Gibson honored Les Paul's request, and the new model was named "SG", which stood for 'Solid Guitar'. Even
though Les Paul's name was officially deleted in 1961, the SG featured Les Paul nameplates and truss rod covers
until the end of 1963.
though Les Paul's name was officially deleted in 1961, the SG featured Les Paul nameplates and truss rod covers
until the end of 1963.
Eric Clapton's "Fool" SG
In spring 1968, the SG was loaned to Jackie Lomax, an associate of George
Harrison. The "Fool" was later sold to Todd Rundgren for $500 before
eventually being sold to a private collector for over $500,000!
Harrison. The "Fool" was later sold to Todd Rundgren for $500 before
eventually being sold to a private collector for over $500,000!
Jimmy Page's EDS-1275
In 1972 the design went back to the original style pickguard and rear-mounted controls
but with the neck now set further into the body, joining roughly at the 20th fret. By the end
of the 70's, the SG models returned to the original 60's styling, and modern
(1991-present) standard and special models have mostly returned to the 1967-1969
styling and construction. With a few exceptions; various reissues and other models of the
SG still retain the original 1961-1967 styling.
but with the neck now set further into the body, joining roughly at the 20th fret. By the end
of the 70's, the SG models returned to the original 60's styling, and modern
(1991-present) standard and special models have mostly returned to the 1967-1969
styling and construction. With a few exceptions; various reissues and other models of the
SG still retain the original 1961-1967 styling.
|
At the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG
Junior (a stripped-down version of the standard, analogous to the Les Paul Junior), the
SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's
current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special. Over the
years, Gibson has offered many variations of the SG, and continues to manufacture
special editions, including models such as the Special and Faded Special, Supreme,
Artist Signature SGs, Menace, and Gothic, as well as the premium-priced VOS
reissues of the sixties SG Standard and Custom.
Junior (a stripped-down version of the standard, analogous to the Les Paul Junior), the
SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's
current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special. Over the
years, Gibson has offered many variations of the SG, and continues to manufacture
special editions, including models such as the Special and Faded Special, Supreme,
Artist Signature SGs, Menace, and Gothic, as well as the premium-priced VOS
reissues of the sixties SG Standard and Custom.
* WristRock wishes to thank and acknowledge the sources of the above information: Rolling Stone Magazine, Gibson.com, History
of Guitars in Pictures, Wikipedia.com, and YouTube.com.
of Guitars in Pictures, Wikipedia.com, and YouTube.com.
SG Supreme
Due to its popularity and vintage heritage, the body style of the SG is often copied by other manufacturers,
although much less frequently than the Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster; a notable example is the ESP Viper.
although much less frequently than the Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster; a notable example is the ESP Viper.
In 1980, the first SG manufactured with "active" factory pickups was introduced.
Gibson experimented with an SG that included the same Moog active electronics that
had previously been used in another Gibson model, the RD Artist. The resulting SG
had a slightly thicker body to accommodate the extra circuitry, and was dubbed the
“Gibson SG-R1.” The SG-R1 was renamed the “SG Artist” in 1981, and was
discontinued shortly afterwards. Approximately 200 active SGs were produced.
Gibson experimented with an SG that included the same Moog active electronics that
had previously been used in another Gibson model, the RD Artist. The resulting SG
had a slightly thicker body to accommodate the extra circuitry, and was dubbed the
“Gibson SG-R1.” The SG-R1 was renamed the “SG Artist” in 1981, and was
discontinued shortly afterwards. Approximately 200 active SGs were produced.
In 2008, Gibson introduced the Robot SG, which feature a motorized tuning system developed by Tronical.
Limited-edition variants include the SG Robot Special and the limited-edition Robot SG LTD. The Robot system was
designed to be convenient for players who need to frequently change tunings, without requiring them to manually tune
or carry several guitars; however, they also carry a significant price premium.
Limited-edition variants include the SG Robot Special and the limited-edition Robot SG LTD. The Robot system was
designed to be convenient for players who need to frequently change tunings, without requiring them to manually tune
or carry several guitars; however, they also carry a significant price premium.
In 2009, Gibson introduced the Raw Power line of SGs, which have an all-maple body, unbound maple neck and
fretboard, and unique colors not previously seen in SGs. These models are priced between the entry-level Specials
and the more expensive Standards. 2009 also brought the Guitar Center-exclusive SG Standard with Coil Taps
available in both 50s and 60s style necks.
fretboard, and unique colors not previously seen in SGs. These models are priced between the entry-level Specials
and the more expensive Standards. 2009 also brought the Guitar Center-exclusive SG Standard with Coil Taps
available in both 50s and 60s style necks.
(According to Gibson Lifestyles)
When the Les Paul SG first hit the scene back in 1961, the Gibson SG
(short for Solid Guitar) was the most radical design the electric guitar
world had witnessed so far, and it still makes a bold statement today.
(short for Solid Guitar) was the most radical design the electric guitar
world had witnessed so far, and it still makes a bold statement today.
Originally conceived as a modern replacement for the single-cutaway
Les Paul Standard (the name it still carried for the first couple years of its
existence), the SG had several features that made it perfect for cutting-
edge guitarists – all of which remain present in the Gibson USA SG
Standard – and it became an iconic rock guitar almost immediately. With
its light yet resonant solid -mahogany body and neck, a radical looking
double-cutaway design that also yields unprecedented upper-fret access,
a rock-solid Tune-o-matic bridge and stoptail pairing, and two meaty
humbucking pickups, today’s SG Standard is just as sweet a player and as
monstrous a tone machine as the guitars that made the name legendary
nearly 50 years ago.
Les Paul Standard (the name it still carried for the first couple years of its
existence), the SG had several features that made it perfect for cutting-
edge guitarists – all of which remain present in the Gibson USA SG
Standard – and it became an iconic rock guitar almost immediately. With
its light yet resonant solid -mahogany body and neck, a radical looking
double-cutaway design that also yields unprecedented upper-fret access,
a rock-solid Tune-o-matic bridge and stoptail pairing, and two meaty
humbucking pickups, today’s SG Standard is just as sweet a player and as
monstrous a tone machine as the guitars that made the name legendary
nearly 50 years ago.
In 1958, Gibson Les Paul sales were significantly lower than they had
been in previous years. The following year, the Les Paul was given a
thinner, flat-topped mahogany body, and had a double cutaway which
made the upper frets more accessible. The neck joint was moved by
three frets to further ease access to the upper frets.
been in previous years. The following year, the Les Paul was given a
thinner, flat-topped mahogany body, and had a double cutaway which
made the upper frets more accessible. The neck joint was moved by
three frets to further ease access to the upper frets.
Production costs fell significantly due to the simpler body construction, and the new Les Paul was advertised as
having the "fastest neck in the world" due to its slender neck profile and small heel. The new Les Paul was popular,
but Les Paul himself did not care for the new design, and requested the removal of his name from the new model
(however, due to his contract, he was photographed with the new model several times).
having the "fastest neck in the world" due to its slender neck profile and small heel. The new Les Paul was popular,
but Les Paul himself did not care for the new design, and requested the removal of his name from the new model
(however, due to his contract, he was photographed with the new model several times).
Models produced between 1961 and 1965 have the original small pickguard; in 1966 the guitar was redesigned
slightly with a different neck joint, and the modern larger semi-symmetrical "batwing" pickguard first appeared in 1967.
slightly with a different neck joint, and the modern larger semi-symmetrical "batwing" pickguard first appeared in 1967.
This design continued until 1971, when variations of the SG were sold with a raised Les
Paul style pickguard and a front-mounted control plate. The low-end SG-100 and the P-90
equipped SG-200 appeared during this time, as well as the luxurious SG Pro and SG
Deluxe guitars. Vibrato (tremolo arm) tailpieces were also introduced as options
Paul style pickguard and a front-mounted control plate. The low-end SG-100 and the P-90
equipped SG-200 appeared during this time, as well as the luxurious SG Pro and SG
Deluxe guitars. Vibrato (tremolo arm) tailpieces were also introduced as options
1. ANGUS YOUNG, AC/DC
2. TONY IOMMI, BLACK SABBATH
3. ROBBY KRIEGER, THE DOORS
4. JERRY GARCIA, GRATEFUL DEAD
5. FRANK ZAPPA, MOTHERS of INVENTION
6. DEREK TRUCKS, ALLMAN BROTHERS/ DEREK TRUCKS BAND
7. FRANK MARINO, RUSH
8. SISTER ROSETTA THARPE, MEMPHIS MINNIE
9. ERIC CLAPTON, YARDBIRDS/CREAM/ DEREK & THE DOMINOES
10. DARON MALAKIAN, SYSTEM OF A DOWN
11. PETE TOWNSHEND, THE WHO
12. JIMI HENDRIX, JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
13. ELLIOT EASTON, THE CARS
14. MICK BOX, URIAH HEEP
15. THOM YORKE, RADIOHEAD
2. TONY IOMMI, BLACK SABBATH
3. ROBBY KRIEGER, THE DOORS
4. JERRY GARCIA, GRATEFUL DEAD
5. FRANK ZAPPA, MOTHERS of INVENTION
6. DEREK TRUCKS, ALLMAN BROTHERS/ DEREK TRUCKS BAND
7. FRANK MARINO, RUSH
8. SISTER ROSETTA THARPE, MEMPHIS MINNIE
9. ERIC CLAPTON, YARDBIRDS/CREAM/ DEREK & THE DOMINOES
10. DARON MALAKIAN, SYSTEM OF A DOWN
11. PETE TOWNSHEND, THE WHO
12. JIMI HENDRIX, JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
13. ELLIOT EASTON, THE CARS
14. MICK BOX, URIAH HEEP
15. THOM YORKE, RADIOHEAD
SG Standard
<<< CLICK ON "THE FOOL" FOR RARE "CREAM" VIDEO
The diverse list of guitar stars that have played variations of the Les Paul SG include:
- Link Wray
- Angus Young
- Rod Price
- Barry Goudreau
- Don Felder
- David St. Hubbins
- Derek Trucks
- The Edge
- Jeff Tweedy
- Gary Louris
- Deryck Whibley
- Rivers Cuomo
- Johnny Marr
- Andrew Stockdale
- Terry Kath
- Jerry Garcia
- Duane Allman
- Glen Buxton
- Michael Bruce
- Jimmy Page
- Frank Zappa
- Mick Box
- John McLaughlin
- Buck Dharma
- Gary Rossington
- Todd Rundgren
- Johnny “Guitar” Watson
- Frank Marino
