If you’re thinking about getting the Epiphone SG Special VE and you’re not exactly sure if it’s a good electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that affordable guitar. Many guitarists claim that it’s the best SG-type guitar for the money, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Epiphone SG Special VE is a fantastic and great sounding guitar. It’s a perfect option for those who are searching for an affordable budget guitar. Honestly, it’s one of the coolest cheap guitars out there!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Epiphone SG Special VE so good and so popular among the guitarists. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specs and the main pros of that model. Additionally, we’ll see if it has any potential flaws. Of course, there will be a few sound demos as well!
Specs & Pricing
Epiphone SG Special VE is an inexpensive electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. In fact, it’s one of the most affordable SG-style guitars that are currently available on the market. That’s why it’s so popular!
The guitar features a lightweight poplar body with a comfortable mahogany neck (’60s SlimTaper D profile) and smooth rosewood fingerboard. It also has a 24.75″ scale length, which means that it’s really comfortable for guitar players with smaller hands (in comparison, Stratocasters and Telecasters have the 25.5″ scale length).
The manufacturer equipped this model with a pair of Epiphone open-coil humbuckers with ceramic magnets. These pickups sound really good and they can be used in a lot of different styles of music, so their versatility is definitely a big advantage. Undoubtedly, a lot of guitarists will be in love with that tone!
When it comes to pricing, it’s a really cheap guitar. In fact, it’s actually one of the cheapest electric guitars offered by Epiphone! It doesn’t mean that it features a poor quality though – it’s actually surprisingly good. Surely, it won’t be easy to find a better sounding guitar at this price level.
Overall, I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all musicians who are looking for an excellent and reliable SG-style instrument. There’s a really high chance that you’re going to immediately fall in love with it.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Epiphone SG Special VE is an entry-level electric guitar, so it’s mainly designed for amateur and less experienced guitarists. Still, even more intermediate guitar players will appreciate the surprisingly high quality of that model.
The SG Special is a great guitar for home practice, but it also works well during band rehearsals and even live gigs. Of course, upgrading the pickups will significantly improve the tone of that guitar, but it’s not necessary.
It is also worth mentioning that just like all the SG-style guitars, this Epiphone model is really versatile. Whether you like punchy rock riffs or mellow clean tones, this guitar won’t let you down. It’s a perfect choice for all fans of blues, rock, metal and punk music.
Considering how inexpensive this guitar is, it’s definitely worth every cent. That being said, it’s a perfect choice for everyone who doesn’t want to spend too much on new gear. If you’re on a tight budget, this guitar will be perfect for you. It’s not the best guitar in the world, but it’s definitely one of the best electric guitars at this price level.
Here’s an another sound demo.
Are There Any Disadvantages?
Although Epiphone SG Special VE is generally a fantastic electric guitar, it’s still a cheap guitar. It’s pretty clear that it’s not the best guitar in the world and it’s tough to compare it with some of the most expensive guitars available on the market.
There’s a few things that you should be aware of before you decide to get it. You have to remember that:
- it usually comes without a gig bag
- there are no pickup covers
- it may require a setup (especially adjusting the string action)
- the tuners and pickups are pretty basic
In my opinion, these things shouldn’t discourage you from getting this guitar. There’s not much to complain about, especially when you think about the low price of that model. It’s a budget guitar, so it’s pretty obvious that it’s not made of the best materials.
Also, doing a professional setup is not necessary, but it will definitely make that guitar more comfortable to play. The truth is that getting a cheap guitar is always a lottery – some of these guitars need a full setup while other models are ready to play right out of the box. But that’s totally normal!
Epiphone SG Special vs Gibson SG
A lot of guitarists wonder whether they should choose the Epiphone SG Special or a much more expensive Gibson SG. And to be honest, picking a clear winner of that battle isn’t that easy, because both of these guitars have their own pros and cons.
In my opinion, Gibson SG is a better guitar. It’s significantly more expensive, but it just sounds and feels better. But at the same time, when you think about how cheap the Epiphone SG Special VE actually is, everything changes.
The SG Special by Epiphone is a cheap guitar which offers a surprisingly high quality. When you directly compare it with more expensive Epiphone and Gibson models, the difference isn’t actually that obvious. I’m sure that less advanced guitarists won’t even notice the sound differences of these guitars.
That being said, Epiphone SG Special VE is a perfect fit for anyone who’s searching for a fantastic and cheap electric guitar. If you’re okay with spending way more just to get the Gibson logo on the headstock and a slightly better quality, choose the Gibson.
Here’s the sound comparison of three SG guitars – Epiphone Special, Epiphone Standard and Gibson Standard. Feel free to check it out below!
Alternative Options
If you don’t like the sound of the SG Special VE and you feel like this guitar isn’t the right fit for you, that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of other really good electric guitars available on the market. Of course, it all depends on what kind of music you want to play and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few more great and cheap guitar that also deserve a lot of recognition.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out Epiphone Les Paul Special VE. This is a great alternative for those who prefer Les Paul-style guitars rather than SG-style guitars. Just like the model reviewed in today’s article, this LP offers a great value for the money. It’s not too expensive either, so it’s a perfect option for those who are on a tight budget.
Alternatively, you can also check out the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster. I actually own that guitar and I can honestly admit that this is one of my favorite cheap electric guitars. It certainly looks, feels and sounds like a much more expensive guitar. I think that I actually use it more often than some of my Mexican and American-made Fenders!
If you’re thinking about getting a semi-hollow body guitar, check out Ibanez AS53. This is one of the cheapest guitars of this type that are manufactured by Ibanez, but it offers a fantastic quality. I own that guitar and I recorded a quick video review about that model, so make sure to check it out on my blog if you’re interested.
FAQ
Where is Epiphone SG Special VE manufactured?
Epiphone SG Special VE is made in China.
Where can I learn more about Epiphone guitars?
If you want to learn more about Epiphone guitars, make sure to visit the official website of Epiphone.
Summary
As you can see, Epiphone SG Special VE is a really cool and cheap electric guitar. I’m positive that the vast majority of amateur guitarists will appreciate the high quality of that model. Also, I’m sure that even more advanced players will really enjoy playing on that model as well.
What do you think of that guitar? Would you add it to your own guitar collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts about it!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
