Epiphone G-1275 SG Doubleneck

I purchased the 2008 Epiphone G-1275 Custom model brand new from a local music retailer.

This guitar is Korean made and please ignore anyone who has complained about the workmanship of this guitar. It is of a very high standard.

Just to debunk some myths that I've read about this model.

1) The body is NOT plywood, it's Mahogany and has the rich dark tones associated with the wood type.

2) The neck is set and NOT bolted on.

3) The flame-top is genuine.

I am going to give it an 8 because apart from the beauty of the guitar I still hate those snot green tuning pegs that Epiphone use.

In saying that the guitar holds its tuning remarkably well and I would not consider changing these tuning for that reason.

Without plugging this guitar in and just strumming on the 12 string and 6 string the acoustics of the G-1275 are very impressive and quite usable when just banging around on the couch. There is a full richness and very pleasant tone probably associated with the fact that there's so much wood in the body.

The real issue I have with the guitar is when I plug it into an amplifier it sounds like poo. Sorry, but if anyone defends the pickups that Epiphone make then you have no idea of what a guitar should sound like. There is absolutely no definition on the individual notes when I play chords or licks, be it on the 12 string or 6 string. It just sounds like a ton of muddy crap.

It's a shame but not unreasonable to expect that Epiphone have to compromise somewhere. I am actually glad that they chose to compromise a part of the guitar that is easily replaceable. I would rather they put in dodgy pickups than sacrifice the quality of the finish or woods used.

So to solve this problem, I put in 2 sets of Seymour Duncan Hot-rodded pickups in both the 12 string (Nickel) and 6 string (Black)position. The SH2N Jazz in the neck allows for the real tonal definition and precision and makes the 12 string sing. The SH4 JB in the bridge gives the hot lead tone that I was after as well.

I am going to score this a 5. 0 for the pickups that come with the guitar but a 10 for the potential that can be unleashed.

The factory setup was great but most retailers should check/adjust your setup prior to giving it to you anyway.

The finish of the guitar was remarkable. Mother-of-pearl fret inlay as well as headstock signature. I am also really happy Epiphone chose to copy the Jimmy Page E-1275 look on the neck. Because after all he is the reason you're even considering buying this axe.

Considering the guitar came in a cardboard box, the paint was undamaged and was straight as an arrow.

Time to go out on a limb...The playability of this guitar is equivalent to my Gibson 57 Les Paul Custom. Epiphone really do make great guitars, the pickups and tuning pegs aside, and are well worth the money.

I haven't played with this guitar yet as I am still waiting on my hard case to come in. However, as I have said previously the guitar is very well built and holds its tuning well on both the 12 and six string. I don't see me having an issue with this guitar.

Also, this guitar is very heavy. I'm a fairly big guy but even I struggle to play with it longer than 30 minutes or so.
Also, I replaced the strap buttons with locking ones because I was always too paranoid that the guitars weight would cause it to slip off its strap.

The guitar holds its tuning well for both the 6 and 12 string necks.

I'll score it an 8 only because the switches and tune-o-matic bridge could be better quality.

Haven't had to deal with them. Don't expect to.

I bought this guitar because ever since I saw Jimmy Page play this on Song Remains The Same as a kid I just had to have one.

I now play in a covers band (web: www.dryryder.com - myspace: www.myspace.com/dryryder for anyone who's interested) and I am looking to play some Led Zep, perhaps even Wanted Dead Or Alive-Bon Jovi or Hotel California-Eagles with it to add a bit of stage presence to our show.

I have been playing for over 20 years and own a range of cool guitars including the Gibson, Fender as well as Wolfgang and Maton and I can say this guitar can sit proudly among them. Once I replace the pickups the guitar is wonderful to play.

If it were stolen I would buy the same again and not even consider the Gibson version.

Things that need to be considered are:
-Pickups suck balls
-Replace the strap buttons to locking ones as the guitar weighs a ton
-Get a hard case as it comes delivered in a cardboard box

Well its the Epiphone G-1275,seeing that I can't seem to get a straight answer on the serial numbers for this guitar I'll go from what I've been told the last four digits of this guitars serial number is 2004,yet I received it in December 2008 from musicians friend.
Everything is on it that is stated in the listings that are from the manufacture this is cherry red in color truss rod covers have SG scribed into them this is a solid wood body covered by drop top laminate of flamed maple,with set necks.
I'll give the appearance a 10.

As a non-professional musician I play many different styles from metal to jazz and have for the past few days put this guitar through its paces using a Digitech GNX300 and a Carvin X100B tube amp,this is the fourth G-1275 and I must say I've had the worst of the worst in this model from the type where the body was made of plywood and yes they did make them out of plywood,but of the 4 that I've owned this one seems to have the best sound though I will say that the three way neck selector switch is useless it bleeds too much tone off of both sets of pickups to be useful,so I switch from neck to neck like I would if this were the reall EDS-1275 by Gibson. so I'll give it a nine for soud

No lose frets and this was set up pretty good all around at the factory the action was and is pretty good on both necks which isn't always the case usually the 6 string necks on these are high there are one or two finish flaw commonly known as fish eyes but nothing I can't live with,and the book match isn't that grate in fact there's more of a flame on one side than the other I'll give this an 8 though.

Well here is a question that I'll try to answer as well as I can this guitar has so far been well playable the tuners seem to have a good ratio no problems so far I replaced the strap buttons with strap locks here's a tip get yourself an extra wide strap the guitar is neck heavy.
I would not use it as a main guitar not that there's anything wrong with it is a heavy monster and yo u wouldn't want to use it for a two hour gig thats for sure but I'd have no problem using it in a gig.
Even with that said I'll still give it a 10

I've not had to use the customer service but will say this Epiphone is owned by Gibson and I've had contact with them over the phone and over the net they have always been helpful each time I've contacted them with any questions I might have had.
With that said I'll still give them a 10

I've been playing a total of 28 years now this was one of those guitar that said buy me so I did without success until recently I would warn anyone looking to get one of these do not buy it used unless you can inspect it first hand,if you feel compelled to do so over the net you will be sorry,if you chose to buy it used from lets say ebay ask for clear pictures of where the necks are set and seated in the body both from the back and from the front if the seller cannot provide these its best to walk away!( there are many of these where the necks seem to separate from the pockets on the body though Gibson and other people say I don't know what I'm talking about I've seen this many times)

All the feature you'll need for this type of ax.

Well, I agree with stainless, it's no Gibson but then it's not $4000.00 CND is it? Great sound for the price, I have a 69 Strat as well and I'e been through many guitars in my 40+ years of playing (good value for $900.00 CND new) Mine is the new 2008 model and they changed the pickups on the six string to the double SG type.

Looked it over and it's hard to pick out any flaws. Very minor paint near the bell on the 12 string, you really have to look very close. Nothing else.

Havent had it long enough to rate this, but I don't expect any issues.

Haven't needed any yet.

this would be a new one.2007...looks to be built very well.no complaints in the workmanship.case also built well.has more than enough.switches, for pickup selecting.pickups are fine sounding .it has been made to have two different sounding guitars in one.that is good.

great sounds,each neck has it's own sounds ,work with it.sound comes from your fingers mostly.don't blame the guitar.i am plugging it into a ,marshall vm halfstack,and a super reverb in stero.with fulltone, blue boy,hendrix,kr musical,,pedals

sorry, but i couldn't find a flaw that would need to be pointed out.i think, about every guitar, some could be found.maybe i got a good one.

i have never had a guitar go down on me.i do go over them once a week.the way,cheaper guitars are made in todays world,quality is much better than the 70s. they rivel 3,000.00 dollar guitars.

? haven't had to use them. it is really up to the store you bought it from anyway.

FOR THE PRICE ,QUALITY, FEATURES.SOUNDS.AND LOOKS.YOU CAN'T BEAT IT.
PLAYERS PICK AWARD.

I got my Epi Twin Neck (2006) 2 months back and it's already back in the shop for repair. The frets on the treble side of the 12 string neck are lifting causing the 1st string to catch underneath them. This guitar cost ??700 with the case (which arrived a month after the guitar!), I would expect better fret work for a guitar of this price regardless of wether it's got 2 necks or not. On inspection the treble side of the 6 string neck is also pretty rough!
The guitar is finished nicely but I'm also not convinced of the "flamed maple veneer", it does look like a foto-finish.
I've had no issues with the hardware yet. The switches do feel a little cheap but no disasters as yet. No-one else on this review page has pointed out that it differs from the gibson in that it has 3 switches - p/up selector for each neck and master neck switch. The Gibson has 2 - master p/up selector (both necks) and neck selector.
The tuners are a little cheap feeling but the guitar keeps it tuning very well IMO.
The volume and tone controls do their job well enough. The volume control doesn't really drop off till about 1 or 2. I don't use a clean channel on my amp (early 80's Marshall JCM800) just my volume control. You've practically got to turn it off to get any drop in gain!
The pickups seem fine on the 6 string but the 12 is dull by comparison. If anyone can advise me on somethiong brighter sounding with a bit more zing I'd appreciate it. I've got burstbuckers on my Les Paul so was thinking about giving these a whirl in the 12. So far I've never been able to use the neck pickup in the 12 as it sounds too thick and wooly on the bridge pickup as it is!

I bought this guitar as I play in a Led Zep tribute band (Led Astray www.myspace.com/ledastrayuk if you're interested). It does it's job for the 3 songs I use it for in our set - Song Remains The Same, Rain Song, Stairway to Heaven. I run it through the following set-up - Behringer PreAmp Booster - Boss TU2 - Roger Mayer modified Crybaby - MXR Phase 90 - Roger Mayer Voodoo Boost - Zoom Programmable Delay - Marshall 2210 JCM800 50 Watt Head running an early 70's Basketweave cab with Celestion 25 Watt Greenbacks. The guitar does have a good sound when cranked, just the problem with the lack of control with the volume pot and the muddiness of the 12 neck. In comparison with my 2003 Les Paul standard the guitar is a lot darker and bassier. This is common with most SG style guitars I've found though. The guitar's not noisy though and I'm generally running my amp at about %70 volume at most gigs. The neck p/up and inbetween setting on the 6 side are quite nice and fruity sounding. It's a pity I can't use the neck p'up on the 12 at all!

The guitar arrived poorly set-up. The 12 string neck was great straight out of the box but I had to lower the 6 significantly. The necks are comfy. The 12 feels similar to a classical guitar, fairly flat and wide. The 6 in comparison feels very small and rounded. It doesn't really compare with other sg style guitars I've owned/played. They tend to have thick baseball bat style necks.
The hardware seems fine if a little cheap. As mentioned at the top of the review the fretwork is pretty poor. This is unacceptable for a guitar in this price range. I've seen better work on an ??80 strat copy!

I've played about 4 gigs with this guitar so far and it's done the job fairly well. Only time will tell if it's gonna stand up to long term abuse. I treat the guitar fairly gently and haven't even put any straplocks on it yet! It is heavy but balances really well on a wide leather strap. I have to use it without a backup (it is my backup!) but this guitar saves me lugging around an extra Les Paul as a back-up for my main guitar.
The case by the way is pretty poor. It's quite an awkward and potentially delicate instrument. The case, in my opinion, is nothing more than a vinyl cover with some cardboard in it!

I took into my dealer yesterday so I'll have to wait a few weeks to see what's going to happen to the frets. Coincedentally they told me there getting the new Gibson Jinny Page signature twin in a few weeks. That's gonna be about 7 or 8 grand though!

I've been playing for 20 years and this is my first doubleneck. It looks the part and almost sounds the part as well. I've always wanted an electric 12 and it is a very playable and fun 12 string guitar. I played a Rickenbacker 12 when I ordered this guitar and it just wasn't comfy to play. If it was stolen I think I'd save up for the Gibson EDS1275. I had to gig this guitar pretty much the same day it came in so didn't get much chance to test it out. If you're thinking about getting one - check the frets thoroughly, save some cash for better pickups for the 12 string neck and look into getting a flightcase made for it as the case is cheap and flimsy (I'm thinking of converting a keyboard flightcase for it).

This axe is no Gibson....period! The necks play well, but Epiphone should have gone the distance for what you have to pay for this beast. The hardware is poor as are the pickups. The tuners are sad...something you don't want when tuning this many strings. The finish was ok but the body wood is a disgrace. To be blunt it's a plywood body with a maple venere and a ash venere on the back. There is just no excuse for false literature in the catalogues and in this price range.

The sound is what you would expect from cheap pickups and plywood

I was amazed at how nice the necks felt in my hands. The action was quite reasonable and the fret work was done well. The twelve string suffers from intonation problems with only six saddles.

It balanced fairly good and feels solid compared to other doublenecks I've owned. Again I wish Epiphone would have good the extra mile and not cut corners as this would be a fun guitar to play. Would I use it on a gig as is? Hell no....

Would you expect support from a company that prints false literature about it's products to care?

I have been playing for 25 years and have been around the block so take my advise and steer clear and save up for the real deal

I got my custom G-1275 new, toward the end of 1996. It would have been one of the first ones in Australia because I waited a year for it- I had seen and been tempted by the standard bolt on neck version a few months prior to getting mine, but mine would be amongst the first customs with the set neck. It came in a carboard box, I had to wait another year to get the proper case- and a year is a long time when your in high school!

It's great, I have played Epiphone Les Pauls and Gibson Les Pauls, the experience left me thinking that Epiphones are crap, however this is NOT the case with the G-1275. It gives you that Gibson jangle sound that you want. It does not sound as good a Gibson Les Paul though- but it was less than half the price of a Les Paul, and a quarter of the price of a Gibson 2-neck (that ive never played)
If I were critical I'd say the sound was a bit "dull" but I spose thats what seperates the Gibsons from the Epiphones.

It really stands out as one of the best solid body Epiphones made. It just feels so solid and you can get the action way down without buzzing- as Ive mentioned before, I've played Epiphone Les Pauls before and they felt like they were gonna fall apart in my hands- but not this Epiphone. Everything was set up ready to go from the shop I got it from, it was a happy day for sure! My complaints are the machine heads- they feel cheap and they buzz, and the fact that its very neck heavy and takes a nosedive unless you have a grippy leather strap. I wonder in the Gibson one is more balanced- i spose the only way to balance it is to have a heavier body- and this one is heavy enough! The necks feels great, just the way I like them, the 12 string neck is a little wider than the 6, and a bit too wide for my tastes, but of course this is a neccecity, overall I'me very happy with the way the 12 string feels all things considered.

I must admit, since getting my Gibson Les Paul the 2-neck has been sitting fairly dormant, it was a bastard to transport on a train everyday. However, I have revived it now for a band I'm in www.prowler.com.au and it feels and sounds as good as ever. There was an electrical gremelin one of the capacitors that was soldered onto one of the pots had come loose- I dont know how because there is no movement in that area, esp since its been dormant.

Dont know, I didnt deal direct to Epiphone, for the amount of time that I was promised that somthing would get in the "next month" but never did honestly if thats Epiphones fault then I give that a ZERO. However I suspect its a common problem in the low volume market that is Australia- Ive know many people, bass players, drummers and other guitarists whove ordered somthing and its never come on time. Still, I think I waited the most.

I got this guitar because I wanted an electric 12 string, I considered the Gibson 2-neck and a rickenbacker 12 string, then like it was destined for me, I found out about that Epiphone are gonna start making the doubleneck, well it was the cheapest electric 12 string available and you know- 2 necks are better than one. Also at the time I wanted a Gibson Les Paul, well the 6 string neck helped get my fix in that as well. Someday I'd like to change the pickups for Gibson pickups and see if theres an improvement Im extremely happy with this guitar, it has its quirks but I hope I can keep it forever.

Epiphone G-1275 SG style double neck guitar 12 string and 6 string. This is a cherry red finish with alder body and mahagony neck(s). This has chrome hardware with the tailpiece that's further to the back when compared to gibson model. I read somewhere that the tailpiece is in the original position when gibson designed this back in the early 60's. Frets seem to be medium, and there's nice binding around the neck. Pickups are chrome 8.5k output 57 Humbuckers by gibson on the 12 string, the 6 string's pickups are uncovered 8.5 k epiphone pickups. The 6 string pickups are very hot and not balanced when compared to the 12 string. This was a concern to me especially when switching back and forth from 12 to 6 stings. Also, after 10 mo. I had the input jack fail of which Epiphone replaced the jack with a switchcraft input jack. I've decided to try to match the 6 strings out put to the 12 strings output by using 8.0k and 7.5 k chrome humbucking pickups, generic gibson PU's from E-Bay which. The tuners are OK, not expensive but they do hold pitch fairly well.

The guitar sounds great overall. I am replacing the pickups in the 6 strings to eliminate the excessive hot output that doesn't match well to the 12 string. The 12 string sounds accurate and probably sounds just like the gibson model. I was told that the pickups on the 12 and 6 are 57 humbuckers at 8.5k, the 12 side doesn't sound that hot, but the 6 string sounds only good with lots of distortion. I want to also have a nice clean sound which wasn't possible with the stock choice of pickups on the 6 string side. Keep those 6 string pickups if you like the black sabbath sound or lots of thick distortion. I really think Epiphone dropped the ball for the electronics on this guitar...I already had a warranty issue with the input jack, and the toggle switches are very cheap , and noisy. Now , the warranty is only parts , not labor. I'm replacing the pickups on the 6 string and replacing all the toggle switches.

The cool thing about this Epiphone compared to the gibson is the 3 way toggle switch that selects what neck you want...you can have both necks playing if you want...but it will drop your output in half since you'll be running 4 pickups or so...ie. both necks...it's cool to hit some harmonics on the 12 , and reach and play off of that on the 6 string ...also will produce some nice drone tones if you want as well...

I play alot of stuff that requires some 12 string sounds, since I'm the only guitarist I can switch to the 6 for a nice solo. Of course, you can always play stairway to heaven and acheive the exact same thing. I play alot of byrds and beatles, etc. so this guitar was perfect for the rock trio I work with.

The action is great on both necks. The 6 string is very slinky and very smooth. The 12 string is also very nice and easy for a 12 string. The intonation on the 6 string from the factory wasn't very good past the 12th fret, so I had to get that set up. The 12 string wasn't bad, plus it's difficult to get the intonation really perfect on a 12 string. Pickups were adjusted good, I just didn't care for the tone and output of the 6 string.

the finish is fine...the back of the necks are little lighter than the body...I was told it was the difference between the alder body and the mahagony necks, however; it's on the back , so folks don't really see it

the nuts and saddles are fine, the frets are fine..I'm not a fan of alder but in a solid body I don't think it's too crucial...When you've got this much electronics Epi shouldn't go cheap...that's the only draw back...

I was told by Epi..that the necks and body are assembled in nashville , but all the rest is made in korea..the reason that's this is a "custom" is that the neck sets and set up's are done by american Epi in nashville

Well, the electronics aren't very reliable, so watch out. I was playing a gig in front of about 200 people and the input jack failed...I'm sure this didn't look good for gibson/epi; this guitar gets alot of looks on stage...you just don't see it on stage that much...I did contact my dealer and they replaced the input jack under warranty with a switchcraft. As a professional I demanded that the same "cheap" part not be used for replacement; I demanded a upgrade!

Other than the electronics , the guitar is stable, unless you got a bad neck set. I would check the set up, but overall the guitar wasn't bad. I do recommend that you use a good tuner for the 12 string for a while , it's a lot easier than tuning it by ear.

I did deal with Epiphone/gibson on the failed input jack , there were helpful and insightful. I was instructed to take it back to the dealer who was authorized for repair. I just wish that epiphone and gibson would make products like their customer support; there customer support is really good and professional!

Overall, this is great buy for the price. the gibson goes from about 2200.00 dollars, and I don't see much difference , except for wood and electronics. However, the epi plays about the same.

I am professional musician in the AFM (11-637) in good standing. I would use this guitar on gigs since the 12 and 6 string sound is important to my show. I don't have to worry about it being stolen since it's not a gibson; but I don't know how long epiphone will be making this guitar.

What a great piece of kit.

This thing sounds like a really good SG ...and the 12 string is so musical

Mine is a 2001 and was set up almost right just change those cheap stock strings to Dadarrios ....10-46 on the 6 string and the same gauge as factory on the 12 string The 6 string neck needed a little more relief with the 10's

HERE IS A LITTLE FIX ....AN UNOFFICIAL FIX .....FOR THOSE EPIPHONE SWITCHES that can sometimes be finnicky

Remove the scratchplates and carefully lift the switches out and blow any dust or debris out of the cavities and then clean the switch with a small cloth and pass a piece of emery board between the contacts...clean once more. Then use a small rubber band ( oh about a 1/16th of an inch in diameter ( yes the type the newspaper gets curled up by) and wind the elastic band around the switch body ( where the contacts are)Make about 6 - 8 turns ....just make it snug....NOT OVERTIGHT voila ...a nice fix for the switches ...and its vibration proofed as well.

No problems with Epiphone as a company

Been playing 5 years own tons of gear Great piece of gear

Just got this SG Doubleneck today and man is it a keeper. Same layout as Page's. Except its an Epi. Not sure of the wood, but its got a nice flametop to it. Made in Korea. My only problem with the guitar itself was that the rythm pup on the 6 was broken due to UPS being such a shitty mode of transportation. The copper plate below the pup where the screw ring meets the screw broke and would not stay in place. Gibson offered to provide a new pickup and gave me info on the place where I could get it fixed, in my city, just a few miles away. Also might I add that UPS really blows. The features are immaculate. The tone it gets when both necks are activated beats out any guitar I own. Even my Les Paul. The Necks are also somewhat thinner then usual Epi/Gibsons.

The 6 portion is F$#%in' smoking hot. Great with distortion. The 12 is even better. What great harmonics. the pups are also incredible. I'm not sure what one other poster was talking about. This guitar is hot.

All good. Except that busted pup. Also one of the tuners on the 6 gives restraint but a little work will fix it. Just a little tougher to turn then usual. No flaws with paint or anything else.

This thing is built to last. The wieght isn't even that bad either. It does take nose dives though due to the wieght on the ends.

Once again great support. Offered to have the problem solved immediately. Wating on the new pupto arrive so that the repair shop can fix it. We'll see how long that takes though.

Amazing instrument. Can't say anymore. I'd definately buy it again. Whoever said money can't buy you happiness, never bought this guitar.