I currently have a 2019 Gibson SG Special in faded Pelham Blue that I’ve put up for trade as I’m not 100% sure I’m a P90 guy. I have been offered a mint 2017 American Professional Stratocaster in silverburst with the ebony fretboard. Is this a decent trade? They both seem to be about the same value, and I’m not sure if these had good reviews or not as I haven’t been able to find a whole lot about them online. Any advice is appreciated!
If you don’t like the P90s, take the strat. I would keep the SG because I love p90s and pelham blue. I also am not a fan of HSS and that color. But it’s all preference.
I like my 2018 SSS, so my comments would be applicable to that. They share the narrow tall frets and the Vmods which are the the main things I've heard people discussing. Many didn't like the Vmods but I found them tameable with a little roll off on the volume and lowering them a little. As for frets, you either like the narrow tall or you don't. Didn't make a big difference to me, but most of my other players have medium jumbos. Can't speak the Shawbucker except to say what I've heard about them is mostly favorable. I do like that finish though. Something wolf-like about that color.
H-S-S and Silverburst... two check boxes on my "don't like" list. Quality? The Strat is on the level with the SG... so it's whatever you prefer and not what we like. But an HSS Strat will never sound the same as a traditional Strat on the bridge pickup, even with the coil tap. The pickup coil position is different so the harmonics are different.
I just bought a Catalinbread SFT to get some of those ‘69 Stones tones so the SG may get me a little closer there too.
