease into the Gibson playing experience with a Studio or Epiphone guitar, there’s a guitar here for every taste, skill level, playing style, and budget – and each one offers an incredible playing experience that’s been formed from decades of expertise and development.
Ready to pick out your perfect axe? Check out our incredible range of Gibson Les Paul and SG guitars today at Andertons Music Co. And if you’re in the market for something really special, don’t forget to take a look at our ultra-luxe Gibson Custom Shop models!
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