Best SG Style Guitars With Active Pickups in 2024

Here are the top SG style guitars with Active pickups.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. ESP E-II Viper

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ESP E-II Viper
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Playability 83
Sound 79
Build quality 75
Value for money 69
Overall Score 79

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Viper series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 57TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 66TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
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  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Viper series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 57TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 66TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Viper
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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2. ESP LTD GT-600

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ESP LTD GT-600
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Playability 82
Sound 81
Build quality 62
Value for money 75
Overall Score 75

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From ESP LTD's 2010 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG Glenn Tipton Signature Bridge PU (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG Glenn Tipton Signature Neck PU (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Hybrid bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
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Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2010 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG Glenn Tipton Signature Bridge PU (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG Glenn Tipton Signature Neck PU (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Hybrid bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD GT-600
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Epiphone Prophecy SG

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Epiphone Prophecy SG
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Playability 80
Sound 80
Build quality 63
Value for money 79
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
  • Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Epiphone's 2020 Prophecy Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Mahogany with 1/2 Maple cap body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Proprietary (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Proprietary (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Asymmetrical Slim Taper Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Rotomatic tuners
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  • From Epiphone's 2020 Prophecy Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Mahogany with 1/2 Maple cap body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Proprietary (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Proprietary (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Asymmetrical Slim Taper Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Rotomatic tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Prophecy SG
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. ESP E-II Viper Baritone

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ESP E-II Viper Baritone
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 82
Sound 76
Build quality 75
Value for money 73
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Viper series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Viper series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Viper Baritone
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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5. ESP LTD RM-600

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ESP LTD RM-600
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Playability 87
Sound 73
Build quality 64
Value for money 75
Overall Score 75

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From ESP LTD's 2019 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2019 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD RM-600
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Killswitch Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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6. ESP LTD Viper-1000 Baritone

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ESP LTD Viper-1000 Baritone
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Playability 78
Sound 76
Build quality 67
Value for money 74
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (1 vote)
  • Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From ESP LTD's 2022 Viper series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany / Maple Cap body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60TW-R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2022 Viper series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany / Maple Cap body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60TW-R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-1000 Baritone
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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7. ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone

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ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone
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Playability 78
Sound 71
Build quality 57
Value for money 74
Overall Score 69

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From ESP LTD's 2015 Viper series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2015 Viper series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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