Cons: I don't like the custom 3 pickup model. Stay with the two pickup models.
The Bottom Line: One of the most unique sounding guitars in the Gibson line that has heavy influenced rock music since the 60s. The most comfortable guitar you will EVER play.
dougmjones's Full Review: Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar
I have to agree with the other rave reviews and say this is one of my all time favorite Gibson guitars for many reasons. I will try to make this a short review but it will be difficult since there is such a long list of reasons to invest in this beauty.
SG's are not the most popular Gibson guitar mainly because the Les Paul and other models get so much press and publicity but many people don't know that the SG is actually a spin off of the Les Paul. I owned a 61 Les Paul/SG custom that was a brand new style at the time and when you saw it you would see what is actually an SG with 3 pickups and gold hardware. They reissued it also but I DO NOT recommend it because of my pick hitting the middle pickup all the time and I also believe the missing wood for the middle pickup weakened the otherwise strong SG neck. The nice thing was the slim taper neck though. That model was the original called a Les Paul but renamed to SG in later models. I would stick with the SG Standard or '61 reissues with the 2 pickup design. The '61 Reissue only comes in one color but I like the neck alot better than the Standard. The "Slim Taper" neck is to DIE FOR.
The SG produces a singing and sometimes growling tone that can cut through anything on stage and still not have that shrilling tone of a Fender for example. Many people use them exclusively for slide guitar and the most notable rock SLIDE solos would be Gary Rossington of Skynyrd playing Freebird which everyone should remember that memorable tone. Another example of this tone as a regular lead guitar is Eric Clapton and Cream in songs such as Strange Brew. It also has a great non distorted sound which rivals the Les Paul and is very nice for Blues or other styles.
My other favorite example of the SG tone is Angus Young of AC/DC which is probably one of the best endorsements of this instrument for rockers. The tone of this guitar through a Marshall amp is so unmistakable that it leaps out. Listen to the power chords and lead tones in AC/DC's first albums like Dirty Deeds or even Highway to Hell. Those tones ARE what made that band's sound PERIOD. I could not even imagine trying to get those tones without an SG.
Hear some MP3 Samples for rock rythym.
http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/sounds/SG611.mp3
Lead Guitar sample MP3:
http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/sounds/SG613.mp3
The mahogany body gives the guitar a light and balanced feel and the sleek neck is a lead guitar players dream come true. You can access the notes on the highest frets just as easy as the 1st fret. The fretwork and neck radius are perfect for any style of rock or traditional music. This is without a doubt the easiest to play lead guitar I have ever owned hands down. The notes are so easy to bend and access I can play a solo on the highest frets with ease. A stratocaster or any other model cannot even come close. Not even one of the new style Jacksons or any brand can touch this neck for ease of play. The slim taper neck if you buy the '61 Reissue brings that to another level. This guitar is a NECK with a body attached :)
The pickups and controls are identical to a Les Paul or ES-335 but this guitar does have a distinct biting tone with a mid-tone growl that the Les Paul and ES-335 do not have.
Many people just don't sit down and realize the huge impact the SG has made on rock and roll. But if you try to buy one of the old collector models you will suddenly realize they are not cheap anymore. If you can buy one of these classics while Gibson is still making them you should. It wont last forever and this is a MUST for any serious rockers collection.
The stop tail piece, tunomatic bridge, frets, hardware and components are in my opinion the same quality as the finest Les Pauls so if you have ever demonstrated a fine Gibson the SG has all the same tuners, parts etc.
There are several models available but my 2 favorites are the Standard and the '61 Reissue. The standard doesn't come with the slim taper neck but with more color selections and the alnico pickups. The '61 Reissue only comes in the vintage cherry color but has '57 PAF humbuckers and the slim taper neck. Either guitar has a character of it's own and both are loved by many great players. Players of this axe tend to have their own unique tone and style on stage and it breaks out of the mold a little bit.
Here is the index at Gibson for the various SG models so you can find your favorite.
http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/sg/index.html
NOTE: THESE WEB PAGES ALSO HAVE MP3 SOUND CLIPS !
http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/sg/SGStandard.html
(The classic SG)
The Standard Specs:
Body Mahogany
Neck/Profile Mahogany/Rounded
Fingerboard/Inlay Rosewood/Trapezoid
Scale/Nut Width 243/4"/111/16"
Binding Fingerboard
Bridge/Tailpiece Tune-o-matic/Stopbar
Hardware Chrome
Pickups 490R Alnico magnet humbucker 498T Alnico humbucker
Controls Two volume, two tone, three-way switch
Strings Brite Wires .009-.042
Available Left-handed
http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/sg/SG61Reissue.html
(My personal favorite)
Specs for the '61 Reissue: (comes in cherry only)
Body Mahogany
Neck/Profile Mahogany/1960 slim-taper
Fingerboard/Inlay Rosewood/Pearl Trapezoid
Scale/Nut Width 243/4"/111/16"
Binding Fingerboard
Bridge/Tailpiece ABR/Stop bar
Hardware Nickel
Pickups Two '57 Classic humbuckers
Controls Two volume, two tone, three-way switch
Strings Brite Wires .009-.042
The Gibson Faded SG Special is an amazingly affordable American made Gibson SG! Built with the same features as some of the most sought-after Gibson...More at American Musical Supply
The Gibson SG Standard is the modern version of this legendary instrument. When introduced in the '60s, the SG, Gibson's new solidbody guitar, broke...More at American Musical Supply
The Gibson SG Standard is the modern version of this legendary instrument. When introduced in the '60s, the SG, Gibson's new solidbody guitar, broke...More at American Musical Supply
Fantastic prices with ease & c...(Stock status: N/A)
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