Members curseoftruth Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 When these first came out a few months back, they were bashed pretty hard here, mainly by people judging them only on the picture and some of the specs. But being a fan of stange guitars, I was intrigued. They got a number of them in at my local GC, so I had to try them out. I tested through my usual test amp -- an big Vox modeling combo where I can try a variety of cleans and dirt channels. I played a black and red model (they also had a red and blue didn't float my boat). First impression in person -- maybe the coolest looking guitar on the market. Looks tie-dyed. The headstock and neck, look just amazing. Thye look better in person than in the pictures. Very unique. Feel: huge, monstrous 50s style neck that is super comfy to play. Very heavy guitar, heavier than any SG I've ever played or owned. So substantial. Excellent ebony fretboard. The neck/fretboard on these, fantastic. It has a carved top style, like the SG Diablo, which I like a lot. Tone -- well it has Gibson 500T/496R hot ceramics in it. I am a fan of those pups, I have them in one of my Les Pauls and in my Flying V. I always thought they would be to bright in an SG, but in this guitar, they are excellent. Great heavy rock tones (since I play hard rock - no complaints). In fact, they seem to have more character in the SG Zoot than in my Flying V. The 500T is a little more ballsy and the 496R in the neck is excellent for blues and is dark without being overly muddy. Overall looks - OK, I get that this guitar is not for everybody, it is an odd bird to say the least and not all of the color combos work. Some people have mentioned they don't like the layered birch makeup (calling it plywood, which I guess by the definition of plywood, it would be) - but it is not chip board or particle board type of plywood. These are solid pieces glued together. The overall feel is fantastic, from the neck, fretboard, down to the shape and weight of the body. I might prefer individual controls for each pup, but as a gigging guitar and considering I don't really mess with my controls, this is minor. I compared it to a used Gibson Tony Iommi they had on the floor. The Iommi felt cheap in comparison and was a lot more expensive. The neck pup on the Iommi sounded amazing but other than that, I was not impressed with the Iommi at all. I've owned a Gibson SG Special and a Gibson SG Classic, I like the Zoot better in every category. I give it a :thu: :thu: out of 5. My Gibson SG gas is back, I'll be getting a black and orange model when my financial situation improves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dres_x Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 Thanks for the review! I for one would like to see more real life pics...I'd love to try one but I haven't seen any in person yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members czarny Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 I would really like to get one of these. They look quite good with no inlays on the board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Toff Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 ^ Agreed about the inlays. I dont know though, I REALLY want to like the paintjob, but its just too... peace and lovey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cliff Fiscal Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 I like'em too.......just hope I can find one used someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaveAronow Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 I just puked in my mouth a little. NOT, because of the guitar, or anything, but I had some alaskan king crab for dinner last night, and it was so awesome, I was just bummed that it was all gone. But THEN, I had a great idea..... Puke in my mouth. MMMM. :love: Crab dinner. Part Deux. Carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members slvrsrpnt Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 cool, I like the black and white one quite a bit. I pop into my local GC every week or so, but they haven't gotten one in yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thermionic geek Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 I would like them much better if they were just painted one color, or even just a clear finish to show off the construction. It's good stuff and not like the plywood Kramers and such from the 80's I think I would pay about $700 tops for a new guitar with that construction. Martin has been using that stuff for years and most of the guitars built with it are around $550-$600. I think these were a good idea pushed a little too far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tiltsta Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 Shhhh. I'm hoping these kind of fail, and they are on the MF blowout list at 699 in a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cliff Fiscal Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 I would be all over that with a hardshell case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jrockbridge Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 I do want to see one of those in person even though it's not my thing. The heavy weight would keep me from purchasing one even if I was really into the guitar otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fuzztone Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 Martin has been using that stuff for years and most of the guitars built with it are around $550-$600. Same company Martin uses made the bodies for Gibson http://www.rutply.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlackHatHunter Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 1. What a great review, complete, detailed, with comparison, etc... great job man, thanks for that. 2. Man, I am thinking about getting one of these, actually. $699 would be an absolute steal. I'd be all over that for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members *BLEEP* Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 Of the 5 I've picked up so far and played around with a bit, they are definitely rather heavy for an SG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members benzem Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 I just puked in my mouth a little. NOT, because of the guitar, or anything, but I had some alaskan king crab for dinner last night, and it was so awesome, I was just bummed that it was all gone. But THEN, I had a great idea..... Puke in my mouth. MMMM. :love: Crab dinner. Part Deux. Carry on. I thought you hated that joke:poke: And gross btw, but ya kinda funny:thu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Slave2TheAudio Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 God these things are {censored}ing disgusting.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members curseoftruth Posted October 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 ^ Agreed about the inlays.I dont know though, I REALLY want to like the paintjob, but its just too... peace and lovey. This isn't a paint job -- they are colored/dyed pieces of wood put together. They have a clear satin over it. Then the comment, I wish they were one painted color? WTF? that is called the SG Special, Standard, Classic, etc. And heavy is relative -- 5.7 pounds. Still light for a guitar, but heavy for an SG which I think are typically to light feeling for me. These have some substance to them, which is nice. Still, not as heavy as most Les Pauls by a mile. But I even like heavy guitars, tend to have a more ballsy tone. The white/black, orange/black, and red/black all look great. The one I played was red/black. They had a blue/red -- didn't work for me, didn't like it. The rainbow one looks too much like candy (inside of a jaw breaker). Like I said, see them in person and play one before passing judgement. I was impressed and I hate most guitars these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members crashclc Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 Saw them at local GC - must admit I kind of laughed when I saw one in person for the first time. They are cartoonish. Played one at low-ish volume on a twin reverb that was sitting right next to it. Nice clean Fender tone (no big surprise). Did not see anything "dirty" to plug it into nearby and my gag reflex was starting to kick in, so I put it down and walked away. Still do not want. (Not even slightly) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members deafinoneear Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 God these things are fucking disgusting.... That's funny-- I've heard that said about Soundgarden fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members McHale Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 I just don't understand how a plywood guitar can bring anywhere close to $1000. So the fact they are telling you it's plywood (as opposed to hiding it on their Epiphone line) deserves an honesty fee? Or is the Gibson logo just worth $700 regardless what they put it on? -Mc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members McHale Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 Of the 5 I've picked up so far and played around with a bit, they are definitely rather heavy for an SG. All that glue adds weight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aenemated Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 Or is the Gibson logo just worth $700 regardless what they put it on? yes. now you can quit crying about it and move on to other concerns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members McHale Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 yes. now you can quit crying about it and move on to other concerns. when I'm damn good and ready... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aenemated Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 ok, keep crying i guess? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EADGBE Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 I think they're the strangest looking guitar I've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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