Epiphone Bully SG

This is an Asian-made guitar modeled after the SG. It is basically an Epiphone SG Special with 2 hot (high output) humbucker pickups. The bridge pickup on mine measured 15 k ohms while the neck pickup measured around 12 k ohms. The body is laminated maple and alder (laminated=plywood). The neck is maple. It feels a little thick to me, although it is very smooth. It has only one volume knob and a tone knob. I don't know what kind of tuners it has. I plan on replacing them anyway.

Unplugged the guitar's sound is surprisingly loud and sustains well. This is why I bought it. With the stock pickups, I found it to be rather muddy with lots of low end and not much else. I replaced the bridge pickup with a Smit's Boosted Classic BC-10 with an Alnico 4 magnet. In the neck position, I put a Smit's Classic Coil also with an Alnico 4 magnet. The difference is unreal. It has great sustain. It sounds warm, balanced, and clear. I am giving the sound a 10 because of the pickups I installed. With the stock pickups, I'd give it a 3 or 4.

Replace the toggle switch. I've noticed many people complaining about it going bad. It will; mine already has. I also plan on replacing the volume and tone pots. Typically budget guitars can be a decent platform for modifying. The hardware usually doesn't hold up very well.

The guitar as it comes does not have very reliable hardware or electronics; therefore I give it a 3. If you replace these, you can have a great-sounding, reliable guitar for still way less than what Gibson wants for their stuff. With the modifications I have made so far, I will give it an 8. Once I replace the tuners, I'll probably have to move that up to 9 or 10.

I have never had to deal with customer support.

I bought the Epiphone Bully to experiment with modifying a guitar. The neck had a good sturdy feel to it, and the natural acoustics of the body showed a lot of potential. With the pickup and toggle switch replacements I have made, this guitar is very satisfying to play. I would put its sound up against many high end guitars now. If you plan to play it as is, buy something better. However, if you are willing to invest a little into it, it will serve you well without spending a fortune on a name.

Pretty much the basics, but they are what you would expect from a guitar in this price range. Nice glossy black paint, chromed knobs, run-of-the-mill pickups, generic graphics. But the body style of an SG looks so cool, especially in glossy black, that extra features would almost be overkill with this guitar. If you like a mean, stripped-down look, and you're not a meticulous guitar freak, then it's a great guitar.

I love the sludgy sound of the Epi SG Bully when you run it through a Pod or a head with good distortion. The bottom pickup seems like it has a short in it, but then again I did buy it used. I have read that the SG Bully pickups are pretty crappy, and that they go out, but the full, grungy sound you can get from them is pretty damn cool. I play black metal and it works great, almost too crunchy but just add some reverb and/or chorus and you've got a pretty rounded-out sludge sound.

Not really applicable, since I bought it used. But it has tremendous action, real speedy.

I do not play gigs, I play @ my house. I think this guitar is pretty fragile though, considering the easily breakable tips on the "horns" and the relatively cheap body finish.

N/A

I've been playing 13 years, and I've had mostly lower-level guitars since I'm not that serious of a guitar player. But I have always loved the look of the SG (especially since so many greats play on one -- Robby Krieger, Angus Young, Hank JR, Unknown Hinson, etc.) and I was really surprised when I found the Bully at such an affordable price. I didn't even play it, I just bought it for the looks. The fact that it it plays really sludgy black metal so easily was an added bonus. Blues licks are also easy to hit and sound good with some chorus / delay.

SG Solid Top, maple I think.
Transparent Cherry Red Finish
22 Frets, medium
Made in China, 2002
Volume and Tone, 3-way switch
Dual Hummbucker Pickups
Tune-o-matic bridge
Non-locking tuners, don't know which kind

I got this guitar brand new. I picked it mostly because I was short on cash, and Epiphone was the closest thing I was going to get to Gibson. With this guitar I play mostly punk and ska, and a little bit of classic rock. This guitar does pretty well with all of them, but I especially like how it sounded for punk, especially after I raised the action a bit.

Also, it might just be me, but it's nice to have an electric guitar that doesn't sound muted when it's not plugged in. If I don't have an amp it sounds just fine to play by itself.

The guitar played well enough right out of the package, I didn't really need to mess around with it to much untill I started getting better at guitar, and then I made a few tweaks over time. But I'm pretty sure it's like that with anyone and their first guitar. I looked at the inside and everything looked pretty well put together.

The Finish is beautiful. The neck plays wonderfully, especially for the price range.

I've had this guitar for about 5 years now and besides a few guitars I've picked up on ebay for cheap, I havent bought a new electric(six-string) since. With the exception of my Conrad (for blues and folk), this is the only guitar I have in condition to use on stage. And I'm perfectly comfortable with that. I've even had friends ask to borrow it for shows.

My brother scratched up the back pretty bad with his belt. You know, the stupid ones with the pyramids. So, the finish isn't the most durable.

I have had no problems, mechanical or electrical with this guitar.

I've never talked to a customer support person in my life...

I love this guitar, and maybe alot of it is sentimental. But I'm pretty sure that despite my obvious favoritisms, this is a good guitar. Especially considering that they cost next to nothing. But sadly, if you have more money, it doesn't give much of a reason not to spend it on something else.

2001 Model Made in Korea? I think.
22 Frets
Solid Top
1 Volume/ 1 Tone
Two Humbuckers (Uncovered)
Not sure about the woods...
Glossy Black Finish
SG Body Style
Tune-O-Matic Bridge
Chrome Tuners 3+3 Style
24.75 Inch Scale Maple Fretboard

I play blues, classic rock, speed metal, and jazz. Surprisingly, this guitar fits them all fairly well. The bridge pickup is hot and can be even hotter with a chrome cover and some adjustment. The
neck pickup is mellow when on clean sounds and crunchy when overdriven. Not noisy at all. Bass can overpower the highs if you play through an amp with a small speaker (as most guitars will). I play into a Crybaby then into a Line 6 POD 2.0 to either a Marshall 10 Watt or a Fender 15 Watt bass amp. Sounds better than a $500 or $600 dollar Ibanez or other "Nu-Metal" guitar. Rocks the socks off all those crappy Squier Strats that many people my age (15) buy instead. Sounds like a nice hot-rodded Gibson SG Special.

If you've read any reviews of this guitar, you probably heard about the neck. It's Godly. Faster than the ugly girl at high school. The finish is great but shows everything if you don't clean it well. Like you should. The stock setup was great, but I lowered the action, adjusted and Hot-Rodded the pickups, and use Ernie Ball Skinny Top/Heavy Bottoms. Now the guitar lights up when played fast. I played some Malmsteen on it and it flows beautifully. Tuning pegs are about average and keep in tune well. I definitely recommend lowering the action just a tad, it doesn't need it though. Frets are great and don't buzz. I can bend into the stratosphere. Try some Slayer and Led Zeppelin to get a feel for what you're in for.

Rock solid reliable. The only problem is that the electronics are a little iffy. If you don't use both pickups the toggle switch will require a little wiggling to get the other circuit working. No big deal if you use both pickups. Or you can get new Gibson wiring for cheap. I gig with it often and use it for all kinds of crap. The strap buttons could be moved to fix some balance issues with the strap. I beat the hell out of it and it works like new. Not that YOU should abuse it like I do!

Not needed. Never need a repair if you maintain it.

I've been playing for 6 years and have played a lot of guitars. Gibsons, Fenders, Ibanez, etc. and this really stands out not only as a great guitar for the money but really as a great guitar period. This guitar is kind of a sleeper. $150 bucks, basic features, made in Korea.... sounds like this guitar would be a crap box. No no no sir! This is real quality and sound. Like another reviewer said, this is going to be a cult classic! If you're just starting out and need a good guitar, regardless of your budget, this is worth 5 or 10 minutes in the store to play. Buy it, dress it up with chrome pickup covers and an SG Standard pick guard and you've got a hot Axe!

Year 2002...
Made in China...
22 frets...
Volume+Tone+3 Way Toggle...
2 Hummers...
Black/Chrome....
SG Style Body...
Tune-o-matic Bridge...
Thicker Neck than Ibanez, standard Epi/Gibson Neck...
I recieved mine with a little amp (which kicks), gig bag, cords, etc. etc..

I love the guitar, although it isn't $5000, (it really is impressive...)
I currently have a plethra of practce amps, but i just ordered a 2x12 combo...
I don't really get any bad noise...
It's has a nice Rock sound to it....
The guitar isn't very balanced from the neck to the body, meaning if you let go of it, the neck will oint to the floor (i think mainly because of where the strap is located)

Action seemed playable...
Pick-ups seemed great...
Bridge etc, looks fine...
I did get a buzz from the A & E String, chg the strings, they are good to go....

It will hang in live events...
Hardware seems a little if'y, but what can i expect for price paid..
Finish should last just fine...
Strap buttons look to be good, there poistioning is another story...
I can say i depend on it...
I would use it at a gig, most definetly....

Musicians Friend... great company, sales are over-all good (i get the occasional know-it-all or cocky salesman)....
Warranty is a coulpe years i believe....

I have been playing on and off for years, i finally decided to get back into playing beccause i am lead singer standing on stage with nothing to do at times ( i am a multi-tasker)...
If it were stolen, i probably would get another one, although, they dont make much of these anymore...
I love the sound, the look, the finish...
I dis-like the neck quickness also has sharp frets, but it's digable...
i played other guitars in the price range, and this feels comparable to Ibanez's GAX-70 And a Peavey....
I wish it had different EPI logo's, these ones kinda make the guitar lame...
Over-all this guitar is great, for my style and playing. Defintely good rythm guitar for the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is a late model eppiphone "e" series that came out. which in my opinion are just cheaper prototypes of the epi sg special. this geetar was equipped with dual humbucking picups wich sound pretty good for stockers. the body is a plywood sg styled looks like alder or maple. i bought a trans red finish one looks killer!. got a tune o matic bridge with schaller looking tuners. neck is a satin finished maple with 22 medium sized frets. extra accessories include a lil cord wich is great. and the usual t-rod tool.

i play hardrock, hardcore punk, metal music. just about every guitar equipped with a humbucker at the bridge will do. this is one of em. i was suprised on how the neck picup was brighter than the bridge. it was pretty odd to me. if you bought a boss ge7 equalizer pedal and plugged in front it. you can get about any sound you want. cheaper and a good way than buying aftermarket pickups if you ask me.

it wasnt set up that good when i took it outta the box. it was set pretty high. no biggie just lower and intonate the bridge and it'll be fine. the neck was pretty big. its no fast profile neck. i later sanded the back off some and feels better now. other than the neck you'll ALWAYS run into small problems like this above but dont whine, its no big deal.

this axe, according to the description says its designed for live abuse, and is sturdy. im a believer cause i bought this axe from florida on an ebay auction, and i live in the southeast reigon of Alaska. when i picked it up from the post office it was wobbeling in the box. i thought "oh shit its busted" took it home prepared for the ugliness and opend it up. surprizingly it was in one piece! so you tell me now if this axe can survive the abuse handelling of ak air, if it aint no good. (i dare ya) :D

nope never bothered

i been playing for 3 years. i wish this guitar came with faster profile neck. it was big to my liking. if it were stolen i buy something different. something more vintage sg looking. but it would be a lil difficult cause its all parted out now. i plan on rebuilding it soon. all it really is, is a nice low-budget axe. nothing priceless or anything.

No clue where its made, havent counted the frets, its a "laminated alder/maple body" - in simple words, plywood. There's 2 nameless humbuckers with one set of volume+tone knobs and a 3 way selector. The guitar basically has no tone.

It's just a low budget guitar. I bought it because Im a teen and my parents gave me 200 bucks to spend on a guitar. So I bought this for 180. Itll sound fine for a beginner, it did with me for about a month, now im considering swapping pickups. No, this guitar does NOT sound good by any means. It's decent, ive heard worse, but I wouldnt buy it again.

It was setup fine from the box, the finish is actually rather nice looking, everything seems to fit and is decently made. It hasnt broken or anything yet, and it keeps a tune fine.

I havent had any problems with it, nothing has fallen/broken off. Id confidently play it on stage w/o a backup, its rather sturdy.

never dealt.

Nice for a beginner, has good flashy looks. If after a pickup swap it sounds good, I'll use it as a stage guitar. In its current state, i wouldnt even take it outside my house.

Well what can i say here? its pretty basic, you got youre Sg body style, tone and volume knob, shitty 3 way switch that will go out on you (ill garuntee it). Two humbuckers that are your typical stock humbuckers in a budget guitar. dont know where it was made or what type of wood its made out of, more than likely its a laminated body. Has a tune-o-matic bridge with schaller look alike tuners. this has a big fat neck on it wich is good for rythm, good luck with the lead! Rosewood fretboard with 22 jumbo frets.

Ok, the stock sound on this guitar leaves something to be desired. Nothing speacial, you have a pair of muddy humbuckers, through some distortion on them and you can rock like hell. Just dont let the guys with the Duncans in the door!! Clean is pretty good if you use the neck pickup. But i would recomend a change in pickups.

Ok, the guitar was set up Horribly from the factory. Terrible cut in the nut making the strings terribly high off the fretboard. But i changed that and it is now set up good, the action is still high for most but thats the way i like it. There is really no flaws in this guitar it is the purple color and the finish seems to be excellent and holding up.

Ok, well this guitar is built like a damn Panzer. It is solid. the hardware seems like it should hold up except the three way selecter switch will shit out on you. It will and you cant do anything about it. Change it immediatly upon purchasing this guitar. Strap buttons are solid and other than the switch this seems like a pretty durable guitar.

never tried to contact them

Overall, this guitar is really suited toward the begginer. It really was not something i was looking for. Oh well thats what you get when buying off e-bay. lesson learned. For a more advaced player i would not reccomend this guitar unless your just looking for a weekend stage axe or something along those lines.

a laminated aldar body (transparant red finish) maple neck equipped with 22 frets. a tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece.electronics consist of two open-coil humbuckers one volume and one tone knob and a 3 way selector switch..tuners are gotoh looking?. all and all low budget fetures that would suit the average guitarist pretty well.

before the 3 way switch took a shit on me and replacing the electronics (for the sake of personal modification) the humbuckers sounded pretty good i liked the neck one especially it was brighter and more clarity than the bridge which is more bassy. i play heavy rock music and this sounds pretty good for a low budget stocker.

most people who play it say its a bit too high to their likeing but i have larger hands and it fits me good (although a lower action setup would be most prefferred) the pickups were setup fine i just raised em a lil closer.

i bought this guitar on ebay from somewhere in florida and the man did not do a very good packaging job to my opinion. but when i got it it was shaking loose in the box i got a bit nervouse i took it out i didnt find anything loose, broken, etc it seems to be a pretty solid guitar. i doupt the hardware is good for the long haul particularrly the 3 way selector. i had to get a new one.

never bothered

i been playing for 2 years now this is my first electric and i endulged it well i modified it alot i put a pair of emgs in it (60 neck, 81 bridge) and an additional volume pot between the two existing pots. i mounted the pickups in a diamond plate aluminum pickguard (i made myself) it looks KILLER!!. what i would change is the action on the neck its a lil too fat (on the back) for fast players. if this were stolen i would grieve for the new electronics but i would try to buy a real gibson or something. but if you are on a tight budget and want something decent this is the one.

2001 E-series Bully.. bought off ebay for $155

basically a truncated SG, "Super slide" maple neck, 22 frets, chrome hardware, two open humbuckers, 1 volume, 1 tone. Mine's in an ebony black finish (they call it "Just Black"...). The whole E-series, IMHO, has more fancy names than anything epiphone/gibson has ever released. Don't let the names fool you, they're just the standard low end line stuff. One thing worth noting though:

TUNERS/MACHINE HEADS: they come with schaller look-alikes and it's really nice to have nice machine heads on a sub $300 guitar.

Two pots is just not enough to use the pickups to its full (i.e. rhythm pickup for rhythm and lead for solos if you want to have a different volume range). Gotta use a volume pedal... and that really sucks.

I don't get the super slide part, maybe it's just mine, but I didn't really find the neck especially "fast" considering its thickness. But the neck is really sturdy (more on this later)

The guitar sounds great... suits my playing. nice deep tones thru most amps I tried it on. the treble isn't too sharp which i really like. good for most genres.

This is where the guitar really fell short... i previously tried one at the local store before committing to buying the guitar on ebay and the action was too high. the guitar out of the box, though, had low action. there was some buzzing and i had to re-setup the whole guitar only to find out that the truss rod doesn't really do much (typical of most lower end guitars). in the end, i had to remove the neck and change the angle slightly.

i have it strung on a set of 56,46,32,17,13,10 and there's no buzzing whatsoever. got really low action too (try reverse stringing the stop piece like zakk wylde).

the pickup height was okay, but after restringing it needed adjustment.

as i mentioned, the neck's really strong. even with the wacky string balance, the neck seems to hold really strong. the whole construction is really solid.

the pickups, though, are mounted a bit loose out of the box..

never dealt with epiphone personally... i usually do my own repairs anyway

i've been playing for about 8 years now. i salvage parts and modify my guitars to fit my playing. this one seems okay for now, but i'll find something worth modifying sooner or later. the tonal spectrum is nice though, and the guitar seems good for heavy gauge strings.