SG Guitar Shootout - Gibson Standard VS Gibson Fusion VS Epiphone G400

I anticipated that some of you would compare it to an Epiphone so here is the result. I also put my Gibson SG Standard in there and I was a little upset by what I found out...

Who wins? Budget Gibson, Gibson Standard or Epiphone Copy?
All sounds played through the Joyo JaCkMan (Jcm Marshall clone)

More info about the gear I use at the links below.

Gibson SG Fusion Light Green:

Gibson SG Standard:

EHX Oceans 11 Reverb:

Joyo JaCkMan

Cab:

Mic:

Find me on social media here:

[owain]

Results were suprising. I expected:
1st Main Gibson
2nd Epiphone SG400
3rd Gibson Fusion

But the results, and to my ears, I found the Gibson Fusion the best, followed by the main Gibson in 2nd and the Epiphone way a long way off

[jackrutard]

I actually really like the Fusion, it's got that classic punk '' in your face '' kind of tone and I'm glad Gibson finally offered something different in terms of finishes.

[landonbailey]

Fun video! i like the blind challenges. Take care! Wobbly wobbly! :)

[brianricker]

Nice one, Andy. That’s a great way to demo pickups!

[branmacman]

Even here, a genius. Had to go back in time for the sg love.

[mishunny]

To be fair, the current Epiphone G-400 Pro line comes with way better-sounding pickups, the Alnico Classic Pro. Wilkinson tuners and the cool neck binding as well. They feel great.

[Jaysteenn]

That's crazy how different they are, cool video!

[ChrisFranklyn]

Seems like the green one would be very suited to a grungy punk outfit. Would rolling the tone off calm down that neck pickup? Although with only one shared tone pot (unlike the others), that's not really practical.

[barbmelle]

Good test, simple and realistic. That green model really had hot pickups. I seldom play with much (if any) gain, so that would not be my first choice, but I can see where they would do a great job for some playing styles. Many times a lower output pickup ends up with a superior clean tone, but that requires some knob manipulation, . It was good that you avoided adding too many variables to the demonstration. Keep up the good work!

[babarfyi]

Great comparison. Now I really have to buy a Fusion

[shaunw]

I really like the sound of your American SG standard ! And like I probably said before, that Fusion is cracking ! What a deal that guitar is ...maybe next year we'll see a Soap Bar P90 version in Pelham Blue 🤞😊🎸

[johnsilver]

Hello Mr.SGN. Do you have any idea what is the name of the pick-ups on the SG fusion guitar? Are they ceramic pick ups. And are they anything similar to dirty fingers gibson pick ups??

[TheJaysimus]

If anything, the full fat Gibbo sounded wimpy

The epi was a solid middle road between the other two
Plus, I've played some current G-400s and they knock all 3 of these SGs out of contention...I highly recommend you try a current one, before suggesting that the Gibsons are far superior to Epiphones

[Joe_whatuknow]

What pickups are in your standard? 490r/498t? That lil green guy sounds angry.... I quite liked that

[stepvanjoe]

Was kinda surprised the Epiphone pickups were what they were, your right for the price of a G400 go for the Fusion instead!

[IgnoresTrolls]

I actually liked the neck pup on the Epiphone. I agree with you on the rest.

[boynamedlen]

You could clearly (enough) distinguish the guitars during the test. Not sure if that was intentional. Epi and Standard were surprizingly close imo but I'm not listening with good headphones.

[sjmdrum]

Aside from the drastic difference in output, I'm wondering if the tone difference in terms of warmth for the neck pickup between the green and black is the difference between a covered and uncovered pickup? Or maybe the difference in pickup heights as well?

[cliveclive]

Hey Andy, I'm guessing the fusion is voiced for metal players? Some of the Korean Epiphones are really well made guitars! Thanks for the comparison vid mate! \m/

[gattart]

Thanks just what I wanted to hear... I have an old Standard with a Vibrola and a year 2000 Special that I modded with a Kahler and EMG 60s, but still need a fixed bridge SG... How did you find the tuning with that wrap-around on the Fusion? Can you get the intonation right? 
I've tried upgrading Epiphones, Epis, and even a real nice necked Vintage (brand) Graham Oliver, with Gibson electronics from a '90s SG, with 490R/T and even trying with Tim Shaw humbuckers, all for nought... just crappy sounding guitars. The 2000 SG Special I have had been brush painted with thick coat of the worse possibile black furniture paint and still resonated pleasantly when strummed unplugged. Stripped and tinted like my '63 Standard, and the sound still comes out full and throaty even after digging a trench for that Kahler term! Sounds good with any pickups, but just shines with the EMG 60A/60X combo I have in now. At 10 on volume they sound like EMGs, but down to 7 or 8 and they sound just like the T-Tops in my Standard. Same experience with those early 2000 Melody Makers, good wood so just about any pickups will pick up the good tone coming from the guitar, I hope this'll be case for the Fusion...